Osaka Universal Studios

Destination: Osaka, Japan
Season: One beautiful April Spring day
Ground Transportation: Nozomi bullet train from Nagoya to Osaka

Hotel: Toyoko Inn Osaka JR Noda Ekimae. For more on Toyoko Inn, click here.

Park ticket: I got a 1day Studio Pass. This includes admission to all attractions for a day. There’s a 2-day Studio Pass and a 1.5-day Twilight and Day Pass. The rates for a Studio Pass at that time were 5,800 yen for adults (aged 12 or older) and 3,900 yen for children (aged 4-11). Go here for current info http://www.usj.co.jp/e/ 
I also got a Universal Express Pass for priority admission to attractions. I didn’t have to wait too long in queues. If you wish to leave the park and return on the same day, remember to get a hand stamp prior to leaving the park. Your Studio Pass/ ticket and handstamp are required for re-entry .

You might want to explore the many shops or eat in one of the
restaurants at Universal City Walk just outside the park gates.

In the park you will find these areas: Hollywood, New York, San Francisco, Jurassic Park, WaterWorld, Amity Village, Snoopy Studios, Lord of Oz and Lagoon.

Peter Pan’s Neverland show at the Lagoon

Highlights:

* Meet & Greet: I always enjoy having photos taken with characters I’ve known since childhood. Be quick to spot a character and ask park staff, one or two will always accompany a character, WHERE you are meant to queue for a photo op. It'll save you some queueing time, well, that's if other park-goers didn't ask and get there first.

With, Popeye the Sailor Man! I hear the theme song in my head :)
"... I'm strong to the finich, cause I eats me spinach, I'm Popeye the sailor man!"

Betty Boop & I in Hollywood

Sometimes you chance upon a park character about to take a designated spot for photo ops (a long queue already in place!) or about to take a break and on the move. Rather than wait for their next appearance, I just click away. 

Woody Woodpecker & his girlfriend Winnie

Never mind that the photos are blurry or one looks like a crazy fan chasing after some helpless mascot! :P When I see photos taken in this manner, I always get a good laugh! Besides, mascots almost always have nice smiles on their faces so the "chase" doesn't look too bad in photos :)...

Shrek! Fiona! Wait for us! 

Jurassic Park The Ride

* Jurassic Park The Ride: I am game for the Jurassic Park ride but roller coasters, like the Hollywood Dream ride, are not my cup of tea.

I won't be fooled by the tame
facade! :)

* Hello Kitty : I didn't expect Hello Kitty to be at Universal so that was a really cute surprise. Kawaii! 

* The Blues Brothers :

The Blues Brothers Jake & Elwood 

The Blues Brothers~Chicago Bound show with Mabel & Otis

* Magical Starlight Parade: This would have to be my favourite at the park. A warning though, the photos you are about to see are quite.... blurry and are a poor representation of the pretty & sparkling floats. Having said that, I'm happy to share these pictures :)

Elmo, Snoopy and Hello Kitty floats

Cinderella's pumpkin carriage

Fairy Godmother arrives & waves her magic wand

The Magical Starlight Parade was a great way to end the day at the park. To make sure you don't miss it, check the park show schedule here. I will definitely get a Twilight & Day pass next time I go to Universal Studios Japan. For now, Sayonara!

Hong Kong Disneyland!

I have always been a fan of Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs. Imagine my delight when Disneyland opened its park gates in Hong Kong, a mere 2-hour airplane ride from Manila! My family and I lost no time in visiting the theme park soon after it opened in 2005. I had a magical time! 

Sleeping Beauty Castle & Snow White. Nov 2005.

I have a good excuse to keep going back, now that my kids enjoy going there, too :). I hope I'll never be too old for Disneyland!

Enjoying an ice cream at Fantasy Gardens, Fantasyland 

Season:
I've gone to HK Disney in March, May, July, Sep, Nov & Dec. My favorite times would have to be in Nov and Dec when it ranges from a cool 18 to a cold 12 degrees celsius, the better to walk around the park without sweating buckets. 

Cold Weather Tip: Rug-up when you watch the fireworks
at night. It can get chilly. Bring a beanie, a scarf & a jacket.

Gingerbread Village. The Christmas theme at the park in December is so pretty!

Christmas "Princess" display house. Main Street, U.S.A. Dec 2010

If it's hot when you are there, find ways to see the indoor performances and attractions first when the sun is at it's brightest and hottest, i.e. Festival of the Lion King, The Golden Mickeys, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters & It's A Small World (After All!). You will want to see the parade during the day but as I found out on one visit, there are ways to enjoy the parade indoors in air-conditioned comfort...

Inside Corner Cafe, Main Street USA. July 2009

Disneyland Hotel. Sep 2010

Hotels: There are two hotels inside the HK Disneyland complex. The Victorian-themed Disneyland Hotel and the movies/L.A.-inspired Hollywood Hotel. I like both(told you I'm a fan)!

* Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel:

Twin garden view room at Disneyland hotel

Snow White & the 7 Dwarfs theme on the mirror frame and the toiletry packaging

Too cute to use! Tip: Bring a set of toiletry that you will use. haha!  

* Disney's Hollywood Hotel:

Rooms here at Hollywood are a bit smaller compared to
Disneyland hotel but the rates are also higher at the latter.

Mickey & Mickey ears theme everywhere at Hollywood Hotel!

Yes, even on the shower curtains! :-) 

Highlights:
* Disney-bound train & hotel shuttles:

From the city, catch a train on the Tung Chung Line which connects to
Sunny Bay Station. You then board the train to Disneyland Resort Station.

Complimentary resort shuttles for Disneyland & Hollywood Hotel guests

* Mickey-shaped food! If you're not a Mickey fan like me, you might get a bit of an overload on the recurring theme. You can't escape it, not even if all you want is a hotdog! :) 

As for me, it suits me just fine! ;) For breakfast...

Or for afternoon tea...

Mickey waffles with ice cream & sprinkles

*Breakfast at Disneyland Hotel with some well-loved characters!
I like Hollywood hotel for its quirky interiors and its keyboard-inspired swimming pool but I LOVE buffet breakfast at Enchanted Garden Restaurant at Disneyland Hotel. This is where you get quality time with Mickey and the gang. Aside from Mickey, I've seen Pluto, Daisy and Goofy do the rounds of meeting, greeting and having their photos taken with the breakfast crowd.

He will dance with little "princesses",

much to their delight!

* My Favorite Park Attractions: My first stop inside the park is usually at the Information Counter at City Hall, Main Street, U.S.A. I've sent many postcards from here, with special Disney character stamps. If you're at Disney celebrating someone's birthday, ask the guest relations staff for a "Today is my birthday" pin for the celebrant who will get extra special attention from park staff.

My friend Ces & I posing with guest relations staff. May 2009

Disney on Parade. Sep 2010. Notice the umbrellas? 28-32 degrees celsius that day.

Simba, Festival of The Lion King, Theater in The Wild, Adventureland

My favorite tulips & windmills, Netherlands display at It's A Small World.

I was extra happy to see this Filipino section. Sep 2010

Paalam (Filipino for farewell), as the "It's A Small World" ride is about to end.

Paalam na muna Disneyland, sa uulitin! ;)

Amsterdam Overnight

Destination: Amsterdam overnight en route to Vienna
Season: late Winter- early Spring
Airline: KLM Royal Dutch
       ETD Manila 11:35 am Manila time. ETA Amsterdam 6:40 pm of the same day, Amsterdam time. Flight Duration: 14 hours & 5 mins non stop
                                                                                  
        For the first time in a loooong time, I went on a trip last March without much research on the destination. Kids were about to end the school year and I was busy with work, errands and school related activities. I even bought my ticket only a few weeks before the scheduled flight, very unlike me. But what was very me was my shopping around for a good deal :)!
       With the help of my travel agent, I was able to get around US$700(!) off of my airfare. There was only one catch--- I had to stay in Amsterdam overnight. But what's not to like about spending the night in Amsterdam? Isn't it the land of tulips! Only my absolute favorite flower in the world! I got a good deal and I would stay in a place I had never been to before. It was perfect!

Since I hadn't done much research, I was soooo pleased
KLM had this informative video onboard! It made me feel a
bit more prepared. hahaha!

Schiphol Airport is a destination in itself. It has a library, a
museum, a kids' play area, a casino and lots of shops & restos.

Transportation: There's a complimentary shuttle bus to and from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to Ibis and partner hotels Novotel and Etap. In service from 4:50 am to 1:45 am.

If you want to head straight to the city, that won't be a problem. There's a train station at Schiphol. It's located after passport control at Schiphol Plaza. A train leaves for Amsterdam city center every 10 mins. It'll take you 15 minutes to get there.

Look for this sign if you want to catch a train to the city.

Me waiting(and freezing!) for the shuttle bus to take me to Ibis. Ah, but I was not alone!
In those 8 or so minutes of waiting in freezing weather I thought, "Yey, I'm on holiday!"

Hotel: Ibis Schipholweg 181. 1171Pk Badhoevedorp, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Overnight stay with buffet breakfast starting at 4 am until 12 noon! Now that's what I call traveller-friendly! :)

Breakfast was served here. The "Caribbean". I like! :)

One of several tea and coffee counters

What I call the carbo-loading station :). All sorts of bread!

My favourite station. Cheeses! Holland has some of the best!

Highlights:
* Tulips!

Tulips, tulips, tulips! 

More tulips!

I'm reminded of my trip years back in country Victoria, Australia. This photo always makes me smile:

At the Tesselaar Tulip Festival. www.tulipfestival.com.au
Less than an hour's drive from Melbourne, Victoria.

* Amsterdam Schiphol Airport:

Holland Boulevard

Delft blue tiles theme on the inner side of a lampshade

Have tea & some sweets inside this pretty teacup! 

If you've got kids with you, let them loose in this Kids Forest....

... while you can hang loose here. Your very own artistic fireplace.
Never mind that it doesn't emit heat. Schiphol keeps the temperature just fine.

Maybe read a book or get some writing done at the library

      I may not have had time to visit the Rijksmuseum but the mini-version was a treat!

No time for the Van Gogh Museum either so this Van Gogh inspired bag would have to do, for now :).

On display and on sale at Rijks Museum Schiphol

* Old Holland Cheeses: Hmmm, this is the only "highlight" I don't have a photo of. Must be because I'm way too excited to eat it to even pause to take a photo of it. Hahaha!

* "The Hague" and "Utrecht" in a signpost as opposed to being in an ANC news item about peace talks between the National Democratic Front and the Philippine government. ABS-CBN News Channel(ANC) colleagues and news junkies, you can relate ;).

I vow to see more of you, Netherlands, next time I'm in town! Tot ziens! See you later!