Day 4: Of Pandas and Sea Creatures - Ocean Park Hong Kong (Part 6 of 8)

Part 6 of 8
April 7, 2013
Ocean Park Hong Kong

When I was creating our itinerary for this Hong Kong trip, I made sure I wouldn't miss visiting the Pandas in Hong Kong. It was the nearest and most convenient country where I can see these gentle giants.

We settled in our hostel almost midnight, but I made sure my friends and I will get up at 6am to get to Ocean Park early in the morning. We don't have to line up for the tickets, since we already got ones from a ticketing agent.

Getting to Ocean Park

1. Take MTR from Mongkok to Admiralty.
2. Get off Admiralty station, exit station (follow the signs)
3. Take the Shuttle Bus 629 to Ocean Park (HKD 10.5, Octopus card accepted)

Bus 629 that will take you directly to Ocean Park

At the Ocean Park

This is the more organized park than Disneyland. There are separate counters for those who have their vouchers already, those who have their annual pass and for same-day purchases. Since we have our vouchers already, we just presented them and the actual tickets are handed to us.

Ticket Counters

Our first stop is the Grand Aquarium. Similar to the Manila Ocean Park, different sea creatures can be found here - from stone fishes to seahorses to rays and even a whole tube dedicated solely for milkfishes, aka bangus- glittering as the sun shines on them.

The Grand Aquarium

Parrot fishes

Dory!

Spider crabs

Manta Ray

I insisted that we go to the Amazing Asian Animals - where my favorite animal is in - Pandas! It is just a small place, where you can see the Giant Panda and the Red Panda.

Red Panda

Giant Panda

After the Amazing Asian Animals, we watched the Sealions at the Whiskers Theatre, right outside the Panda stations.

The Talking Tree

The flexible Sea Lion

Goldfishes

Ocean Park is relatively a large park, with other attractions at the upper part of the area. You can basically take the Ocean Express - their own tram up to the Thrill Mountain or take the cable car. We dissed the cable car, cause one experience is enough - I don't want to go with that same feeling again. :(

At the top of the mountain, rides are everywhere. There are roller coasters and more thrilling rides. If you are more into adventures and adrenalin rush, you can visit Ocean Park at your first day and Disneyland at your last.

Flash - the ride that will definitely not for the lighthearted. It will rock from side to side, and turn 180 degrees from the floor, with your feet up.

Hair raiser - roller coaster with loop

Loop and loop

Pacific Blast - Edge Coaster

Aside from the rides, South Pole adventures is also situated at the top of the mountain, where you can see the penguins, walruses, sea lions and white foxes.

Penguins: Do the Happy Feet Dance

Snow foxes

Walrus

The Mermaid - Sea Lions. 

Rainforest is basically a walking station where you can see various food stalls and mini-rides as well.

By 4:00 in the afternoon, we were on our way back to Mongkok where we will meet my Tita and bound for another destination.


Travel tips:

1. Be as early as possible. There are Ocean Park mascots where you can get your pictures taken with. Being early means you avoid the long lines.

2. Get a copy of the map. It will not only serve as a souvenir, but will make sure you don't get lost in the park.

3. You can spend a half day in Ocean Park - if you are not into the rides and would like to see the animals only. Long lines will definitely take much of your time. (My friends lined up at the Polar Express, and I decided to walk around, I was able to visit 3 more attractions they missed. I was able to return before they exited the ride.)

4. Bring umbrellas. There are no covered walkways in the Thrill Mountain, you will need umbrellas to protect you from the rain and the sun.

Day 3: A Massive Post on Lutong Macau (Part 5 of 8)

Part 5 of 8
April 6, 2013
Macau


The weather did not improve until our third day in Hong Kong. The night before, we decided that we would leave our hostel as early as 6am, so we can return early to Hong Kong as well. But because of all the walking the we did in Disneyland, we eventually left at 7:30am.

I don't really know where did the phrase "Lutong Macau" came - is it because of their famous food like beef jerky and egg tarts or is it more of the Casinos that can be found in this City?


How to Get to HK-Macau Ferry Terminal

1. From Mongkok, take the MTR to Admiralty.
2. Change MTR line at Admiralty to Sheung Wan.
3. Using the mall elevators, proceed to the 3rd floor of the mall. Ferry tickets can be purchased at the terminal.

We got the 8:45 sailing to Macau. Good thing it was not raining that hard, and the waters are quite bearable. After an hour, we arrived at the Maritime Ferry Terminal in Macau, passed through a quick immigration process and we found ourselves to have new passport stamps. :) After the arrivals area, we proceeded to the visitors office to get Macau maps. Although HK Dollars are widely accepted in Macau, we will decided to change some for transportation fares. We went to the 3rd floor of the ferry terminal, exchanged our HK dollars to MOP at 0.96 rate.

Start of the Macau Tour

We finally exited the Ferry Terminal and proceeded to the Bus station (turn right after exiting), we took Bus 10A to A-Ma temple. Pay MOP 3.2 upon getting on the bus. The last stop of the bus is at the A-Ma temple, so you won't miss it.

Our walking tour itinerary:

Our walking tour started at the A-Ma temple:

The Maritime Museum Entrance

A-Ma temple

to Moonrish Barracks - after exiting the A-Ma temple, take the small road at its right.

Moonrish Barracks from afar

Walk straight ahead passing by the Lilau Square, St. Lawrence Church, St. Joseph's Church, Don Pedro V Theatre, St. Augustine's Church, Sir Robert Tung Library, Leal Senado and Senado Square.

Lilau Square

St. Lawrence Church

Don Pedro V Theatre

St. Augustine's Church

Directional signs everywhere. You won't get lost.

St. Joseph Seminary and Church

Sir Robert Tung Library

Cross the street to the famous Senado Square and we proceeded to the sample street, where you can get free taste of almost everything, most especially their famous beef jerky.

Leal Senado

The Macao Tourism Office

St. Dominic's Church

Situated at the top of a hill, you can see the Ruins of St. Paul, where the customary foreign shot should be taken. You can take picture at the bottom of the stairs, so you can capture the whole of the Ruins, or at the top of the stairs, to avoid other tourists.

The Ruins of St. Paul Church

At the right of the Ruins, you can see Mount Fortress. We climbed to the top of the spot, overlooking the whole of Macau.

Canons at Mount Fortress

We went down again, at the left side of the Ruins, you can see the Section of Old City Walls (which was under renovation when we passed by) and the Na Cha Temple.

A view from Below: Ruins of St. Paul

Na Cha Temple

Casino hopping

I checked out yet again several UNESCO heritage site for this Macau trip, well, Macau is a whole city of UNESCO sites. Moving on the historical sites, Macau is also known for its casinos, they are mostly situated at the other side of Macau, quite far from the Historical Sites.

Aside from being a Casino haven, you can tour around Macau by utilizing the casino's free shuttle. Since we liked to save money for shopping, we tried this type of hopping.

Grand Lisboa

We walked from Leal Senado (passing by the Grand Lisboa) to Wynn casino to catch their bus to Galaxy Macau. Quite a long walk, but still, the transport is free so we went along.

A Lady Monument we passed by. 

Macau Space and Science Museum

In Galaxy Macau, you can find their Wishing Crystals exhibit, and I honestly, I did a quick wishing at the crystals. It was our first time inside a casino, so we entered the play area as well. 

The Galaxy Macau and Wishing Crystals Exhibit

We transferred from Galaxy Macau to the City of Dreams, also via shuttle. Just ask for directions to the Security, if you're lucky, you will see a Pinoy there. From the City of Dreams, we saw the Vquarium - a virtual aquarium with mermaids. For those who have monies to spend, they can see The House of Dancing Water and the Dragon Treasure (which is about 600-1000HKD, depends on your seat section).

A aisle piece in City of Dreams

Our last stop is the famous The Venetian Macau, where the ceilings are painted like clear morning skies. From City of Dreams, we took the Venetian shuttle bus, you can also walked to Venetian, passing by a connecting bridge between the two.

The Venetian from the Outside

The Venetian, aside from its ceiling that will definitely make you forget the time, is also famous for their gondola rides, where it copies the romantic gondola rides of Venice. We would like to think that most of the singers are Pinoys, that certain feeling that when you waved at them and they waved back with that wide smile, a connection is made.

Gondola rides. I'm not sure if its free. :(

Sample of the Ceilings

We left the Venetian after our window shopping at around 5pm. We took the Venetian Shuttle bound for the Ferry terminal right after hoping that we can still take the last trip to the HK Ferry Terminal, the one nearer to our place. However, when we arrived at the terminal, the ferry just left and the remaining trip was the 7:00pm. A bad move since we didn't get return tickets when we left Hong Kong.

We arrived at the same ferry terminal we left in Hong Kong, traveled back to our hostel and after a quick rest, we decided to visit the nearby flea market aka Ladies Market. :)


Travel tips:

1. If you can, leave Hong Kong early (earliest ferry is 5:00am), you'll arrive in Macau before everybody else does. The sites are basically open early in the morning, you don't need to wait for the opening hours.

2. Take advantage of the shuttle buses. They are free anyway.

3. Do not forget your passport. Macau is considered as a separate country by China and Hong Kong, thus, you need to present your passport in the immigration. Make sure you fill out the immigration pass provided by the ferry attendants during your sea trip. This is for the fast immigration process.

4. If you are in a big group, you can avail of the tour services of the Pinoys there. Make sure you haggle.

5. Casinos will ask for your passport when you enter their play area. Only those who are in legal age of 18 years old can enter the play area.

6. Don't be afraid to ask questions if you're lost. There's a big possibility that a Pinoy will hep you out.