How I found my second childhood in Hong Kong
December 10, 2006 | 12:00am
Four years ago, I asked my grandson Enzo that usual question: "What do you want to be when you grow up?"
His answer came loud and clear: "I don’t wanna grow up! I just wanna be a kid forever."
I liked that not-too-usual answer.Now Enzo is nine years old and he says he wants to be an astronaut. He is a science freak and looks forward to being a space tourist soon. At the mere mention of Hong Kong Disneyland, he exclaims: "Tomorrowland, yes!"
The older I get, the more I appreciate the company of people with a certain childlike innocence and purity of heart.Maybe I want to seek refuge from the world’s vexations and people with very wicked hearts, by surrounding myself with happy people. Go simple and childlike again. At least for one weekend recently,I did just that– rediscovering some simple pleasures and finding my second childhood in Hong Kong.
Here are such pleasures:
• Relive those fairy tales with a high-tech twist. If you grew up as I did with a Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella storybook lulling you to sleep (no DVDs yet to watch at night), you will be fascinated by really magical moments in a theatrical 3D adventure. My favorite show? Mickey’s PhilharMagic.It made me feel so young again.It reopened all my senses to how modern techniques can make old-fashioned happily-ever-afters look so very 21st century.
• Remember that white Christmas. My shamelessly colonial-minded generation grew up singing of a white Christmas and dreaming of snow.My first time to experience snow was in New York, and it wasn’t a postcard-pretty sight at all – the snow was not too white, and I almost slipped on the sidewalk while frolicking with friends. But somehow, it was a nostalgic moment for me when, after the Christmas tree lighting in HK Disneyland, there was gently falling snow!Almost like the real thing.
• Hop on a train and go nature-tripping. Last year, I took a train ride around HK Disneyland with Kris Aquino, James Yap, Joshua, Ben Chan, Miguel Pastor and Keren Pascual, during which the Filipino fans of Kris and James would approach them for photo-ops.This trip,I realized how such a 10-minute train ride could be a nature-tripping, stress-busting journey to enjoy the beautiful greenery within HK Disneyland.This wonderland is lined by nine-meter -tall ficus trees that resemble holiday trees. And there are topiary-like trees with roundish trunks that narrow as they reach more than 10 meters skyward.Scientifically called brachychiton rupestris, they are better known as bottle trees.
• Take a nostalgic ride in vintage cars. The Hollywood Hotel in HK Disneyland pays tribute to the golden age of movies, and it is so Art Deco. So very vintage, too, are several cars displayed at the hotel garden."Wow, these cars are sooo huge and ancient,"says my grandson.Yes, these were the big American cars of my ancient childhood, so big my parents and us six children could all fit comfortably in them. Now they are museum pieces.
• Relish those foods you miss. At the fabulous HK Disneyland Hotel where we stayed, fabulous buffets were served at the Enchanted Garden Restaurant. Those Western and Asian favorites so deliciously laid out reminded me of the Christmas meals my mother would painstakingly prepare for hours. Then, when it was time to eat, she would be so tired but found pleasure in just sitting down and watching us enjoy her cooking.
• And take a culinary trip. The delicious thing about HK Disneyland is that you can have Chinese noodles,wok dishes and roasted ducks; Japanese sushi, tempura and teriyaki; Indian curry and roti; Tahitian barbecue,Viennese pastries; American burgers, fries and steaks; Italian pasta and pizzas; British fish and chips, and more. Try the breakfast buffet at Chef Mickey (Hollywood Hotel) for its Chinese barbecue and Indian curries. Or River View Cafe (Adventureland) which looks like it belongs to colonial Africa. Or Crystal Lotus (Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel) for classic Cantonese dishes. Or Comet Cafe(Tomorrowland) where noodles are cooked as you watch. If you’re craving some second childhood ambience, there’s Royal Banquet Hall (Fantasyland)inspired by Sleeping Beauty or Clopin’s Festival of Foods (Fantasyland)where the Hunchback of Notre Dame greets you.Thank goodness,tea is the more popular drink in HK Disneyland.A healthy way to end your meal.
• Think young, feel young, keep young.You can do some fitness activity like jogging (get a map at the front desk of HK Disneyland Hotel which identifies jogging trails of varying distances); walking, biking or pedal boat riding at the Inspiration Lake; or pampering yourself at the Victorian Spa.
• Indulge in popcorn, balloons and your good, old fave Disney toys. The delicious aroma of popcorn from stall vendors permeates HK Disneyland and you remember the popcorn, balloons, and birds peddled outside the church after Sunday Mass when you were dressed up in your lacey dress with petticoats. I still love popcorn!
"A Magical Christmas" at Hong Kong Disneyland is ongoing until Dec. 31, 2006. The resort sparkles with twinkling decor, Disney-style entertainment, sumptuous dining and gift ideas. "Mickey's 2007 Countdown Party" features giant dance floors with a live band and DJs, and a dazzling display of fireworks as Mickey and his pals lead the countdown at midnight. For details, visit www.hongkongdisneyland.com or call your local travel agent for package tours.
His answer came loud and clear: "I don’t wanna grow up! I just wanna be a kid forever."
I liked that not-too-usual answer.Now Enzo is nine years old and he says he wants to be an astronaut. He is a science freak and looks forward to being a space tourist soon. At the mere mention of Hong Kong Disneyland, he exclaims: "Tomorrowland, yes!"
The older I get, the more I appreciate the company of people with a certain childlike innocence and purity of heart.Maybe I want to seek refuge from the world’s vexations and people with very wicked hearts, by surrounding myself with happy people. Go simple and childlike again. At least for one weekend recently,I did just that– rediscovering some simple pleasures and finding my second childhood in Hong Kong.
Here are such pleasures:
• Relive those fairy tales with a high-tech twist. If you grew up as I did with a Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella storybook lulling you to sleep (no DVDs yet to watch at night), you will be fascinated by really magical moments in a theatrical 3D adventure. My favorite show? Mickey’s PhilharMagic.It made me feel so young again.It reopened all my senses to how modern techniques can make old-fashioned happily-ever-afters look so very 21st century.
• Remember that white Christmas. My shamelessly colonial-minded generation grew up singing of a white Christmas and dreaming of snow.My first time to experience snow was in New York, and it wasn’t a postcard-pretty sight at all – the snow was not too white, and I almost slipped on the sidewalk while frolicking with friends. But somehow, it was a nostalgic moment for me when, after the Christmas tree lighting in HK Disneyland, there was gently falling snow!Almost like the real thing.
• Hop on a train and go nature-tripping. Last year, I took a train ride around HK Disneyland with Kris Aquino, James Yap, Joshua, Ben Chan, Miguel Pastor and Keren Pascual, during which the Filipino fans of Kris and James would approach them for photo-ops.This trip,I realized how such a 10-minute train ride could be a nature-tripping, stress-busting journey to enjoy the beautiful greenery within HK Disneyland.This wonderland is lined by nine-meter -tall ficus trees that resemble holiday trees. And there are topiary-like trees with roundish trunks that narrow as they reach more than 10 meters skyward.Scientifically called brachychiton rupestris, they are better known as bottle trees.
• Take a nostalgic ride in vintage cars. The Hollywood Hotel in HK Disneyland pays tribute to the golden age of movies, and it is so Art Deco. So very vintage, too, are several cars displayed at the hotel garden."Wow, these cars are sooo huge and ancient,"says my grandson.Yes, these were the big American cars of my ancient childhood, so big my parents and us six children could all fit comfortably in them. Now they are museum pieces.
• Relish those foods you miss. At the fabulous HK Disneyland Hotel where we stayed, fabulous buffets were served at the Enchanted Garden Restaurant. Those Western and Asian favorites so deliciously laid out reminded me of the Christmas meals my mother would painstakingly prepare for hours. Then, when it was time to eat, she would be so tired but found pleasure in just sitting down and watching us enjoy her cooking.
• And take a culinary trip. The delicious thing about HK Disneyland is that you can have Chinese noodles,wok dishes and roasted ducks; Japanese sushi, tempura and teriyaki; Indian curry and roti; Tahitian barbecue,Viennese pastries; American burgers, fries and steaks; Italian pasta and pizzas; British fish and chips, and more. Try the breakfast buffet at Chef Mickey (Hollywood Hotel) for its Chinese barbecue and Indian curries. Or River View Cafe (Adventureland) which looks like it belongs to colonial Africa. Or Crystal Lotus (Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel) for classic Cantonese dishes. Or Comet Cafe(Tomorrowland) where noodles are cooked as you watch. If you’re craving some second childhood ambience, there’s Royal Banquet Hall (Fantasyland)inspired by Sleeping Beauty or Clopin’s Festival of Foods (Fantasyland)where the Hunchback of Notre Dame greets you.Thank goodness,tea is the more popular drink in HK Disneyland.A healthy way to end your meal.
• Think young, feel young, keep young.You can do some fitness activity like jogging (get a map at the front desk of HK Disneyland Hotel which identifies jogging trails of varying distances); walking, biking or pedal boat riding at the Inspiration Lake; or pampering yourself at the Victorian Spa.
• Indulge in popcorn, balloons and your good, old fave Disney toys. The delicious aroma of popcorn from stall vendors permeates HK Disneyland and you remember the popcorn, balloons, and birds peddled outside the church after Sunday Mass when you were dressed up in your lacey dress with petticoats. I still love popcorn!
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