Macau Grand Prix Museum

ABBEY: We were preparing to join Singapore GP contests to win Pit Stop tickets so we planned to visit F3 Grand Prix museum in Macau. It is located in the basement of Tourism Activities Center - CAT. The entrance was free as celebration of Chinese New Year.

It showcases F3 cars of different countries, history and development of the race. One Macau resident, Teddy Yip, is very enthusiastic and supportive of the event. It also exhibits the jumpsuit of the oldest FIA consultant, John Corsmit. Along with the suit is his death mask. We also had the chance to play a simulated game and this is for free also. Motorbikes were also exhibited in the museum. 

WILL: I know that Macau is famous for its high-end hotels and casinos, but we don't go there to relax in a comfy room or play slots, we are there to see the country itself, and where to go other that that?... Museums!

      I am fond of going to museums, and I am glad that this country offers a lot for us to visit. After meeting up with Abbey's bestfriend, Jennee, we immediately go to Grand Prix Museum which is located at Rua Luis Gonzaga Gomes. Free entrance and free one shot for simulator. I am fan of racing cars, influenced by my brothers, that's why I am very eager to see this place.

     Here they showcase the uniforms of the drivers, cars, motorcycles, and even the great names behind ever race. We really enjoyed exploring this. This place is a must see for every tourist in Macau.

TurboJET (Hong Kong - Macau)

ABBEY: This is the vehicle that drove us to Macau (an hour ride from Hongkong). One way ticket costs 160hkd. The ferry is spacious and has comfy seats. The ride is smooth and we arrived safely to Macau. 

The attendant who distributes the embarkation card is kind of annoying though. Some people didn't understand what he is saying  (Forn-ner which he means foreigner) and he came back to those people telling that it is a simple English. If he could speak it more clearly then he'll be more understandable. 

WILL: This is the most popular way to go from Hong Kong to Macau. When we saw the queue, I perspired a lot and fearful that we might not get a ticket for our voyage. Every window we ask if there's available seat for two, my prayer was answered when Turbo Jet opened for a new schedule and the boat will be leaving in an hour time. 
      As we set our foot at the ship, we were happy to see a clean and comfortable seat for everybody. I sat happily and closed my eyes. Suddenly, Abbey is poking me telling me that we reached Macau. The sail is peaceful indeed and its just an hour ride. Thanks for Bonamine for taking out the sea sickness in me. 
      Turbo Jet is very recommendable. Check this out once you planned hoping between Hong Kong and Macau.  

Snoopy’s World at New Town Plaza

ABBEY: When Denise knew that we didn't follow her itinerary for our second day, she informed Wilma that we can visit Snoopy World outside the 3rd floor of New Town Plaza. This mall is integrated to Sha Tin MTR station. The entrance is the famous Snoopy's dog house with red roof. The Birchwood school is there as well as the school bus and also the playground. Along with other structures were the bank, post office and a diner. Kids can row a boat in the water path. I felt like a child upon meeting Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the gang. This attraction is for free.

WILL: We were shocked when we walked our way  to TST Promenade. There were so many people already positioned their cameras for the most awaited fireworks display of the year. Too many people paving their ways and looking for a right spot for them, so we decided after seeing the hand prints of Hong Kong's famous stars, we directly went to the opposite hotel, Shangri-La Hong Kong.

     While sipping a cup of tea and coffee, we keep on updating my friend Denise our location and what we are doing. She might be thinking we are wasting our time inside a hotel, so she suggested that we go to Snoopy's World. Then after some clicks, we were off to go.

     It is located at Shatin New Town Plaza, 3rd floor. This place is free. A very nice place to go for Charlie Brown's Gang lovers. I enjoyed, Abbey enjoyed and we know your kids we be delighted to spend time here. 

Hong Kong's Avenue of Stars

ABBEY: This must-visit place in Hongkong is a 20-minute walk from Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station. It is also along the harbor where you can see Hongkong's skyline and the venue of Chinese New Year's fireworks. 

Golden stars were scattered and each has a name of an artist or celebrity. I think I only recognized Jackie Chan from the stars. Bronze statues of people filming, lights, and clapper were erected.

WILL: Asia's World City pay attention to their film stars. Thus, this Avenue of Stars is a must-see for every foreigner visiting  Hong Kong. 
     This is located at Tsim Sha Tsui promenade. Here you can see all the glittering stars' hand marks carefully graved. 
     This is free. Tourist will have no reason why they will not check this out. ;) 

Cocoa B DIY White Chocolate

ABBEY: One random day Wilma asked what chocolate would I want as a gift. I replied "Any type, any toppings would do". 

She joined a contest to create your own chocolate. She told me she even put a message on the bar. She was excited to see it delivered to our mailbox. It was covered with a bubble wrap then a silver-colored wrapper with cushion. What a way to protect the precious delight. It was a white chocolate bar topped with almond, macadamia nuts and floss. There's a message "I love you" which is also edible. 

Its not too sweet, just enough to enjoy it and appreciate as this was done by my wife :)

WILL: The most beautiful thing that you can give as a gift to your loved ones is not a box load of ready made commodity in a market, but was things that done by your own hands. 
      Time really pushes all our creativeness on edges, and so am I. Haha. Went to Vivo... while walking, while checking each store, there is no great idea that popped-up right before my eyes. I went home, frustrated. Nada! No gift for my Abbey for hearts' day. 
     Checking every facebook fanpage that posts their products for Valentines, I came with Cocoa B that was holding a giveaway that time.  With great passion and love for my husband, I poured my emotion while creating my own chocolate. 

Here is my entry:

I roamed around VivoCity last night and got home almost 9pm with empty hands. Nowhere to find, nowhere to go, no great gift idea for my husband on heart's day.

Until this morning I read a message in facebook about Cocoa B, bulb of imagination lit and swore when I got home, I wil be creating my OWN chocolate flavor and design.

So here it is, white chocolate (symbolizes my pure love unto him), nuts (how nutty I am when I am with my hubby), I Love You Plaque (three words combined to be a powerful sentence), & Chicken Floss (his favorite).

I will never know this when I read iisjong.blogspot.com.

Hoping to win this, by the power summoned by LOVE! ;)

     Upon checking the facebook when we came back here in Singapore, I saw that I won the contest. As I cannot hide my gladness, I asked my husband to see my entry to this contest. After he read it, he squeezed me tight. 
     The day came, chocolate was delivered by the postman, we unwrap, we took photo, we ate and our amazement can see through in our eyes when we took every bite on that whitey chocolate. Very delicious indeed when powdered with floss. 
     Thanks Cocoa B. please visit their website and surprise your loved ones with it. 

Hong Kong Disneyland

ABBEY: I was very excited to go to this park. As a child, me and my neighbors dreamed of going to Disneyland. We got the ticket for a discounted price of HD$390 courtesy of Hop Inn. We were there at 7:30 AM. Yes its seems early but its an advantage as you can strike you pose and take snaps to Disneyland's Welcome arch. And we also have the chance to check their port for guests that will visit via ferry. A ceremony was held before the opening where a family was chosen to meet and greet with Mickey and Minnie to open the park for the day. As we enter the park at 9, we were given golden coins as souvenir. Wilma ran to the park's garden where flowers were arranged to depict Mickey's face and told me to take pictures. We also have snaps with Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Chip and Dale, Cinderella, and Rapunzel. At the end of the Main Boulevard, we saw the Sleeping Beauty's magnificent castle. It was smaller compared to Shrek's Far Far Away in USS, but its very detailed. 

We went first to Tarzan's tree house. We got scared when the tiger roared :) After that we journeyed to the jungle via River Cruise. Then we went to the newest attraction in HK Disneyland: Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway mine cars. We were less than 10 pax for the first batch to ride. Prepare to be push and pulled back as you enter the dark mines. Its kind of scary and funny. 

After that we went to Toy Story land. We rode the Toy Soldier Parachute drop and my most-feared ride that day, the RC Racer. It was a curved U-shaped RC track. The car was in the middle and once you're settled, it will be pulled and then be released. You will swing along the track as the momentum dies down. I felt I was gonna fall off my sit it it weren't with my safety bar. Wilma caught my lips shaking and she laughed hard as she saw me like that. That day I conquered my fear of not-that-extreme ride :) As we wait for the adrenaline rush to settle down we lined up for Mickey's Philar Magic 3d show. We also watch Golden Mickey; Mickey's version of Golden globe awards and their wonderful parade. They were good and entertaining. We also got a change to defeat Emperor Zurg in Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blaster; though Wilma for more points than me. We also visited "Its a small world" that displays dolls that sing and dance. Space mountain is having technical problem that day. But we met Stitch have fun interacting with him. 

The fireworks were much anticipated. People flock in front of the castle as early as 6Pm whereas the show starts at 8:30PM. It was worth the wait as the exhibition is magical. It will definitely bring out the child in you. Wear light dress and hydrate yourself.

Few points to improve though:
-Use the fans in queue. I know its 14degrees and its cold. But it will be hot and suffocating when a lot of people flocked on attraction entrances and the fans are off. Turning them on will give more ventilation to the guests. 

-The entrance is narrow causing bottleneck so its a mess. As it is Chinese New Year, HK Disneyland should expect for a huge guest turnout. They should have put more rope division for proper queue. 

-Some staff cannot speak english. It would be better to train them to speak the universal language since not all guests speak Mandarin.

-Announcements for the attractions are not clear enough. Its as if the staff will catch a plane going to "i don't know" and gonna be late. Make sure the staff clearly speaks the information so the people will attend to it.

WILL: Am I wrong I will tell that every child especially the girls has a dream to step in to the magical place of DisneyLand.

      Ever since I am a child, I always ask my mom when she will bring me to DisneyLand, she never answered me "NO" on every requests but this, she answered "soon", but she never did. Ha!Ha! Well, I forgot about that dream but when DisneyLand build its home to Hong Kong, that dream rebuild its way to my heart.

      After my college, I really want to go there, have money but I do not have time, I am busy in building my career. When my name have somehow small roots in my field and that dream faded again, again lack of time.

      But when Abbey told me that he wants to go to Korea and upon checking, there are so many obstacles for us to got there, we ended up and going to Hong Kong and excitedly plan to see Mickey's friends and land.

      Abbey and I woke up as early as 530AM, took our breakfast at the nearest cafe in our hotel then rode the MTR to Disneyland Resort Station. The train from Sunny Bay station is a special one, decorated in the name of Mickey and Friends.

      My smile is from ear to ear once I saw the train. Arrived there around 7AM, and the park opened at 9, so we are only  20 visitors then. So we had the chance to take a lot of photos at the "Welcome" sign. We even managed to check out the port for the park's visitors.

      We planned to go for counterclockwise but when we saw people ran to that side, we decided to go for the clockwise direction,

      We are the first visitor at the tree house of Tarzan. Then we are the second batch of Grizzly Gulch runaway mine cars, exciting! We were toured via Jungle River Cruise. After a boat ride, we decided to go to Toy Story Land and test Abbey's courage. We fist tried Toy Soldier Parachute Drop and Abbey told me that it is amazing. Now, it is the time to test if he can stretch that courage in a U-shaped metal. While on line, I keep on encouraging Abbey that I know he can make it. It is a success that he went in RC Racer and finished it without fainting, but his jaws were shaking after.. Ha!ha! Great experience indeed.

      After that ride, we ran to take the queue to the shows, and the most amazing is the Lion King, after seeing that, I am so sad and frustrated again to myself why I let the Lion KIng passed my way when they visited Singapore.

      The parade is nice!, but the most amazing, most nerve racking show was the fireworks. Goosebumps and all I can do is hold my husband's hands while watching the glimmering sky of different colors. It feels like I am back to my childhood, feels like I am  Disney Princess with my Prince.

     This is a blessing and I am thankful that I went here with my lovable husband.A dream come true!