"Macross Frontier: Bandai's 1/60 DX Chogokin VF-27 Lucifer (Brera Sterne Custom)!"

Finally, the long awaited VF-27 Lucifer! This one is piloted by the mysterious Brera Sterne...

Fighter:



Brera Sterne... sometimes enemy, sometimes ally... but always cool :D

This time, Bandai made the landing gears longer so we can store the VF-27's massive beam gun in fighter mode!

Cockpit opens to reveal mini Brera and Ranka.. and they are removable too..

Note: the stand is not included.

Gerwalk:



With Ranka... "No one is fit to protect her but me."

Battroid:


Just love his beam gun ^_^



Blade stored in his shield!



It's so massive you have to use two hands to hold it.

Comparison with Alto's VF-25F. Their transformation is very similar, but the overall feel of the VF-27 is light years ahead! VF-27 has swivel knees, which allows for dynamic poses in Gerwalk. Nothing feels floppy or loose here, but do watch out for paint scratches when handling it; mine already has some chipping at the shoulders :-S

This guy costs RM650. The box is remarkably small as there are no super parts or stand provided. The absence of super parts is anime-accurate as the VF-27 is the most advanced valkyrie seen in the series. There will be a green version for Grace's which will also include a Fold booster. Bandai has also announced a separate stand that can hold the VF-27. Wow.. milking me dry! :P

"One night stay @ Rasa Sayang Resort!"

Received several reminders that my Asia Miles points (from flying Cathay Pacific) were going to expire soon.



Had a check on the redemption items available and decided on a free one night stay at Shangri-La's Rasa Sayang Resort at Batu Feringghi! Haha... holiday in Penang. But then again, this is no ordinary hotel. The cheapest rate for a one night stay in Rasa Sayang costs RM7XX!!! Holee cow~~ Well, lets see what they had to offer for the insane amount they are charging!



Upon check-in, we are served a welcome drink :) Very nice~~ Then they brought us to our room and explain to us where is the temperature control, what is free (coffee/tea/water), what's not (mini-bar) etc etc.



we have our own balcony :)



And the bathroom


hot shower


ah, a bathtub


Wide, spacious area outside of the room


Room number 1505

After unpacking, we head outside to the Gym. They have an extensive gym where you can work out while enjoying the view of the gardens outside. The place was empty except for the instructor, who was busy weighlifting. We played with every equipments for awhile, then bored dy (and injured!)

"Done already?", muscular instructor asked.
"Hehe, yeah" :P

Went outside for a walk instead...



They have these seats everywhere


Fountain


Gigantic trees providing nice shady environment.


From the resort can walk outside to the beach...


... and watch the superb sunset~~




As we walked around, we reached Chi The Spa, which Rasa Sayang endlessly tries to promote:

Nice eh... it costs RM220 per person! :P

After a quick rest, we went out in search for dinner. We went out to the night market, walked around. Wanted to try the new Hard Rock Cafe, but that place was so packed, even the parking entrance is closed. Screw it. Then decided on The Ship. The queue was very long as well here, but we got a seat eventually. Food arrived relatively fast considering that it was full house that day.

Snails in garlic sauce :D Yumm~~


Their tagline is "Best Steak in Town"... Umm, it's nice la.. but the best?


Wife ordered grilled salmon. Nice also.

The side dishes (cream soup, mushroom soup, brownies) are so-so bordering on poor. The meal came up to RM120++, sakit~~. But since we're on "holiday" nvm la, close one eye -_-''

Tired after the workout and walking, we decide to go back to hotel early and watch TV :P Ah, and catch the night view of the swimming pool from our balcony...




... and next morning catch the morning view :) The bed is nice and firm, but I usually don't sleep well at places other than home. Woke up early and enjoy the view from the balcony.



The good thing is that there is breakfast buffet provided! The buffet costs RM150++ for outside guests :-S


There are local delicacies (nasi lemak, roti canai), chinese food (congee, dim sum), western (bread, pancake etc etc). Unfortunately, the quality of the food was rather unsatisfactory. RM150 for these?? Go mamak stall, pay 10% of that and it tastes so much better! :P

After meal, go for a walk outside




As you walk past, people will greet you "Good morning Sir" :P That's great hospitality :) In fact, the guests (mostly elderly ang mohs) will also greet you. Gosh, I feel like I'm the foreigner here!


12 PM check out. Snap a few more pics in the lobby, then bye! "Holiday" over~~


.
.
.

NOT!

When we reach home found that we left one bag at the lobby! Oh no~~ have to go all the way back to Batu Feringghi :-S

In conclusion, it's a nice place with peaceful environment but not really worth the price if you have to pay for it yourself!

"G.I. Joe goes on clearance!"

GI Joe stuff goes to clearance! At least 50% off! Time to wipe them out ;) See what I grabbed from TRU:

Cobra Gunship (RM59.90, was RM119.90)





comes with Firefly


Carrying the Baroness... obviously the Gunship is a little small compared to the one in the movie!

Steel Crusher APV (RM59.90, was RM119.90)



Ordinary Hummer


converts into a rugged war horse!


can serve as a troop transport too...


The driver


Snake Eyes ready to pounce!

Dragonhawk XH1 (RM59.90, was RM119.90)




with the pilot... don't think this appeared in the movie, but I got it anyway since the color scheme is so military-like :D

Rockslide ATAV (RM19.90, was RM79.90!)




This is probably the biggest cutdown... no wonder they are the first to disappear from stores! Pretty cool vehicle, and it even appeared in the artic showdown in the movie.

Cobra Troop Builder 5-pack (RM49.90, was RM109.90!)



Another super deal set.. get 5 figures to boost your army! This is set #2. Set#1 is GI Joe army in desert fatigues... which unfortunately looks more like polka-pot outfit, so I haven't got them yet.

Bench-Press (RM19.90, was RM39.90)




I dunno who the heck is this guy, but I grabbed him anyway because he looks like one nasty dude; carrying an axe to compliment his shotgun! And that chainsaw~~ yumm :P

Comic 2-pack (RM25, was RM54.90)


Found in Metrojaya.. grabbed it for the cool Storm Shadow figure with so many weapons :P

I would've cried if I had to buy these items at full price, because they definitely aren't worth that much. Hasbro made a big mistake by pricing them the same as Star Wars merchandise. They learnt their lesson and reduced the pricing for future GI Joe stuff. The only problem is... will local Hasbro even bring them in after this fiasco??