1 FOOTMARK AT HONG KONG'S OCEAN PARK

While you enjoyed the new culture and new environment, sometimes you no longer feel that days had been passed. I couldn’t believe that the last moment has just arrived. It was our last and the fourth day of our Hong Kong tour. Therefore it was ended with a visit in Ocean Park.

Before we left Manila, I was given the chance to choose either Disneyland or Ocean Park. So I chose Disneyland since we already have our own version of Ocean Park. I need to choose between the two for a reason that we were beneath of shoestring. Apparently the wheel had changed.

HOW TO GET THERE:

They say, early bird catches the worm so we left the guesthouse around 8 in the morning. We rode an MTR from Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) to Admiralty then took exit B to get to City Bus Route 629 few meters away from MTR hub. Fare was HK$10 and it took us approximately one hour travel. Although Ocean Park is not too far from Admiralty but we were stuck underneath Monday morning madness.

OPENING HOURS AND PRICES:

As early birds, we arrived in Ocean Park around 9:30am before the gate opens. Although countless people were waiting but still manageable. Ocean Park opening hours are 10am – 7pm Monday to Saturday and 930am – 7pm during Sunday and Holidays. Admission price is HK$280 for adults and HK$140 for child ages 3-11. Admission fee includes all the facilities except for skill games and coin-operated games. And since we have Ate Yolly (a Filipino caretaker) in the house,  she gave us “again” a discounted price. Our tix price is HK$255 each.

Ocean Square greeted us with out of these world sea creatures. They look so differently, an offspring of an octopus father and a butterfly mother. It is a combination of land and water animals, truly an imaginative piece of art.

And the bill rang, turnstiles were rolling in deep, people stomps their feet – a sign that the gate has just opened. I grabbed the theme map and schedules of the shows then quickly swipe my ticket. Ocean Park is divided into two major parks, the Waterfront and the Summit. The Waterfront is majority for the kids, minor rides and Lowland Gardens while the Summit is where the deathifying rides and marine world.

Walking forward from the main entrance is the Aqua City Lagoon where a wide-ranging Dancing Fountains in the middle that truly spectacular during the night with colourful lightings and the groove of music. On the sides is the UFO like Grand Aquarium, Giant Panda Habitat, and Amazing Asian Animals.

But what we excited the most is too see the Giant Pandas. Male Panda named An An and female called Jia Jia. They’re big as mine and cute as mine. It was feeding time so lucky us to see how greedy they are. They were just seating over the bermuda while showing their big bellies and busy chewing the bamboo leaves. We spent couple of minutes watching their activities. 

  

Their place is cold compared to other animal attractions, maybe Pandas lives in freezing ambience. While watching, I roamed around and saw this Red Panda. The first word came out from my mouth was Musang. It appears to be but Musang (“Civet” in English) is completely different from Red Panda. 

After spending couple of minutes watching these huggable Pandas, we decided to visit the Summit. We no longer spent our time at the waterfront since our second preference is to experience the deathtifying and thrilling rides. There are two ways to get to the summit from Lowland (Waterfront) either Cable Car or Ocean Express Tram. We took the Cable car to see some of the panoramic views of the bays and the surrounding islands as part of South China Sea. Aside from that it is also an opportunity to see how wide the Ocean Park is. Another 360° view from the top of the mountain.

The Cable Car is 1.5 kilometre from Waterfront to Summit and it takes 15 minutes ride. Each cabin has a room of 6 people. However the queue wasn’t too heavy so we acquired the cabin just the two of us back and forth. No awkward feeling, I can do whatever I want unlike our Ngong Ping experience.

And who would be able to refuse this kinda landscape. You have all the panoramic background –  the bay, the yacht, the island, and the calm sea water. 

As the cable car approaching to the summit terminus, a yellow-red chuckled ride becomes visible. It’s a Hair Raiser that will truly knock your intestines out. I admit I love intense rides just like our own Space Shuttle but this is one is very dreadful. I dunno how many rounds we had but it’s a great experience. Ocean Park adventure is not complete without riding this Hair Raiser. I must say!

To take our dizziness off courtesy of scatter-brained ride, we visited the rainforest. I saw the different rainforest species. There different type of birds tweeting their shoutouts, biggest spider ever, yellow and red foot tortoise, green iguana and many more species. Showing on the photos are the Green Tree Python that normally be found in Asian countries and the smallest Monkey – the “Pygmy Marmoset”. I haven’t seen our Philippine Tarsier yet so I don’t know which is the smallest. But in category of smallest monkey in the world, it remains a toss-up between the Philippine Tarsier or Pygmy Marmoset.

Pygmy Marmoset, as small as Yakult bottle.

Green Tree Pythin, I like the way he rolled his body. Perfect!

As the time arrived for the next show, we then hurriedly going to Ocean Theatre. Please don’t forget to get your maps on the entrance. We entered the theatre and a lot of people were excited for the Dolphin and Sea Lion show. We were drained under the direct sun light and couple of minutes later; we were wowed by the Dolphins. It seems like a live theatre act with the talented Dolphins.

Sea Lions as well never left behind. They welcome guests with their aerobics bodies while clapping their hands. Look at this one, I don't think I can do this.

After the show, we filled our hunger. We supposed to eat at McDonalds but unfortunately another long queue was served so we better consumed our Pringles, Chocolates and a bottle of water. Good thing we brought them. Now if you’re asking me if it’s allowed to bring foods and drinks. I really don’t know. All I know they never check our bags.

Next was heading to another ride. We visited the second longest outdoor escalator in the world. It stretched over 225m, from Marine World down to Adventure Land. Then another brain-wracking ride courtesy of Raging River, Space Wheel, The Dragon and more. 

The second longest outdoor escalator in the world.

Once again, I feel like lightheaded and fainted. So we proceed to a cold place of the Sea Jelly. Featuring the different sizes and species of sea jellies. Also comes in different colours courtesy of lighting effect from a clear-see-through jelly fish.  

Afterwards we decided to leave the Summit to visit the Grand Aquarium. At the same time I feel like super hungry. After touching down the Waterfront from another cable car ride we went straight to the state-of-the-art aquatic attractions. There were queues but not very long so I still have the patience.

At this point, camera flash is strictly prohibited.

There are plenty of aquariums inside with fishes classified according to their sizes. When you are inside, it seems like you belong to the sea world. The Aquarium will quickly bring you to the depth of the ocean and witness the living species in the darkness of seas. I think the biggest species I have ever seen in the world’s largest acrylic dome is the Giant Oceanic Manta Ray that glides above your head. 

We seated in front of this largest aquarium, took some rest from our tremendous rides experience. Then going back home, I was very hungry that time.

Ocean Park is the best theme park housing all the attractions, from small species to the biggest ones. Ocean Park is not just for the kids and the oldies but also for the adults where extreme rides situated on the top of the mountain.

The reason why we changed our minds to choose Ocean Park than the Disneyland because of the rides. Although Disney is Enchanting and Magical but Ocean Park offers the best attractions and rides wise. However there’s still a reason why going back to Hong Kong.

Of course.

The Magical World of DISNEYLAND!