Snoopy fever in Hong Kong

HONG KONG – Let’s take a quick poll: would those among you who have never heard of Snoopy, Charlie Brown, or any of the other “Peanuts” characters, please raise the third arm growing from the middle of your forehead?

Yes, I’m that confident that everybody is familiar with at least one of Charles M. Schulz’s lovable comic strip creations. Long after Schulz has passed away—he died in February of 2000—”Peanuts” remains one of the most popular comic strips known to kids and adults alike.

In a city that goes crazy over cute, it isn’t surprising that Hong Kong is home to two attractions dedicated to the long lasting comic. For those of you who are planning a quick trip to Hong Kong this summer, you may want to consider pit stops at these places.

Snoopy’s World

There is a children’s playground called Snoopy’s World located in the New Town Plaza shopping mall at Sha Tin, New Territories. Although the number of attractions is quite limited (please do not expect an amusement park, it is only a big playground), entrance is free of charge.

Although only the most rabid of adult fans may find the trip to Snoopy’s World worth it (and even they will probably stay for only ten minutes at best), those of you who have kids should probably plan to stay a while longer. There’s a lot to see here from a kid’s perspective. From the moment you step through Snoopy’s doghouse—which serves as the playground’s entrance—you are welcomed into a colorful play area filled with images of the world of Charlie Brown and the “Peanuts” gang.

There are the requisite ladders, slides, and monkey bars, along with a US-style bright yellow school bus for children to play in. And finally, there is a short boat ride where you can enjoy the company of a Snoopy statue as your boatman. If you can forgive the knock-off quality of some of the sculptures and statues, both young and old who adore the “Peanuts” troop could find that it’s worth the trip.

 

Charlie Brown Café

Since Snoopy’s World is located in New Territories, it is quite a distance from the usual sites visited by Filipino tourists in Hong Kong. For those who aren’t willing to make the trip all the way up north, you can get your Snoopy fix much closer to the city center.

Right in the heart of the Tsimshatsui shopping district in Kowloon, the usual stomping ground of Filipino visitors, there is a quaint little Peanuts-themed café called—surprise surprise—The Charlie Brown Café.

It may be that the café owners purposely don’t put too much sugar into their pastries, because the place itself is saccharine sweet. If you’re diabetic, you may need an extra dose of insulin just by coming in.

 

There is Peanut fever everywhere you turn. The walls are lined with figurines, pictures, and comic strips. The drinks and cakes are topped with the characters. Even the bathroom is decked with the stuff. There is no escaping the cuteness of the Peanuts gallery here!

The café has been in business since 2006, so you can be certain many Pinoy tourists have already chanced upon it. If only for the novelty, this place is a gem of a find and a definite must-see for kids and weary shoppers who need a quick respite from the crowded alleyways and shopping malls of Kowloon.

There are several possible reasons for the longevity of Schulz’s classic comic. It’s the artwork for some, the trademark “good grief” or “you blockhead” for others. You might, like me, be fascinated by the fact that each character has such a well-defined and consistent personality. It’s easy to relate to at least one of them, which endears the entire gang to millions around the world.

Why not celebrate some of this love for “Peanuts” by visiting at least one of these Hong Kong sites? You won’t regret it.

Take a virtual ride on Snoopy’s boat here:

 – Rappler.com

 About the author

There is the helicopter parent, the negligent parent, and then there’s Michael Gohu Yu. A doting father one minute and Homer Simpson the next, his writing on parenting reflects themes ranging from the humorous to the heartwarming. Whichever the case, though, he always aims to entertain parents of all ages.