We'll Tell You - A&W Couple's Blog

ABBEY: We planned to take the train from California to Chicago and experience a cross-state railroad journey. But Kuya Victor was more adventurous. He told us that it will be a road-trip.  We were all excited and headed our way on a bright morning of December 27 after bidding farewell to our family in California.  First stop is Las Vegas, Nevada. We got to see Red Rock Canyon and the “busyness” of the city. It was really lit with colorful signs. You can’t help but look up. We had the night to recharge ourselves at MGM Grand and checked out to go to Arizona. Funny story is we were stopped by a State Trooper citing our violation that we’re driving too close to another vehicle. Abiding by the law we crossed another border and reached New Mexico where we spent our second night.  As Filipinos, rice is staple in our meal. We were so craving for it but we settled on bowls of ramen as the rice ran out. After a good night sleep, our next destination is Texas. Here we stopp...

ABBEY: We visited Disneyland Park at California on 23rd of December. It was drizzling and really cold. But those didn’t hinder us to see what’s at Mickey’s place. First stop is Peter Pan’s flight. It seems we’re really flying as we can see bird’s eyeview of London.  Next is It’s a Small World. We keep on checking the Filipino dolls but the theme is all about the holidays. Maybe the highlight of our day is meeting Mickey Mouse himself. At last, we got a picture with him and our timing is right; less queue time. Our lunch is at Alien Pizza Planet where we had, of course, pizza and mac and cheese. After the break we headed for our photoshoot session with Chewbacca. It was fun and we burst to laughter with all those Chewbacca jokes. My shooting skills failed me at Astro Blasters having the lowest score. At last we found Nemo at the Submarine Voyage. The pool is small on the outside but it’s a different deep, big world down there. Next is Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge where we saw the M...

ABBEY: Note to visitors: Lincoln Park Zoo is big and half day is not enough to cover it. You've been warned. It was pre-spring and still cold when we went there but still we're able to see animals like mountain lion, flamingos, macaques, penguins, polar bear, and vultures.  I was amazed by their aviary. The birds have beautiful bright colors and have lots of species. Also we're able to visit the center for African apes.  Lincoln Park Zoo - Flamingo Island   Lincoln Park Zoo's Lions' Den   Lincoln Park Zoo    Lincoln Park Zoo - Bird at Aviary WILL: If you will google what are the free things to do in Chicago, Lincoln Zoo and Park will not be off the list. Imagine? Zoo for free? Hmmm, wondering what animals they are showcasing? Okay let's hit it one by one.  Birds, magnificent feathers, tails, size and beaks. They are totally all unidentifiable for me. Gorillas and monkeys. King of the jungle..Lions. Zebras. Penguins...

ABBEY: It's good that there is a good movie when we went to Chicago and we got to experience to go to a movie theater there. It was at Muvico Rosemont 18 and the movie is Boss Baby. The theater is clean and has less people as it is Sunday after lunch. Now I know why they say that theater food is a rip-off. 7 USD for a large Coke slurpee, come on. The seats are good and spacious; enough leg room for me. Boss Baby is a funny movie and also has lessons. The antics of the baby in suit is great as well as his squad. Now that's another story how babies are born and given to a family (they arrived in taxis). Haha. I wonder where I can get that formula :) Muvico Rosemont 18's Free SelfieW.me Photobooth Muvico Rosemont 18 SelfieW.me Free Photo WILL:  Abbey and I want to keep on waiting on the showing of Boss Baby and it went out in movie theatres when we were in Chicago. Because of the dire curiosity to see this "Boss" baby, we gently requested Momm...

ABBEY: We got so excited when we learned that Aladdin will be shown in Chicago the same time we will visit there. We booked our tickets on Wilma's natal day. After completing the payment we just realized that the show we booked is on New York. True story. But Ticketmaster helped us to refund it and booked a pair again, now in Cadillac Palace, Chicago.  It was the first night of the production and the guests flocked at the theater and each was given a program. The place was dimly-lit but well alive. We can hear the orchestra doing their final tune up. And a couple of minutes later, the show began. It was magical and spectacular. The actors are great especially Genie. The scene I like the most is when Genie and Aladdin met. Yes, and not when he met Jasmine. It was just intense, loud, vibrant, and elegant. The magic carpet ride will take you to pitch black skies with stars that shine like diamonds while being serenaded with "A whole new world".  The duo Jafar an...

ABBEY: This is the start of our Downtown Chicago "exploration" alone. Yup, only me and Wilma, and our handy Apple Maps. Millennium Park is our first goal. This park is where the Cloudgate (The Bean) is located. Make sure to be there early to get a good snap of The Bean that is not much crowded. Performances are being shown in Jay Pritzker Pavillion   during summer and audiences can lay back and enjoy it at the Great Lawn. Flower lovers can visit Lurie Garden. The Crown Fountain and Wrigley Square and Millennium Park Monument is also there. Cross the BP bridge and you'll be connected to Maggie Daley Park. Great exercise with great views. Head North towards N Michigan and Wacker Drive (Chicago River) and you're in at Magnificent Mile; the upscale section of Michigan Avenue. I got my Harry Potter candies like chocolate frogs, Bertie Botts every-flavor-beans, and butterbeer from Dylan's Candy Bar courtesy of my Aunt Araceli. We also visited Victoria's Secr...

ABBEY: These two attractions are a must-see for every tourist in Chicago. Our passes were included in the CityPass we purchased.  With CityPass, no more lining up the long queue, we were at the express lane.  The Skydeck is at 103rd floor of Willis Tower (formerly Sears) while The Tilt is at 94th floor of 360 Chicago (John Hancock). Both gives an excellent view of Downtown and Lake Michigan.  The Ledge is an all-glass box protruding outside the building which gives you the feel of walking in the air and fear of falling down. You can snap all the pictures you want but be mindful of other guests.  However in The Tilt, you need to top-up 6USD to have the experience. And also no cameras. You need to buy the official photo if you want a copy. Hold on to the sidebars and be ready to tilt. Not one, not two, but three angle starting from 90 degrees. It was thrilling and exciting. Hope for a nice weather to get a good view. Skydeck Chicago's LEDGE - Pos...

ABBEY: We've toured five museums in Chicago and I don't know how long we walked but still there are lot more things to see. We purchased Chicago City Pass for 199USD for the following visitor attractions: 1. Shedd Aquarium 2. Art Institute of Chicago 3. The Field Museum 4. Museum of Science and Industry  5. Adler Planetarium  Adler Planetarium: This is our first stop. We were there way before it open and we're on a full battle gear against cold. We were greeted by the exhibition of the man on the moon; how US President John Kennedy on 1961 challenge the nation to step on the moon before the decade ends. And the rest is history. Since it is all about Earth and other celestial bodies, it has abundant displays of instruments used for the studies like armillary spheres, telescopes, maps and solar system models.  Shedd Aquarium: We did revisit Shedd aquarium after our first tour as the tickets for the show is already sold out. The museum is curate...

ABBEY: We're used to take public transport in Singapore so we took up the challenge of riding trains and buses going Downtown Chicago. As a tourist, we opted to buy a day-pass for 10USD. Unlimited train and bus rides for a day. By doing this, we were able to go to the museums like Adler, the Navy Pier, 360 Chicago, Willis Tower, Chicago Riverwalk, Magnificent Mile and a lot more.  I cannot help comparing the trains of Singapore and Chicago. Not an insult but for Chicago Transit Authority to improve the system or service.  The trains are just plain dirty; floor, windows, and seats. They have smell too. I even observed that there are people literally "living" inside the train. Safety and health issues.  The buses on the other hand are clean. Touch the door and it will open just like magic. Chicago USA: Public Transportation - Bus Chicago USA: Public Transportation - Train Station   Chicago USA: Public Transportation - Train Coach W...