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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Underappreciated Viva Vivaldi

After so much has been invested in his classical musical education, Pangzi still thinks Strauss is the jeans producer. So while in Venice, I dragged him to Viva Vivaldi where it all started for one of the greatest composers in history. “Daddy, what’s Viva Vivaldi? And why are we visiting him instead of playing with …

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What a wreck at Hanoi Army Museum

The best museums in the world show you the best of everything. The newest. The sleekest. Apparently the Army Museum in Hanoi didn’t get the memo. “Daddy, why are we here to see this… pile of metal?” Pangzi asked when we stepped into the Vietnam Military History Museum, locally known as the Army Museum. “Because you changed …

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Beware robots taking over your job

The development of artificial intelligence has gathered pace so much so that the street talk is about when you will surrender your job to robots. As a concerned parent, I decided to take Pangzi to the Saluzi Robot Experience Centre in Xi’an, China, to expose him to the new world of robotics. And more importantly …

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Fantasy ends at Jeju car museum

I’d do anything for my K-pop idol, so the trip to the Jeju car museum was some collateral damage I didn’t mind. “I’ll take you to the World Automobile Jeju Museum on one condition,” I told Pangzi. “You’ll follow me quietly on my idol trail the rest of the stay, understand?” “Daddy, what’s an idol trail?” …

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