Meeting Mickey

When I was in my childhood, I was always very fascinated by the TV programme called 'The Mickey Mouse Club'. I can still remember clearly the tune of the theme song when all the club members were singing: "M-I-C~ K-E-Y~ M-O-U-S-E!"

Although Mickey is just a fictitious character created by Mr. Disney, it has accompanied millions of children through their childhood, me included. It is probably the most popular cartoon (some may insist it as animation) character ever.

In Tokyo Disneyland, I was surprised to find Mickey's house. I have never thought that Mickey is living in Japan and speaks Japanese.

I was not able to get into Mickey's house using the front door as there were many others who would like to meet Mickey. That made me feels like going to the Agong's (The King of Malaysia) open house during Hari Raya Aidil Fitri. I was ushered to the side door entering the front courtyard and wait in the queue.

After 45 minutes of queueing, I finally made my way through the foyer of Mickey's house.

Mickey was nowhere in sight. I was here to meet Mickey! What is an open house without the host? I felt a little cheated for having to queue for 45 minutes.

I went deeper into Mickey's house trying to look for him. He must be there somewhere!

Before I knew it, I had entered the backyard and there was still no sight of Mickey! Hey Mickey, where are you?

Mickey's movie barn? Hey, maybe Mickey was doing some movie production there! So I entered.

Instead of seeing Mickey, I met with his chickens! I wasn't here to meet with the chickens!

When I was about to open the tools cabinet to get some stuff for preparing barbecue chicken, I heard a call from the usher that Mickey was ready to meet with me! Lucky for those chickens.

O-hai-yo go-zai-ma-su, wa-ta-shi wa Mik-ki Mau-su de-su!

The Castle for Sleeping

I have forgotten how Sleeping Beauty had fallen into sleep. Was it due to a curse or something. Well, I guess she was lucky as many people today are having insomnia.

Her castle has been the landmark of all Disneylands around the world. That's why all of them look quite the same.

Adding some flowers in the foreground makes it look grander.

I tried to see it from a different angle. I think this is the best viewing point as I saw a sign of a camera nearby.

I tried to find another view point which I could capture the castle better.

When night falled, the castle turned into a creepy mansion.

It turned creepier with each of my shutter release.

There wasn't any earthquake, but that creepy castle was just shaking itself.

It was even growing sometimes!

The 2nd Ticket to a Childhood Dream

After obtaining the 1^st ticket in Hong Kong some time in January this year, I just cannot believe that I would make another trip to Disneyland within the same year, but I did!

This time, I was in the largest Disneyland in Asia, the Tokyo Disneyland. However, I have to pronounce it as To-o-kyo-o Di-zu-ni-ran-do in Japan.

This year is the 25^th anniversary for Tokyo Disneyland, so there are many special items lining all throughout this year. That includes the Jubilation! that I'm going to put up on another post.

I was so excited after acquiring the ticket, because I was going to fulfill my childhood dream the second time in just 6 months! Di-zu-ni-ran-do, here I come!

In Disneyland, everything looks so surreal but real! Maybe you don't get what I mean, but that was my feeling of visiting Di-zu-ni-ran-do. It's just like living in a dream. The Di-zu-ni-ran-do Ho-te-ru (Disneyland Hotel) behind the train station is also molded from the buildings that we can only imagine in our dream.

Flanking the main entrance are no other than Mickey and his friends known to almost everybody on earth.

If you take a closer look at the key carried by Mickey, you'll notice the number 25, signifying the 25^th anniversary of Tokyo Disneyland.

I'll be updating on the details inside the Tokyo Disneyland from time to time, so please stay tuned.

Wordless Wednesday – Japanese Wedding Procession

Location: Meiji Jingu, Tokyo, Japan
Date taken: June 28^th, 2008
Cameras: Nikon D300 + Micro Nikkor 105mm f/2.8D, Nikon D70s + Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D