Seeing Asia in a glance at Lego Let's go Asia exhibit

Most probably most of us got hooked with Lego blocks when we were young or perhaps until now?  I admit that sometimes I do play Lego blocks with my kids.  I still enjoy assembling those pieces of blocks and find joy and satisfaction that I was able to build a complicated piece just by looking at the sample on the Lego box. 

When me and my hubby went out on a date last Sunday for his birthday treat for me, we happen to pass by a Lego display exhibit at The Block, SM City North EDSA.  I would have not have the interest to get close to the display because we have not brought the kids with us, but when I had a glimpse of what was being exhibited in the barricaded area, my enthusiasm ignited and more so my wanderlust striked me.

What we saw are replicas of iconic landmarks and structures from different countries in Asia.  I was impressed by those structures at how they were intricately formed from pieces of Lego blocks.  I just couldn’t imagine how much time and effort they spent in order to finish one replica.

Here are the eight iconic landmarks in Asia on display:

Himeji Castle of Japan, regarded as the finest surviving Japanese architecture 

Taj Mahal of India, regarded as one of the eight wonders of the world due to its unsurpassed architectural beauty

Rizal Monument of the Philippines

Wat Mahathat of Thailand.  Regarded as one of the ten royal temples of the highest class in Bangkok.

Merlion of Singapore.  A landmark which personifies Singapore.

Taipei 101, skyscraper of Taiwan which is one of the tallest building in the world.

I couldn’t help myself being amazed and at the same time entertained, just by looking at each structure.  I was happy to be brought back again to some of those places that I was able to see in real life, likewise, I also enjoy looking at and admiring the others, and somehow imagining that someday I will also be able to visit those iconic landmarks that I haven’t seen yet such as Taj Mahal, Taipei 101, Great Wall of China, Himeji Castle of Japan and Wat Mahathat of Thailand.

You can watch these Lego structures on exhibit free, tagged as “Let’s Go Asia” until June 7 at The Block, SM City North EDSA, 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. mall hours.

Visiting the Legendary Hero at Mactan Shrine

Lapu-Lapu

     While Manila has Rizal park with Dr. Jose Rizal’s statue holding a book, in Cebu they have Lapu-Lapu shrine.  Both are iconic monument which represents a significant mark in the history of the Philippines.  If you are a first time visitor in Cebu City the first thing a tourist guide would tell you is about the history of Lapu-Lapu, the mighty Filipino warrior who fought for freedom from Portuguese colonizer headed then by Ferdinand Magellan, who died in battle from Lapu-Lapu’s sword.  So there, at Mactan shrine the Cebuanos, locals of Cebu, made a replica of him by building a bronze statue of Lapu-Lapu years ago,  which I guess twice his size, wearing necklace made of wild animals fangs, round gold earrings, and a ‘bahag’ male lower garment and holding his battle sword and shield which symbolizes his bravery.

Started 2014 with a visit to a historic site in Manila

Fort Santiago

     I started New year 2014 by visiting one of the historic sites of Manila which is Intramuros.  Together with my family on January 1, 2014 we explored the old Spanish streets and buildings that are mostly closed for the holiday.  We sought for the two oldest churches in San Augustine and Manila Cathedral in the assumptions that they may be open for Catholic patrons to pray and tourists who want to witness the grandiose structure inside but we were sorry that they too were closed, but we couldn’t hide away from admiring the massive structure that are stoned art and heavily carved on its walls and pillars.   So we moved on forward to the nearest tourist destination inside Intramuros which is Fort Santiago.