Our kids abroad: Part I (Macau, HK, Shanghai and Beijing)

We had our first family trip out of the country in 2006 when Vito was 3 years old and Manu was 2 years old. We planned to go to Hong Kong via Macau so Gina and I decided that we might as well try to visit some notable places there that we thought would be interesting to kids, such as the Macau Tower, Macau Grand Prix Museum, St. Paul’s ruins and a nearby museum (that used to be a fort with its old cannons still intact and overlooking Macau), and also such other places beyond the regular tourists’ radar (e.g., a park with huge rocks dotted with literary verses; a fireman’s museum). We varied our meals by eating/buying food among Western restaurants and fast food joints, convenience stores, and local eateries.

On top of the Macau Tower

After 2 nights in Macau, we took a hydrofoil to HK. Carrying 2 toddlers who would fight for a stroller (that I picked up in a store in Macau) owing to long walks, we took the usual “safe” and kid-friendly itineraries, like Disneyland, Ocean Park, Victoria Peak, Aberdeen Harbour, and HK Space Museum; watched the Symphony of Lights, strolled at the Avenue of Stars, and shopped a bit at Harbour City; and simply enjoyed the nippy weather of HK in December.
 

Inside the HK Space Museum

When we went out of the country in 2008, again during another Christmas break, we traveled to Shanghai and Beijing. While in Shanghai, we toured both sides of the Bund, the French Concession/Xintiandi, went to the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, rode the Maglev train, watched acrobatic shows, among others. After the first day with a free tour, we went around the city by ourselves, either by walking or taking the subway/taxi.

Waking up early in the morning, after celebrating a very silent New Year's eve in Shanghai (not a single fireworks/firecracker was heard), we took a shuttle to the Pudong International Airport for our trip to Beijing.

Onboard the Maglev train hurtling at a maximum speed of 431 km/hr

Again, as we considered these early forays as mere exploratory trips in preparation for, hopefully, more in depth and longer travels in the future, and with due consideration of our modest budget, we had a whirlwind tour of the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the Olympics stadiums, and Beihai Park. We skated on the frozen Beihai Lake, had the famous roast duck for a late dinner in a restaurant off Wangfujing St. (a street well known for exotic dishes), and bought unusually succulent, sweet boiled corn on the cob sold by an elderly lady in front of Day’s Inn Hotel. We were lucky that Vito’s Ninong (Godfather) Lester, who was then finishing his master of laws at Tsinghua University, gladly served as our guide.

At the Juyongguan section of the Great Wall

In 2009, we were fortunate to visit Singapore (on a whim). There, I met 2 classmates from UP Law, JT and Hazel, who were doing extremely well as expat lawyers. And in March this year, we went back to HK with Nanay and the 2 kids (who have sprung up in heights) in tow -- they both received excellent academic awards during their school’s moving up ceremonies. Allow me to share the details next posting.

Meanwhile, our itinerant feet are getting itchy again...

That unforgettable Space Mountain experience or admitting fears to kids

I never knew anything about Space Mountain. To me, it was just about another “story-telling-while-on-a-ride” thing; but boy, was I wrong. Much less would I realize that it could teach a lesson.

“Rocket at warp speed to synchronized music and sound effects on this one-of-a-kind indoor roller-coaster. Launch into the inky blackness of the nether reaches of space. Known for its exhilarating hairpin turns, quick dips, high tech sound and special effects, this state-of-the-art space journey takes you past shooting stars, careening comets and into the future! Join the space race today.” So declared Hong Kong Disneyland Resort’s official website about its attraction, Space Mountain, as I learned much later.

Our recent trip to Hong Kong wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Disney. Although we have been there a couple of years ago, our two boys who are a bit older now (ages are 6 & 7), have become adventurous and daring.

My gung-ho second-born son initiated the bold move of joining the relatively short queue at the Space Mountain booth, dragging me, his mom and his kuya (big brother) along. Unsuspectingly, unwittingly, we came into the dark port, faintly lighted by different colored neon lights. Before entering the docking area, there was a warning about backing out for the final time -- that either titillated or scared the wits out of the thrill-seekers.

While my eldest showed signs of trepidation, the younger one appeared vent on taking the challenge. The eldest and I were seated at the front, while the missus and the youngest were at the back of the two-row coach. There was a brief pre-departure instruction and the lowering of the lap-bars.

Slowly climbing at first, we came face to face with a nebula and thousands of seemingly reachable stars and asteroids. A pleasant ethereal music played, and then we hit the void at frightening speed. All hell broke lose.

My son sitting beside me started to cry. I comforted and held him tight. My concern was our safety (i.e., the lap bar might loosen), as we hurtled into dark space. I heard screams behind me, that of a boy and a woman. I was stoic.

At the end of the longest 2.5 minute-ride of my life, my mouth was dry. We got off. As we exited, I saw our picture on a screen – I looked serious, my seatmate’s eyes were wet, the boy behind us appeared daze, and I only saw the hair of the lady beside him. Suffice it to say that I did not have the desire to buy it.

The eldest blamed me and said he didn’t like it. The younger one, who started it all, complained that it was too much for him and began to sob. I let them drink water first. I praised them for being brave and surviving such scary ride.

Then I told them that I got scared, too. That it was ok to feel that way. I said that while my face probably didn’t show it, inside me, I had the heebie jeevies. I started making faces and noises, first that of a cool, suave guy, unafraid of anything (outside); then that of a face-contorting, eyes-bulging scared-y cat (inside). The boys exploded with laughter. They got the picture.