Tower Records, while it lasts

“Daddy, what were you doing before the Internet?” Pangzi asked curiously. That’s my cue to take him to Tower Records. “Heard of CD?” I started. “Think I spent my entire childhood listening to those.” “I only know Christian Dior.” “CD stands for compact disc,” I continued. “You put it into a player, out comes music.” …

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It’s Hong Kong Geopark, dam it

Pangzi was growing up to be too polite so I told him we were going to Hong Kong Geopark. “There’s a geological place of interest in Hong Kong of all cities?” he asked in disbelief. “Thank you, daddy.” “Yes, but what are you grateful for?” “Green tourism is the in thing now. I thought it’s …

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Kapal Selam, says ChatGPT

One of the first names that appeared when I asked ChatGPT where to visit in Surabaya was Kapal Selam. “Kapal what?” Pangzi asked. “Monumen Kapal Selam,” I said, “or Submarine Monument as it is more commonly known as in English.” “And why are we going there again? Why not theme park?” “Because ChatGPT says so. …

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Crazy about M+

“Daddy, is crazy a bad word?” Pangzi hesitantly asked on the plane to Hong Kong.” “Funny that you asked,” I said, “because I’m taking you to a crazy woman’s exhibition at M+ the minute we land.” “What’s M+?” “That’s the latest contemporary art museum in Hong Kong at the West Kowloon waterfront promenade.” “Overlooking the …

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A host of reasons to go Red Tokyo Tower

It was not easy to convince Pangzi to visit Red Tokyo Tower at first. After all, my interest was not typical of the average tourist in Japan. “I’m going Red Tokyo Tower to see my idol,” I told him. “You can wait for me at the top. See some winter birds, watch the traffic below, …

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Wrong ATV at Desaru Fruit Farm

The description looked enticing enough: Join us at the Desaru Fruit Farm for some exhilarating ATV action. So Pangzi could look at boring fruit while I’d go for the finer things in life. “Daddy, what’s ATV?” Pangzi asked. “Adult… something something. You don’t have to know,” I said, “since it’s not for you.” “I also want!” …

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BMW Experience Shanghai, a mere distraction

A trip to the acclaimed China Art Palace would have been perfect. If only it wasn’t right beside BMW Experience Shanghai. “Daddy, look… car museum!” Pangzi said. I took a double take and sure enough BMW Experience Shanghai appeared before my eyes. It wasn’t there before, at least not during my last visit. “Oh, BMW Experience Shanghai is …

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West Bund Museum with French secrets

“Daddy, why is french fries French?” Pangzi asked one day. “Let me tell you a secret only a few know,” I whispered, “but you must first follow me to Centre Pompidou.” “Where’s this… Pom Pi Pi?” “Down by the Huangpu River. It’s a newly opened French contemporary art gallery in Shanghai. They’ve given Centre Pompidou a …

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Taikoo Hui, transformed

Shanghai is fast becoming a mall-a-second city, so when I wanted to visit the new Taikoo Hui in Nanjing West Road, Pangzi went: “Not another one again?” “This is different,” I reassured him. “A lot of money is pumped into Taikoo Hui to make it stand out from the rest.” Indeed, the first impression we received …

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Need for speed at EF Park

“Daddy, is it true electric cars are slow that’s why you don’t see many on the road?” Pangzi observed one day. Well, he hasn’t seen an electric go-kart! “We’re going to EF Park where you’ll get to see me speeding down the race track,” I announced. “Then you tell me whether an electric car is …

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