Lego Building Adventures - Rare & Retired: Ninjago City (70620)

We finished the first floor over the weekend and had an absolute blast doing it. Lots of cool little features, some very interesting and unique uses of existing designs and some very neat looking stickers.

The first thing that got installed was this loud speaker tower - I am really not sure how else to describe it. It's got a set of loudspeakers facing outwards. I am guessing various shops and businesses would alert the neighborhood of sales or special deals they had going on.

Both mom and I were blown away at the features and the detailing of the 2 mini buildings that make up the first floor. The two buildings seem to feature the 2 parts to a bed and breakfast rental. To the left is a teahouse/dining room while the right room contains a bed and a TV. The two are joined by a pretty rickety looking monkey-bar setup that you have to walk across (at least there is a handrail to help) while the entire floor is reached by a ladder mounted on the side of the maintenance shack. Getting to this bed and breakfast is certainly no walk in the park!

We absolutely adore the neon orange lanterns that hang off the bottom of the teahouse - they are so quintessential asian. As is the circular window of the bedroom that overlooks the sidewalk underneath.

Here we see the same 2 rooms from the rear. Now the bedroom is to the left while the teahouse is to the right. The roof of the maintenance shack is equipped with a bank of solar panels to power the charging station for Sweep. The wide open window area of the tearoom also allows guests to have a great view all around them (though it also allows fishy smells to waft up from the seafood store downstairs ...)

Let's take a closer look at the bedroom. It's a pretty spartan space. There is a doormat at the entrance where you can leave your shoes. Directly to the left side of the entrance (as you are coming in) is a TV with a drawer underneath. Ahead is the bed with a chest of drawers to the side for clothing and whatnot.

One of my favorite things about both of the rooms on the first floor are the sliding doors. Again this is SO Japanese and just reinforces the attention to detail of this set. The door of the bedroom is currently open while that of the teahouse is shut. The doors slide very smoothly on tracks mounted to the floor and ceiling of the entryways.

Here is the bedroom from a different viewpoint. From this vantage point, you can see that the sleeping area is a mat on the floor. No box spring, no mattress like we are used to in the western world. Sleeping on mats on the ground is very Japanese. Windows line both walls, allowing plenty of natural light to suffuse the area.

And now for the teahouse. It's a cozy little space. Again, there are no chairs but rather mats on the ground for occupants to kneel or sit cross-legged on. There is a doormat at the entrance for footwear and a snug little setup for 2 in the middle of the room. The small table is just big enough for a traditional Japanese tea ceremony and hold a pot and 2 mugs. To the bottom of the room is a vibrant green potted plant that lends some color to the room. I am assuming it's a potted plant anyway ... from this angle, it is difficult to tell but it's actually a green hairpiece. Maybe I am wrong and it is actually a toupee stand?

This view of the tearoom gives a really great view of just how airy and naturally bright the space is. Large windows frame the 2 long lengths of the room and the shutters can be adjusted into any position depending on how bright the occupants want it.

Here we get a look at the tiger painting that adorns the wall - yet another example of some of the really detailed stickers that come with the set.

And finally we have a look at the 2 buildings on the first floor from directly outside. In this closeup of the bedroom, you can see the solar panels that adorn the roof and can see right through the windows to the circular window on the other side.