Toy Story Land

I was able to attend yesterday's event at The Peninsula Manila's Rigodon Ballroom called "Toy Story Land Trade Launch Event: It's Playtime Challenge" courtesy of Hong Kong Disneyland. A launch like this is annual activity of Hong Kong Disneyland where they host lunch for select travel agents so as to promote a new attraction/ride/event at the Hong Kong Disneyland.

As the title of the event suggests, this was going to be all about the new Toy Story Land opening in November 2011. The concept of the Toy Story Land is set on Andy's backyard wherein his toys are scattered all over. Everyone who is someone in Toy Story is included in the concept such as Woody, Jessie, Rex and Slinky Dog (Buzz Lightyear already has an existing ride at one of the other lands inside Disneyland which is why he is not present in any of the hand-outs for Toy Story Land).


Some of the travel agents waiting at the foyer of the Rigodon Ballroom. The invitation stated 1130H but the doors did not open until 1230H. Luckily, I came in late at 12noon so I didn't have to wait that long.


The stage set-up before the start of the program.


Simple yet creative center piece set up on each table. Very theme appropriate! (I got to take home four of those blocks)


Each table was equipped with these devices. It turned out this was to be used for the game during the duration of the program (we lost at a pathetic ranking of 20). The game also took so long that lunch was served at 1400H.


The toy soldiers reporting! They were clad in green from head to toe and it was as if the toy soldiers really grew and came alive!


The winning teams posing with Woody and Jessie as well as claiming their medals and prizes...I actually felt a tiny tiny tiny pang of jealousy :( I should be on the stage too claiming my prize (sore loser hehe)


Our late lunch started with Caesar Salad. Good but nothing extra ordinary.


Cajun roasted chicken roulade with grilled peppers, vegetable bouquet and steamed rice. Taste was good but the chicken was a bit tough. The hotel, I guess, is not to be blamed for this since they were told that lunch was to be served at 12noon but instead, delayed to an acid-inducing-in-your-tummy hour of 1400H.


Vanilla mille feuille with fruit coulis. Don't ask me what it means but this did not disappoint. Sweet that goes well with tea. Each dessert was presented alongside an edible Toy Story themed white chocolate 'picture' stand.



As with any Hong Kong Disneyland organized activity, this was well thought of and well prepared. All the key sales and marketing people were there to answer any queries by the travel agents. Plus the game was very engaging and fun although hunger pangs still haunt me up to this day. I look forward to personally visiting the Toy Story Land on my next visit to Hong Kong Disneyland.

iPod Touch

After months and months of contemplating, I was finally convinced (coerced, is a more appropriate word, I think) into purchasing my first iPod Touch. Why coerced? Well, on my last visit to Hong Kong, I was torn between buying an iPhone4 or a camera. I ended up buying the camera since I thought this would be a more useful gadget for me. I also made up my mind that an iPhone is not for me since:

a. everyone already has one and I'm quite happy with my BB

b. I was one of the first to have the iPhone1 back in 2007 and that was enough to satiate my iPhone craving.

'nude' ipod Touch

But I wanted to try facetime. I also wanted to be able to upload photos instantly to my facebook account like my friend Kim does. I know I already have an iPad but iPads don't have cameras (iPad2 has it) and the iPad isn't really one of the handiest gadgets to lug around specially when you're travelling. So what's the next best alternative to an iPhone that will not break the bank? An Ipod Touch! I checked out the prices in Hong Kong and with the exchange rate, I figured it would still be cheaper to buy my iPod Touch here in the Phils. What I did was buy a case in Hong Kong from an Apple store as there were more choices and the prices were more favorable in Hong Kong.

Beside the iPod Touch case I bought in Hong Kong for only HKD139 (Php 795) which comes with screen protector and earphone detangler

I also already have an iPod Shuffle which I bought last December and its really been super handy whenever I use it to go jogging around Luneta Park. But lately, outside of jogging, it's been frustrating not being able to select the music that you want to hear. I wasn't really in a rush to buy an iPod Touch but at the back of my mind, I kept on thinking about the case that I bought in Hong Kong that is just gathering dust in my cabinet (here's where the 'coercing' part comes in and a poor excuse to purchase something,but I couldn't help it! hehehe). So, before I could stop myself, I ended up buying my iPod Touch!

Beside my iPad and iPod Shuffle

I bought the cheapest entry level model which is just 8gb. I haven't really toyed with it yet as I only plan on using it as a music player. The apps I have in my iPad are already enough for me and I could see the advantage of having a huge screen such as the iPad's. The case from Hong Kong though is now hugging my iPod Touch so I guess everyone is happy (except my wallet). How much was it? P10800 or US$ 245.

Color me red! My iPad, iPod Touch and Blackberry Torch. Red is actually not my favorite color, it just so happen that most cases that are available are either in black or red and I didn't want to go black.

Behind the scene.

Lumix LX5

One of my recent purchases from my Hong Kong is this Panasonic Lumix LX5 camera, a successor of the Lumix LX3 which my cousins and friend have been raving about. I was choosing between a Canon S95, a Panasonic Lumix LX5 and an Olympus XZ1. The first off my list was the S95. Although this is the smallest and lightest of the bunch, its also the weakest in my opinion. I was torn between a LX5 and a XZ1 but the decision was actually taken out of my hand as the XZ1 was not yet available in Hong Kong (it was only launched in January 2011 in the US). And besides, I'm sure the price would still be the sticker price if its that new. So I guess its the LX5 for me then.

First off, I would only settle for the white version of the LX5. Black colored cameras are too common in Manila (or elsewhere for that matter) so a white one was the only one that appealed to me. Fortunately, white colored ones are as easy to find as the black colored ones in Hong Kong.

Second was finding a shop that had the best price and/or deal. In Hong Kong, I only purchase my electronic stuff/gadgets at either Fortress or Broadway. Both shops are littered all over in Hong Kong. They may not be as cheap as the shops in Sham Shui Po or the other smaller shops but I am assured of no monkey business (eg batteries, memory card and other accessories sold separately) when I purchase from Fortress or Broadway. I was adviced by my friend to scout each and every Broadway and Fortress shop in Mongkok. Although they are practically beside each other, they might differ in freebies or even prices at times. I patiently did the rounds and eventually found the best deal. At HKD 3900 or Php 22,230 (others were selling the LX5 at HKD4390 or Php 25,023), the Fortress dealer threw in a camera case (ugly as hell but its free), a memory card reader (very handy), a tripod (an@l bead looking), a screen protector for the camera screen, and (the best part that sweetened the deal and no other dealer was willing to throw in) an extra battery.

Here are the specs of the camera: (I'm no camera expert so these are just the basic specs)
10.1 mega pixels
4.5x digital zoom
3.8x optical zoom
F2.0-3.3
3.0 TFT LCD Display
40MB internal memory
271 g with battery

I'm not a camera connoisseur which is why I always opt for a point-and-shoot and will never convert to a dSLR. Auto settings are fine with me and I rarely tinker with the manual settings. The camera has so far been churning out perfect pictures. I couldn't be happier with my new camera, in short...I just love it!

Hui Lau Shan

Dessert lovers who happen to pass by Hong Kong should not miss out on Hui Lau Shan. Touted as healthy dessert, most of its base fruit selection is mango. (My friend and I were actually kind of surprised that nobody in the Philippines thought of opening something like this specially since the Philippines is known for producing excellent mangoes as well as other tropical fruits! And Hong Kong doesn't even have an agricultural sector to speak of). Most of the branches, which are scattered around Hong Kong, are actually just food stands/stalls and have no tables to speak of. The one we visited though along Cameron Road in TST is located in a basement space and has a few tables for patrons to enjoy their dessert selection.

Anyway, I decided to order the mango dish with ice cream, tapioca and coconut milk sprinkled with (i forgot what kind of fruit that is!!!!...help! (it's called Pomelo...thanks Perks)). Cost about HKD 33 (Php 188.10)

My friend on the hand, ordered the platter. Cost about HKD 50 (Php 285)

I am undeniably born with a sweet tooth and although the above desserts are not as sweet as what I expected, it was totally good. I now understand why a lot of my friends and cousins always rave about Hui Lau Shan and their mango desserts.

Hong Kong Bargain Hunting

If you happen to be in Hong Kong and you're looking to buy some toiletries and/or beauty products, then I suggest you immediately head to Lung Shing Dispensary. This is one of the most popular places for both locals and some in-the-know tourists on where to buy the cheapest toiletry stuff and beauty products.

Eg. a nioxin shampoo that a friend was asking me to buy costs only HKD175 (Php 997.50) at Lung Shing, while in other stores, it will cost you HKD 250 (Php 1425.00)

Gatsby anti-oil facial blotter costs HKD 13.00 (Php 74.10) at Lung Shing. On the other hand, you can buy this at Watsons Manila for Php 109

Expect to find Lancome, Revlon, Biore, Dove, Kerastase, Gatsby and a lot more at Lung Shing

Lung Shing Dispensary is located along Granville Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Peanuts

Peanuts is now 60 years old! (last 02 Oct) Peanuts gang, that is, composed of Snoopy, Charlie Brown, brothers and sister tandem Linus, Rerun and Lucy, Woodstock (my favorite!), Sally, Shroeder (Sally's love interest), Peppermint Patty, Marcie, Pig-pen, etc.. I dedicate this post to my best friend P.So who is a huge fan of Charles M. Schultz's creation.

I saw this Charlie Brown Cafe which is along Cameron Road in Tsim Shat Tsui in Hong Kong last June which is just across the hotel I was staying at. Found it so cute but, unfortunately, didn't manage to have the time to go in and try their stuff.

Some of the delicious-looking mousse they had on their display refrigerator. At HKD35, that's around Php 210 or US$ 5 per piece.

Blissful or Sinful stuff in Hong Kong

Ok, Im going to segue temporarily away from my Jakarta trip blog as I just got back from Hong Kong...here are 2 things I loved in Hong Kong and i even got to bring home one of them. Some might consider them sinful but I just can't live without them.

Ben & Jerry's New York Super Fudge Chunk with fresh strawberries....yummy to the max!

Acupuncture shoes studded with crystals...couldn't get it off my mind when i first saw it