Kuala Lumpur, 2017 : part i

Welp. I did say I'd be squeezing in my Kuala Lumpur 2017 photos before we fly out, but I didn't think I'd be cutting it this close. Our flight is literally in 24 hours, and I'm still here, typing out part 1 of this set. When will I ever learn? The photos from this trip and the memories that come with them are too precious to just be sleeping away in my PC folders though, so I'm still making an effort to share them with you—even if it means I have to type out part 2 while I'm at the airport. Enjoy the photos!


View of KL Tower from our room + my cute Ryan jammies ♥

Day 1 : Shopping at Kinokuniya, KLCC

For our first day, Aian and I decided to visit our favorite place in KL first—Kinokuniya!


My favorite BBQ chicken rice for lunch + pretty Christmas decorations at Suria


Lirica's Comic Fiesta artwork on display at Kino


While I was browsing the Japanese textbooks section, a wild Hanie appeared! I was super surprised that it took me a couple of seconds to realize that it was Hanie, haha! She was in KLCC at the time because she was helping with the preparations for a booth at Comic Fiesta. When she saw from Aian's IG Stories that we were headed to Kino, she went to surprise us! So happy to see Hanie again~



Book shopping~~~~ Unlike last year, I didn't buy so many photobooks this time. Prior to this trip I'd already decided I'd be using my Kino budget for my study materials for the JLPT, so I only bought Genki I and II, plus Kojima Haruna's "どうづる?" photobook.


Photo with Hanie! The background was nice so I asked for a photo there heheh


After dropping by Kino, we actually had dinner with Noko, a friend of ours, and her mom and aunt. There was a bit of a problem since they weren't familiar with the area (it was their first time attending Comic Fiesta), so we had to wait for them for quite a while. While we were waiting, I thought it would be a good idea to look around at Watsons and.... well, you know the drill lol. In the evening after going back to our Airbnb, Aian and I bought strawberries at the convenience store in the lobby. So cute and yummy ♥

Day 2 : Comic Fiesta Day 1

Finally, Comic Fiesta! I look forward to attending CF every year because so many amazing artists and cosplayers attend every time. Aian and I come here to be inspired, in a way. This year's CF is extra special though, because Aian and I got tickets to watch Earthbound Papas perform live! If you're not familiar with Earthbound Papas, they're a band formed by the Nobuo Uematsu. They perform rock/metal versions of music from video games that Uematsu-san has created music for. Final Fantasy games are a big part of my childhood, so of course I had to watch them perform. I practically begged Aian to watch with me! I'm super glad I did.


Taking selfies while waiting for Noko


Selfie with the prettiest Ely + super cute Killer Queen enamel pin from rollround


Comic Fiesta Countdown artworks


Zzyzzy and her wall of prints !!


Live art demo at the Claz'room College booth


Yay MNL friends! Miguel and Jin~


Toga Himiko and Dabi cosplayers~ Funnily enough, other than the cosplayers I went to meet, the only other ones I took photos of are these two BNHA cosplayers, lol ;;


My love.........I can eat BBQ chicken rice for DAYS and not get tired of it.



Then the highlight of that evening (and our whole trip, tbh). Earthbound Papas live! It was AMAZING. They played Melodies of Life!!!!! When I heard the first few notes I was overwhelmed with emotion. AND THEN they thought it was a good idea to play Eyes on Me!!!!!! Wow. Talk about a one-two punch of feelings. I think I was crying at that point. Even Aian who I kept telling to "just enjoy the music", because he didn't play any Final Fantasy games growing up, felt all sorts of feelings when Eyes on Me started playing. It was SO GOOD. I was so happy. Aian and I couldn't stop talking about the live even after we'd gotten back to Manila, haha.


Photo from the guest vocalist, Kawano Akiko's Twitter. We were at the very, very back. But it was worth it.