Hong Kong/Macau 2008 - Relive Your Childhood? @ Ocean Park

Continuous ramblings from Day FIVE in Hong Kong ....

Reliable breakfast at KAM WAH CAFE @ Bute Street

The day started cloudy. A positive sign, after such dreadfully hot weather throughout our journey? But couldn't be a blessing in disguise, as after all, we were poised a day's out at Ocean Park, Hong Kong's formerly most recognizable theme park (before the existence of Disneyland).

Breakfast was at Kam Wah AGAIN, but the Polo Buns were so tempting, the magneticism was brushing off on me. We tried other stuff from their breakfast menu; the French toast (HKD13/RM5.85), the Egg sandwiches (HKD11/RM4.95) and Macaroni Soup with Salted Vege Set (HKD19/RM8.55). Of course, not forgetting the Polo Bun. Breakfast for four including drinks came to HKD79.50/RM35.80.

After breakfast, the weather was starting to get better, thankfully. We took the train from Prince Edward MTR station to reach Admiralty MTR (HKD9.50/RM4.30), where we bought the entrance tickets to Ocean Park.

The word ADULT printed on the ticket proved that Ocean Park's not for kids only. Hehe .. so I consoled myself.

Normally the entrance fee for an adult would be HKD208/RM93.60 per pax, but if you show your Octopus card (the card for all modes of public transportation in Hong Kong, refer old post here), you'll automatically get a discount for the entrance fee, slashed to HKD185/RM83.25 per pax only. The discount holds true for Disneyland entrance fee as well.

After purchasing our entrance tickets (which looked pretty cool, IMO, with different colourful pictures of the mascots, and you can keep them as souvenirs after exiting the park), we proceeded to take bus No. 629 (HKD10.60/RM4.77) right outside of Admiralty station, to reach Ocean Park.

Such a delight to stroll along the path in the park, when the weather's cooling for once, and so much greeneries hardly seen in Mong Kok

We were welcomed graciously by the staff at Ocean Park, a rather far cry from Genting Highlands Theme Park where you marched in and the attendant at the gate would only glance at your wrist, not your face.

Once entering, do not rush but instead take your own sweet time preparing your own itinerary. Grab a map and the daily show schedule available at the entrance, and plan your erm ... "journey" else you'll be running around in circles wondering when and where the shows are being held. But rest assured all the shows and feeding schedule are presented at least twice a day, and some may not be worth spending time on.

The white and pink flamingoes at The Aviary

The chubby and dormant pandas at The Giant Panda Habitat - Notice the both of them sitting side by side, leaning on the log? Such an envious, relaxing life.

Sea Lions prancing around and gleefully performing to the cheering crowd at Ocean's Theatre show titled "Sea Dreams"

Feeding time at Atoll Reef

Such ... artificial brilliance? (Sea Jelly Aquarium)

The ever-willing-to-please dolphins @ Ocean Theatre's "Sea Dreams" show

Carnival-like atmosphere at Skyfair @ Lowlands

Skyfair at Lowland - Ride on the hotballoon, but limited to around 10 pax at any one time, thus the queue was endless

Maybe an "absence seizure" attack? ... or probably in a trance. (Bird Show @ Skyfair)

Quirky yet colourful and eye-pleasing structures abound (Souvenir Shop near Marine Land)

Cable car ride connecting the Lowlands and Marine Land (FOC sight-seeing opportunity). However bear in mind the crowd may be daunting come peak hours, so allocate some extra time if you're rushing for a show on the other side of the mountains

Space Wheel - Spin your guts out. Do not attempt with a full stomach.

Mine train @ Adventure Land - A milder version of roller-coaster, suitable as a starter

Raging River - Available in Genting and Sunway as well, give this a miss if you're not keen on getting wet

The thrilling rides at Headland Rides such as The Abyss, The Dragon, and The Eagle are all mind-boggling stuff. Definitely not for the weak at heart. But go for these rides as early as possible, as the queue got longer and longer as time went by, and lining up in the hot weather (yup, the weather progressed rather drastically, from cloudy morning to hazy and HOT afternoon) somehow did not sound too appealing. Sea Lions @ Pacific Pier ... somehow brought to mind a friend of ours ... =P

Dreary skeletons scorched to death ... (Halloween Bash @ Ocean Park)

Abyssmal theme park meal - Universal bane?

For lunch we had Pork Chop Rice (HKD42/RM18.90), Pork Dumplings in Soup (HKD24/RM10.80) and Fried Chickens Set with Coke (HKD32/RM14.40). As expected, all tasteless and meagre spread of fast food. But nothing else for lunch, really. Most are fast food outlets at slightly inflated rates.

Whiskers (Wai Wai in Chinese) striking a pose for us ... Camwhore?!

After a whole day at the Park, we departed home the same way we arrived, by bus No 629 to Admiralty MTR, then back to Mong Kok.

to be continued ... with Dinner @ RED ANT, Hawker food and Desserts @ Shek Moh Fong ....