Monday 25 February 2013

Simple Yet Elegant - Smart Launcher Pro

I rarely would go to a different launcher UI for my HTC One X as there are very little that are out there that show a sense of style and yet not hog up my battery and phone's memory just to work. I was fortunate enough to have gotten to stumble upon one Android Launcher that is capable of giving me the simplicity and functionality of an Android environment but yet is elegant and smart in its design. That is what Smart Launcher Pro has provided for those that would be willing to pay out a little bit more for something that gives a very intuitive UI.

Smart Launcher is an innovative launcher characterized by a minimalist design, low memory usage and an user-friendly UI that let you start any application with a few taps.

It is currently the only launcher on the store to features automatic cataloging of installed apps!
I don't use any license check, it's useless. I update this app weekly, spend few dollars is easier than download a pirate version every week.

Features:
- Main screen with Quick Start
- Drawer organized by categories
- Ready to use without special configurations.
- Support for Live Wallpaper and screens of different sizes.
- Support of set of icons for Launcher Pro and ADW Launcher

I like how quick and easy it is to navigate around the Smart Launcher Pro. You can tap on the side or the app launcher button to get to the app drawer. The automatic cataloging of the installed applications makes it so easy to find your applications. If ever you do find that one of the applications have been placed in the wrong category, transferring them around is as simple as dragging it to the appropriate category. 

It is also quite rare to find an alternative launcher that supports live wallpaper and this one does. The flower patterned quick buttons make it all the more attractive to look at. 

Overall, the Smart Launcher Pro is a must use launcher for those that are tired of the usual Android UI that has come with your phone. It's simple and yet elegant. It is also quite fast and easy to use. The amount of memory that is uses to work is even far less than what Samsung or HTC have come out with in terms of UI build. If you are still unsure though you can download their free version called the Smart Launcher and see for yourself if this is something that you would like to use on your Android Smartphone. I am confident that you'd like how it feels, and like many others that have used it will most likely be using it moving forward. 

Till Next Time...

-Metz-

Tuesday 19 February 2013

Get Engaged with Starmobile's Engage 7HD Tablet


After my experience with Starmobile Astra, I took time to get to review and test out their latest Starmobile Tablet called the Starmobile Engage 7HD. I was pleased to have been able to do so as with my review of the Starmobile Asta, the Starmobile Engage 7HD has, in more ways than what one would expect from a budget tablet, performed exceptionally well and is feature packed making it a worthy consideration for those that want more out of what they spend, especially when on a budget.

Starmobile Engage 7HD's first impression doesn't scream that it is a budget device in anyway. It is well built and once you start browsing through the widgets and application browsers, will immediately notice the smoothness and fluidity that I had noticed with Starmobile Astra. The screen quality is pretty good and makes viewing of photos, websites, and videos quite pleasant. I would compare the quality of build and performance to that of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 that is currently priced at Php 12,990.

I love the way that it comes pre-loaded with the most downloaded applications like Facebook, twitter, skype, etc giving you ample space for other apps that you might like to download. It has very little bloatware and runs on stock Android ICS OS. Gaming though is pretty much at par with that of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 so heavy graphics type of gaming such as Modern Combat would strain the unit quite a bit. Games like Contract Killer Zombies One and Two will work fine with it though.

The Starmobile Engage 7HD is also equipped with an 8MP rear shooter and a VGA front camera. Just like the Starmobile Astra, the Starmobile Engage 7HD would need ample lighting in order for you to get the most out of the image. Low light would still produce grainy shots.

Memory is at 8GB but is expandable to 32GB and aside from Wifi, it supports 3.5G USBs allowing you to be constantly connected anywhere you go.

The only downside that I have noted about the device is the lack of bluetooth and its battery life as it is equipped with only a 4000mAh internal battery that gives about 5 hours of continuous video playback. The USB Cable doesn't support anything else but the 3.5G USB stick so placing a bluetooth USB wont work.

Overall at the Php 7,990 price point, The Starmobile Engage 7HD does pack a lot in terms of value and provides an overall pleasant user experience. There are points in which I would have liked to have seen some improvements and feature inclusions, but given the long list of features it has already jam packed into this budget tablet one can be a bit forgiving. I am already looking forward to the successor of the Starmobile Engage 7HD.

Till Next Time...

-Metz-

Asia's Best Dining Experience Only at Marina Bay Sands

There is no place better in terms of Culinary Experience than being in Marina Bay Sands. Here in today's special feature dining article, I have compiled a list of the most recommended places to visit at The Shoppes of Marina Bay Sands which were made by Celebrity Chefs like Wolfgang Puck, Mario Batali, Daniel Boulud, Justin Quek, Guy Savoy, and Tetsuya Wakuda.

CUT
by Wolfgang Puck

The Steakhouse CUT is Wolfgang Puck's first forray into the Asian Market. It brings to Singapore an elaborate menu of only the finest cuts in beef, a premium selection of over 500 wines, that is matched with an impeccable sommelier type of service. The bar and lounge at CUT is also the venue to enjoy a relaxing cocktail, hand-crafted by skilled bar tenders.

Type: Steakhouse
Attire: Smart
Contact Info: 6688 8517
Reservation Recommended
Located at The Shoppes, Galleria Level B1-71
Main Dining Room: Sun - Thur 6pm to 10pm | Fri and Sat 6pm to 11pm
Bar & Lounge: Mon - Sun 5:30pm to 12am

db Bistro Moderne
by Daniel Boulud

Chef Daniel Boulud's re-invention of the Parisian bistro offers classic bistro fare, an approachable wine list, relaxing bar and a selection of hamburgers transformed into works of art.

Type: Contemporary French
Attire: Smart Casual
Contact Info: 6688 8525
Reservation Recommended
Located at The Shoppes, Galleria Level, B1-48
Lunch: Mon - Fri 12pm - 5pm | Brunch: Sat & Sun 11am - 5pm
Dinner: Sun - Mon 5:30pm - 10pm | Tue - Sat 5:30pm - 11pm

Guy Savoy
by Guy Savoy

The youngest of the great French legends and a pioneer of "Nouvelle Cuisine", Guy Savoy's restaurant in Paris is considered one of the finest Haute - Cuisine establishments in the world. His attention to detail and an intimate knowledge of the very best ingredients the has to offer, guarantees that every dish he creates is an appetizing work of art.

Type: French
Attire: Smart Elegant
Contact Info: 6688 8513
Reservation Recommended
Located at The Shoppes, Atrium 2, L2-01
Lunch: Fri & Sat 12pm - 2:30pm | Bar Dining: Tue to Sat 6pm - 10:30pm
Dinner: Tue to Sat 6:30pm - 10:30pm

Osteria Mozza
by Mario Batali

Osterio Mozza is the creation of Mario Batali, Joe Bastianich, and Nancy Silverton. Discover Artisanal Salumi, fresh homemade pastas and a hearty meat, game and seafood cooked to perfection on the wood burning grill.

At the heart of the Osteria Mozza is a fresh mozzarella bar where a wide array of dishes featuring imported Southern Italian bufala and burrata mozzarella are prepared nightly.

Type: Italian Fine Dining
Attire: Smart Casual
Contact Info: 6688 8522
Reservation Recommended
Located at The Shoppes, Galleria Level, B1-42
Dinner: Daily at 5pm - 11pm | Brunch: Sunday 12pm -2pm*
*Last reservation at 1:45pm, Bellini free-flow until 2:30pm

Pizzeria Mozza
by Mario Batali

In addition to serving renowned artisanal pizza from its wood-fired ovens - Pizzeria Mozza boasts a wine bar offering over 100 Italian wines all under $100. Signature dishes include the Mozza Caprese with Burrata Mozzarella, vine roasted tomatoes, and fresh basil pesto, Crispy Duck Leg with Lentils, the famous Nancy's Chopped Salad and the Butterscotch Budino.

Type: Pizzeria
Attire: Casual
Contact Info: 6688 8522
Located at The Shoppes, Galleria Level, B1-42
Lunch and Dinner: Daily 12pm - 11pm (Last reservation at 10:45pm)

Sky on 57
by Justin Quek

Singapore's very own celebrity chef Justin Quek's grandest venture yet is found 200 meters above the ground on the spectacular Sands SkyPark. Showcasing the best of local flavors while adding his own unique twists to classical dishes, offering a delightful arrray of Franco-Asian cuisine at Sky on 57, garnished with warm Asian hospitality to compliment the breathtaking view of the city and the Gardens by The Bay.

Type: Franco-Asian
Attire: Smart Casual
Contact Info: 6688 8857
Reservation Recommended
Located at Sands SkyPark, Tower 1, L57
Breakfast: Daily 7am - 10:30am | Lunch: Daily 12pm - 2:30pm
Dinner: Daily 6pm - 10:30pm | Terrace Bar: Daily 11am - 12am

Waku Ghin
by Tetsuya Wakuda
Waku Ghin's European/Japanese cuisine features dishes made with the freshest ingredients sourced from the region and beyond. Tantalize your taste buds with signatures such as Marinated Botan Shrimp with Sea Urchin and Caviar at this elegant restaurant. Waku Ghin was voted No. 39 in the coveted "The World's 50 Best Restaurants" 2012 list.

Type: Modern European/Japanese
Attire: Smart Casual
Contact Info: 6688 8507
Reservation Recommended
Located at The Shoppes, Atrium 2, L2-02
Lunch: Fridays 12pm - 2pm | Dinner 6pm and 8:30pm (for two seatings)

Getting a chance to dine in one of these restaurants is definitely a must for both Singapore and Foreign Visitors. All of these restaurants bring a quality of experience that you can consider as enriching for both your soul and your taste buds. Take time to see which of these you'd like to consider dining in with your special someone or even your family and friends in your next visit to Marina Bay Sands. Just don't forget to give them a call first ;)

Till Next Time...

-Metz-

Monday 18 February 2013

Starmobile Astra - Amazing Home Grown Budget Smartphone

It is quite rare that I get to say this about a budget gadget, but the Starmobile Astra is definitely a budget smartphone that does not feel and function like a cheap smartphone. The moment you get to handle one in person and once you get to browse through its application and widgets, you'd be amazed by how well built the Starmobile Astra is. The ICS Android Software and Starmobile Asta's Hardware have perfectly blended together to create one amazing user experience considering its spec sheet on paper.

The Starmobile Astra was really such a surprise for me as it was the first time I had encountered a budget smartphone that I would personally want to keep for myself. I discovered this the other day as I was shopping around the Mall of Asia with my mom and family to get her a new phone that would be pretty much of an upgrade from her old iPhone 3G. Since I have been able to review many of the budget phones that were released in the Philippine Market I naturally went and introduced it to my mom to see if she would like any of them. But as we were going around, a White Starmobile Astra was on display in one of the shops and it just caught my attention. I asked the store if they had a demo unit that we could play around with. I had first dibs and was shocked at how extremely fluid and smooth it operated. it practically functioned as quickly as my HTC ONE X in terms of browsing and Navigation. It also did pretty well when we played youtube video as it loaded them as quickly as it loaded on my HTC ONE X. What shocked me even more was that it was running on a dual core processor that is clocked at 1Ghz and 512MB of RAM. No lag whatsoever was noticeable and operation was buttery smooth. It even had an awesome touch koi live wallpaper that it was using as a default background and was functioning without a glitch. I had it compared to a Huawei model that was being sold as a higher end model compared to the Starmobile Astra and trust me the Starmobile Astra was out performing it in every single way.

Another factor that caught my attention too was that of the Camera. Mom was looking for something that she could use to take decent photos and the Starmobile Asta had an 8MP shooter which considering its price point of only Php 6,990 is quite a rare find. Though it doesn't use BSI tech that allows for photos to be exceptionally clear for low light situations, the Starmobile Astra does pretty well in good light conditions. The flash does help out a bit during low light shots though the grainy photo can be a downer if you are used to camera phones like the HTC ONE X and Nokia 920. But again you'd have to consider the pricing and be a bit forgiving of the fact. 

We also got to discover that the model we got and I guess I can presume for all Starmobile Astra's, is that the ICS Android Software is already rooted and ready. It also has very little bloatware and has the most used applications such as Facebook, twitter, and even skype and viber pre-installed. This also helps in storage issues as you don't have to trouble yourself into downloading these fave applications. If space is a problem you can use a MicroSD card as it supports upto 32GB and you can even choose to have the MicroSD card as the default storage, thanks to it being pre-rooted. 

Other plus factors about the Starmobile Astra - GPS support, dual sim card, and even mobile TV which shows pretty good channel reception as it has an extendible antennae. The 4.3" IPS screen is also beautiful to look at though it only has 240ppi this shouldn't be too much of a problem as it is of decent screen size. The design is also quite attractive though reminiscent of an old HTC model. I like the way it looks in both white and black and I have to admit it does standout as it got me interested on first glance. It really doesn't feel cheap when you hold it either. 

Gaming is also pretty decent though, this is where one shouldn't expect too much from it. It can play Contract Killer Zombies One and Two pretty well but if you are planning to play Modern Combat and other very graphic intensive games then this isn't going to be something you'd want to use. This also brings me to another minor concern - battery life. Battery is only at 1,500mAh which should pretty much last a user a day of moderate use. Thankfully though the battery is accessible and you can grab a spare if it is available at the store where you are purchasing it. 

Overall, I really like the Starmobile Astra. It really brings in a lot for something priced as little as Php 6,990. Every other phone that is at that price point would be put to shame when placed side by side with it. Even those that are of a higher price point would be threatened by it. Heck, if it can function as well as my HTC ONE X in terms of average use then this is something you should really consider buying if you want a budget smartphone that is full on specs and maximizes features for every scent you spent on it. It is sexy, extremely pleasant to use and is proudly pinoy(at least that is what I have been told-need to get that verified). Either way, you really can't go wrong with this unit, power user or not. 

Till Next Time...

-Metz-

Kasbah: A Refreshing Mediterranean Food Experience

We just got off from the gym in The Fort strip and was wondering where to grab dinner that was both healthy and yet quite tasty. We were supposed to head to Mango Tree, but for a change we decided not to go any further and just pay a visit to this rather Mediterranean ambiance of a resto nearby called Kasbah (kasbah or Qasbah (Arabic: القصبة al-qaá¹£bah) or qassabah is a type of medina, Islamic city, or fortress). 
Upon walking in, you'd immediately identify the strong Middle Eastern feel of the place, from the 
furnishing to the lights and sounds and even the way the flooring, windows and wall fixings have been placed. All to be honest reminds me of my time in Saudi Arabia, making me miss my home a little bit. I personally love the music and the artworks that showed muslim culture (though I am not a muslim, but I just really love their art pieces and accents). Everything about the place just made everyone feel so relaxed. Outside one could even get to use the Shisha or water pipe, with family and friends. 
Beautiful Rustic Appeal of Kasbah - It literally takes you to a different world

Guests really feel at home as they are surrounded by beautiful pieces of art from the lighting to intricate designs of the windows and more.

The main theme of Kasbah is surrounded by these inspirations
On to the food, Kasbah has a huge selection of favorite arabic/middle eastern comfort food that just made my mouth water. It is all made from the freshest ingredients from the salad to the main entrees. Service is also quite exceptional and it just brings the overall positive feel about the place. 

We were looking for something vegetarian in the menu and we decided to go with the Parsley Tabbouleh that we ate with warm and moist pita bread and hummus. We also ordered Fish Kebabs as the main course partnered with Seven Vegetable Couscous, which was just divine to the taste. The Seven Vegetable Couscous was my favorite especially when they mixed the vegetable broth with a bit of spicey yoghurt. It was so good and quite filling. Our plates were literally wiped clean from the sauces. The vegetable broth we also used as a dip for our oven warmed pita bread. 
The Skewered Fish Kebabs were just so Juicy and tasty. You can add the pesto and yoghurt sauce to add more flavor and trust me it takes it to the next level.  
This was my personal favorite - Seven Vegetable Couscous. It really reminds me of home cooked Arabic meals that just fills you up with all the best Middle Eastern flavors in a bowl. They even added the Vegetable Broth and Spicy Sauce to add even more flavor to a dish that is already pretty amazing.

This was our starter dish - Tabbouleh - We had it with pita bread and hummus. It was the best salad/appetizer of the day. 
Drinks are also quite unique and is a must try for those that want to get a taste of something a little different in terms of mixes. 

Overall, there is really nothing I can say to make people realize how wonderful the place is. It is one of those places where you really just have to take time out from your day to come and visit and experience Mediterranean Cooking at its finest. It's healthy and yet so tasty that you'll get to start a craving for their dishes from the moment you take your first bite. 

If you want to contact them or see where else you can visit them check their info below:

Till Next Time...

-Metz-

SideStrip SnapShots: Our Legoland Adventure in Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Compare hotel prices and find the best deal - HotelsCombined.com
LEGOLAND, Johor Bahru, Malaysia was quite an experience for me and my friends. We had booked a travel and tour van from Singapore that took us through the traffic and guided us through customs to get to Legoland Malaysia which is what I would recommend for most people that are traveling in big groups such as us rather then go through the hassles of bus travel and commuting by car which I have to say if you had seen what we saw during the weekend trip to Johor Bahru you'd most likely regret it. The vehicle lanes are divided between cars and buses/vans. 

Based on our experience we saw that the bus/van lanes would be zipping through the traffic while those in cars would be bumper to bumper. We were able to get our van service which took us to Legoland from Singapore and back for only SGD 119 each for a group of 7 people including the entrance to Legoland and Sanrio Town. For those on a budget and are a bit more adventurous you can take the Bus routes as taking a cab from Singapore to bring you to Legoland will most likely cost you a fortune not counting the traffic. I would recommend to try out the travel and tours group called WTS Travel and Tours to book your Legoland Adventure, they'll require you to make a trip to Woodland Singapore which is quite a distance from Orchard. 

It was quite fun to be honest when we had to Hop Off to get through Singapore Immigration to get our exit stamps then Hop On again to cross the bridge over to the Malaysian side to get stamped for entry into Malaysia. The lines at both immigration were pretty quick and they seem quite used to the influx of people that come from either side of the border.

Once we got to Legoland Malaysia, our major concern at first was where to get to change money into RM from SGD. Luckily for us there were several establishments that accepted Singapore Dollars as payment though the exchange rate would most likely be a bit higher than the going market value. Legoland itself would accept Singapore or RM for payment of items that you would wish to buy. There aren't that many restaurants at the mall outside of Legoland but they all seem quite good enough to satisfy a hungry traveler for lunch and prices are generally quite cheaper than what one would normally spend for lunch in Singapore.

We had gone to Legoland Malaysia on a Saturday and was expecting a long line, such as that of what we experienced in Universal Studios Singapore, but to our surprise there wasn't a line at all. To be honest, we were even surprised that there wasn't that many people at the Legoland Theme park considering the massive size of the place. One thing to take note of though is that we realized how extremely hot the place was and had to buy umbrellas each as protection from the sun. If you brought your kids with you, I would strongly recommend preparing to bring a cap and other protective gear as they would most likely suffer from the immense heat of the place.

The rest of what I experienced you'll find from the photos below:


This is the entrance to Legoland, as you can see there was hardly anyone at the entrance considering that this is a popular travel destination. I guess we might have gotten lucky on this weekend. 

You'd get to see many of these Lego people in the entire Theme Park, all of which are quite amusing and of course deems a self photo to show them off. 
This was our first stop when we entered into Legoland, as we realized how extremely hot and humid the place was. Here we got ourselves an umbrella with the Lego logo on it and couple of drinks to keep us from getting dehydrated as we prepare to explore the massive place. 
This was quite an amusing Lego Person as you get to sit beside him, you'll hear his subtle snore as he sleeps off the heat wave of Legoland. 

Luckily we got to get a photo op with a Lego Mascot for the day and he seemed quite jolly enough to be candid with us Lego Crazy people. 

The Lego shop was quite a treat for us all, It provided us a place to grab items that we had been looking for here in the Philippines at a much cheaper price and at the same time provide us with a cool shelter from the heat wave outside. (We have noted though that between Legoland Malaysia and Singapore Toy stores, The Toy Stores in Singapore seem to be a bit lower in pricing for several of the items plus GST, so if you are shopping check first in Singapore before heading off here to compare)

The first ride we took was the Lego Train that would take us around Legoland allowing us a preview of what is to come of our Legoland Adventure. 

It just couldn't be helped, the heat wave was unbearable for many. Though once the trees have fully matured am sure this wont be much of a problem. Be sure to grab a map at the Legoland store to help with directions. Here we are heading to the Legland Train Station. 

Along the way we got to see some of the cool attractions such as this boat Legoland boat ride

Your kids can also stop over at this place to get to learn how to drive a Lego Car - Sorry for you older folks, this is a kids only zone as their cars won't be able to accommodate a full grown adult. I got envious too hehe

Here we all are waiting for our Lego Train to bring us around. As you can see we all made sure that we were wearing the Lego colors to proudly show how much of a legonatic we all were :) 

More photo ops as we get to rest our legs a bit and take in the scenic view of Legoland
In the train ride we already get to see a glimpse of the different Lego city structures to visit later within the day. We decided to wait till late in the afternoon to walk around that place to avoid getting a heat stroke.

Who is this peeping tom? On the train ride I was able to capture this naughty voyeur as he tries to peep around for birds :) pretty cool Lego People can be found all around Legoland, best to keep an eye out for them.

The train gave us a better view of the Lego Boat Ride. Its a good workout, just watch the heat.
Here you get to see the kids getting ready for their driving lessons. Pretty amazing course and I think it is a lot of fun, just wish they did one for the older kids like me :) 

There are also lots of playgrounds for kids to enjoy if ever the parents want to rest up a bit and recover from all that walking. Though cause of the heat that day I don't think anyone was up for game of chase and slide at that moment.

Meet Mr. Lego Chef, he'll be the Lego person welcoming you to his restaurant run by the ever trusty Lego Crew, Food here is good enough for the hungry. It also is a good shelter from the heat while giving its diners a place to rest up a bit before heading out further into Legoland

Here is another Lego person that wants to say hi. He's in-charge of construction and supplies. Dont forget to greet him when you get to Legoland Malaysia too.

As you can see, there are many lego people working away to make sure you have a good lunch :) The place does get a bit full, but finding a place to sit down isn't so hard and people seem to be quite friendly.
Lego Chef is playing around with me as I prepare to head off to the rest of Legoland. Dont forget to say hi to him too when you get there. 

This is every boy's dream, to be able to use a lego forklift :) Plus its a good photo opportunity :) 

There is usually a live Lego Show though for this day unfortunately we didn't get to watch. 

Here you get to see the very diligent Lego Fire Men, though dont expect them to relieve you from the  heatwave, that's something you'll have to deal with yourself :) 
Kids can get to ride the Lego Plane here as it spins around in a merry go round fashion to their hearts content.

The Lost Kingdom Adventure was what we all were eagerly willing to ride as here you get to compete with your comrades with the most number of points from the laser shooting ride. Dont expect much though in terms of scream fest as this is not one that'll be bouncing you around. 

Ancient Lego Relics always give a good reason to stop and get your photo game face on :) Especially since the line tends to be a bit long for this ride. 



Aha!! Who is this naughty Lego Explorer trying to hide from us :) 

Think the Egyptologists can figure out what this Ancient Lego Civilization was trying to convey to us unweary mortals? :) 
The river log ride is something you shouldn't miss, though do prepare ahead of time as you will most definitely get wet.
Another Ancient Lego Relic, pretty well done, wonder how many centuries did it take to make :) 

There are many adventure games with prizes all over Legoland that you and your family can try out. Some offer a guarantee that you'll go home with a prize. To play you'll have to spend though as this isn't covered in your ticket. 
Here we head off to the land of imagination as our next adventure would be leading us to the the 4D theater. 

Poly want a Lego? :) These too make funny noises but is quite amusing even for the older kids like me :) 

Here you can find that there is a day care area for your younger kids just in case you'll need to go off on the rides that require you to be of adult size :) 
Goofing around as we explore the many lego structures of Animals and Dinosaurs in the Area of Imagination.

Watch out for this one as that Dino sprays water :) 


Off to 4D theater, there are different shows every hour I believe but we simply watched just one. It was a great place to get cooled off literally and figuratively once inside. Just watch your gadgets as things could get a little wet inside.
Here we are to get a tower view of Legoland. It spins a full 360 degrees once you get to the peak of the tower. So if you are afraid of heights, this shouldn't be part of your agenda. 

Time for another photo opportunity as we rise to the top literally :) 
The view is quite amazing as you get to see the whole area from up top. 





Next stop was a place to rest up a bit and get to play around with some lego blocks. Here you get to build your lego structures, race them or even test the lego building you've made with their earthquake simulator.






This is the earthquake testing booth. Here Lego Builders get to put their structures to the test. You can adjust the magnitude and intensity of the quake and watch as you hope that your structure gets to hold strong.
This one is a ride where you literally have to pull up your own weight. I suggest to use gloves to avoid getting blisters but still quite fun especially when you reach the top and let it all go :) 

As the others prepare to pull their own weight, I got some time to goof around with Mr. Kangaroo Jack. :) 
Here you can see my friends arguing/strategizing on who gets to pull first :) 
A quick photo opportunity settles the dispute, at least for the mean time :) 
Hello to everyone from Mr Lego Blacksmith. :) He has taken time out from his busy schedule to allow me the opportunity to get this shot with him :) 

Here we go the land of the Green Dragon. This is where you can catch the Green Dragon Ride that is sure to get your adrenaline pumping. There is also a Wee Market Place for your Lego Buying pleasure. 

Haha my friend is an expert photo bomber :) 

Enter the Castle to tame the Green Dragon if you dare :) 
Nothing better than a cold wet towel to cool off from the heat wave of the day. 


This is my last thrill ride of the day :) Trust me I found myself screaming all throughout the ride.

You get to check out the Lego Robotics here at Mindstorms, right Mr  Lego Robo? :) 

Presenting Project X of Technic, the Roller Coaster ride that just made me leave my stomach somewhere up there :) 
Mr Legopuss looking onward as I bravely take my step into the what would be my last ride of the day. 
It was those wicked turns that just left me feeling like I would be hanging on to dear life :) 
We just had to get our photo with the Lego Master Artist :) 

The following are the amazing Lego Structures that just amazed us all. It was all so life like and well built. The details with each collection was incredibly accurate to what one would see in the real world.




I just couldn't resist, had to have myself included, It really makes it look like i'm on top of a building somewhere with these buildings down below :) 
I just love the detail on even the smallest things :) 
Now I really feel like I went to Malaysia :) 



Amazing how life like the structures are. 


Lego People busy with road repairs :) 



The Real Life Construction in the background just adds more to the life like lego structures being displayed here in Legoland Malaysia
Sad, no Cebu Pacific or Philippine Airlines here. But this Airport Lego Structure is simply amazing.


I felt like a shipping mogul with this shot :) Amazing detail for everything from ship to crates :) 



The Taj Mahal was my favorite of all the Lego Structures 

Just like I was really in Singapore :) 

Looks almost like the real Tiananmen Square
My Favorite of them all, wishing to get the chance to go there soon.

I love this Thai Temple Lego Structure, it looks so serene and even the Angkor Wat temple below is just as amazing.



Of course it wouldn't be complete with a little old school seaport :) just watch out for pirates!!!
Beautiful Rendition of a European Fishing Village

The actual Construction in the backdrop just makes things look

This is my second Fave (a little bit biased but heck it represent the Philippines) You have got to admit it does bring out that back water charm that most fishing villages have in the Philippines.
I really loved Legoland, the only downside to it all was just the heat and lack of cover and protection from the harsh elements. Had it rained that day it would have been a downer. Thankfully it didn't rain that day and the afternoon came to Legoland quickly. Would I recommend this to everyone? I would probably recommend it to those that haven't been to Legoland in Europe, and of course to Lego Fanatics. I also wouldn't set the standards too high in terms of theme park expectations as given that it is still new and there is still a bit of learning curve for both the staff and the fact that the place still needs a bit of sprucing up. Overall it was a pleasant experience for all of us.

Till Next Time...

-Metz-