Removed

My blog has moved!

You will be automatically redirected to the new address. If that does not occur, visit
http://myjourneystories.com
and update your bookmarks.

Pages

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Madame Tussaud 杜莎夫人蜡像馆 – Hong Kong, China




       Who is your favorite celebrity? One of my favorite singers is Jay Zhou, a Chinese multi-talented musician who not only sings but also creates his own songs. In fact, a common person like me would hardly meet with him face to face. I myself totally have no problem with this, but there are many people out there who are crazy about their idols that they would do whatever it takes to meet with their stars. Have you ever imagined yourself meeting with many celebrities and famous people in one place? Hong Kong Madame Tussaud can help make your dream come true by connecting you with your favorite celebrities even though they are their wax counterparts. At least you could have some pictures with the image of your favorite star and boast it to your friends that you have met with your real idol instead… haha… that would be deceiving.

        After enjoying the view of Hong Kong skyline at the Sky Terrace, Michelle and I climbed down the elevator to go to the next attraction, which is Madame Tussaud. The place is so famous for its collection of wax replicas of famous celebrities and influential people. Inspired by the original Madame Tussaud in London, the Hong Kong’s branch gives celebrity enthusiasts to hang out with their favorite celebrities (well, actually their wax counterparts). This is the place where you can see the candle sculptures of famous people. You could then have a personal experience with your favorite stars. It is open daily from 10 am to 10 pm. If you visit Hong Kong, a visit to this wax museum must be on your top priority list.

  
IMG_0999
     
        Situated inside a mall at the Peak Tower on Hong Kong island, Madame Tussaud was originally found by a French female artist called Marie Tussaud. Marie Tussaud was a very talented artist with her most famous artwork in wax products. The Hong Kong Madame Tussaud, which was opened in 2000, is the first and one of the two permanent Madame Tussaud museums in Asia besides the newly opened branch in Shanghai, which was opened in 2006. Since its first opening, it has drawn attention of numerous visitors from all over the world. Having just been enlarged and revitalized, it is definitely worth a visit.
         The Hong Kong Madame Tussaud houses nearly 100 wax figures of internationally famous people. Each wax statue resembles the real look of celebrity and reflects the personality of each individual. The figure’s head is made of wax, hands of mould, and hair of real human hair that is inserted strand by strand, making the wax figures look like the real people. More than one third of the total figures are Asian. The figures are arranged in a series of totally interactive themed settings spread over three floors such as Hong Kong Glamour, Music Icons, Historical and National Heroes, the Champions and World Premiere. In the Hong Kong Glamour section, you can mingle with Chinese celebrities, wear fashionable clothes and have your photo taken. If you like music, the Music section must be very interesting. In this section, you could sing a song with your favorite celebrity and get a chance to be on stage with them. What an experience! If you are a history person, visit the Historical and National Heroes, where you can dress up as one of the members of the royal family of Britain or stand in a podium giving speech with the Barack Obama standing beside you. Go to the World Premiere section where you can perform a part of a film with Hollywood stars. In the Champions exhibit section, you can meet with world champions and take picture with them.
        This uniquely-celebrity inspired attraction connects connects guests with famous people, famous events and famous times. You could stop by a figure and take a photo with him or her, and then stroll through to other celebrities and mingle with them. This Hong Kong branch features 9 categories, including Hollywood Stars, Asian Stars, Cultural Figures, Sports Stars, Pop Stars, Royalty Members, World Leaders, Fashion Icons, and Kung Fu Stars. Some of the Kung Fu stars that draw many people’s attention are Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee, and Michelle Yeoh. Fashion icons are Elle Macpherson, Naomi Campbell. Some famous world leaders include Donald Tsang, Barack Obama, Hu Jintao, Deng Xiao Ping, Mao Zedong, Mahatma Gandhi, Wen Jiabao, Lee Kwan Yew. Some royalty members are Diana, Queen Elizabeth II, HRH The Duke of Edir. Pop stars include Teresa Teng, Anita Mui, Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, Beatles, Madonna, Miriam Yeung, Joey Yung. Sports star are Lee Lai Shan, Liu Xiang, Yao Ming, David Beckham, Ronaldinho, Muhammad Ali. Cultural figures are like Madam Tussauds, Pablo Picasso, Mozard, Luciano Pavarotti, Rembrandt van Rijn. Hollywood stars are Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp, Harrison Ford, Marilyn Monroe, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Jodie Foster. Some Asian stars are Aaron Kwok, Bae Yong Joon, Leslie Cheung, Andy Lau, Leon Lai, Connie Chan, Cecilia Cheung, Kelly Chen, Barbie Hsu, Louis Koo.

IMG_0994I was welcomed with a flash of camera lights on the wall. The camera will automatically flash whenever someone walks by. The first statue that I encountered was the legendary Kung Fu actor, Jackie Chan with his typical smiling face. However, to get his picture, you must pay an extra fee because many people want to take picture with him.



IMG_0992I and the famous Kung Fu female star, Michelle Yeoh, taking picture together …. :p

IMG_0999
Do you know who Lang Lang is? My brother is a fans of him. Lang Lang is a very talented Chinese pianist.

 

IMG_1017Aaron Kwok, the Cantonpop king, is one of the statue that draws most people’s attention


IMG_1022The first time I saw this statue, I found it very cute. However, I don’t know the name of this celebrity. Does anyone know?


        Besides the wax statues, there is also a challenging chamber called “Scream”, which is a scare attraction located next to the World Premiere section. In London Madame Tussaud, the similar chamber is called Chamber of Horrors. The Scream is a darkened asylum with insane inmates that challenges you to take a perilous journey in a scary situation. While taking your steps moving forward in a darkened room accompanied by scary screaming, notorious villains, most dangerous criminals and killers, you cannot help trembling with fear.  It tests your mental and physical abilities. If you are strong enough, you can escape from the asylum. If not, then you will stay in the asylum and become its permanent resident. haha… I myself did not enter this chamber.

IMG_1028I and my favorite Chinese musician, Jay Zhou…But I was a bit disappointed with his statue for it looks uglier than the real person.


IMG_1034

 
IMG_1038Lady Diana has always been one of inspiring women for me. Of course, I will never be able to meet her again after her death. But, Madame Tussaud gave me at least an opportunity to take picture with her image.


IMG_1044It’s hard to believe, I met with the former President of the United States, Mr. Clinton… Wow


IMG_1046Taking picture with the legendary Indian revolutionist, Mahatma Gandhi, must be an unforgettable experience.


IMG_1061
When I was in college, my literature lecture always asked me to read Shakespeare’s writings. And here, I met directly with him, at least his wax replica. This picture reminds me of his great literature artworks.


IMG_1064I entered the room, found a hat, and wore it. And here is the result. I didn’t know the name of this group. Do you know?


IMG_1069An experience like no other!!! Standing on a President’s podium giving a speech while being watched by the President of the United States, Barrack Obama.


IMG_1073Did you know that I am actually the lost Princess of the Royal Family of Britain? haha…


IMG_1076The President is very tall that I am only at his shoulder level… huhu…


IMG_1108Can you believe this picture? I am with the famous football player, David Beckham


IMG_1116Taking picture with the world’s most famous and legendary pop King, Michael Jackson. However, it makes me wonder why his statue is much darker than its original person.


IMG_1117Taking picture with the legendary boy band, The Beatles


IMG_1120I was on the same stage with the famous Madonna


IMG_1121Taking picture with the famous Twins. Do you notice who is the most beautiful girl here? hehe

IMG_1125你问我爱你有多深, 我爱你有几分, 我的情也真, 我的爱也真, 月亮代表我的心
That is one of my favorite Chinese songs, sung by the legendary Taiwanese singer, Teresa Teng. After her death, many of her songs became very popular.



        I did not take picture with all statues in the wax museum for there are too many of them. Although I am not a big fans of anyone, visiting Madame Tussaud really gave me another exciting experience I cannot find in my home country. I think one of the best ways to commemorate an important or famous person is by keeping their image alive in the form of wax-statue.  And this is something my country, Indonesia, has to learn from a small yet influential city like Hong Kong.




Sources:
Personal experience and additional information from other online articles

0 komentar:

Post a Comment