New Construction Theme Park: Diggerland USA

Source: http://diggerlandusa.com/ 

If your kids are crazy about construction vehicles, they will probably LOVE Diggerland USA which opened last month in West Berlin, New Jersey.  With Giant Diggers, Dumper Trucks, Backhoe Adventure and 20 other attractions, kids will get to fulfill all of their construction dreams!  West Berlin, New Jersey is an 8-hr drive from Toronto or a quick 30-minute drive from Philadelphia's International Airport.  No hard hats or safety boots required!

Have you been yet?  What did you think?

A peaceful morning at the Hong Kong Zoo

The Hong Kong Zoo and Botanical Gardens is the 5.6 hectare home to more than 1,000 species of plants and over 500 animals including orangutans, lemurs and pythons.

Visiting at 7 am on New Year’s Day meant we pretty much had the whole place to ourselves with the exception of a few locals getting in their morning exercises.

If you are looking for a expansive Singapore Zoo-type experience, this is not it.  But with a children’s playground, aviaries, green house and gardens, and lots of animals to see, it’s a quaint and fun destination for little kids.  The zoo is clean and well-kept, and is so serene and quiet, it’s hard to believe it’s in the middle of Hong Kong.

Our taxi dropped us off at the Albany Road entrance of the zoo at about the mid-way point.  In hindsight, a better place to start would have been at one of the northwest entrances off of Glenealy Rd, since the zoo slopes steeply southwards, and wind our way down.

The green house and education centre opens at 9 am and the zoo and gardens open at 6 am every day.  Admission is free!  We were welcomed at the entrance by a large flight of stairs, so be aware there may be spots where you have to carry a stroller.

New Year's Day Dragon and Lion Dance Parade

On January 1st, Hong Kong kicked off the New Year by hosting the annual Lion and Dragon Dance Parade in Kowloon.  To top off the hundreds of lions and dragons, this year over 1,000 parade participants were decked out with happy Buddha masks.

The Parade started at Canton Road, ran along the Avenue of Stars and finished at the UC Centenary Garden in East Tsim Sha Tsui (next to the Intercontinental Grand Stanford Hotel).

B and I headed out to the Avenue of Stars about half an hour before the parade was expected to pass in order to find ourselves a good vantage point to watch the festivities, and near the Hong Kong Cultural Centre so we'd be close to washrooms.  I'm not a big fan of crowds but the length of the parade route meant there was a comfortable number of people along the way, so the parade was easy to see and it was easy to navigate the route even with a stroller.

Don't Miss! Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

Built in 1889, the Capilano Suspension Bridge is 450 feet (137m) long and hangs 230 feet (70m) above Capilano River. 

But Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is far more than just the bridge.  Not only is the park home to the adrenalin-pumping suspension bridge, but the thrilling Cliffwalk, gorgeous rainforest walking paths, trout ponds, a Totem Park and the Treetop Adventure - offering a birds-eye view of the rainforest from a series of viewing platforms and suspension bridges.  It is easy to spend a few hours enjoying this beautiful spot.

Admission isn’t cheap... The cost is $31.95 for adults, $12.00 for kids aged 6-12 (kids under 6 are free!), but I found the park worth every penny.

On our visit, B and I arrived by taxi about 30 minutes before the park opened and were the second group in line to enter the park.  I highly recommend arriving as early as possible to give yourself the opportunity to enjoy the bridge with as few other tourists as possible.  Be aware that tour buses get access to the site earlier, so even if you are the first in line to enter, you likely won’t be the only guests there.

Strollers aren’t permitted on the bridge and caution is certainly advised if you are carrying a squirmy child.  But if your child can walk, the bridge feels very safe.  While there is some swaying on the bridge, it isn’t a drastic amount of movement.  At first B was a bit hesitant to head out onto the bridge but after a few steps, he thought it was a blast!

The Capilano Suspension Bridge Park is located about 15 minutes from downtown Vancouver and can be reached via car, taxi or transit (take the Seabus from Vancouver to Lonsdale Quay and take the #236 bus).  A free shuttle trolley is also available to and from several stops in downtown Vancouver. (We used the shuttle to get back to Vancouver - be warned the trolley is a VERY bumpy ride, so if you have back problems or have a napping baby, you may want to give it a miss).

Visit the official website for more information.

El Valle, Panama

A framed image of El Valle greets me every time I enter my kitchen.  The print of a painting, by my talented friend Pirkko Saari, beautifully depicts her visit to the El Valle Artisan market many years ago.  So, when we visited Panama, I knew we simply could not miss a visit to El Valle.

A two-hour scenic drive, El Valle is located about 120 kms Southwest of Panama City.

What to see in El Valle

The Artisan and Vegetable Market - As the subject of the lovely print in my kitchen, this was a must-do visit for us.  Though small, this market is a colorful and interesting place to peruse handcrafts and stock up on delicious local fruit.

Chorro El Macho Waterfall - At 70 meters high, it won't likely be the tallest you've ever seen, but it is located in a beautiful location accessible just a short walk from the parking area.  Pathways are rough and a bit slippery and the route includes a short rope bridge.  Caution is certainly advised if visiting with small children, but the short walk is definitely do-able.  At the time of our visit, B was about 18 months, so I carried him most of the way.  Be sure to use lots of bug repellent as there are a lot of mosquitoes here.

El Nispero Zoo and Botanical Gardens - El Nispero is a small zoo with a large collection of animals and birds and is a pleasant spot to spend a few hours.

We visited El Valle as a day trip, and in hindsight, there was so much to do, it would definitely be worth staying a few days.

For more information on El Valle, visit El Valle Tourism

The Louvre with a 3 year old? You bet!

The Louvre with a pre-schooler?  Are we nuts?  Admittedly, I was a bit leary about taking B to the Louvre, wondering if he would be bored and unruly.  As it turns out, we all had a great time.

Here's is what worked well for us:

• We didn't try to see everything.  We researched our visit in advance and selected a few 'must sees' to search out.

• We read a lot about Paris before visiting, particularly "This is Paris" by Miroslav Vasek.  B had seen the Mona Lisa dozens of times in his book, and he was over the moon about seeing her in person.

• We used a compact stroller and had reasonable expectations of 'accessibility'.  During our visit, we encountered lots of stairs, the occasional inoperable elevator and obviously large crowds.  Having a compact stroller made things a lot easier when B got tired of walking, though we did have to pull him out of it a number of times to navigate stairs.

• We brought our own drinks and snacks.  While you can't eat or drink in the galleries, there is seating near the gallery entrances and the foyer under the pyramid where you can relax and take a break. Snacks and drinks are available on site but they are VERY expensive.

• We kept our visit short and sweet - about two hours, then headed to the Tuileries Garden for a picnic and a good run.

Visiting the Big Buddha in Hong Kong

B had read about the Big Buddha (the Tian Tan Buddha statue) in his book Sasha Visits Hong Kong and had specifically requested we visit on our recent trip to Hong Kong.  

The most convenient way to access the Big Buddha is via the MTR then the Ngong Ping 360 cable car, a 5.7 km, 25-minute cable car journey from the Tung Chung MTR station to Ngong Ping village at the base of the steps leading up to the Buddha. If your little ones are fans of airports, the cable car affords a bird's eye view of Hong Kong's international airport.

I arranged cable car tickets in advance via http://www.np360.com.hk/en/ which got us into a shorter ticket line on a busy day.  Since our visit, the website has enabled online ticket sales allowing you to purchase and print tickets in advance and skip the ticketing line altogether.  I chose to purchase 1+1 tickets, which involved riding in a Crystal Cabin (with see-through floor) on the way to the Buddha, and riding a Standard Cabin on the return journey.  Taking the Crystal Cabin at least one way is a must-do for anyone who isn't terrified of heights and the views were fantastic.

When you get off the cable car, you need to walk through the Ngong Ping 'village' to get to the base of the Big Buddha.  The village is full of souvenir shops, restaurants, tidy washrooms, plus a 7-11 which is handy for picking up water and/or snacks.  I wondered whether or not to bring along a stroller, but am I ever glad I did.  It is a bit of a walk from the cable car to the base of the steps up to the Big Buddha, and with B's 4 yr old little legs and hot sun, I would have ended up having to carry him on the return journey otherwise.  Our handy Uppa Baby G-Luxe stroller fit nicely under the seat in the cable car and we parked it at the base of the steps before proceeding up.  

Although it sounds like a lot, it wasn't a big deal for B to climb the 268 steps to the top, though he did ask to stop a couple of times to drink water.  He felt so proud to make it to the top on his own!  I should add he was also highly motivated by the promise of ice cream when we got back down to the village :)

HOW TO GET THERE
Take the MTR to the end of the orange Tung Chung line, and from there, the easiest way to access the Buddha is via the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car. 

TICKETS
You can buy them Ngong Ping 360 cable car lower terminus or online in advance at http://www.np360.com.hk/en/.  1+1 tickets (Crystal cabin to the Buddha, return journey via Standard cabin) are $210 HK per adult, $135 HK for kids aged 3-11 and $165 HK for seniors.

RESOURCES:
Official Ngong Ping 360 cable car site http://www.np360.com.hk/en/
Hong Kong Tourism http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/see-do/highlight-attractions/top-10/the-big-buddha-po-lin-monastery.jsp

For more reading about this scenic spot, check out http://www.dangerous-business.com/2014/02/lantau-island-green-escape-hong-kong/. 

Salem with a Toddler, revisited

At this time of year, my thoughts naturally turn to fond memories of visiting Salem, Massachusetts this time last year.  Salem certainly has their hands full THIS year, not only with all the Halloween festivities but also with Hurricane Sandy.

Salem is best known as the location of the witch trials in which over 150 people were arrested and imprisoned between February 1692 and May 1693.  In all, 20 people (14 women and 6 men) were executed in the mass hysteria. As a result of it’s history, October, and Halloween in particular, is Salem’s busiest time for tourism. 

Many of the attractions in Salem aren’t suited to babies or toddlers, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t activities and sights for them to enjoy.  It just meant saving the graveyard visits until B was napping and skipping the haunted houses. October’s Haunted Happenings is a month-long series of events leading up to Halloween, including many family-oriented events such as trick or treating and children’s costume parades.

  

Things to do

The Salem Visitor Center  is a good starting point for maps and ideas, and is right across the street from Salem’s main parking garage.  Kids can check out models of sailing ships and the wharf area, and there is a small activity center with games, coloring pages and crayons.

Red lines painted on sidewalks make Salem an easy place to explore and they are marked on most tourist maps.  The red lines create four loops through town, passing the majority of Salem’s most important and interesting sites.

Salem Common is a large, well-tended green space; lots of space to run around and a large play ground.  Grab a delicious latte and chocolate chip cookie from Jaho Coffee & Tea on Derby St. and admire the attractive, historic homes along the park’s perimeter while the kids play.

Salem Trolley Tours - B was thrilled to ride on a red trolley bus for a tour of the town.  It’s a hop-on, hop-off tour, so if the kids get antsy, you can hop-off and rejoin the trolley later if you wish.

Great food

We enjoyed lunch at Red's Sandwich Shop on Central Street, a popular and friendly restaurant which serves enormous servings of delicious food.  B asked for pancakes.  At $3.50 for one, this pancake was a bargain… a foot in diameter and an inch thick… B had a big meal for lunch, we ate the leftovers for dinner that evening and still had some left!

Victoria Station on Pickering Wharf has great seafood and a good kid’s menu.  We skipped the offerings on the kid’s menu and ordered B the Boathouse 5-cheese mac and cheese from the appetizer section of their regular menu.  B enjoyed it, and so did we – it was probably the best mac and cheese I’ve ever had, so it was easy to polish off what B left behind.

Yummy treats

Ye Olde Pepper Candy Company on Derby Street is America’s oldest candy store, and is filled to the brim with tempting chocolates, candies and fudge.  Try their famous Gibralters, sugary chunks of rock candy available in lemon and peppermint flavors.

Maria's Sweet Somethings on Front Street has super-cute Frankenstein petit fours, chocolates and ice cream.

Fun shopping

You won't be able to fit a stroller in the shop, but the Derby Square Book Store on Essex Street is definitely worth a visit for discounted books for adults and children. The tall stacks of teetering books bring to mind Dr. Seuss, though the shelves are strategically secured with bungee cords so they won’t fall over.

You can’t beat Witch Tees for cute souvenir t-shirts of your visit.  There is a branch along the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall and another in the Museum Place Mall next to the Visitor Center.

The Happy Sunflower on Pickering Wharf has a huge selection of ornaments, perfect for topping off a gift or decorating your Christmas tree and personalization is free.

Practicalities

Depending on traffic, Salem is about a 45 minute drive from downtown Boston.  There are only a couple of accommodation options in Salem itself, and many more options in nearby Peabody.  

A sturdy stroller is a must for the cobblestone and brick streets.  Automatic doors and wheelchair ramps are few and far between though I found there was never a shortage of people to hold a door or lend a hand getting B’s stroller up or down steps.

Resources:

Official Guide to Salem

History of the Salem Witch Trials

Desert Dune Dinner Dubai - Camels, Dune-Bashing and a Kid-Friendly Good Time

Our Toyota 4x4 is perched over a precipice and it looks like we are about to fall into an abyss of sand.  Finally the car drops over the ledge and we zoom down a steep incline then back up a big dune again.  But I can barely hear myself think because B is laughing so hard. 

Our desert adventure starts with a brief visit to a camel farm, where we have a chance to meet a few new friends as our drivers remove some air from the tires to allow better traction on the sand.  Large groups of 4x4s travel in convoys to ensure there is always assistance nearby if a vehicle gets stuck.  Next we stop at a cluster of immaculately perfect sand dunes, where B had a blast climbing and trying to slide down!

After getting pockets full of sand, and about 45 minutes of mild dune bashing, the sun has set and we arrive at the 'camp.'  Long low tables are lined up on huge carpets and we settle onto our comfy cushions.  After stuffing ourselves full of delicious Middle Eastern finger foods, we dive into the BBQ buffet with an extensive offering of grilled meats, salads, veggies, tabouli and hummus.  (There was also a special 'kids' buffet tucked into a corner, serving hamburgers and other items which might be appealing to pickier kids.)

Filled to the brim and teetering on our cushions, the exotic music begins and out comes a belly dancer.  Cheesy? Sure.  Fun?  You bet!!!

I wondered how B would cope getting back to bed so late past his bedtime (we arrived back at around 10:30 pm) but he did just fine.  He napped all the way back to our lodgings, giggled when he saw how much sand came off him in the bath, and went to sleep in the wink of an eye.

Logistics

Depending on the tour company, vehicles will take between 4 and 6 passengers.  Being a group of 4, we were sure to get a private vehicle to ensure nobody's fun was spoiled by asking the driver for a calm ride.  But driving through the desert will have its bumps no matter how cautious the driver, so it is imperative to have a car seat for young children.

By law in Dubai, children under 6 years of age must ride in a car seat.  I highly recommend taking your own car seat, or rent one from a company like http://www.rentacrib.ae/index.htm.  Several tour companies will offer to supply car seats for their tours, however we found the seats unsuitable for B's age and weight, and that is if one is actually provided. (Twice, we booked a car seat for transfers but they were not supplied.)

Paper City Paris: Print, Cut and Play!

Planning a trip to Paris?  Kids will love playing with these cut-out landmarks of Paris.  Just print, cut, fold and play. And they are free!

Paper City Paris

And, check out the travel-sized version, perfect for storing in a little tin or box.

Paper City Paris - Travel Size

Snow Tubing in the Desert at Ski Dubai

We've put on our snow suits, we've strapped up our boots, and B is excitedly putting on his helmet.  It's almost 100 degrees F outside the door of The Mall of the Emirates, and we are about to step into a world of snow.

Everything about Dubai is larger than life, and Ski Dubai is just one of the attractions that makes the city a great destination for kids.  With 5 ski runs for skiers and snowboarders, a freestyle zone, snow park, a quad chair lift, and two alpine-themed restaurants, there is lots to see and do.

Even the most hard-core skiers (who might tire quickly of the short runs) would have a hard time not being 'wowed' by the sheer magnitude of this place, and the success to which Ski Dubai has created a mountain resort atmosphere in the middle of the desert.  I wasn't feeling ambitious enough to get B onto skis, so we spent our time playing in the snow and zipping down the gentle snow tube runs.

The Basics:

• Snow Park Admission - Adults 130 AED, Children 120 AED (approx $30 U.S.) including use of a snow suit, boots, warm socks and helmets for kids.  The only thing not provided are hats and mitts which can be purchased inexpensively at the Pro Shop
• Children under 3 are not permitted. (I admit I fudged about B's age at the ticket booth since he isn't quite 3 yet)
• Snow suits and boots are available in the smallest of kids sizes, and are clean, comfy and warm
• The process of picking up our suits and boots was quick and efficient and there were plenty of room in the change area and lockers for use
• Strollers can be safely stored at the security desk

Quick Facts

• The 22,500 m2 area is covered with soft powdery snow year round
• Temperature maintained at a comfortable -1º to -2º
• Quad chairlift and tow lift
• Mountain resort theme
• Ski lessons are available
• Changing areas with locker rental

After having one of the warmest Toronto winters I can recall, it seems crazy we've had to travel halfway around the world to the desert to play in the snow. I had my hands full trying to pull B away when it was time to leave.

Trøndelag Folk Museum, Trondheim, Norway

If visiting Trondheim, Norway with toddlers or young children, don't miss the Trøndelag Folk Museum.

The open-air museum features over 60 buildings from Trondheim and the Trøndelag region, divided into urban and rural sections.  We enjoyed visiting the historic buildings in the natural setting, and our 2 year old loved running in the open spaces, and visiting with the resident pigs, sheep, rabbits and other animals.  The Visitor Center features exhibits of more modern-day life in Norway.

Covering 75 acres, a visit to the Trøndelag Folk Museum involves a fair bit of walking and several hills, so a stroller or carrier is highly recommended if you are visiting with a baby or toddler.

Photo: Light Show at Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza Overnight

I'm a sucker for beds with mosquito nets, and B enjoyed reading and doing crafts in his own little 'fort.'  We loved our bungalow at the Mayaland Hotel in Chichen Itza.  You can't ask for a better location - just a short walk to the Chichen Itza Archaeological site, gorgeous grounds and refreshing swimming pools!

Toddler-Friendly Tulum

Coati at Tulum

I can't help but get as excited as B when seeing an animal for the first time, particularly when my only knowledge of the animal is from an episode of Go, Diego, Go!  Such was the case on our visit to the archaeological site of Tulum, near Cancun, Mexico when we were treated to a sighting of a Coati Mundi.  Learn about Coati Mundis.   



Tulum is the site of what was once a Mayan walled city in a gorgeous location on the Caribbean Sea.  The site itself is located about 1 km from the parking lot.  I had left our stroller at the hotel thinking the terrain would be too rough for it, but just a few minutes into the walk, I regretted my decision.  With the exception of a few areas at the top of the ruins where carrying the stroller would have been required, the site is actually very stroller-friendly.  And, given the walking distance required, a stroller (or comfy carrier) is definitely recommended if you are visiting with a baby or toddler.

Toddlers may not be particularly interested in the Mayan ruins but the site offers a tram ride between the parking lot and the site (always a hit with kids) plus acres and acres of well-tended lawns to run around on.  And while the kids are chasing birds, feeding iguanas and sneaking up on Coati Mundis, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy the ruins.

Dolphin Encounter in Cancun

On our recent trip to Cancun, I contemplated taking B for a swim with a dolphin.  Would it be worth taking a 2 1/2 year old at $80 USD each?  Would B even enjoy it?  What if he is too scared to take part?  Would there be any danger?

Over the course of our holiday, we ended up at La Isla Shopping Center no fewer than four times.  Once, for a visit to the Interactive Aquarium.  Another time for lunch and to do some souvenir shopping and other times, simply to relax, enjoy a stroll, and get a refreshing iced coffee from Ah Cacao.

On our first aquarium visit, I kept a close eye on the dolphin program to see if there were any other little kids participating, and to get an idea just what to expect.  During lunch at Jugo de Limon, you can actually get a table perched over the dolphin pool which allowed us to watch more dolphin interactions, and kept B entertained through our meal.  We watched many small children (about 2 years old and up) participating and enjoying themselves.  I got into the custom of carrying our swimsuits with us wherever we went, and on our fourth visit to the mall, decided "Let's go for it!"  Mark isn't a big water fan, so he remained on the overhead viewing area to take photographs while B and I got ready for our dolphin encounter.

To start off, we headed over to the seal enclosure for a photo opportunity.  To my surprise, B wasn't the least bit phased by getting a big kiss on the cheek from the huge, friendly seal.  We were given a short safety and information briefing and then the group was divided into those taking part in the Educational experience (what we did), and those taking part in the more expensive Advanced program which involved actually swimming alongside the dolphins.   After a quick trip to the change room and a shower, we were fitted with life jackets (lots of toddler-sized jackets available) and into the pool we went.

For the next 45 minutes, we were able to pet, feed, splash around and interact with our new friend, Yakuun.  Again, to my surprise, B wasn't the slightest bit afraid of Yakuun and couldn't wait to pet him again and again.  When the opportunity came for a get a picture of Yakuun 'kissing' him on the cheek, B planted a kiss right on Yakuun's lips!

The aquarium's photographer snapped photos through the whole experience.  After the swim, you exit via the gift shop where you can purchase photos (prints or on DVD) if you choose, but be warned, they are pricey at $25 each.  Those entering the pool are not permitted to bring cameras for safety reasons, but those not taking part are permitted to take photos from the overhead viewing area, or even from the pool deck from behind a short wall.

The aquarium itself is not a huge place, but it is lovely, clean, well-maintained and fun. B especially enjoyed the shark tank, the sea horses and the wonderful turtle and ray tank where he could stand right next to the glass as the creatures sailed by.

Our dolphin experience definitely was a splurge, but the trainers were fantastic, the experience was fun, professional and worth every dollar.  It remains one of the most memorable experiences from our holiday.