moving again?

Our lease is expiring, so we felt we wanted to move to a new apartment near Kristine's new but temporary school campus. Rental market has been coming down, rather noticably, round about 10%. Rushing around Fu Li Cheng the week after our return from Tokyo with several rental agents, mixed gender, all young and mostly new. Saw more than 10 units of sizes between 130-170sqm. Asking prices from 6500-8500. Eventually, we decided NOT to move.

This area called Fu Li Cheng has roughly 5000 units of apartments, close to CBD. Serving this enclave are 30 real estate offices, each engaging around 15 agents. They cover both rental and sales. Each month roughly 30 units are sold, so on average each agent gets to close a deal once a year. Rental is roughly 10 times the sales turnover. That averages out to 1 rental deal per month per agent. On average of Y8500 per unit, and their average commission of 10%, that equates to Y850, plus their monthly base salary of Y800, or Y1650 income per month.

So how do they survive? They dont. Most are nomads who migrate in and out with the flow. Another source of income for them is 'private deal', closing rental or sales transactions without going through their real estate companies. They tend to be aggressive in closing deals, often not taking the deals through their companies, enabling them to offer deep commision discounts to the landlords so they could satisfy tenants rental demand. Therefore, we often see these agents milling OUTSIDE their offices to hijack customers (0nce they engage a customer, their colleagues cannot poach)

Beijing properties are going through the roofs again, but rentals are down some 10%. Somehow they dont reconcile.

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Ceramic Knife

It has been 10 years since Grace was introduced to a high tech ceramic knife from Japan by her Cornell schoolmate, Kristine's godfather subsequently. Finally, she took the plunge this trip to Japan and bought one for Y3500(Y95=US$1).

Back in Beijing, I used that to cut meats, fruits and vegies. Very sharp, and apparently staying sharp for as long as the user doesnt break, snap, crack, chip, crash, drop, misplace it.

Then I blundered by asking Kristine's Japanese tutor to explain the manual inserted inside the case. This is what she told me:
1. Do not use it to cut any hard object, such as fish bones, fruit pips or hard vegie stalks.
2. Do not press on its back to cut through any object, as it is brittle
3. Do not stack any heavy object on top of the knife (as it is brittle)
4. Do not drop the knife (intentionally or unintentionally...) (as, you guess it, it is brittle)
5. The knife edge is very sharp (I can verify that). Take extreme care when handling it
6. Keep away from children (or any knife thrower for that matter!)
7. Do not attempt to sharpen it at home. Send it to the appointed agent for return to factory to be sharpened for free.
8. Best used in slicing fish fillets for sashimi, as it will not retain any odour (unless it cracks into pieces...)

It comes with a lifetime warranty, within Japan......

(My added comments within brackets)

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Haier Washing Machine

Called Haier service hotline (4006-999-999)this afternoon regarding faulty spin cycle. Haier knew straight away (from th call-in number) the make and date of purchase, address and owner. Efficient info management. First call to a male operator who suggested I pressed the machine cover hard to see if that trigger the spin cycle, to avoid a service call. No deal. Second call to a lady operator who arranged a serviceman house call between 6-8pm the same day. He called at 4pm to say he could arrive between 430-500pm. He arrived at 5pm.
45minutes later, the cover lid was replaced and it was all done. Y125. 10 minutes later, Haier Service Ctr called to check if the serviceman had indeed appeared, how much the charge was and if a receipt was issued. She also asked if I was happy with the service call. I didnt tell her I tipped the serviceman an extra Y10.
This aspect of China is progressing well.

Kimmie's 5th in Beijing

Kristine started singing 'Happy Birthday' to Kimmie in bed this morning, before Kimmie was awake!

Xiaogugu celebrated Kimmie's birthday in Tokyo on Aug 17, at TGIF, straight after the dolphine shows at Shinagawa Prince Hotel. The sundae in the photo came free for the birthday girl. Normally an ID is required as proof of birthday, but Kimmie didnt need that on that day. The TGIF staff sang her a birthday song and took a TGIF birthday photo.

Back in Beijing, the day is a lot more subdued. It will be french fries, grilled chicken wings and chocolate cakes for dinner. She does get to watch as much Cartoon Network as she desires today!
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Kimmie's 1st Paino Lesson

This is a historic event.
Kimmie went for her first piaono lesson under the tutelage of Ms Chao, Kristine's piano teacher at Yamaha.
Grace took her there. Apparently, she was doing very well, except whenever Ms Chao asked Kimmie what she was taught just minutes ago. Each time, Kimmie got nervous!
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Re: Back to Beijing

It has been almost a week since our return to Beijing. Home quarantine is over and we emerged unscathed with no flu symptoms.
The flight back was uneventful. We were hoping to catch another glimpse of those Health Quanrantine people in space-suits and full face masks boarding our plane unpon landing to check temperatures, but that was not to be the case. Even the thermal cameras were not in operation as we walked through the arrival terminal.

A day after our return, we did receive a call from a lady working for local health authority asking me if we were all feeling ok, that we should take temperatures everyday for a week.

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Aqua Stadium

Tokyo has several aquariums. The Aqua Stadium attached to the Prince Hotel is a short distance away from Shinagawa train station. Entrance is Y1800 for adult and Y1000 for kids. The dolphine show is repeated every two hours and in between is the Sealion show, plus some interesting collection of fish, big and small kept in huge see-through tanks.

heading to Narita airport in 5 mins

Tokyo River Bus

The river buses are more for tourists than for commuters. We took one from Asakusa to Odaiba, first downstream on Sumida River and then into Tokyo Bay. A trip by train taking 12 stops with one transfer would cost Y500 and 30 minutes. A river bus covering the same destination took more than 1 hr and cost Y1400.

Clearly missing along the route are skyscrapers and historic landmarks. I think being in an earthquake zone renders Tokyo building plain and comparatively low, and much like Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, many historic landmarks might have been destroyed by WWII bombings.

Being peak tourist season, there were queues everywhere. While waiting for our river bus to arrive, we were somewhat cooled down by upright fans blowing water mist injected behind the fans. Photo showing Kristine posing next to one of theose cooling fans, with two attendants filling water into the light blue container.

River buses come in several sizes and shapes. Ours was a triple deck no-nonsense river boat with a boat change at Hinode, but the photo shows a river bus that serves Asakusa to Odaiba direct. That was fully booked for the day.

Iur bus crossed under 20 bridges linking the banks of Sumida River.

Dressing Up for a Saturday Night

Maybe we have never paid much attention but Tokyo Tower replaced its usual rusty red and white lights with a disco-going cyon display on Saturday night.

We missed the Tokyo Bay firework display this trip. Happened to be the same weekend we went to Hakone.

Japanese English

Much like the selection of language options in Windows XP or Vista, there is English (US), English (UK), now English (Australia), English (Canada), and today English (Japan) - see photo. Sensoji Shrine, Asakusa, Tokyo.

Then there is Chinese English, from a signage to swimming pool at our apartment complex in Beijing:
"Entrance Swims Pool Penetrate Sandals Please Wear Swim Cap The Swimmer Enters a Natarorium Thank a Cooperation Please".

Singlish or Strine (Aussie Slang) by comparison is not so bad.

Lake Ashi

This is the biggest volcanic lake nearest to Mt Fuji. Beautiful but not congested, served by an extensive and efficient public transport system. Odakyu and Seibu are the two biggest landowners in this area. They are also competitors in retail outlets, and operate their own transportation networks. The Freepass we bought were valid on Odakyu lines only, including the Pirate sightseeing ships, switchback train, cablecar and ropeway.

The deepest part of Lake Ashi is around 100m deep, rich in trout, salmons, and a local small fish (pond smelt) similar to Shisamo but less fishy in taste. Restaurants around the lake serve normal Japanese fares, but there is one German, one Indonesian and one Indian restaurant near Togendai, the pirate ship jetty. We tried the local 'smelt' deep fried in a local restaurant for lunch. 6 fish, each about 100mm long, salad and miso soup costs Y1,400. The fish are available from May to Sept each year.

Many came to fish the lake, some go for salmons and trouts by trolling, and many came to jig with tiny hooks (size 12) for those small fish in season. We chat with two fishermen on their way home after a morning in a small rental boat at the lake. No biat needed, just jig the string of 6 size 12 hooks up and down. Their harvest: 3 small fish (see photo).

All the local restaurants keep a fishing rod rack with rods and reels. Just borrow one, attached your own terminal gear and they will (if you succeed) cook your catch for you.

The kids wanted to paddle a boat after lunch, and guess what they wanted to do after that? Soak in the onsen hotsoring pools back in Uncle Jun's condo.

They come in threes?

The quake this morning is the third to rock Tokyo in four days. It was the smallest of the three, just 5.0 at the epicentre out to sea around the same area as the first two. (the meteo agency website conform the 3rd quake to be 6.5, but our building definietely did not sway as much as the last two quakes at 6.6 and 6.9). This time, I was almost ready, with my camera in hand, wanting to record the building sway in video. It ended before I could click the start button.

The local govt has been persistently advising its residents to get prepared (food, drink, torchlight, radio, tent, even keeping passport copies somewhere else). Maybe they persistently announce their advice as a matter of routine, but they do fan expectation that the Tokyo area is due for its next once-in-100-years quake.

Domestically, there is a switch in mood too. Last night, Grace wanted to limit Kimberley's time on www.clubpenguin.com. This morning when Kimberley asks to play clubpenguin, Grace says

'Let her enjoy!'

Hakone

Hakone is roughly 90mins train ride from Shinjuku station in Tokyo. It is a popular tourist destination, and weekender for Tokyo residents. A hilly scenic area by Lake Ashi between Tokyo and Mt Fuji.
One can take a Kodama Shinkansen train on half hourly departure from Tokyo (Shinawara station) for Y3200, taking just 1 hr, or an Odakyu train on 10 minute departure interval but taking 90mins.
We bought a Hakone Freepass at Shinjuku station for Y5000 per adult (Y1500 for Kristine, Kimberley travels free). That fare covers our return train tickets between Tokyo and Odawara on Odakyu trains, and unlimited passages on Tozan lines of trains, buses, sightseeing boats, Ropeway (aerial cable car) and funicular Cable car around Hakone.

We took a local train from Odawara (小田原） to Hakone Yumoto （箱根汤本）, then changed into a 'Switchback' train that went up a hill by switching head and tail at 4 different hillside sections --- the train never turns around on its ascend. It would go forward up a stetch of slope, then go backward up another stretch of hill slope, forward again, then backward again to the hilltop!
That took us to Sounzan, almost the hill top, passing many ryokan (Inns) along the tracks. The next mode of transport is a funicular cable car. As one car is pulled by cable up a steep slope, another is lowered on the same slope. This is the only place in Japan where we first witnessed a Japanese family jumping queue for the cable car. Still that is a rarity.

Then it was a Ropeway, over three sections, first uphill and then downhill to Togendai, where the sightseeing boats depart. The cablecar route took us over an onsen where steam spews out and yellow sulphur visibly accumulates.

The sightseeing boats were built to look like pirate ships, popular with kids. We took a round trip on the lake. Unfortunately, none of the photos taken with us in the foreground and Mt Fuji in background turned out well to show Mt Fuji.
Overnight at Uncle Jun's holiday home. With its own onsen baths, the kids had great fun.

http://www.japan-guide.com/

Mt. Fuji

These photos of Mt Fuji were taken from 3 different modes of transportation around Hakone, about 80km west of Tokyo: (1) Ropeway (cablecar) on descent from Sounzan to Togendai by the side of Lake Ashi, (2) on a sighseeing boat cruising Lake Ashi, (3) on Odakyu train back to Tokyo.

Bald with no snow during August, though not as spectacular as its snow cap version, we were fortunate enough that the mountain was visible that weekend.

Earthquake #2

Some 33 hours after our first experience with an earthquake in Japan on Sunday evening, we were greeted by a second one this morning at 5am. Magnitude 4 in Tokyo again but 6.6 in Shizuoka nearest the epicentre, which about 50km west of Mt Fuji (we were about 20km east of Mt Fuji on Sunday).

Both quake epicentres are out under the sea. This time the alert comes with a Tsunami warning of half metre for the coasts around Shizuoka and Ito Peninsula, facing the Phillippine Sea (interesting name since the Phillippines is rather far away, whereas the sea facing Tokyo Bay is named North Pacific Ocean. See http://travel.yahoo.com/p-map-191501645-map_of_tokyo-i;_ylc=X3oDMTFka28zOGNuBF9TAzI3NjY2NzkEX3MDOTY5NTUzMjUEc2VjA3NzcC1kZXN0BHNsawN0aXRsZQ--). A submerged ridge that stretches from Ito Peninsula in Japan all the way to Northern Mariana Islands separates the Phillippine Sea from North Pacific Ocean.

Upon checking the Japan Meteorological Agency website for information, I notice there is almost an earthquake in Japan EVERYDAY!. No wonder in both quakes these last two days, we didnt see any neighbours rushing out of their apartments. I really do not wish to see one though.....

Local Queue

We saw this queue at 830am near XGG apartment, on our way to train station to Hokane. The noodle shop is not yet opened, but there was already a long queue waiting outside. Where else can we see such loyalty to a bowl of noodle outside of Japan?

Tokyo Earthquake

Soon after our return to Tokyo from Hakone, we experienced our very first earthquake in Tokyo, from 13th floor!
Within minutes of the shake, TV caption indicated a Scale 4 quake. The building shook, first vertically and then sideways. The whole process took about 2 minutes. We left the front door opened just in case there was a need to evacuate. I could see no neighbour outside along the corridors. If they didnt feel they were in danger, I felt I had time for any drink, so we went inside again. No more tremour after that, fortunately.

Harajuku

A day out to Daiso, the biggest hundred (hyakku yen) yen shop in Tokyo on 4 stories. Some interesting and good quality stuff here, mostly for 105yen (100+5 tax).

Take the Yamanote line to Harajuku and Daiso is just 100m in front of station exit. On weekends, many young Japanese in gaudy makeup and costumes congregate to display how each of them stand out.

Attached are some photos in Yoyogi Park

Tokyo URLs

http://www.sakura-house.com/english/results.php#result
(aprtments throughout tokyo)

http://www.tokyodisneyresort.co.jp/index_e.html
(to avoid long queues, choose a drizzling day and avoid weekends)

http://www.takemaps.com/en/map_of_tokyo_en.php

http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/timetable/narita/shinagawa_ebisu_h.html
(convenient transport between airport and downtown. Taxis will cost you as much as your airfare)

http://www.jma.go.jp/en/week/319.html
7-day advanced weather forecast)

http://www.tokyoessentials.com/free.html
(very useful site with essential info all visitors will need for Tokyo visit)

Happpppy Times in Tokyo Disneyland

Photos:
1. Inside Minnie Mouse house, everything looks so unreal (figuratively and literally!)

3. Second deck, River Boat around Tom Sawyer Island. (I think the boat movements are programmed, dragged on rails under water. The cruise takes about 15 minutes. Each and every berthing is perfect)

4. with their own explorer map, on Suspension Bridge Tom Sawyer Island

5. Waiting in queue to enter Goofy's Bouncing House, 40mins waiting just for 3 minutes of bouncing fun.

6. watching old Mickey cartoons on fake TV inside Mickey's house

Disney Classics

Getting a picture taken with any of the Disney characters requires lots of patience. Fortunately the Japanese are very polite and they do queue and take turns. As a example, those who wanted to watch the parade up close could sit adjacent to the Parade route. For the entire 25 mins, I did not see a single person standing up to catch a better view as far as my eyes could see.

These well-known characters were very popular among the patrons to the park. Some even chase to get their signatures on dedicated Disney booklets. The smiles look permanent on the outside. On such a hot day, the question is how the person inside the costume stay cool...
There are even Mickey shaped popcorn container, Mickey Mouse Pizza (shaped just like him), Mickey Mouse shaped iced fruit bars (real juice), and of cource the hats, towels tees and much much more.

For the day at least we all lead ourselves to believe these characters are all real and alive.

How to order a McDonalds Happy Meal in English in Tokyo

The kids had good appetite when we visited Shibuya last weekend. After two McDonalds Happy Meals, they asked for a third. They asked for 'cheeseburger', 'french fries', 'apple juice', and a diffrent toy to the two they already received.

So I went:
'Happy Meal, hitotsu (= 1 in Japanese)'
'Happy Meal, hitotsu, hai!'
'cheeseburger'
'cheeseburger, hai!'
'french fries'
'french fries, hai!'
'apple juice'
'apple juice, hai!'
then I took the two toys in my two hands and said,
'different'
'different, hai!'

hai:yes in jap (kristine)

I received: cheeseburger, french fries, apple juice, and a 3rd different toy. Everyone was happy. Thats why it is called a Happy Meal, even in Japan!

Tokyo Disneyland (kristine)

hi there!
yesterday,daddy,Kimmy, a DE Ru and me,went to TOKYO DISNEY LAND!111!!!!!!!!!
1st, we went to a roller coaster,a De Ru and i scream the most...
2ed, we went to Minnie mouse's home it was very girly...
3rd, we went to Roger rabbits car spin ...it was very scary... there was allot of vampires...
4Th, we went to its a small wourd. its like a bout ride and the 1st picture will be it...
then we went to missipi river boat...we went to the highest floor then we think its to hot and went to the 2ed floor and allot of peepo were waving at us ... i felt very famous...

Where to Meet if We Got Separated

While Kimberley, Kristine and Adele were most obedient throughout the whole day, and night in Tokyo Disney, never out of my sight, there were twice when I thought Adele was lost, both at night fall.
First was an innocent 'I need to go pee' request from Adele towards the end of a massive parade at night. While it was still in progress, most spectators were stationery and sitting down. Before Adele could return, the parade ended and suddenly there were people everywhere, moving in all direcitions. For the whole day when the kids went to toilet, they went together and I would wait for them outside. This time, I had Kimberley asleep on my laps and I was sitting on thr ground, and the toilet is less than 100m away, so I thought it was safe. After an anxious wait, she returned.

Second was as our dinner was finishing. Kristine and Adele had wanted to try Space Mountain the whole day. As I was packing my backpack and waiting for Kimberley to finish her food, I said to Adele and Kristine to start walking toward Space Mountain. They were about 100m ahead when Kimberley and I left our dinner table. Suddenly there were fireworks and water canon displays at Cinderella Castle. Kristine and Adele started running in that direction. Kristine stopped and walked back to us after a few steps but Adele disappeared. We hurried (an impossible task with Kimberley holding my hand) to the Castle but one look and it was obvious that was how missing child go missing. We walked around a bit and I felt we had a better chance of finding her if we returned to our dinner table, thinking Adele would return once she realised we didnt follow. On way back to the dining courtyard, Kristine said,"I think Adele ahs gone over to Space Mountain". We hurried over to Space Mountain and indeed she was there!!!!

Hence Space Mountain became our meeting place should we get lost again. I should have made clear to Kristine and Adele very early on. The risk of being separated exists throughout the day, but the risk is even higher at night with even more crowd coming in specifically for the evening performances. Selecting a wellknown spot central to the park is an important task to clarify upon entering the park with three kids.

Kimberley's fashion statement in Tokyo Disneyland

Soon after leaving home on a bus for Toyko Disneyland, Kimberley's zip broke. I decided to push on, using Kristine's hair clip to improvise. While we continued our queue for Roger Rabbit ride. I asked a pair of Disneyland ground staff for help in my broken Nihongo. My request sent the two ground staff scrambling to a Child Centre inside Disneyland looking for help, but returned empty handed. Her reply in Nihongo is not transcribable because I could not fully understand, much less to remember, but I picked up what she meant and she agreed when I repeated my understanding in English. She suggested I goto a souvenir shop near the theme park main entrance and buy a Disney badge with pin, or a pair of Disney pants and t-shirt. I tried to get her a Disney t-shirt when we arrived but she insisted on wanting just Tinkerbell which was not available.....

Nevermind, Kimberley spent the rest of the day wearing the same dress with a giant hair clip on her back. Many adult eyes surveyed Kimberley's back throughout the day, and the same eyes casually crossed mine immediately after that. I could sense those eyes emitting ?????????. More importantly, Kristine learned how to improvise, and Kimberley learned how to accept imperfection....

Photos:
- Kimberley running to a suspension bridge after Kristine and Adele
- Solo in front of Cinderella Castle
- Savouring her strawberry shaved ice with ice cream

Tokyo Disneyland

It was the first visit for Kristine and Kimberley. I have been there once, with Kylie, in 1993. So it has been a long time. Mickey Mouse still looks the same, except the brotherhood handshake after our photo session in his 'house', 16 years later.

It was an early start at 630am, catching a bus to Tokyo station to change for a train to Disneyland. I knew I had to catch a Keio line to Maihama station for Disneyland, but the board shows the names in Kanji (Chinese charaters - Kanji - without the Japanese pronunciation)!!! The station conductor was very polite and obliging, but my Nihongo was much worse than his English! A Latino looking young guy appeared and offered help in English. After guiding me through direction and even the ticketing machine, I thanked him for his time. He said it was just 5 minutes and he was on his way to work anyway.

Looking after 3 kids with different preferences and theme park restrictions (Goofy's Bouncing House has a height limit of 1.4m) and long queues was very demanding. First up was a performance at the Cinderella Castle. Adele and Kristine didnt want that and we ended up in Toontown. Just before leaving Cinderella Castle, my Lumix slung off its pouch and fell hard onthe ground. Luckily it landed on a corner near the battery compartment. The closure is a bit off now but camera and lens were saved. Later that day when we walked past around the same spot, we saw a Japanese couple asking a lady for help to take their family photo. As they were getting ready with big smiles, that lady stepped forward to ask the man a technical question on his camera. It fell off her grip onto the ground. This time, the LCD was frozen. Their big smiles fizzled, and all replaced with either embarassed or worried pretend smiles.....

Most popular rides in Disneyland had waiting time of 40 (Its A Small World) to 100 (Monster Inc) minutes. A walk through Mickey Mouse's house and a 3 minutes private photo session with the character took an hour. It was much better early in the morning or late in the evening. Splash Mountain waiting time was 110minutes through the day, but by 830pm, Kristine and Adele could have as many rides as they wished. The park closed at 10pm. We left at 945pm. It was a long day, and a tiring day with temp in low 30's.

Kristine was most grumpy on the way home, complaining about her shoes, about the long day (I missed an exit in Tokyo station and ended up taking another train home instead of the same morning bus which would drop us right at our door step), about my demand to have a shower before sleep etc. This morning, she told me she wanted to go to Disneyland again. Next time, we will choose a rainy day to avoid crowd and waiting time. Almost all the rides are indoor anyway.

All in all, we didnt do badly. We tried 10 different rides yesterday. Xiaogugu and Adele's best (least crowded on a rainy day) visit was 12 rides, and worst was 5 rides. Kimberley is now a fan of theme park too, showing much more confidence and less fear for the turbulent rides. In Star War simulator, she laughed when others screamed.

Photos:
- Sleepy faces in morning train to Disneyland, worst on way back, even the camera man didnt hv enery to take camera out!
- Cinderella Castle, before peak crowd
- plenty of shaved ice, ice cream, icipop, iced drinks, and even splashing tap water on face and arms to cool down
- on top deck of Mississippi River Boat
- Wall mural in Cinderella Castle
- Spinning cup, we all went dizzy....
- Toontown fun
-

Piano Competition

Today is Adele's big day.

She is into the second final round of Tokyo Piano Competition, ages 9-10. She has been practising hard the whole week we were there, with harder push from Xiaogugu.

Attached a photo taken as we left home to the auditorium, and another taken without permission (but I am a 'gaijin') inside the auditorium as Adele finished.

The result came out at 7pm same day. Adele is the final 8 into the last round on August 23, an even bigger day for Adele.

Adele was #8 in the queue. We left after she finished her performance. That was a 45minutes of sitting quietly, about 40 minutes too long for Kimberley. Both Kristine and Kimberley clapped after each performance. In between, Kristine was engaged by phantom playing to the music rythym, by tapping her fingers on the front seat. Kimberley went back and forth between my laps and the two empty seats next to us.......

Soaking in Tokyo

Attached are a few photos taken around town:

Kimberley in front of a supermarket shelf with an LCD display showing a commercial of product on shelf in Azabu Juban

Kimberley and Kristine on a metro bus to Shibuya to purchase Disneyland tickets. It costs 200yen per ride for me and 100yen for Kristine. Kimberley got to tag along for free. The bus driver waited for the kids to sit down before he drove forward. Very polite and considerate. Disneyland Day Pass costs 5200yen for me and 3400yen for Adele, Kristine AND Kimberley. Buying the tickets in advance obviates the need to queue at Disneyland entrance.

Kimberley and Kristine sharing a sundae in a McDonalds in Shibuya.

Kimberley, Kristine and Adele taking turns to spin for a free bottle each of Vitamin Drink at Shibuya bus station. The bottle Vitamin Drink were given away as promotional gifts. Just queue up, spin a dial, and be given a free drink of flavour where the pointer rests. The kids had so much fun. The promotional staff were happy too.