Disney Land

Our first trip to Disney Land ...Hongkong...the newest and the smallest of Disney Resorts....We spent the whole day!

We began with Tommorrow Land .Loved the Space Mountain Roller Coaster(one of the mildest I think that was)and the flying saucer that we can pilot on our own.
Tanya's favourite was the Astro Blasters which gave you an interactive adventure with the universe.

We then moved to adventure land and caught the first show of the day "Festival of the Lion King" The show was really spectacular and an experience in itself.
Then we went on to the Jungle River Cruise where the ambience of a real jungle was created perfectly followed by a raft cruise to the Tarzan's Treehouse. The treetop home of Tarzan also was great interaction for kids with musical instruments etc.

We had lunch at the Tahitian Terrace.There are plenty of restaurants and shops within the resort.

We moved on to fantasy land and went to the sleeping beauty castle.Mickey's Philhar magic - a magical 3D adventure was so full of fun that we ended up seeing the show twice. The Golden Mickeys show was also a great musical celebration of disneys films songs and characters.
The journey through Hundred acre Wood of Winnie the pooh was really cute ...that we took the ride twice.

We ended the day seeing the fire works and the light up of the castle...and shopping for momentoes to take back home.

The day was really a magical experience and the kids loved every bit of it including their usual cotton candy snack.

Hong Kong

Holiday Time!

Looking forward to a trip to Hong Kong...This will be my second visit to this city and first for our children!

We plan to visit Disney Land....and explore the city a little....

We are all excited.....

Stay tuned on my first visit to a Disney Land!

Parenting

 

This is Tanya's first attempt at Pencil Sketching...although you will see some color stripes at the end.
I feel proud of the fact that I persisted for almost 2 years at her art lessons.Preeti, she was inspired by your pencil sketch. Alpana - the only art teacher my daughters relate to your comments please.

Friendship!

Friendship- This is a series I hope to begin on my blog...Very often in life we are too busy we forget to acknowledge great friends we had/have....or we think of it when its too late...either we have lost in touch or they have a crisis in hand or they have actually passed away....

In my first blog...I like to acknowledge Preeti ....a great friend of mine for over 18 years.....and the best of it is that we are best of friends in the blogging world too...check out her blog www.justamotheroftwo.blogspot.com ( you will stop reading mine!)

We were friends in college and had wonderful times together....our lives have changed a lot since ...and perceptions ...yet we maintain a warmth which doesnt need even a moment to catch up to the very minute we are talking....We haven't seen each other for over 6 years yet I can firmly believe she will be there when I need her....

She was there at my wedding...she was there to encourage me on my first trip abroad...she is there now when I am far way in Taipei to encourage me blogging....to discuss parenting challenges or for that matter anything under the sun.....

Holi

My first Holi celebration and that too in Taipei...miles away from India....

As a child....in a convent boarding school in Kodaikanal Holi was just a festival of colours described in the Social Studies Text Book....Back in Kochi during my college days...I remember my mother telling us as we step out to college...be careful today its Holi and watch out the holi celebrations on the road...Other than college goers I dont remember any celebration so that was one of those days I would definitely take home a college bus.....

In Bangalore....I had to be careful else you get bathed in colours in certain parts...but would go early to office that day and mostly return in the late hours home when the celebrations have died down...alternatively if holi happens to be on weekend then just stay put at home and watch all the fun from the balconies ....I remember one holi in 2001 one of the neighbours actually rang the door bell and smeared colours on me and one year old daughter.....

Fast Forward Singapore....I only remember reading newspaper reports that said Indians celebrated Holi organised by some society...and normally its weeks after the actual Holi ..like its on 18th March 2007 this year...

Fast Fast Forward Taipei...

The last thing I would have thought that we would be celebrating Holi in Taipei ...
As the planning was going on I was wondering....what would happen....anyways my kids had a good time although they could never relate to the real spirit of it.I had my 7 year old whining that "these boys are troubling me " when toddlers tried smearing colours on her ...today they dont even have the Social studies text book I once had,as I grew up.....but they have good memories of their father looking like a "joker" in their words...and one nice "aunty " who was kind enough to organise such a nice party.....with a lot of fun things...and even a playground to play .Thanks monideepa and Subhasis for all the effort...we will remember this as our first holi get together as a family....
and great variety of food and fabulous colours....

I took very few photos...thats why men should keep the camera...

Guandu Temple

Guandu Temple is about 15 minute walk from the Guandu MRT Station....

On my research after the visit I found out that the temple was first built in 1661 and is dedicated to Goddess of the Sea Matzu. Its the oldest temple dedicated to Matzu in northern Taiwan, original name of the temple being "Ling-shan Temple" since it located at the top of Mount Ling!

According to legend, in 1895 three old banyan trees standing at the entrance of the temple fell suddenly during the same night....local residents believed that this was a message warning of impending disaster and sure enough the area was soon occupied by the Japanese....

The temple is filled with exquisitely carved dragon pillars, stone lions and wall sculptures.Even the door Gods are in the form of carvings...

Its located in Taipei City's Beitou district....can be reached by Danshui Line MRT...