Hong Kong Trip 2007

We went on our second holiday to Hong Kong last year, from September 24- 29, but this time Iper went with us. We spent 3 nights at the Park Hotel and 2 nights at Disney's Hollywood Hotel. We enjoyed this trip more than the first time, since Griffin no longer asks to nurse when we're out of the hotel room.

We did some shopping on our first day. On our second day we went to Ocean Park. It was a cloudy day with occasional rainshowers but I liked the weather better than the last time because at least we didn't get all sweaty and sunburned.

A few minutes into the park, my video camera couldn't take videos anymore because of dirty head, I was really so sad. Griffin saw how bad I felt that when we were in the cable car on the way to the other side he said, "Mommy, you can use the other camera." He was referring to our digicam which could also take videos but of course for only a short time. I felt better with his concern but it was a good thing though that I was able to clean the head using a blank tape.

There were almost the same attractions as on our first visit but the Goldfish pagoda and the part with the dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures were no longer there. We were able to see the pandas up close this time since they renovated the place so you can get to see some of the pandas right in front of you through the glass. We also went to see the Jellyfish, watched the Dolphin Show and rode the Ferris Wheel. These were things we weren't able to do last time.

After Ocean Park, we went to Toys 'r Us. As usual, Griffin loved it there and didn't want to leave.

Next day was shopping day again. On our fourth day, we transferred to Hollywood Hotel. We had no problems with Griffin riding the bus or MTR anymore, unlike last time.

We went to Disneyland and watched the parade. Griffin loved the parade that we watched it again the next day. We also got to watch Mickey's Philharmagic but still failed to see the other shows. Griffin and I were trying to touch the 3D objects the whole time. This was his first time to watch a movie in a movie house.

We rode almost all the rides but his all time favorite was the Buzz Lightyear Astroblasters ride. He loved it so much that we rode it so many times, one after the other, until the park closed at 11 pm. He also enjoyed the mickey waffle and mickey cookies which he ate during breakfast.

Hong Kong Trip 2006

We had our very first trip as a family almost a month after Griffin turned 2. We went to Hong Kong and stayed there for 5 days and 4 nights (August 29 to September2). We stayed 2 nights at Marco Polo Prince Hotel and the last 2 nights we spent at Disney's Hollywood Hotel.

On this trip Griffin had his very first airplane ride and was also his first trip out of the country. I brought stickers to keep him busy in the airplane. He was ok in the plane. He just cried when he accidentally touched the hot foil when his food was served.

On our first night, Griffin would cry everytime he wakes up, probably because he was in a place unfamiliar to him.

He loved it at Toys 'r Us, playing with the Elmo and Cookie Monster stuffed toys. We bought him his first train set which kept him from getting bored when we were at the hotel room.

On our second day we went to Ocean Park, he enjoyed looking at the sea lions and fish. He did not cry when we rode the cable car. He also loved going in the stores there, playing with the stuffed toys. It was fun but very hot and humid at Ocean Park, as a result, we all got sunburned. Before leaving the park, we ate at Mc Donald's then bought some souvenir's, a mini aquarium and a dolphin that squeaks when squeezed. That night, at the hotel, he was playing and placed the mini aquarium inside the cabinet and said, "cook fish".

The next day, we transferred to Disney's Hollywood Hotel. Griffin cried on the way, because it took quite a while to get there. At this time, he didn't like staying in enclosed places like cars or elevators that's why I was surprised that he was ok when we rode the elevator. However, he still didn't like riding in vehicles so he usually had to nurse whenever we had to ride a bus to calm him down. He didn't like the MTR either because it suddenly gets dark outside the windows as the train moves along.

It was also really hot in Disneyland, and the lines for the rides were kind of long, but we were able to try most of the rides and attractions like the dumbo ride, carousel, space ship, buzz light year, Tarzan's treehouse, winnie the pooh, etc. We weren't able to see the parade or check out the different shows.

We saw the fireworks display although Griffin was not into watching it. He was unmindful of the fireworks, as he was just looking around the whole time. One of the attractions he enjoyed was the UFO zone where we were both sprayed with water. His clothes were soaked but at least his body was cooled down because it was really so hot.

What Griffin loved most about Disneyland was meeting the Disney characters. He always wanted it to be his turn already and I had to keep him from going ahead in the line. He was happiest during these moments specially when we saw Chip n Dale at the hotel.

Overall, it was a happy experience for Griffin. When we arrived back in the Philippines, he fell asleep on the way home. I carried him to our bed and he was muttering "Mickey". I guess he still had a hangover from our trip to Disneyland.