Cameron Getaway

When you think Cameron Highlands, you think of tea plantations; beautiful roses and other exotic flowers of different shades and colors; large, juicy strawberries and now a newly opened Lavender Garden. But one thing has changed. Over the years due to global warming, the climate in Cameron Highlands is no longer as cool compared to decades ago.

Still, it was a good getaway from the hustle and bustle of stressful city life. The bus journey from Singapore to Cameron Highlands was a real test of patience and endurance, not just physically but mentally as well. When we arrived at the Century Pines Resort, we were tested once again to a long waiting time as our room was not ready. By then, we were physically tired and mentally exhausted and to add to that, I was running a bad cold. By the time our room was ready in 1-2 hours' time, we were so beaten that we just want to lie down on the bed and sleep.

Although our 4-day trip in Cameron was to recharge our spiritual life, we also had a refreshing time visiting a tea house and saw the sprawling tea plantation. We also visited the newly opened Cameron Lavender Garden which houses numerous varieties of flowers besides lavender. For the first time, we tasted lavender ice-cream! I also bought a bottle of lavender juice. I would have bought lavender coffee if they have it, but they only sell strawberry coffee. On the way out of the Lavender Garden, we passed a stall selling lavender burger. As we were rushing to return to the coach, we didn't get to buy it. I wonder how lavender burger tastes like?

Do I like Cameron Highlands? Not as much as before when the temperature was a lot cooler. Will I revisit this quiet, close-to-nature place? Not likely due to the long, tedious bus journey. But Cameron Highlands will always have a special place in my heart, just like all the other places we have visited as a family because we left our footprints there.

Call Of the Caribbean

Compared to the Star Cruise, the Royal Caribbean cruise ship,the Mariner of the Seas, is a lot bigger - and better in terms of food, facilities and services. We booked a 3-day 2-night cruise during the year-end holiday last year, and I'm already thinking of going back on the Royal Caribbean cruise - perhaps on a different ship - in the near future. 

Touted as the largest ship in Asia, the Mariner of the Seas has 15 decks including an attic-like small wedding chapel with a Bride's Room to boot. The ship also boasts several restaurants, a cafe, at least two bars and lounges, a small movie theatre, a 3-tier live performance theatre, a spa and fitness centre, an ice-skating rink and a casino aptly named the Casino Royale. There is also a rock-climbing wall, mini golf course and in-line skating corner on the outdoors. For those who like watching a movie under the stars and moonlight, the large outdoor movie screen will appeal to you. 

Although we were  allowed  to board the ship at 11am, the rooms weren't ready until 2pm. So we lugged our luggages around to the restaurant to satisfy our hunger pangs first. After a sumptuous lunch, we soaked ourselves in the whirlpool which was filled with bubbling hot water. It was like soaking in hot spring! There were five whirlpools on the ship, so you can choose the less crowded one. If you want to take a dip in the swimming pool, there are three to choose from. But be warned, the water in the pool is salty like sea water! 

Like all cruise ships, our stateroom cabin was small but compact. It was able to accommodate four persons with two twin beds that can be put together to form a double bed, and two pulled-down bunk beds attached to each side of the wall. The shower was a little too cramped for comfort, so those who were bigger-sized might get their elbows knocked against the shower door when they showered. 

On the first night, we had a sit-down formal dinner at a fine-dining restaurant. The food was superb, and the service way exceeded our expectations. Despite the crowded dinner guests, the wait staff were very attentive and courteous. They even took the time to ask for our feedback on the foods we were eating, and even went beyond that to serve us a plate of appetizer or dessert, with compliment. 

Day One would have been perfect if not for the horrendous crowds that were jostling to watch the favourite DreamWorks Parade at the Royal Promenade, which was also lined with boutiques, a cafe and pub. Our little girl has had to sit on her daddy's shoulders to catch a glimpse of the various DreamWorks characters. But I was shoved and squeezed by the overly excited crowds that I didn't catch a good view of the parade. On a brighter note, we pre-booked the Special Breakfast with the DreamWorks characters for the next day so that was some consolation. 

The next morning, we rose up bright and early to have breakfast with the DreamWorks characters, Shrek and Fiona. Sweet Pea absolutely loved the green orgies couple, and enjoyed their performances while munching our hot buns and croissants. After the sumptuous breakfast, we had a soak in the outdoor whirlpool before visiting the library on the ship. We walked around on the different decks and stumbled upon a scrapbook-making workshop and decided to try our hands at making scrapbook as a family. It was great bonding time as we had a lot of fun cutting, pasting and putting the bits and pieces together  for the scrapbook. 

Later, we spent the afternoon singing karaoke at the Dragon's Lair, which was done up to resemble a den where imaginary dragons lived and breathed fire. Sweet Pea and I sang a duet "Amazing Grace", even though it was more of me singing as she was quite shy to sing before strangers. The night rounded up with a magic show by the famous duo, JC Sum and Magic Babe Ning. By then, Sweet Pea was quite tired, so we headed back to our cosy cabin for a restful sleep. 

The next day was shore excursion but we decided to stay onboard. This is such a big ship with no lack of activities and facilities for those who chose to stay behind. I had wanted to try the outdoor rock-climbing but decided against it when I saw how steep it was! The excruciating hot weather also deterred me from staying outdoors on the deck. There were also long queues at the mini golf and in-line skating stations, so we ended up not attempting any of the sports activities!

Nevertheless we have had a great time swimming in the salty pools, snacking on free hotdogs and ice-cream cones, and dancing to our hearts' content at the Family Disco. It was the first time we really let our hair down and danced as a family, and it was so much fun and memorable! For those who wanted to pamper themselves, the Mariner Day Spa looked luring with an indoor jacuzzi, saunas and variety of treatments to choose from. 

The highlight of the night was the amazing ice-skating performance show - "Ice Under the Big Top". We managed to get the front seat and could see the performers up close, including having the thrill of bits of ice sprinkled onto us as the performers skated and danced on the ice rink. The performance was overall superb even though there were a couple of accidental falls. But the performers were very professional as they picked themselves up and continued the show.

On the last night of the cruise, we were pleasantly surprised when we returned to our cabin to see a towel ape hanging on a clothes hanger! The ship crew who did this really had a great sense of humour. It was the little personal touches like this and the exemplary customer service in the restaurants that inspired me to want to sail on the Royal Caribbean again.

Paradise On Earth

Over the long weekend of the National Day holiday, we decided to book a last-minute trip to Bintan for a 2D1N getaway to celebrate Sweet Pea's birthday. We managed to book a stay at Nirwana Beach Resort, which is only an hour's ferry ride away from Singapore.

The vacation turned out to be better than our expectation. Although the resort is over 10 years old and they still use the metal key to unlock the room, the room itself is spacious and relatively clean. The double bed is also bigger than we expected, so it was not so squeezed for the three of us to sleep together. But the best part is the variety of pools in the resort, including built-in jacuzzi, a swim-up pool bar and one that oversees the beautiful skyline of the South China Sea. Sweet Pea loved the pools so much that we spent most of our time there trying out the different pools.

The beach was also nice and when we visited during low tide, we could find tiny sea shells and sea creatures on the white sandy beach. I managed to help Sweet Pea find four sea shells for her collection. There is also beach massage services at a small hut if you are not shy about being massaged on a public beach. I almost tried it but changed my mind due to the heavy thunderstorm in the early morning. I chose an in-room massage which turned out to be better than I expected. The masseuse came to the hotel room, so there was more privacy and I didn't have to worry about being exposed to other people on the beach. I had a great massage and at a price much lesser than what I would have to pay back home.

The resort also serves relatively good food though a bit pricey. Some guests chose to book dinner at other resorts or restaurants which are a short ride away by coach. One of which is the hugely popular Keelong restaurant built on water. We decided to just dine in the resort's coffee house as we were quite tired from the swim and didn't want to venture out. The family dinner set we ordered turned out to be very good, with fruits and sweet desserts to round up the meal. I even arranged for the restaurant staff to sing Happy Birthday song to Sweet Pea when they served the desserts. My little princess was so happy and surprised that she said it was her best birthday ever!

Although this vacation was a bit short and we didn't get to try out the beach activities like Flying Fox,  
Trampoline and Banana Boat, I told Sweet Pea that we would be back. Maybe next time, we could try archery, horse-riding, watch elephant shows or even go on the elephant safari trail.

On the whole, this short retreat did great wonders for our family bonding and recharged our jaded minds and bodies. The resort was like a little paradise away from the urban jungle. I'm going to miss the beautiful skyline and scenery, soft white sands between my toes, luxurious pools, great massage and not forgetting the three resident iguanas perching on the tree branches when they sleep. 

Romancing Osaka

My love affair with Japan began even before I took a flight to the Land of the Rising Sun. It was probably a long-distance infatuation then. From the photos and images I have seen from travel books, travel programmes on television and the movies, I have already fallen in love with Japan's food, scenery, onsen, and even its extremely clean and courteous culture.

However, a vacation in Japan used to cost much more than in other Asian cities. So it wasn't until in late May this year that I was able to fulfill my dream of visiting Japan when the Japanese yen dipped in comparison to the strong Singapore dollar.

As this was our first time to Japan, we chose Osaka which I felt was less crowded than Tokyo yet more interesting than the other Japanese cities. Renowned for its numerous rivers and canals, Osaka is also romantically named the 'Venice of the Orient'.  

Dazzling Dotonbori
Upon arriving at Kansai International Airport, we took the express airport bus that took us direct to the OCAT (Osaka City Air Terminal) bus terminal which is just next to our hotel, the Monterey Grasmere. The JR Namba station is also right next door. This modern and relatively new hotel is very conveniently located in the heart of Namba, with the subway and a huge supermarket at the basement. We got most of our pastries for breakfast from the Life Foods Market which opens till late at night and has a great variety of delicious freshly baked pastries as well as sushi and bento sets.

Besides its great location, this hotel also has a quaint little wedding chapel besides the lobby. It adds a unique touch to the hotel and differentiates it from the other business hotels.

After checking in and unpacking our luggages, we wasted no time in exploring the expansive underground mall of Namba Walk which is linked to our hotel. Peppered with numerous cafes, restaurants, fashion boutiques and some quirky shops, the Namba Walk offers a unique and leisurely shopping and gourmand experience.

Some say the best time to visit Dotonbori - a famous street renowned for its myriad eateries and bars - is in the night when the dazzling neon ligths and sign boards are up. And it's true. We had a sumptuous dinner at Osaka Ohsho, which is famous for its fried dumplings. But the fried rice and fried noodles we ordered were equally good.

After dinner, we took a leisure stroll along the bustling street of Dotonbori and came across the area's landmark - the Dotonbori Hotel with its unique facade of four head statues lined up in a row. For a glimpse of the seedy side of the area, walk along the Dotonbori Bridge and you would see young Japanese girls touting themselves to single or group of men.

Therapeutic Shinsaibashi
If shopping is therapeutic, then you might want to make it a mandatory trip to the Shinsaibashi shopping street which is near Dotonbori and a stone's throw from our hotel. Like Tokyo's Ginza, this bustling shopping arcade features over 100 fashion retail shops and eateries and Daimaru department store. If you love your brands, you would be happy to find some familiar brands like H&M, Zara, Forever 21, Uniqlo and Tommy Hilfiger, to name a few. There are also a few specialty stores like Anna Sui, DIsney Store and Sanrio Gallery. There is also a 390-yen (around S$5) shop and Daiso if you are looking for bargains.

We came across a shop famous for its cheesecake and judging by the perpetual long queue at the shop every time we passed by, it was not hard to guess the cheesecake must be very good. I was tempted to join the queue but changed my mind as I didn't want to waste time queuing on my vacation. Remember the cheesecake shop's name - Pablo - if ever you are at Shinsaibashi and do not mind the long queue.

Golden Dragon, an eatery renowned for its ramen, is also worth mentioning. You may easily miss this humble-looking eatery with its tatami dining seating, but you would want to come back again once you have tasted its piping hot ramen with delicious thin slices of char siew floating in the yummy soup. Slurp it up from the bowl as they only provide disposable chopsticks. You can also add some chopped garlic, pickled chilli vegetables and kimchi (all provided free) for more kick.

 Spendid Castle
A vacation in Osaka is not complete without a visit to the renowned Osaka Castle. But we missed the cherry blossom season, so that was a tiny regret. The exterior of the 8-storey castle, standing tall at 55 metres above ground, was indeed an impressive sight to behold. It was the first time we have ever seen a real castle! But the interior was just a museum with historical exhibits and interactive displays to showcase the rich history of Osaka Castle and the life of its founder and warlord, Hideyoshi Toyotomi.

We climbed up the narrow last 3 storeys to the top of the castle and were rewarded with a panoramic view of Osaka city.from the observatory. I believe the sunset view of Osaka Castle and Osaka city from the observatory is even more beautiful. For an entry fee of 600 yen per adult (free for kids below 15 years old), it's quite worthwhile to learn about the history of Osaka Castle and its military past. Many of the exhibits on display are also an eye-opener for most of us who are not familiar with Japanese cultures. For a nominal fee, visitors can even don military gear complete with samurai sword for photo-shoot.

If you are not interested in museum and history stuff, you may want to walk around the expansive areas of the Osaka Castle Park which features the Nishinomaru Garden and the Japanese Plum-grove Garden. But do wear comfortable shoes and expect alot of walking as the park is quite vast.

Kids' Paradise
Due to a last-minute change of plan, we decided to drop Universal Studios and head to a relatively unknown kids' indoor theme park called Kids Plaza Osaka. And we were pleasantly surprised. Conveniently located next to Ogimachi Station, the 5-storey edutainment museum for kids provides an interesting and fun environment for kids to learn and discover new things through play and interactive games.

On the 5th floor, Sweet Pea and I have an interesting first-time experience playing the roles of interviewee and interviewer respectively for a make-believe television studio complete with real recording equipment. Watching our 'one-minute of fame' broadcast played back on TV was quite surreal. We also have great fun playing with giant soap bubbles and the 'skeleton dance' on this Discovery Floor. There is also a multicultural section where you can don various tradtional costumes and play different cultural musical instruments!

But Sweet Pea had the best time on the Adventure Floor at the 4th level, which features a kiddy supermarket where the kids can buy their own toy groceries and even scan their items at the checkout counter, with a fake receipt to boot! Our 5-year-old preschooler also had a whale of a time playing 'post-girl' delivering letters (which are actually cards with pictures stamped on them) to the respective recipients.

There is also a make-believe hair salon, police booth, clinic and food stalls where kids and parents can bond through interactive plays. Parents with infants and young toddlers can also relax in the Play Room equipped with child-friendy toys and a nursing room for breastfeeding mothers. The female toilet even has small toilet bowls and low sinks for little kids to use. How thoughtful!

On the 3rd level, the Creative Floor, little ones can get hands-on in the art studio and computer room creating animations and other artwork. But it was closed when we were there. Strangely, there is no 2nd floor and first floor is the entrance and ticket booth.

This colorful and amazing 'Kids' Town' was created by world renowned Austrian artist, Friedensreich Hundertwasser, who used twisted walls, multicolored windows, drawings painted on the walls and even a suspension bridge to provide an interesting place for young kids to play and learn through discoveries and hands-on experiences. To me personally, this is even more entertaining and meaningful than queueing for rides at Universal Studios.

More Underground Shopping
We spent the second last day of our vacation in Osaka just relaxing and window-shopping along Shinsaibashi and Ebisubashi shopping sreets. Osaka has many underground malls. But most notably is Crysta Nagahori, one of Japan's largest underground malls, which was designed with glass ceiling so it receives natural light from the streets above. You wouldn't feel like you are shopping in an underground mall. Although not as new as Namba Walk's underground mall, it features some shops like the one we saw selling quirky handbags in various shapes of a horse, guitar, hat and telephone. Although I wouldn't want to be caught carrying one out on the street, I'm sure it would make a great conversational piece.

After a tiring day of shopping and walking, we decided to have an early dinner at Namba Walks before returning to the hotel to have a hot shower and pack for the next day's early flight home. Though this vacation seemed a little too short for us to explore more of the colorful Osaka city, I have a feeling we will be back. Maybe the next time, we will get to explore Umeda , Tsutenkaku Tower, Rinku Premium Outlet, Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum and some other places of interest that we have missed out this time.
 
So sayonara for now, Osaka! Hopefully we will be back soon to recapture this lovely feeling.

Club Med Rendezvous

I've read so much about Club Med resorts and how fun and exciting it was holidaying in one of them. So when the chance of spending 5 days 4 nights at Club Med Bintan Resort came up, it was a set-to-go.  Upon learning that we were going for a Club Med vacation during the year-end school holidays, Sweet Pea - my bubbly 5-year-old princess - had been counting down to the D-Day. She loves staying in hotels, and any opportunity that allows her to try out a new hotel always makes her very excited.

On the day of departure from Singapore, we were thankful for the good weather. The ferry ride and then the bus journey from the Bintan terminal to the Club Med resort was smooth and uneventful. Upon arrival at the sprawling resort, we were pleasantly surprised by the enthusiastic greeting from the team of GOs who were all standing at the front porch and waving cherrily to us. After we alighted from the bus, everyone was presented with a nice cold towel and a glass of ice-cold lemon tea. Bliss!

There is a rustic feel to the resort, with lots of open space and greenery as well as big cushioned sofas and armchairs around the premises. But what really differentiates the Club Med resort from any other beach resorts is the GOs, who are always seen mingling around with the guests at the various activities and during meal times. On the 5 days we were there, I even witnessed the GOs celebrating two guests' birthdays with a cake complete with cheers, claps and the mandatory birthday song.

After checking into our room, which had a queen-sized bed and a day bed for our child, we quickly freshened up and then proceeded for lunch. The buffet spread was impressive. There were so much varieties of food to choose from -- Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Mediterranean and even Korean -- I have had a hard time deciding what to eat. After a sumptuous meal, we decided to take a walk around the resort to digest the food and plan our activities for the next few days.

Taking a stroll along the beach, I was pleasantly surprised that the beach was very clean and pristine white. There was almost no debris on the beach. The soft fine sand felt like velvet on our bare feet. It was the first time I didn't mind walking bare-feet on the beach.

Sweet Pea was so excited that she even missed her regular afternoon nap. We spent the whole afternoon dipping in one of the 2 spacious pools, and sipping orange juice and cocktail without a nary of care in the world. One of the best perks that Club Med provides is the free flow of drinks including fruit juices, cocktails, beer and wine. My favorite cocktails are the Apple Martini and Brazilian Potion. You can even concoct your own cocktail or mocktail by telling the GO cum bartender what you want and he/she will fix it for you.

There is a different theme of dress code every night and you will see the GOs dress up accordingly to the theme. You may also do the same if you are game enough. On the first night we were there, there was a open-air movie screening at the beach bar after dinner. Free pop corn and soft drinks were served. It was quite an unusual and unique experience watching movie under the stars and at the same time, listening to the waves splashing onto the shore. Those who like 'live' performance should not miss the nightly show put up by the Club Med GOs. They are a multi-talented lot who can sing, dance, perform skits and juggle acts.

After breakfast the next day, I decided to pull Hubby along to try archery. It's a sport I have never dreamed of trying or thought I could do it. But no harm trying, since I wouldn't get to try this anywhere else. It was quite a long walk including climbing several flights of stairs to the archery area. A coach was at station to give you a quick lesson on how to put on the arrow on the bow, then aim right and shoot. Hubby and I were new to archery so we didn't expect to do well. But surprise! surprise! we each managed to hit the bull's eye once and several times around the bull's eye! Not a bad feat for newbies like us.

Sweet Pea was quite disappointed she couldn't try archery as the minimum age was 7 years old. So we brought her to the Mini Club (for children aged 4-13) where the little ones can try out trampoline, arts & crafts, play in their kiddie pool or even take a nap in a 'sleep room' complete with mattresses and pillows. In fact, some parents left their kids there to be taken care of by the GOs while the parents have their own activities.

On our third day, Sweet Pea decided to try out the Mini Club's Circus School. One of the more popular activities was the flying trapeze. It was open to both adults and kids, and we even saw some children as young as 4 or 5 years old trying out the height-defying stunt. Some kids even tried more than once. It was an eye-opener to see children so young yet with such big courage.

The flying trapeze was a little too daunting for Sweet Pea, so she tried walking the rope which was tied slightly above the ground from one pole to another. The kids had to walk the tight rope from one pole to another and back, while both hands held on to a harness above for balance and safety purpose. It was simple enough, but it also required good balance and steadiness. Sweet Pea did it without any fear, and I was proud of her!

After lunch when Sweet Pea returned to the room to take a nap, I proceeded to the Asmara Spa which I had pre-booked earlier for a 90-minute body massage. Situated in a tranquil spot within the Club Med premises, I was greeted by a soothing aromatic fragrance in the air upon entering the little spa cottage. Everything inside was so pleasing to the 5 senses, but the best part was the spectacular view in the massage room. It was floor-to-ceiling glass windows and I could see the whole ocean view and hear the waves spashing against the rocks while the massuese kneaded my tired knots away. 

After the invigorating massage, I was ushered to a rest-and-relax area where they served me a small teapot of hot tea while I lie on the cushioned chair and watch the breathtaking sea view. If not for the threatening thunder claps and hovering dark clouds, I would have contemplated taking a nap there. Despite the price tag, this is a unique spa experience I would love to try again in the future.

The previous night's thunderstorm seemed to have swept everything clean. The air was crisp and fresh, so we brought Sweet Pea to the beach again to build sand castles and find some sea shells. She found a coral and buried it in the sand with a marker, determined to come back in the afternoon to dig out the 'treasure' again. We also went for a dip in the pool. With her arm floats, Sweet Pea was not afraid of the deep pool and even swam in the adult pool. I persuaded Hubby to go for another rounds of archery with me. I tried, he took pictures of me. I was thrilled when I hit the bull's eye again!

On the 5th day and last day of our Club Med vacation, I felt a little sad to leave this 'happy place'. This vacation would have been perfect, if not for Sweet Pea's untimely fall from her bed on the last night. Unlike most resorts which gave you a warm welcome but not for departure, we were given a warm farewell from the GOs who lined up on both sides of the porch to the driveway to send us off in our coach.

Farewell, Club Med! Till we meet again, maybe at another destination.

Dreamy Disneyland

On the plane to Hong Kong, I was feeling quite excited as this was my first time to Disneyland and so was my 4-year-old girl. In fact, she kept asking "Mummy, are we there yet?" throughout the 4-hour flight. I told her all good things are worth waiting for. 

The Disney Experience

Prior to the trip, I have done my homework online and knew that Hong Kong Disneyland is much smaller compared to the other Disneylands. I wasn't expecting much and thus was not that disappointed even though HK Disneyland turned out to be about as small as Singapore's Universal Studio. Still, we have had a blast of a time. The weather there was nice and cool in November, and we could walk around or rush from one place to another without perspiring.

We managed to visit all the 5 theme parks -- Adventure Land, the newly-opened Toy Story Land, Fantasy Land, Tomorrow Land and Main Street USA -- because we didn't waste precious time waiting for the popular rides that usually came with long queues. We just went for whatever rides that were available at that time. Since we only had a one-day pass, we had to plan strategically and made sure no time was wasted waiting in line for rides or taking photos with the Disney characters. But we did manage to catch the popular shows like The Golden Mickeys stage show, Festival of the Lion King musical, and Mickey's Philhar Magic 3D show. 

The other more memorable moments at Disneyland were taking the raft to Tarzan's Tree-house; the exciting and sometimes hilarious Jungle River Cruise with some unexpected surprises along the way; Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride (my little girl's all-time favorite) and the indoor ride into It's A Small World where you get to see all the cute miniature dolls dressed in their colorful national costumes from all over the world and with the familiar song playing in the background. This was my favorite as I felt like I was being transported into a colorful miniature world surrounded by happy people from different cultures and nationalities. It's A Small World -- this was where I really felt like a child again, happy and carefree. 

One of the highlights of Disneyland was the Grand Parade but regrettably, we missed the timing as we were so engrossed with covering the 5 theme parks and catching the musical shows and some interesting rides. We didn't even get a chance to take pictures with any of the Disney characters, though we did catch a glimpse of Mickey and Minnie Mouse as they were ushered away. If it was any consolation, we did catch a mini Christmas parade by the Disney characters. Of course it wasn't as grand as the Main Parade, but it was still better than no parade at all.

The other major highlight of Disneyland was the fireworks finale at 8pm. Even though we were totally exhausted when evening came, we didn't want to miss the fireworks and resisted the temptation of heading back to the comfy beds in Disney Hollywood Hotel. And we did not regret our decision. The fireworks were spectacular and too awesome for words. It nicely wrapped up our fantastical experience at Disneyland.

If I have to choose a Best Moment in Disneyland, it would be the heartwarming moment when both my hubby and child were huddled together and laughing with delight at the 'snow' falling on their heads and faces. This special moment was priceless, never mind the snow was fake. It was the joy that bubbled from within and translated into laughter -- and it was something I would remember for a long time.  

Where to Eat and Shop

Hong Kong is both a shopping and food paradise so if you have spare time after visiting Disneyland, you may want to check out these places for some retail and gastronomical therapies.  

* Jardine's Crescent Bazaar (Causeway Bay) -- where rows of shops selling ladies' and children's fashion apparel and accessories are aplenty. You can bargain here but make sure you buy after bargaining, or some shop-owners may give you a black look.

* World Trade Center (Causeway Bay), Times Square (Causeway Bay), The One (Tsim Sha Tsui) and K11, said to be the world's first art shopping mall (Tsim Sha Tsui) -- for more upmarket shopping.

* Street markets -- for those who like bargain shopping. The more popular ones are Temple Street Night Market (Jordan MTR) which only starts from 4pm, Ladies' Market (Mongkok MTR), and next to Ladies' Market is the famous Shoe Street (also known as Fa Yuen street) where you can find many shops selling nothing but shoes - all kinds of shoes.

If shopping is not your thing, you can make a trip down to the other attractions like the Madame Tussauds museum and the beautiful night scenery at The Victoria Peak. I had been to Madame Tussauds in London, so we gave this one a miss. If you have spare time, drop by to see the Symphony of Lights at the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront between Arena of Stars and Hong Kong Cultural Centre. The free laser lights display starts at 8pm, so make sure you go slightly earlier to get a good viewing spot. And grab a jacket along, it can get very chilly at the harbour at night.

When we were in Hong Kong, we managed to try out some yummy food at these eateries which are worth recommending. But be prepared for long queues as it usually comes with good food.

* Cafe de Coral (a fast-food chain with many outlets) -- the food is cheap and reasonably good, the place is also clean and service is fast. But it can be difficult to find seats as it is usually crowded.

* Wing Kee Noodle ( 45 Jardine's Bazaar) -- there is usually a queue but the noodles are delicious and prices are reasonable. The down side is the shop space is really tiny, so you can expect elbow-to-elbow kind of seating arrangement.

* Tim Ho Wan (Kwong Wah Street, Mongkok) -- another tiny eatery that serves great food and this one came recommended in the 2011 Michelin Guide. A lot of tourists and even their locals are willing to wait at least 2 hours to try their dim sum. Since our hotel was just around the corner from the restaurant, we went there after breakfast to get a queue number (yes, they distributed queue numbers to keep the crowds in order) and returned about 2 hours later just in time for our dim sum lunch. To be honest, the food was not exceptional, just above average. But the prices were reasonable and I must add that despite their huge fame, their service was rather good. The wait staff even thanked the customers for patronising their restaurant when the customers leave after their meals. A rare sight in Hong Kong indeed. 

And don't leave Hong Kong without trying their famous desserts at Xu Liu Xiang. You will be spoilt for choice as there are so many varieties of hot and cold desserts and drinks to choose from their menu. My girl loves the mini glutinous rice balls mixed with frozen fruits. Yummy! They have several chain outlets, so it's quite easy to find them anywhere. The delicious desserts add to the sweet memories of our family vacation in Hong Kong and Disneyland!


Disneyland Revisited

When we visited Hong Kong Disneyland again in March 2014, it was much less enjoyable because we went with the extended in-law family and without hubby by our side as he wasn't able to take leave from his work.

We stayed two nights at the 4-star Langham Place Hotel which was conveniently linked to the Langham Mall and a stone's throw away from the Ladies' Market in Mongkok; the other two nights were at the Disneyland Hotel.

There were not many changes to the theme park since we visited more than two years ago, except for two new attractions -- Mystic Point and Grizzly Gulch. The latter was not quite my cup of tea, nor was it suitable for little children as it was built like a rugged mine with roller-coaster kind of cars racing in and out of a man-made mountain. Mystic Point was more interesting as it featured a mysterious manor which housed the manor lord's wide collection of art and antiques from around the world. A chain of carriages would take you through the inside of the manor which was dimly lit and filled with surprises!

This time, Sweet Pea and I have more time to enjoy the Disneyland Hotel compared to Hollywood Hotel the other time. I especially like the food served at the hotel's Walt's Cafe. The lobster pasta I had was simply delicious! Sweet Pea's favorite was the white chocolate cheesecake dessert.

The Disneyland Hotel also has both an indoor swimming pool and an outdoor pool complete with a slide built amidst the rocks. We only tried the indoor pool as the outdoor pool slide looked quite steep. In the evening when the sun is down, you can also take a leisurely stroll through the perfectly manicured maze in the hotel garden ground.

Although Disneyland is every child's dreamland, I realised Sweet Pea didn't enjoy it as much as when she visited over 2 years ago. She seems to prefer a leisurely and relaxing kind of vacation, like a beach resort or a cruise holiday. Just like her personality -- cool, carefree and happy-go-lucky!

Cruise Escapade

I love the ocean, and especially waking up to the ocean sounds and cool sea breeze on my face. I have my desire fulfilled on a recent cruise with an oceanview balcony cabin to boot!

Though it wasn't my first time on a Star Cruise, it was my 3-year-old tot's first cruise on a big ship and I was excited for her. On the way to HarbourFront terminal, she repeatedly asked, "Are we there yet, Mommy?" like she couldn't wait to board the ship. Once we were on board the Star Virgo cruise ship, we went straight to our balcony cabin to unpack and then brought darling daughter on a ship tour while waiting for the ship to set sail.

The next few days on the large ship were simply relaxing and divine with plenty of food, fun and entertainment. There were several restaurants to choose from, some were free (which you would have already paid for this vacation) while some were chargeable. If you loved Japanese food, the restaurant Samurai was a good choice. Though it was a little pricey for the relatively small portions, the food was good and there were free flow of piping hot green tea if you ordered the set meals.

Those who liked fine dining would find the formal sit-down dinner with live music at Bella Vista just up their alley. But be warned that the food came in rather small portions, so those with big appetites might not feel enough to eat. Fret not, hearty eaters could head to the chinese restaurant Pavilion Room which served pretty decent chinese cuisines and they came in rather generous portions. And if you preferred casual, eat-to-your-heart's-content dining, the Mediterranean International Buffet should satisfy any cravings.

My only gripe was the Gala Dinner reservation which required one to ballot (which reminded me of primary school registration) where you had to queue to ballot and reserve for a seat in the restaurant of your choice. It was on a first-come-first-get basis, so if the restaurant you wanted was filled up when it came to your turn, you would have to choose another restaurant for the Gala Dinner.

There was no lack of entertainment on the ship, but not everything was free so make sure you checked first or you might find yourself paying beyond what you already had. While you were on the cruise, try not to miss the performances which were usually quite good. We watched a rib-tickling and incredible magic show on one night and a spectacular show based on the legendary Rasputin on another night. The latter was a great production that combined not just singing and dancing, but also breathtaking acrobatic performances coupled with colorful costumes and stunning stage designs and visual effects. Definitely a must-watch!

There was also a cinema on board the ship and screened some blockbuster movies like Mega Mind, Up, Iron Man II, Karate Kid and The Social Network. But if you didn't want to spend your time lounging in the cinema, there were plenty of other options like sweating it out at the Universal Gym or pampering yourself in the Apollo Spa. But you had to pay for the entrance fee and services at the spa.

A must-try on the Star Virgo cruise was the gigantic snaking water slide with one transparent part jutting out into the ocean. I was initially hesitant to try it as I have height phobia. But once I overcame the fear and took the plunge (literally!), I had to go for a second and even third round, it was that thrilling! The best part -- it's free so you could try as many times as you liked.

We also had our first karaoke session as a family at the Celebrity Disco & KTV Lounge. We went during off-peak time so our 3-year-old girl could enter, and we have had a whale of a time singing as a family! Our tot got her turn to sing 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star' and even got applause from the other customers!

Our 4-Day-3-Night cruise included a Penang and Phuket shore excursions, so for those who were feeling bored onboard and wanted some adventures could choose to alight from the ship. As for us, we much preferred a no-stress, no-rush vacation as there were plenty for us to explore with our kid on the ship. In fact just lying on the deck chair, watching my two most loved ones playing in the jaccuzi pool, and being near the sky and the sea was already bliss.