Ski Experience: 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics

Iizuna Ski Kogen Resort
"Ski the Heart of Japan"
January 6, 2012.

It was my 2nd to the last day in Japan but there were still a lot excitement and memories to paint. I was slated to a whole new experience: SKIING!

We went skiing at Iizuna Ski Kogen Resort, one of the Ski resorts used during the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. By the way, Nagano was the south most city that hosted Winter Olympics.

Iizuna Ski Kogen Resort: Used during the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics

Tokyo Disneyland: Electrical Parade

January 2, 2012.

A nighttime parade full of lights! The Disney stars covered in colorful sparkling lights! This gorgeous parade turns the Tokyo Disneyland night into a radiant world of sparkling lights and Disney music. It is a dream world of a million of lights sparkle in this grand nighttime parade. Starting next to the Haunted Mansion, the parade flows past Cinderella Castle and exits beyond Toontown.

Have a Magical Day!

Tokyo Disneyland: Jubilation Parade

January 2, 2012.

The magic of Disney in daytime! The Jubilation Parade is a live performance with dreamy princes dancing with their princesses, forest friends frolicking in the woods, the mysterious jungle, the wide open sea. This parade is filled with the dreams and wonder you'll find throughout Tokyo Disney Resort. Let your Disney friends invite you on a journey of discovery through all your favorite Disney scenes.

Let us enter the joy-filled world of Disney! Delightful scenes from Disney films and the enchanting world of Disney come to life in front of your very eyes for a truly jubilant time. With every float bearing Disney characters, the Park resounds with the Guests' jubilation and cheers.

Have a Magical Day!

Tokyo Disneyland: Minnie! Oh! Minnie!

January 2, 2012.


This is the first live performance we watched in Tokyo Disneyland. 


Minnie! Oh! Minnie!
It's dance time at Theatre Orleans!  It is a cute show starring Minnie Mouse. After Goofy, Donald, Chip 'n Dale, and others get the show started with a vibrant performance, the star of the show, Minnie, takes the stage! Followed by Mickey! This high energy performance features lively Latin music and colors.


When Minnie takes the stage, she whips the show up to its exciting finale, and the audience is invited to join the fun and dance along. You'll leave the show with a hot Latin beat in your steps.


This is a clip of the show:

Have a Magical Day!

Tokyo Disneyland: Mickey and Friend's New Year's Greeting!

January 2, 2012.


Mickey, Minnie and Friends welcomed the guests of Tokyo Disneyland. They wore Japanese traditional clothes: Kimono!

Have a Magical Day!

Tokyo Disneyland: A Whole New World

January 2, 2012.


As I mentioned in my previous post, one of the priorities in visiting Disneyland Parks are the live performances. And this includes the Disney Parades, Disney Shows and Disney Fireworks display.


In my case, when we went to Tokyo Disneyland, I was able to watch the following:
Click on the link to watch the videos.

• Minnie! Oh! Minnie!
• Mickey and Friends New Year's Greeting
• Tokyo Disneyland's Jubilation Parade
• Tokyo Disneyland's Electrical Parade
• Tokyo Disneyland's Disney in the Sky

In fact, as a youth, I would prefer watching live shows and parades than queuing for an hour or so just to ride a 3minute Disney attraction that are usually for really young kids. In my opinion, live performances are "a must" in any of Disneyland theme parks. It's not just because they are very good in performing but because they Disney Characters are live in action.  You will see for real what you just see on televisions. Yes, the actions and emotions of Disney Characters and Princesses are definitely like what you see on the screens.


Travel Tip: Check out the schedule of the live performances. Depending on the show, there might only be  few shows during the day and some are overlapping with other performances so plan out. Some shows have limited number of seats, make sure to grab one!


At around 9:00am, we watched the first live performance: Minnie! Oh! Minnie!

Minnie! Oh! Minnie!

Tokyo Disneyland: In Detail

When you talk about Japan, it's all about technologies, gadgets, well-developed infrastructures, vending machines, earthquake, disciplined Japanese and a lot more.  If you would come to look at it, it's all about adults.  How about the kids in Japan?  They are nowhere to be found with the population getting older and one of the lowest fertility rate in the world.

But little did we know that they have one of the best themed parks in the world.  They have Tokyo Disney Resort: Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. If you are traveling in Tokyo, you should not miss this beautiful and majestic Disney Resort.  I believe it is one of the must-visits in Japan, most especially you have your kids with you.  You cannot enter both parks on the same day (unless you pay 2x) so you need to a lot at least 2days.  In fact, if you have luxury of time, I suggest you visit each park for 2days with a total of 4days remembering your childhood memories.

Tokyo Disneyland is a 46hectare (Tokyo Disney: 71hectare) theme park located in Uyarasu, Chiba, Japan.  It is the first Disney theme park that was built outside USA (California & Florida) in 1983. There are 7 themed park areas: World Bazaar, Adventureland, Westernland, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Critter Country and Toontown.

Tokyo Disneyland Entrance

Tokyo Disneyland: Where Dreams Come True

January 2, 2012.

It was already a dream come true for me when I got the chance to visit Japan once again. But it became truer when I came to visit Tokyo Disneyland. It was definitely a magical playground. I don't mind going back to Disneyland theme parks for the nth time.

This day was simply a blast.  We were out for this journey for 22 hours. Yes, 22 hours including travel time from Nagano to Tokyo to Nagano.  We started our journey 4:00am to be in the theme park at around 8:00am just in time for its opening at 8:30am.  We just had a stop in a 7-11 convenience store to buy our breakfast  and off to the long road trip.

Now, let's discover Tokyo Disneyland through the following photos.

Even though we were very excited, we still slept during the travel. Save some energy for this big day! Travel Tip: Like all journeys, you need to have a good rest. But you should get extra rest for this one. It's a very long day with thousands of people fighting to be the first.

During the 4hr road trip

The Tokyo Disneyland Map:
Travel Tip: Make sure to get your map at hand and plan your route inside the park. You don't want to waste your time by doing back and forth because of the attractions not visited when you pass the place. Make sure to consider live performances as well!

Tokyo Disneyland Map

Family in Korea Day 10: Departure

Sunday Mass / Family's Departure
Sunday, April 15, 2012


This day was like any other day back in the Philippines.  My family had to do early morning rush to catch up for the 10:00am Mass.  This time, it's not in the Philippines, and it's not the usual 5-minute walk from our house to the church, but in Korea and approximately 45-minute travel time (walk-bus-walk). I finally attended mass with my family again after almost a year.

Gimpo Catholic Church

We attended the Mass at Gimpo Catholic Church. Too bad I can't give any information because I deleted it already in my notes.  But one thing for sure, it's very near from the bus stop.  If you have GPS, you can easily detect the place.

Inside Gimpo Catholic Church

Family in Korea Day 9: Cherry Blossom Festival

COEX & Yeouido Park
Saturday, April 14, 2012.


This is just another day in Seoul.  But it's quite special with Cherry Blossoms coming our way.  It will be our first time to see Cherry Blossoms.


We first went to COEX, to see the biggest underground shopping market in Asia, located in the basement of Korea World Trade Center in Gangnam, one of the shopping districts in Korea.  There are hundreds of apparels, gadgets, food and other items you might need there so you don't need to worry about anything.  Also, the signboards are in English, Korean and sometimes Japanese and Chinese so it is very foreigner friendly.  And the concierge can definitely speak English!

Inside the COEX Underground Shopping Mall