Walt Disney Park: A Must-see

Not far from a fairy tale, visiting one of the Disney locations is a must. Why? Okay, given that Mickey Mouse mostly amuses kids, seeing Disney characters in person [sure they are just mascots] can fulfill your childish cravings even we are in our 30s, 40s, and even 60s! Admit it, you were once a Mickey, or Cinderella, or Belle, or Aladdin, or Woody fan. The fact of the matter is, we were once kids, and unlike kids these days who have disregarded Walt Disney movies and just content tapping their iPads and tabs [poor kids!].

So if you completely agree with me, Disneyland is amongst the most wonderful places to be, both for old and young. As I remember, my first Disneyland HK visit was in March 2011, when I started my travel venture, followed by another enthusiastic trip in March 2012, when there was an addition to the park – the Toy Story Land. Each of my visits gave me unique experiences wherein I got to try different rides. My ultimate ride was the Space Mountain where at first I was so nervous but I got to enjoy it more during the second try. The Parachute Drop and Slinky Dog Spin were among the best rides you could try too. Most of all, I enjoyed the sceneries inside the park – the buildings, streets, and gardens, as well as the fireworks display being the climax.

There are different Walt Disney Parks all over the world, plus a Disneyworld in Florida, USA. Make sure you get a pass the next time you travel to Hong Kong, Japan, Paris, California, Shanghai, and the like. As for me, Disneyworld will be another dream come true! :)

World's Paramount Airport - I've Been There!

Six weeks more and it’s off I go!

While making slight preps for my upcoming jaunt, I make sure that all tickets [airline tickets and theme park admission tickets] are set and paid including hotel and tour reservations. I have talked to my host and all itineraries are laid and scheduled, picking up only the best places to see and great food to eat [so to make sure that I won’t miss anything that I would regret in my comeback]. But one issue has left me a dilemma lately – my primary airline rescheduled my flight so instead of a 5-hour stopover, I now have a whooping 17 hours of airport idleness prior to catching up on my next flight. But the good thing is that, I will be taking a break at the World’s Top Airport – the Changi Airport!

See more on SKYTRAX World Airport Awards
If you are a certified nomad, you would have heard the buzz about Changi – possibly from the news, travel blogs and advisories, or even from friends that have been there. As per the record, Changi grabbed the first place in 2012-2013 World’s Top 100 Airports by SKYTRAX. It is Asia’s major aviation hub connecting tons of flights daily to Australia, Southeast Asia, Middle East, Europe, and North America, to name a few. With this, the Changi Group continues to provide all the comfort while one travels. Currently, there are three terminals that compose Changi – Terminal 1, 2, and 3, and an upcoming Terminal 4 is at watch as the administration has demolished the old Budget Airport. Skytrain is used to connect passengers going through and from all the terminals. Inside Changi is a generous selection of shops – designer’s brands, novelty, and restaurants while at the transit area are several gardens that truly ease everyone from a long and tiring flight. What’s amazing is that Changi also offers free rest areas, napping areas [with corresponding fee], transit hotels, cinemas, free WiFi, entertainment zone, and baggage counters. With all these, you can wisely make use of your time exploring inside and leave boredom during your connecting trips.

Since I have already mentioned about the best airport in the world, let me just revisit another huge aviation core in Asia – the Hong Kong International Airport which ranks as the 4^th. Hong Kong International Airport is currently the world’s busiest cargo gateway and one of the world's busiest passenger airports. It is the home for the renowned Cathay Pacific, and the rest of Hong Kong and Asian airlines that cater flights to London, Sydney, Tokyo, Singapore, India, Osaka, Seoul, and more.

When I first stepped on the floor of Hong Kong International Airport, I felt especially different ambiance with the huge area topped with luxurious lounges, restrooms, interior finishes, and train that connects within the premises. Because the airport is enormous, expect some confusion and possible lost when you are a first-timer and are poor with directions. However, this technologically-advanced airport along with its congenial Immigration Officers made me revisited the city a year later.

As a traveler, I get to appreciate the airports that I got to set a foot on, and gladly, I’ve been to the best airport in the world, and will be there again in the near future. See you soon Changi!

Which airport have you been to? Share me your stories and photos.

Throwback 2012: Hong Kong Revisited

March 25-28, 2012 - I was asked which is the best South East Asian destination – Hong Kong! Yes, like I said earlier, this is a wonderful city worth spending a vacation for. Hong Kong is tagged as the “Small Paris” because of the abundance of high-end European brands. It is the centre of commerce and shopping in Asia.

So, join me for the second time as I track another route that starts with Causeway Bay area. In Hong Kong Central, Causeway Bay is known as the focal point of expensive and famous designer brands such as Gucci, Prada, Chanel, Swarovski, to name a few. Just like Los Angeles in California, it has its own street shows that attract a crowd for curiosity and fun. One exciting experience to Causeway Bay is the largest transportation called the MTR that merges several routes and a huge number of commuters. As foreigners, me and my travel buddies were ignorant of the train system which ended up us being almost lost! Whew! Thanks to the kind-hearted Filipino couple who helped us made our way out.

Once again, Disneyland and Ocean Park were amongst the coolest destinations that I have revisited. It is indeed another great experience to explore the new additions of rides so I finally hopped on my first roller-coaster encounter at the Mine Train. In Disneyland, the Parachute Drop, the Slinky Dog Spin, and the Tea Cup ride were amazing plus a second round on the hair-raising-heart-pounding-throat-blowing Space Mountain!

On my last day on the Hong Kong soil, I was able to go through the streets surrounding Lang Ham Place. What another level of grandeur vacation has just gone in my life – so call it an adventure!

Throwback 2011: A Maiden Tour - Hong Kong + Macau

March 27-April 1, 2011 - Alas! This is my maiden overseas travel, with my family. December 2010, I’ve been very excited that I even bought a new digital camera to document my Hong Kong escapade. Had an agency arranged for our tour so there was less hassle in the bookings, but it did cost us a bit expensive. On board Cathay Pacific, I was a little nervous and hyped, and finally touched down the Hong Kong territory.

First day was a good morning with a free breakfast at Mc Café. The group where we were in was scheduled for a city tour, which comprises the following drop-offs: Avenue of the Stars, On Gems & Jewelry Fty. Co., Ltd, Fisherman’s wharf at Aberdeen, Avenue of the Stars at night, Victoria Peak, and Madame Tussaud’s.

The following day, we spent it at the Ocean Park where we enjoyed some rides, a close look at the giant jellyfish aquarium, and other aquatic creatures, including the famous dolphin show. Finally back to the hotel and called it a day.

Traveling through a boat to the formerly Portuguese-colonized administrative region of the People's Republic of China, Macau added the experience as we headed to one of the tallest structures, the Macau Tower and the Amazing Venetian Hotel. The ambiance was so Italy that I forgot I was only in Asia. I was also able to spot the MGM Grand Casino, City of Dreams building, and the renowned Hard Rock Café.

The infamous Hong Kong Disneyland was never out our way – we had an awesome whole day at the theme park and have enjoyed the food, rides, shows, and castle fireworks at night to end the whole day affair. Some shopping inside a Disney shop reminds me of my shopaholic spirit that just got elated. While along Nathan Road in Kowloon, Bossini, Giordano, and Bonjour were my favorite shops.
At the end of the tour, I realized that it wasn’t only the wonderful places where we have been that makes the vacation grand but also the clean environment and the disciplined citizens of Hong Kong that made me think of going back… so be it.

gwenisworld is Having a New Look

Since the 10^th of July 2006, gwenisworld has been up and publishing posts about my interests as well as my first local travel experiences. Years passed by and I got to realize that traveling is the strongest awareness that I desire. So from this day on, let me give a facelift to my blog site and call it plainly a travel blog, which will serve as a documentary of my previous travels and my upcoming journeys. It will also feature must-see places, must-do things, must-eat foods, and a lot more...

The main goal of this blog site is to give helpful information to all my fellow travelers and the aspiring ones, and to share the awesome experiences that I had as each post will be peppered with wonderful images that can tell their own stories. Enjoy the site and be inspired!