Ninjago City (70620) - Second Floor Done!

It's been a while since mom and I lego'ed (yes, that is a new verb). I caught a nasty cold and was feeling pretty crappy for about 10 days and mom was busy watching Game of Thrones anyway. But we've started back on Ninjago City over the long weekend and got the second floor done.

The more of this set we build, the more impressed we are with the sheer scale of detail as well as the absolutely cool gadgets that are built into the set. We'll start with a few panorama shots before diving into each of the individual stores on this level.

This is the elevator side of the city - you can see the elevator shaft to the far left. Also note the huge billboard that is displayed on the outside of the structure. We will be coming back later to see this in more detail as there is more than meets the eye. Continuing to the right, we see the viewing window of the crab restaurant. At a real restaurant, this is mom's favorite hang out spot. She absolutely loves to watch people making food in the kitchen.

There is a stunning attention to detail on this level - even more so than the first level, which already blew us away when we built that. Look at those bannisters! They are loaded down with advertising and the quintessential Chinese lanterns. The shops all have air conditioners and vents coming out of them - you can see the AC unit hanging right outside the window here. And check out the lava lamp effect of the decorative column that forms part of the wall of the crab house.

Here, we rotate around to the other side of the building. Beside the crab shack is an ATM, which is sandwiched on the other side by the Comic Store. Again, there is a crazy amount of detail, from the lanterns and advertising on the handrails to the sign on the Comic Store. I love the playful font that the word is written in.

Here we see the front of the crab restaurant. There is no doubt as to what is served at this place - have a look at the giant articulated crab that looms over the front entrance to the establishment. The claws can rotate in any direction, although they unfortunately do not open and close. The large red pillars really add character to this restaurant and give it a sense of grandeur and opulence. Also of note is the intricate gold swirl of the pavement outside this joint.

This shot is also of the front entrance to the crab house but from a more distant vantage point, allowing you to see the ornate bannister decoration. I really like the dual use of the asian conical hat as the centerpiece of the decoration.