Technology with friends

Today we had arranged to meet up with Wendy and her two boys Ryū and Ryōki (we met them in Bradley last year on a visit to the UK).  They live in Yokohama and we suggested we meet up with them in Daiba.  As it was raining she suggested the Miraikan museum of science and the future as she had been meaning to take the boys there for a while.  She suggested to meet a little before the museum opened as there was a 3d film about the birth of the earth that she thought we would all like with limited spaces.

Asimo

We got there as planned before the museum opened, but there was a long queue, we were very surprised indeed when we got to the front that there were still some spaces left.  We headed in, first of all we came across a children's play area with lots of things to play with, so the boys had fun there, rolling different objects down a fake lawn to see the difference in motion etc.  We then headed into the museum proper to see Asimo (a very human looking robot).  I have seen Asimo on the telly before, he didn't disappoint, he was very cute and truly does move like a human.  Even though I couldn't understand much I enjoyed it very much.  Matt thought he was creepy!

We then headed to look at some more displays until Tom announced he was tired and hungry, so we headed off in search for lunch.  Took us a while to find the cafe, but once we did we were very happy.  Tom had what was known as a Frunk Sausage - sausage in a hollowed out baguette, I had tandoori chicken and rice (really really nice) and Matt some stewed belly pork and an onigiri which turned out to have mushrooms in it - meaning I ate it and he had some of my tandoori chicken!

We then went back into the museum to look at more of the displays.  As is normally the case, the museum was excellent, with lots of displays, lots of interactive things and perfect English explaining pretty much everything.  It was incredibly well done.  Only problem was that it was a level a bit above Tom, in fact some of it was a bit above me.  It's the sort of place I would have to concentrate alone to get anything from, having a 5 year old in tow stops that and the fact he had 2 collaborators in Ryū and Ryōki meant that it was pretty much impossible to learn anything.  Oh hum, maybe next time, or even when he is 10 years older!

Ryū, Ryōki and Tom

At 1.30 we went to see the 3d film.  It was the most amazing 3d film I have ever seen - all about the universe, galaxies, how we all have the same birthday (the big bang), etc etc.  Mainly the film was beautiful and very well done, it really did feel like things were floating in front of you.  Unfortunately it was too much for Tom - he started crying and a lady appeared asking for him to leave!  Matt went with him (We did try to explain to him what to expect, but I think the 3d was just too 3d for him, and he is still tired from all the trips we have done).

Running, running, running!

Oh well, when we came out Ryōki said he wanted to play in the park, we thought it was a good idea so went out: Ryū and Tom went completely nuts running around (Tom got wet through with sweat - yuck!) and Ryōki joined in where he could (he's only 3, Ryū is 7).  Tom just wouldn't stop running, so we let him run free - he hasn't had a whole load of exercise this holiday.

We then stopped off at a supermarket to buy some provisions for tea tonight (2 trays of fat juicy prawns) and headed home.  Tom was in bed before 7, so hopefully he'll be less tired tomorrow.