Friday, July 10, 2009

Adventureland

Adventureland is Hong Kong Disneyland's Jungle theme park. It is inspired by actual places of Africa, Polynesia and South-East Asia. It is the largest Adventureland of all the Magic Kingdom parks around the world. It boasts of attractions such as the Lion King Festival, Tarzan's Tree House, Liki Tikis and Jungle River Cruise.

Of all the themes in Disneyland, this is the one I enjoyed the most because although everything is just a simulation, still, you had a feel of being surrounded by nature without the sole of your shoes being soiled. If ever you go there, I strongly recommend the Jungle River Cruise and the Festival of the Lion King.

Here are some shots I have taken of the place:

Streaming Falls


Man-made Falls


Sculptured Poles


Boxes and Drums of Supplies by the River


Large Head of an Ancient Goddess


Jeep Stranded on the Forest


Tribesmen Singing and Beating Their Drums


More of Hong Kong Disneyland in my next post.

Wednesday, July 08, 2009

Hakuna Matata

One of the must-see attractions in Hong Kong Disneyland is the Festival of the Lion King. It is a ravishing spectacle of lights, songs and costumes all combined to give you that superlative entertainment. This is a show not just for kids but also for kids-at-heart. So i didn't mind waiting for almost an hour for the theater to open and the show to begin... Hakuna Matata!

Hakuna Matata is a Swahili (Easter African dialect) phrase meaning "no worries". And evidently, you will leave all your worries behind when you are watching the show.

The main cast of the show include Simba and her lady love Nala.

Timon and Pumba added comic relief to the already entertaining show.

Dazzling displays of colors, lights and float will bring-out the kid in everyone.

Rafiki, the wise old baboon, calls the animals to Pride Rock, singing about the Circle of Life.

This Asian Version definitely included Filipino Talents.

Amazing fire-baton players.

As always, it is a story about good over evil presented in a spectacular way.

Can't wait to see this play again.

More of Hong Kong Disneyland on my next posts.

Saturday, July 04, 2009

Tarzan's Tree House

I grew up watching Tarzan on TV. Who doesn't know his story? A boy left in the jungle, reared by apes and fell in love with the beautiful Jane. And of course, who would forget that loud scream of aaaaaaaah aahhhh he belts out while swinging in the vines. Tarzan indeed is an icon and immortalized in every Disney Theme Park.

Tarzan's Tree House is located in Adventureland. You need to ride a raft to go a small island containing the tree. The huge tree itself is man-made and contains lifelike diorama or images of Tarzan's life from a baby being carried by his adoptive ape mom to his love affair with Jane. Here are some pics I have taken of the Tree House:

Tarzan and Jane


Gorilla Taking Care of Baby Tarzan


Boat Hanging in the Tree


Mini Falls View from the Tree


View of the Tree House


A Mini Cave at the Bottom of the Tree House


Lawstude in Hanging Bridge


More stories and photos of Disneyland in my next posts.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Jungle River Cruise

Probably the most exciting ride in Hong Kong Disneyland is the Jungle River Cruise. You will be taken on a guided boat cruise around the man-made lake where lots mechanized and life-like animals can be found from elephants to alligators and even piranhas. Also exciting are the views that includes waterfalls, lost civilization, amazons and fire-spewing volcanoes.

Located in the Adventureland Theme of Disneyland, the whole cruise will take you about fifteen minutes. This is a crowd-drawer so you need to fall-in line for your turn. You also have a choice between a Chinese-speaking or an English-speaking guide. Here are some shots I have taken of the cruise:

Statue on a Lost City


Huge Elephant


Gorillas on the Loose


Human Skulls on a Boat


Hippo Resting at the River


Tribesman's Beach


A Fiery End


More of Hong Kong Disneyland on my next posts.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Victoria Harbour @ Hong Kong

In my three-day stay in Hong Kong, I never saw the sun. The morning sky up to the late afternoon sky are all the same - hazy. During this time of the year, Hong Kong's weather is just that. Smogs and rains. And during those few times that it wasn't raining, I went to Victoria Harbour which is just a half-hour walk from the hotel I was staying.

Famous for its spectacular views, Victoria Harbour is a major tourist attraction of Hong Kong. Located in the middle of the territory's dense urban region, the harbour is best seen in Victoria Peak where you can have its entire panoramic view or you can leisurely walk through its bay and promenade for a more close-up look. Since it is useless going to the peak because smogs block the view (I only managed to shoot some photos in the Mid-Level of Victoria Peak), I opt to do the second one and shoot the Harbour up-close. So here are some photos I have taken of the place:

Ships and Boats of all Sizes


Speed Boats in a Row


Urban Sea


Community of Boats


Docked Sailboats


Ships on Buildings Backdrop


Wading Native Wooden Boat


More of Hong Kong in my next posts...