Monday, June 17, 2013

Okinawa: A New Tour Concept Studying Longevity

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Hello folks, I am in Okinawa again!

They are developing a new tour concept to showcase the island’s secret of living healthy and maintain an active life well into 90s and possibly 100s. I hope to be able to show some of that when I get back.

On my previous trip, we also got to see some of their lifestyle, diet and outlook that help to contribute to happy and long lives.

I wrote a piece then for Yahoo Makanation.
http://sg.entertainment.yahoo.com/news/live-over-hundred-still-pink-health-115742020.html

Food plays a big part, but so does their attitude. "Nan kuru nai sa" (難来る無いさ) literally meaning "hardship won't come" or everything will be all right.

You can also see all my earlier Okinawa posts - Churaumi Aquarium, Cape Manzamo, JAL Naha (incredible food) and an intro.
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Sunday, June 16, 2013

Mystic Point: Hong Kong Disneyland's Newest Attraction

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Behold! Hong Kong Disneyland's latest attraction! See the unusual and exotic looking Mystic Manor behind us? It's part of this new zone called Mystic Point which officially opened May 17, 2013. This area is located just beyond Grizzly Gulch.

Mystic Manor is the home of eccentric explorer Lord Henry Mystic, showcasing all his art, antiquities and oddities. You'll get to board the Mystic Magneto-Electric Carriage for a tour of his private museum inside this Victorian manor house.


There he is - Lord Henry and his companion monkey called Albert. Watch out for Albert who obviously will be up to mischief. Sorry for stereotyping monkeys, but...well, you'll see.

So yes, you'll embark on a ride that's about five minutes long, with a soundtrack composed by Grammy and Emmy award winning Danny Elfman (also Oscar-nominated).


OK, let me geek out for a minute here. The Mystic Magneto-Electric Carriage is trackless! It's the first trackless ride built by Disney that uses radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology. Four carriages depart at a time with up to six guests inside, gliding and swirling around like those teacup rides but with a lot more effects. It will take you through the various rooms of the manor.


First up, you'll see lots of artifacts. And Albert opening up a magical music box, which releases enchanted Music Dust inside which brings things to life.


The Music Dust travels through several rooms including one with musical instruments, a solarium, a Slavic-Nordic chamber, Egyptian antiquities, tribal arts, and a Chinese salon.


http://picasion.com/i/1U8bi/

Oh yeah. Surprises at every corner.

Ultra-high-definition (4K) HD cinema projectors are used to create 40 types of special visual effects. The carriages rotate around, allowing all the guests to have a mobile theatre experience.



The ribbon of mystical energy finally comes to a rest, after creating much havoc and drama.



Outside, there is a Mystic Point Freight Depot, where Lord Henry's grandnephews share adventure stories with the guests.


They have also invited friends they met along the way, as well as cultural ambassadors - Mexican, Indian, Native American, Egyptian and Bulgarian - to join them. Each of them gives a little performance.

Also outdoors is the Garden of Wonders with ancient sculptures and mosaics with 3D illusions.

You must view them from particular angles to unlock the mystery. Also, you'll get to create height-depth illusions. A person standing on the left block (much farther back) will appear smaller than someone on the right (front block). Much like how they made Gandalf look taller than the hobbits.


And if all that activity makes you hungry, there's a 500-seater restaurant within Mystic Point offering cuisines from Indonesia, Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia.


There are five themed dining areas reflecting the cultures of exotic locations like Egypt, Russia, Morocco, India and China. (Photo courtesy of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort)




I really liked the Blueberry Myst drink, which has a special LED-lit acrylic cube amongst the real ice cubes. It just glows on you.



Mystic Point is also the final expansion zone in Phase 1 development of the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. There are more exciting plans afoot for Phase 2: Marvel Land! Comic book action heroes!

Please see the other posts on Hong Kong Disneyland Resort:
- main park attractions
- hotel and accommodation
- dining


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Friday, June 14, 2013

Dining at Hong Kong Disneyland - Disney Dim Sum, Character Dining (Breakfast with Mickey and Gang)

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There are plenty of dining establishments at the Hong Kong Disneyland Park. But the one most people would look forward to might be the Crystal Lotus restaurant which features the signature Disney dim sum.



It's pretty, it's posh and it's got some of the best food in the park.



A little starter first to whet the appetite: Pomelo nectar and duck breast salad


Now come the dim sum items, which rotate on a daily basis, and they have been quite creative in designing dim sum in the shape of Disney characters. Here's Mickey's seafood glutinous pancake.


Little Green Men (from Toy Story) Pork and Vegetable Bun. These are so cute and adorable.


Little Pig Barbecue Pork Buns (but of course). Look at the amount of work needed to form each piece of dim sum. There have been copycats in the city, but Crystal Lotus still does the best renditions.


Even the Boiled Conpoy and Chicken Soup in Little Coconut has whimsical cartoon details.



Wok-fried King Prawns and Kale Stems in Black Bean Sauce - deliciously crisp prawns with vegetables done just right, in a really savoury sauce.


Wok-fried Tenderloin of Beef Cubes, Mushrooms and Sweet Bell Peppers.


Fried Rice with Conpy and Egg White - this was gentle in flavour, enough to form a carb base for the other savoury dishes.


Dessert is a Double-Boiled Whole Chinese Pear topped with Aged Mandarin Peel.


Crystal Lotus is one of the restaurants located at the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel.



The other highlight of eating at Disneyland that you won't get elsewhere is character dining. Yes, Mickey and the gang might just make an appearance during your meal to thrill kids and adults alike.



Over at the Secret Garden, also at the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel, you can enjoy breakfast in a tranquil garden-like setting. There are certain time slots during which you'll see the characters.


There you go! Mickey might make your day, if you're a fan.


Pluto is particularly fond of hugs. I have a particularly incriminating photo of him hugging my friend but I have been barred from publishing it. Haha.


Goofy was also there for photos, hugs and cheer. There's an official photographer going around to take photos - to be made into prints, keychains and souvenirs.


 Foodwise, there's plenty to choose from.

 The international buffet includes most essential breakfast options.



Just don't eat the display.


If you look carefully, there are Disney character motifs everywhere.


Even in the pasta display.


These poached eggs look so perfectly round and silky!


I like the little gazebos. They really bring in a garden-like feel to the place.


Meanwhile, over at the other hotel, Disney's Hollywood Hotel, you also get a few dining options.

Breakfast is served at the Chef Mickey restaurant, where he may make an appearance, and even give you his chef's hat, autographed.



The spread here is pretty much similar with the one at Enchanted Garden.

There are live stations, freshly steamed dim sum items, and a whole array of international cuisines.



A little something for everyone, for sure.



Well, here's a little girl helping herself to the Mickey Mouse muffins.



Just DO NOT let the kids see this little enclave.



Check out the following other posts:
- Hong Kong Disneyland park attractions
- Hong Kong Disneyland hotel and accommodation
- latest attraction, Mystic Point


Photos of Crystal Lotus restaurant taken with my own Canon 400D; rest of photos are taken by the Canon EOS M that Canon Singapore loaned me.
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Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel and Disney's Hollywood Hotel

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Julia and I stayed at the Disney's Hollywood Hotel, one of the two available within Hong Kong Disneyland. The Hollywood one is decked out in art deco spendour, with Disney accents throughout.



The rooms are spacious for Hong Kong standards, and are certainly clean and comfy.




There are whimsical details all over the room. From the very obvious big silver engraved plate of a retro Mickey and Minnie Mouse, to tiny details in the furniture and fittings.




If you look closely, you'll see them everywhere.




Bathrooms are more than decent, with regular amenities.



I like the Disney cups which store your toothbrush sets. They cater for a family of three, so you have big, medium and small cup all nested together. Every day you get a fresh set.


Even the soap and toiletries are Disney co-branded with H2O.






So that's the Disneyland Hollywood Hotel. This is a cloudy day, but I do think it looks better at night.

Let's go over to the other hotel to have a look. There are shuttle buses connecting the hotels to the park and each other.



Over at the Disneyland Hotel, the theme is a bit more castle-like. The building is low-rise with reddish pink roofs and intricate balconies.




Welcome to the hotel.


The doors open up to a spacious lobby with high ceiling, made even grander by the chandelier from a stained glass dome.



That's a nice grille enclosure for the elevator.




The decor pretty much follows what's at the other Disney resorts worldwide. So I hear. I haven't stayed at any other Disney hotel.

One very interesting shop here is the Bibbidi Bobiddi Boutique, where little ones can transform themselves into the princesses they so often see.


Walk right in to the plush little parlour and you'll feel all pampered even before you start.




The staff will help you with costumes, shimmering make-up, hair styling, finger nail polishing and all the accessories you need.




There is so much to choose from. You'll see more than a few princesses of all ages running around Disneyland.


Take home a souvenir shot too, if you'd like. This is definitely a treat for girls. I'm not sure what boys would do. But not to worry, there are some new developments which will cater for them, in Phase 2. They're building a Marvel theme park! Ironman, Thor, Spiderman...can you imagine?




Both the hotels have gift shops, so you can indulge in all the Disney merchandise you (or your kids) fancy.


Go on. You know you want something.

I'll cover the food and the park itself in separate posts.

- Hong Kong Disneyland Park Attractions
- Dining at Hong Kong Disneyland
- Hong Kong Disneyland's latest attraction













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