Photo TR: Robb's Trip Around The World!

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Photo Trip Report Updates:
Arrive in Portugal (that's this one you're on now!)
Fun in Portugal Part 1
Fun in Portugal Part 2
Chessington World of Adventures and Brighton Pier
Thorpe Park
Hong Kong Photos
Ocean Park, Hong Kong
Dragon Centre, Hong Kong
LOTS of photos of Hong Kong!
Hong Kong Disneyland, More Ocean Park, and More Hong Kong!

Ok, here is the 'short version' of the story....

Right when I got back from our big Europe trip (which keep in mind was less than three weeks ago) I was told at work that they needed me to go out with our marketing and PR departments to do some product demonstrations. These demos, however, happened to be in Europe and Asia....Portugal and Hong Kong to be exact.

Now, keeping in mind that this is a business trip first, and a fun trip second, I knew that it was very unlikely that I'd be able to get to many parks.

But seeing as though Portugal has almost zero credits (well, actually zero as I found out today!) and since I had a short layover in the UK on my way to Hong Kong and a free day in Portugal, I decided to shorted my Portugal stay and have a longer layover in the UK so I can hit up Chessington's and Thorpe.

Then it's onto Hong Kong where I should be able to get to Ocean Park and at least see the entrance to Hong Kong Disneyland.

So overall, while it's not a wealth of parks and coasters, there were a few.

My journey started in Los Angeles and then onto New York City to switch planes, and then today I landed in Lisbon, Portugal.

So far it seems like a nice place. The traffic seems bad and the drivers are crazy, kind of like Italy. The hotel is this really swanky, upscale golf resort, which is really nice, but it's not really my thing. Still, it's a fantastic place for the product demos I have to do.

Since there isn't anything really going on today work wise, I decided to check out the two parks that I knew existed nearby.

The first one, "Fun Center" which is pretty much a Jeepers-like place, is inside the largest mall in Portugal (which actually looked like a pretty standard-sized mall by US standards!) The 2nd park, Feira Popular de Lisboa, I was pretty sure had closed, although it's still listed as open on RCDB, but sure enough, it has closed and will be replaced by Fantasia Park scheduled to open in 2007.

So that only left one possible credit for me in Portugal, the Vekoma Roller Skater at Fun Center.

It was a short 20 minute drive from the hotel, and the mall looked pretty much like your smaller sized "mills" type malls you find in the US. I think that Ontario Mills or Gurnee Mills was MUCH bigger than this place!

After a bit of searching, I finally found the Fun Center....which is closed for remodeling until September. Taiko Cry Red

Oh, well...I think I can live without that Roller Skater credit! Taiko Laughing Red

It was still very odd, though. You'd think that if they were going to remodel a place like that, they would do it during the school season, not during summer!

Anyway, I took some photos of the trip so far. Sorry there are no coaster shots, at least not yet anyway, but there will be some by the end of the week!

Oh, yeah, one last thing....so Elissa couldn't come on this trip, which is a real bummer. =( Doesn't seem right to be traveling to random places without her. But now that you all know she's home alone, it's a perfect time to stalk her!!! Taiko Laughing Red

Anyway, onto some photos....

Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2005 5:19 am Post subject:

bummer, sorry about the no credits, hope you have fun, and better luck in the other places

thanks for stopping by the night crew chat, we are there most nights

have fun

Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2005 5:45 am Post subject:

well at least the mall didnt have a super 300ft intamin hyper there... Taiko Laughing Red

some people view a vekoma missed as a blessing! (i personally dont mind them Taiko Tounge

Nice trip report, that hotel room is really nice looking.

Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2005 7:24 am Post subject:

So did you eat at the Pizza Hut??

I love malls in other countries! Was it interesting?

Elissa "yeah, I miss you too!" Alvey

Face Book · Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2005 7:27 am Post subject:

^ Not really. It was pretty much like any other mall you'd see anywhere else.

That was the thing, there wasn't anything REALLY different to set it apart. Same shops you are used to in most malls, same food, etc....

I mean, it was nice and all, it just wasn't very special at all.

--Robb

Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2005 7:35 am Post subject:

Hey, nice photos. That overhead shot of Lesbian, um, I mean Lisbon looks interesting. Sort of reminds me of parts of New York City and New Jersey. I don't know why, it just does.

Too bad about the Roller Skater, we all know how much you LOVE Vekoma. I guess it'll have to wait until European Coaster Trip 3. Taiko Wink

Justin

Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2005 8:06 am Post subject:

Nice pics.

That's so weird that everything looks the same. But your hotel looks way cool.

Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2005 8:12 am Post subject:

Your hotel room is really purdy. Where do they have you staying in Hong Kong? Maybe you'll score and get The Peninsula, they supposedly pick you up in a Rolls Royce!

Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2005 8:20 am Post subject:

Nice hotel Robb, you work for a generous company.

Since you had to spend so much time flying I assume you took full-advantage of the hotels "In Room" Deep Tissue Massage service?

I hear that helps with jet-lag.

Many companies often pay for those additional "services", since their executives often perform their jobs better afterwards. Taiko Tounge

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