We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.
Walt Disney
Now there’s a motto we may well adopt and, indeed, recognise.
Walt Disney (1901-1966) was an American motion-picture and television producer and showman, famous as a pioneer of animated cartoon films and as the creator of such cartoon characters as Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. He also planned and built Disneyland, a huge amusement park that opened near Los Angeles in 1955.
All the adversity I’ve had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me… You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.
Hong Kong Disneyland (香港迪士尼樂) is located on reclaimed land in Penny’s Bay, Lantau Island. It opened on Monday 12 September, 2005. It was the second Disneyland opened in Asia, after Tokyo Disneyland, opened in 1983 (to which we paid a visit last year – see blog here).
Later, Shanghai Disneyland opened in 2016.
The omens were good, heading for Walt’s place we jumped on the tram; ultimate destination of said tram: #1, Happy Valley.
To say the tram system is narrow-gauge is something of an understatement: 3 ft 6 ins, and not a penny more.
Hong Kong’s tram system is one of the earliest forms of public transport in the metropolis, having opened in 1904 under British rule. It has used electric trams since its inauguration, and has never used horse or steam power. It owns the world’s largest operational double-decker tram fleet, and is a very rare example of a tram system that uses them exclusively.
It is known in HK as the ‘Ding Ding’, for its warning bell sound.
Good omen #2: MTR, first leg, to Sunny Bay…
After our prison break of yesterday, we thought they were waiting for us at the gate…
We slipped on by. Just as well, as this fellah was rounded up shortly afterwards…
Once in the park, we stuck to the tried and trusted. It’s a small world… you’ve got to haven’t you…
Winnie and mates…
Through the characters he created, A A Milne expressed some wonderful sentiment didn’t he…
Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.
Winnie the Pooh
A little Consideration, a little Thought for Others, makes all the difference
Eeyore
Alan Alexander Milne (1882-1956) was of the same age as Walt Disney. He was born in Kilburn, London. He attended a small private school run by his father. One of his teachers was HG Wells. A talented cricketer, he played for the Authors XI. His teammates included JM Barrie, Arthur Conan Doyle and PG Wodehouse. Along with HG Wells, that really is some roll call!
After working as a screenwriter, a playwright, and enjoying minimal success as a detective novelist, Milne authored the books Winnie-the-Pooh (1926) and The House at Pooh Corner (1928). Milne’s legacy has made the lives of children and the adults afforded the pleasure of reading to those children so much the better.
Nobody can be uncheered with a balloon.
We gave the haunted house a nostalgic fuelled go. In Hong Kong Disneyland’s case, Mystic Manor…
After all, it is 31 October, Halloween. Halloween is a big thing over here…
People of all ages – not unlike your Whitby Goth Weekend – have been parading around Hong Kong over the past few days. Something like two thirds of the visitors to this park were in some form of ‘fancy dress’ (costume). Some had clearly put in a big effort…
Just as we left the park we caught the beginning of the final parade of the day. It being Halloween, the parade came with a twist, billed as, ‘Uninvited! A Villains Takeover Party’, led by Maleficent. And I’m fairly sure (it’s been a long time!) that she was closely followed by Gaston, of Beauty and the Beast fame.
And then heading back on the Metro…
They are certainly not shy in expressing themselves over this part of the World. And why not?!
Heading back over was quite a chore. Everyone was out and about. Again, massive recognition of it being Halloween.
I don’t know what the police were expecting (a precautionary measure, maybe) but this set up is reminiscent of Ayresome Park in the late 1970s…
As our four week long China / Hong Kong adventure draws to a close, we turn again to A A Milne and the wonderful Winnie the Pooh, who says it best…
Goodbye? Oh no, please. Can’t we just go back to page one and start all over again?
Previous China daily blogs here
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