September 2005 Archives

The jury is still out. I really love the Amazing Race and am not opposed to the whole family thing. I am a little disappointed that it seems they are just staying in the US for a massive Road Trip. I guess logistics demand it since I can't imagine CBS holding 40 seats on an American flight to Uruguay. I just hope that if they do stay in the states that they visit some intriguing places. From the looks of it, I think they are going to be visiting Historical Sights.

Today I had a chance to sneak in and see Asimo who is appearing over at Innvoentions in Tomorrowland. It is the only permanent display of Asimo in the US and it is well worth it. It is kind of freaky, but quite cool to see in person.

It has been a busy week back in the US after my trip to Hong Kong. As usual with coming home there is the usual UGH factor - as in UGH back to work and UGH back to the normal routine. Thankfully, it hasn't been busy at work since it is now the off-season. Before I left, I cleaned the apartment up - it was nice to come home to a clean house and when I unpacked the mess it made didn't overpower everything.

Last night was a Lead/Trainer party at Disney's California Adventure. It was weird being there - I haven't been over there in a few months and I was kind of looking forward to telling people that I had been to Hong Kong Disneyland more recently than DCA. I was amazed at how nice the park looked. A lot of the trees have matured a bit and filled in the landscaping. I really don't understand why people bag on the park so much. It really is nicer than Disney MGM Studios or WDS Paris. I guess when you are next to the crown jewel it is hard to please the locals.

At any rate, I had a mostly enjoyable time at the event. It was good to see people. I did laugh that most people were in cliques for most of the night (myself included). I also smiled and shook my head at some of the people who managed to get it. There was a lot of what I call "clingy" cast members who somehow managed to get in with a lead or trainer (you can bring a guest with you to the event - personally I wish it was family member or lead/trainer only, but I guess that is cliquish of me isn't it?). Vance looked nice in his shirt he bought from Hong Kong and it was the first time I had seen him since the trip. We still need to get together - I hope we get to hang out more.

Oh catching up on TV: Survivor Guatemala premiered last week and after the first two episodes it is shaping up to be a good season. I still don't know why Stephanie and Bobby Jon were allowed back on the show, but kudos to Mark Burnett for keeping things interesting. I have noticed a couple of challenges look like they have been put in a place where the production crew clear-cut some rain forest. I hope the area had already been cleared. Next week is the premiere of Amazing Race Family Edition - I hope it isn't going to suck. 40 people are a lot of people to keep track of - I am sure it is going to be chaos for the first few episodes.

True to our word, Vance and I slept in today as we recovered from our two hot days at the park. I got caught up on email and photo downloading and then got ready for our last trip into town. First up was the Hard Rock Cafe. It is a traveling staple for me and I had to pick up the obligatory souvenirs for Kevin and Gary. The food tasted good, but I think the shock to the system was a bit powerful as both Vance and I got a bit of the rumble from it.

One of our shopping goals was to get Vance a silk shirt. We had wanted to go to the Temple Street Market, but the guidebook said it was only good at night. Due to the fact both of us were still tired, we found a shirt around the corner from the Hard Rock. I still had to get dad's Fauxlex so it was off to Mong Kok and the Ladies Market again. I found a stall that was selling them, and after a bit of haggling and a little of the "this is all I have" speech, I managed to get one for a little over $20. Mission Accomplished! Vance then decided to get another bag for all the Hello Kitty merchandise he had to truck home for Kacie.

We then headed back to the condo to begin the long journey home. As we were walking from the bus stop, Michael waved to us from the cast shuttle. We walked with him from his stop back to the condo and had a chance to say thank you and goodbye. As we got settled, Matt walked into the condo. Apparently, he was on the same shuttle as Michael, but got off at another stop. We then got to say goodbye all over again and get some last minute info for getting a cab etc. Vance and I headed over to the 7-11 to get some water. Most of our friends who were in Hong Kong were heading to a special Task Force party. On our way back from 7-11 we managed to run into almost everyone we knew or met. I thought it was cool because we were able to say our thank yous and byes to people we probably wouldn't have had a chance to see.

If yesterday was an early morning, then today was even earlier. We needed to meet our contacts inside the park two hours before the park opened. That meant an 8am arrival at HKDL, which means we had to leave the condo by 6:30 and pray that we don't get Crazy Taxi or Crazy bus. We attempted to get a minibus first, but were not successful so we hailed a cab and set off for the MTR station. Thankfully, this cab driver knew how to get there and we made it in about 20 minutes. I did notice that the cab fare for yesterday was only HK$20 dollars more than today - I thought the delay yesterday would have added more.

We made it to the park around 7:45 so with some time to kill I meandered around the esplanade area of the park taking photos of the bus and taxi area and some signage. Hellas met us promptly at 8am and led us backstage. We toured costuming and saw one off the employee cafeterias before heading out to the area. Vance tagged along with us to Buzz while Hellas waited for word from Space Mountain. After walking the track, Hellas took Vance over to Space while I watched the cast members go through opening procedures. It is funny being halfway around the world from my park and seeing people do the same things!

Hong Kong Disneyland Photos

The day started early. We wanted to get to the park by 9:30 so we left the condo around 8am. Initially, we wanted to catch the regular mini bus, but we had heard that it gets packed in the morning with commuters (and since it only holds 16 passengers we might be waiting a long time). We decided to catch a taxi and fortunately for us, there was one waiting at the Bus stop. I think they prey on westerners who look confused because this guy took us for a loop. Instead of taking the expressway, he took Castle Peak Road, which was under construction. So instead of taking 20 minutes to get to the MTR station, it took us over an hour. The cab fare was a bit high as well so I felt that the guy must have known it would run up the fare by taking us on this detour. Grrr. Then again there is not much I could do about it since I didn't really speak his language.

Our luck changed as we got to the MTR station as we quickly made he train for Disneyland. Vance and I were worried that it was going to be crazy busy, but was pleasantly surprised to that it was not. Sure there was a mad rush in the beginning (especially to Space and Buzz), but after that the longest lines of the day were 20 minutes. Vance and I both gave our posters to the managers and leads of Space and Buzz that made the HKDL cast members very excited. My contact to give me an overview of Buzz still wasn't in, but we made plans to circle back to the area later in the day to touch base. I dumped my backpack in the locker and off we went.

Today is the opening of Hong Kong Disneyland, but since our invitation to the festivities was lost in the mail, Vance and I headed for the other theme park in Hong Kong - Ocean Park. Located near Aberdeen, this park is very reminiscent of Marine World Africa USA in Vallejo, CA (now Six Flags Marine World). It is an odd mix of a few thrill rides and a bunch of aquatic exhibits. The park itself is neat and divided into two sections - Lowland and Headlands - both connected by a skyway that takes you along a cliff.

We started in the headlands area at the farthest point in the back of the park. This part even has a bit of Universal Studios in it with some towering escalators to connect the lower section with the top. We rode their version of Big Thunder (Mine Train Coaster) and Splash Mountain (log Flume Ride). The Mine Train ride was scary since it shook a lot and was on the edge of a cliff. Other attractions included Pacific Warf (gee I felt like I was back at the Monterey Aquarium!), a Viper-like coaster named Dragon, the ever-popular Sky Tower, a Shark Experience, a Reef exhibit (very cool where you spiral down the reef) and an assortment of carnival rides and games. The best aspect of this park is its setting. On a clear day, you can see out to the other islands around Hong Kong and if you are lucky, it can get a nice gentle breeze.

Another late start - a bit due to recovery from last night, and the other just to get adjusted. Slept well again - I love Matt's comforter on the spare bed its nice and cozy and a little more suitable to one person than the giganto one I have at home. Vance and I set off for the Tian Tan Buddha statue at the Po Lin monastery on Lantau Island. We managed to make it to the station and find the bus without too much confusion. Ok there was a bit, but nothing to severe. Being polite, Vance and I selected the two-seat side instead of hogging a three-seat side. Boy did we make a mistake. The bus was a bit cramped and there was not much legroom so when we started up the mountain and the #23 bus became the "Crazy Bus" - weaving in and around corners and crossing one lane bridges and slamming to a stop when other busses or cars approach, we kept hitting our knees. The whole experience on the Crazy Bus was another time on the trip when Vance and I just look at each other and start cracking up. It is a bit of disbelief mixed with Oh My God am I gonna die??

The drive was very scenic in the less scary parts. We passed along the coast; saw some beautiful beaches and the occasional random cow. They are building an aerial tram from the Tung Chung rail station up to the monastery, which will greatly reduce the fun factor getting there (unless of course you have an aversion to aerial trams). It should open in 2006. The Buddha is hard to miss, even though it took us a minute or two of looking around before we saw the giant sculpture on the mountain. It is a sight to behold. I wish the weather were clearer, but still managed to get some good shots. The hike up the stairs was a bit hard on the knees, but I didn't pass out so all is good. I was amazed at some foreigners who didn't read the big sign saying "Don't Throw Coins" and was throwing coins at some of the statues.

Today was a Jet-Lag recovery day. Vance and I lounged around the condo for most of the morning. We chitchatted with Matt for a bit before he headed off to work. We decided to go see the Giant Buddha on Lantau Island today. As we were getting ready to depart, we got a hold of another one of the Disney CMs over here - Michael. We decided to meet up with him for lunch in the Gold Coast Village near the condos. It was nice meeting up with him and we chatted for quite awhile. He gave us insights into some of the challenges and also some of the successes with the new park. Let's just say it is always interesting when two corporate cultures clash.

By the time we finally got on the road it was almost two in the afternoon. To get to the MTR line to take us out, we have to take the 140m bus. The trip time is usually 30 minutes or so to the Tsing Ji station. This time, it took us almost two hours to get there. There was what looked like a bakery truck smashed up. Not sure if there was an accident involving other cars or if they just lost control and smashed into the center divider. It was a mess. At one point we sat not moving for about an hour. We made it to the MTR, but by then it was too late to head out to the Buddha. After scanning our options, we headed out to the Hong Kong Space Museum in Kowloon - right on the harbor near the Peninsula Hotel.

The Museum was pretty low-key and looked like the exhibits hadn't changed much since the early 80's when it opened. We opted to skip the Sky Show on the dome since it focused on Albert Einstein and we didn't really want to fall asleep. I tried out the gyroscope attraction, which was OK. Vance was disappointed the multi-axis chair was on rehab and that the Moonwalk had strict height and weight requirements neither of us met. All in all it was worth the HK$10 we spent (a little over a dollar) to get inside. I bought a cheesy key chain that featured a pen that didn't work (probably been in the display for 20 years) and the attendant asked if it was OK that the pen in the key chain didn't work.

After a quick shower, we headed out on the town. This was Matt's only day off so it was his chance to show us around the city and get us familiar with the public transportation. Before heading into the city, we stopped for a quick bite to eat at the local shopping center that is part of the condo development. On our way, we ran into another Disneyland CM that we had been hoping to see. We chatted for a bit then it was time to head into Hong Kong.

We took the minibus to the MTR station at Tsing Li where we then made the connection to head into Central (the HK equivalent of Downtown). Matt presented to us our very own Octopus pass which we could use on trams, MTR, Ferries, and busses all around town. At the MTR station, he showed us how to add fare to the card (pretty easy despite the distraction of the information booth that was in the shape of a boat). From there it was off to Hong Kong Central. Matt needed to pick up his travel docs for a trip he was taking before he heads back to the US. He was not sure where exactly the agency was, so we wandered around the CBD and took in some sights - including the tallest building in Hong Kong - the IFC (not International Fried Chicken, but the International Financial Center). Matt finally had an epiphany where the agency was and found it.

It was then off on a whirlwind tour of some of the sights of Hong Kong. First up was Statue Square where we saw a building that looked like it was made of Legos (the HSBC center) as well as an original British government building. Hong Kong is actually a very modern city that looks a lot like San Francisco. We then headed down to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center. People have compared it to the Sydney Opera House, and I admit it does add a stunning point on Hong Kong's spectacular skyline. Also at the site is the reunification monument dedicated when Hong Kong was transferred back to Chinese rule. We had heard that the tram to the top of the Peak was closed so we took a taxi up to the top, One thing that Hong Kong is full of is South Coast Plaza-esque malls. Here is no exception. At the top of a scenic overlook is a nice indoor mall that you might find in a random LA suburb. Part of the area is under construction so the main scenic overlook building could be refurbished. We discovered that the Tram (actually a Funicular) was still operating and decided to take that back down to the Central Area. Along the way down, I was able to stand at a 45 degree angle on the funicular and not fall down.

Well I made it to Hong Kong!

After my marathon day getting my passport, by the time I made it to LAX, I was exhausted. We had to wait an hour in line for the TSA checked bag screener, but other than that it was a pretty low key adventure in the airport. The flight was a bit shorter than expected - only 13.5 hrs due to a favorable winds. The problem with the 747-400 is that economy class is mondo crammed, but it was an enjoyable experience overall.

I slept right after dinner for almost 7 hours, and then watched a DVD , on the lap top. During the flight, one of the flight attendants, Taka, told Vance and I that we were selected to take a survey and gave us some free stuff from Business Class as well as these cool HK Disneyland travel bags! I knew we were being set up when he said he was psychic and wanted to see if he could guess the name of the person meeting us at the airport. Yup, turns out it was Matt's friend who just happened to be on the flight.

By the end of the flight, we had a bottle of champagne and some more goodies to take with us. Matt met us at the airport as promised and we were whisked away in the taxi to his uber-swank condo in the sky. It is a bit out of the city, but Matt is going to show us the ropes today on how to get around. He is very busy with the opening coming up this weekend, but promises some fun times!

Well it is 9am HK time now, so I am going to go take a shower and get ready for a day and night out on the town!

It's like an Oscar, but for Disneylanders. Here are pics of me holding trophy and the trophy itself:

I owe Melissa a big hug. Last night at the Mouscars awards ceremony she mentioned that one of her relatives wasn't able to travel because her passport was valid for less than six months from her departure. I checked my passport and sure enough it expired in Jan 2006. Panic ensued. I searched many websites including travel.state.gov and the China consulate and Hong Kong government official sites. There was conflicting data. None of the Chinese or HK sites mentioned it, and even part of the official US site did not mention it while another one did. Traveldocs.com says that you do.

So I began to doubt if I would be able to go. Cathay Pacific was no help (and I was a bit peeved with them for not mentioning this vital fact when I booked my ticket). So at 2am I made an appointment for the Los Angeles Passport Agency. I woke up at 5am and raced to Kinkos for some photos. Great, now I have half asleep photos for the next 10 years.

I raced up to LA this morning and nervously waited for my appointment at 8:30am. Still panicked, the clerk smiled at me and said "No Problem" because I was traveling tonight, they could have the rush passport ready by 1pm. So I am waiting at Dad's work for a bit and then I am going to head to the Westside Pavilion Mall to pick up some last minute items.

Hopefully the rest of my trip preparations will go smoothly. I am hoping that Matt has some wireless connectivity in his apartment so I can upload photos and blog from Hong Kong.

I'll also post a photo from the Mousecars before I leave!

Last night, I picked up Daniel from the airport. We got back to his place and hung out with Tara and Saphap and made it over to Olive Garden for some dinner. Getting into the car, Tara noticed a spider and was squealing and making the usual "Ahhhh get it away from me" noises. When we got to the parking lot of the Olive Garden, we saw the same spider on the roof of the car which Daniel pretended to have in his hands and chased Tara and Saphap around the parking lot.

After dinner, we hung out some more and late into the evening it was time for me to leave. All of a sudden, I heard this scream from the front room and Tara was pointing to one of the biggest roaches I have ever seen in my life. I have seen my share of roaches looking into the sewer manholes at UCD as well as around the backstage areas of Disneyland, but this was the biggest ever seen in a residence. Once Daniel saw it, he was right there with Tara recoiling in horror and squealing. It was up to me, despite my own disliking of roaches, to take care of it. What ensued was a series of mad dashes and Raid sprays chasing this speed demon around the apartment. I had it cornered in the bathroom and then it made an end run around me and into Daniel's bedroom - much to his dismay. We then lost track of it.

We pulled all the drawers out of his dresser and lo and behold it was there catching its breath. I swear it was panting. So after some strategy, I sprayed the little bugger and off it went. The goal was to trap it in a box and scoot it out of the apartment, bit when I put the box over it, I had the flat side facing the roach instead of the open part. The roach then proceeded to move the box! I then had no choice but to apply pressure to the box and spray more. Finally, it stopped moving, but my skin was crawling and the peanut gallery was still recoiling on the couch. After about 10 minutes, I slowly removed the box and Tara confirmed that it was dead. I scooped it up in the box and hurled the carcass over the balcony. Unfortunately, it didn't make it over the patio of the downstairs neighbors so they will get a present the next time they sit on their chairs.

It just goes to show that if you are going to tease your friend about a spider, be sure that your house is roach free or you will get the karmatic payback you deserve. (Meanwhile I am off to get new roach traps for my apartment because mine are almost 2 years old and you can never be too safe!)

Not to be confused with the Great Tsunami of 2004 or the Great Influenza Outbreak of 1914 or even the Great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906.

This friends is the big time. Hurricane Katrina slammed into the gulf coast on Monday and basically created a third world country in New Orleans. Easily one of the strongest, deadliest, and costliest hurricanes ever to hit the US, what amazes me most has been the preparation and response to this disaster.

Government officials have known for years that a Cat 5 Hurricane hitting New Orleans would be catastrophic and have supposedly planned for the worst. But what happened? Most people got out and a few stayed behind and found themselves in a desperate situation for food, running water, and even a place to take a dump. People flocked to shelters at the Superdome and the convention center after being told that these were places the government would coordinate evacuations. Then what? There was no one there with no food or water or shelter. Disgraceful is what I call it.

If they have known for years that the city was vulnerable then why not have an action plan for the Superdome? Even FEMA admits that their idea of what might happen included levee breeches and massive flooding. Maybe they had a slick plan and it just fell apart due to some circumstances beyond their control, and these things do happen. There will be a lot of finger pointing when all is said and done, but I am sure The Big Easy will have a better plan after it is all done.

What about the Feds? I could go on for days about how our president and the federal agencies have seemed aloof about the whole thing. Sure el presidente released oil from the strategic reserves so the poor people in Atlanta don't have to pay $5 for a gallon of gas. Where is the Army? We are able to send strike teams on 24 hr notice to Iraq and Afghanistan, but we can't have the same teams on the ground restoring order and preventing looting. People are shooting at doctors and sick patients evacuating a hospital for crying out loud.

Heads will roll when all of this comes out and if they don't, this will be a bigger travesty than any controversy around the Iraq war or 9/11.

Some people reading this will probably be shocked since this isn't the normal fodder for the site, but I had to vent. Why? I live in Southern California where we have disasters all the time. They always warn us should "The Big One" hit we should be prepared to be on our own for up to three days. Looking at New Orleans, it looks like I need to up my earthquake supplies to at least 5 days.

My heart goes out to all those who have lost loved ones.

Donate to the Red Cross to help