Stay out of the Fire Zone

After indulging Pangzi in excessive adult entertainment in New York, I decided to take him to the famed St Patrick’s Cathedral to repent. “Daddy, why am I doing the confession when you are the one having so much fun here?” he challenged. “Because if not for you, I’ll be having more fun!” I countered. Following …

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Before email there’s Postal Museum

“Daddy, when are you getting me a phone?” Pangzi asked expectantly, after turning 10. “Ermmm, never?” I answered carefully. Expectations could be a dangerous thing. “But all my classmates have one,” he protested. “They’re emailing one another!” That’s my cue. “We’re visiting the Postal Museum then. I’ll show you the proper way of writing and sending …

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Is there a China Legoland?

The days of living in Shanghai seem an eternity ago but I make it a point to return every now and then. The problem is finding an excuse for Pangzi to follow me there. Today’s excuse is the China Legoland. “Daddy, is there really a China Legoland?” Pangzi asked suspiciously. “Why yes, that’s why you …

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Hundreds of dinosaurs at Rice National Park

My eyebrows raised a little when I read about the RMB2.3 billion invested in the new Rice National Park in China. “Daddy, how much is RMB2.3 billion?” Pangzi asked. I thought of the only way I could possibly explain this obscene amount to him. “You’re coming with me to visit the Rice National Park. Then …

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Everything for sale at Gosford Museum

On our way to the Gosford Classic Car Museum in New South Wales, I asked Pangzi the all-important question again. “What do you want to be when you grow up?” True enough, this time he gave another answer. “When I grow up, I want to be rich,” Pangzi confidently announced. Progress. That’s much more practical …

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Feeling blue at MAPS Perak

I grew up watching Smurfs so when I heard about the new Movie Animation Park Studios in Malaysia, or MAPS Perak in short, I knew I had to go. “Daddy, is MAPS Perak a theme park?” Pangzi asked as we were taking the 30min ride there from Ipoh city. “Yes, it’s built around cartoon characters …

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Not high enough at Boh Tea Centre

Pangzi struggled to understand why we were going to the Boh Tea Centre at Cameron Highlands initially. “I’ve got a new toy,” I started to explain half-heartedly, “which works only in suitable places, like the Boh Tea Centre.” “What toy?” Pangzi said expectantly. “It’s a drone. It flies off. It takes pictures. It flies back.” …

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Every day is Mother’s Day at this Shanghai outlet

I couldn’t resist a visit to Shanghai Village, a new Shanghai outlet, but I needed a good excuse. “You’re going to a Shanghai outlet with me,” I told Pangzi. “We’re buying a Mother’s Day gift today.” “But I don’t want to go Shanghai outlet,” Pangzi protested. “I want to go Disneyland!” “This Shanghai outlet is at …

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Car museum vs car museum 2

It’s unthinkable to visit two car museums in the short span of one month but that’s just what we did. I must have done something very wrong in my past life to deserve this. The London Motor Museum and the Shanghai Auto Museum couldn’t have been more different. The one thing they have in common, …

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Everything can wait but Ducati Museum

I was happily on 110km/h cruise control across the middle of Italy when Pangzi decided to spoil my plans. “Daddy, I can’t wait anymore!” “Yeah me too,” I said. “We’ll reach Florence in no time, as promised.” “I mean, I need to pee…” “Oh please don’t do this to me now. We’re on the highway!” …

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