HK Ocean Park
Continued from visit to:
Victoria Peak
Hong Kong Disneyland
From MTR Tsim Sha Tsui station, we got to and off the Admiralty station to get in the double decker bus dedicated to the Ocean Park visitors. You may purchase your tickets from there. Ocean Park tickets are significantly cheaper by almost 50% of Disneyland’s rate.
We had the chance to be seated on the upper deck. It felt like a quasi city tour on our way there because we passed by the Immigration, Revenue and other government towers, Chinese schools, and other interesting establishments.
It took us 35 minutes to reach this marine themed Park. Towards the entrance, I got a glimpse of a seemingly scary ride, it looks like a never ending roller disoriented intestine shaped ride. I already knew I’m not brave enough for this.
I got a first glimpse of this in Pido Dida, movie of the late Rene Requiestas and then a new comer Kris Aquino. I remember it was only Rene who rode in there. In addition, I recall Daphne’s account, a fellow blogger, of her traumatic ride/experience. I still hope I will be brave enough to try this someday. Just the thought of oddly falling to the beautiful Repulse Bay scared me to death.
For now I’ll just imagine the adrenaline rush emanating from these rides.
Personally I enjoyed Ocean Park more than Disneyland, which is not the case for most of the visitors. While Disneyland is indeed a happy place that you’ll be instantly transformed to like it as you set foot in the gate, that it automatically brings the kid in each visitors’ heart, I find Ocean Park more popular for the thrill seekers because of a number of ‘gonna make you dizzy rides’ and for those who are appreciative of nature and marine life. Gawd, that’s a long sentence!
These are the ones that hugely appealed to me, aside from the view of Repulse Bay:
(a) Flamingos
Would you believe it’s the first time I saw a flock of these?
(b) Japanese Garden
It’s interesting that they have this type of garden here. The same way that we have our Japanese and Chinese gardens in the Philippines.
Of course, I had a relapse. I was reminded of a movie of who must not be named (no, not Lord Voldermort).
(c) Madagascar
My appreciation was at peak because a week before this visit I’ve seen the movie sequel. The sounds would add to the feel that you’re in a jungle.
There are also Madagascar characters near the hub. Here’s a foggy view of them with the cable cars. Indeed a foggy day.
(d) Acrobat Show
We watched this in the morning. Hence, the breeze complemented the show. I’m wondering how grander it could get at night (I forgot to check if they have one) once funky lights and other effects are done.
(e) Atoll Reef
It has a great collection of school of fish, seahorses, etc. A gentle reminder though, don’t spend much time in the primary areas. The best stuff are located towards the end, especially the giant aquarium.
A gentle reminder not to use flashlight and not to scare the fish.
Of course, no one wants to scare Nemo. 
Incidentally, the keeper was doing the maintenance the moment we were there. So a lot of people stayed in front of it to take a look how he feeds the fish and what else he would be doing.
(f) Sea Jelly
I spent much time here. My companions actually thought I got lost because I was not picking up the phone when they tried to locate me. I was busy taking photos and videos that no one else and nothing else mattered. Hahaha. Of course, that’s just a joke. I mean, I never thought sea jellies are very fascinating. Or maybe the song being played inside the museum was hypnotic enough.
The jellies’ movements are very pretty as they swim, open and close their muscles. Here are two of the many videos that I took. I’ve watched these numerous times already and still like them.
(g) Ocean Theatre
We were almost late for the dolphins and sea lions show. Because of me. Heehee. Blame the sea jellies. Anyway, we were able to ‘insert’ ourselves to whatever (good) seats were still available. Lucky us, we secured very good spots, i.e. near the front row. Lesson: Don’t loose hope when they announced that the Ocean Theatre is already closed because it has reached it’s seating capacity. No harm in trying.
A visitor was being taught how to tame the sea lion(s). I think this one was sort of scripted. In the end the lady in pink pretended to have fell to the waters and she was rescued by the sea lion. The latter strangely gave her an MMR (mouth to mouth resuscitation). That was well-applauded.
(h) Cable Car Ride
This is the highlight of my visit. If this is your first time to visit this blog, I’m admitting (again) that I have fear of heights. But there’s indeed a necessity to use the cable car or else we would be going to lowlands/highlands through the steep and long escalators which scared me a bit, too (but that’s a long process, so why prolong the agony) or walk, and walk.
Caught this during the cable car ride. There’s an ongoing construction. I wonder what will be the added attraction. Perhaps another scary ride.
(i) Giant Panda Habitat
I was wishing to see real pandas after I watched Kung Fu Panda. There are four breathing pandas inside the habitat.
They are Ying Yang and Lele who are in deep sleep.
This is Jia Jia, who is a year older than me.
The fourth one is An An. She tested my patience. Unlike the three other pandas, she moves fast and hides inside the stoned corner most of the time.
There, she wants to hide again.
This is how the enclosures look like. From there, we waited for An An to show up her face. Whenever she goes out, she faced backward. This is the only shot I got wherein I had a glimpse of that much-coveted panda face. Truth is they look like the same. But her playing hard to get made the difference.
If you’re not patient enough, settle for these fake pandas.
Or with this one who is busy with a bamboo stick, situated near the entrance of the habitat.
Just as before we need to leave Ocean Park, we were able to catch the sunset as it kick off. This was a worthwhile day.
impressive. i never knew hongkong would be this much fun. i think i can take that scary ride…lol. i know, i’m so boastful =). i love Pandas. we have one here loaned from china as well. we’re still hoping she’ll have a baby soon. the sunset was a perfect way to end your fun post. i wish i’m traveling right now.
kaynis last blog post..Happy Weekend
wow! definitely one of the most beautiful ocean park in the world because of its theme park. i enjoyed looking at the photos and i felt like i was there the whole day.
great pictures. it’s been almost two years i visited HK. it’s nice to see these sites again because i lost most of the pictures i took when my laptop got ‘swiped’. love those panda snaps, hey!
Oh, here comes another one of those. Sheng is definitely in jealous mode now, but then again, wait till I get my feet on HK grounds, haha. Very beautiful shots Jo, my love for HK is well added, and my obsession to go to this place is already so pumped up because of your posts. Hmp, i need to move in to the new house first before I plan on travels, waaah!
shengs last blog post..HOT? or Not?
wow ocean park has changed a lot. i really should visit HK one of this months. hahahaha o diba
upto6onlys last blog post..New Bombay
You made me miss Hong Kong all over again. My wife misses the shopping. I’m scared of heights too. I was deathly frozen when we were on the cable car. And we didn’t see the jellyfish. The line was soooo longgg when we were there.
Don’t you just love their MTR? Really great for moving around.
Ricos last blog post..Bag of Beans
I feel like I have been there by just looking at your superb photos.
Photo Caches last blog post..Random Shot
I agree those sea jelly fishes were fascinating to see although it was really dark inside with those mirrors for extra effect. I kept bumping into them. Toink! Ouchie
Those pandas were always sleeping, you’d think they did manual labor the whole day. Buti na lang, there was one already awake eating breakfast.
Great shots of HK Ocean Park!
i like the amazing view of the repulse bay from your picture. but with rides, i don’t think i am brave enough. i’m such a killjoy. but dang! the rest of the oceanpark is a must see i’m sure. the pics you’ve taken were really nice.
great shots jo! i enjoyed looking at those photos you shared. feeling ko nakapasyal din ako. and i so want to see panda in real. hehehe. kelan kaya mangyayari yon? just like you i’m so scared of heights.
blue roses last blog post..monday inspiration & an exciting giveaway from maver
Looks like a lot of fun ^_^ Great photos.
Sintas last blog post..My Friend of Light and Air
hi wits! this is one place we didn’t go to…next time na lang.
anyway, yes, gel’s getting married in june! Also, I have a new site! Please do visit me there: kg.bahay-bahayan.com.
Oh wow!
I’m going to use this as my guide to HK ha. The last time I went to HK was years and years and years ago. LOL. I’m planning to go there this May 2009 with my bestfriend. Thanks for sharing your adventures!
dyosas last blog post..DAVAO’S BLUGRE COFFEE
omg! green with envy! id love to go there! how i wish!, hehehehehe! thanks for the hop mi amiga! hope to see ya more often! take care!!!!
sunnys last blog post..Shhhh (i’m shouting)…
wow ocean park! yung nasa manila pa lang ang napupuntahan ko eh, pero naimpress na ko! maganda! lalo na yung mga sting ray! nga pala, gusto sana kita bigyan ng query kaso naman diba nasa ibang bansa ka?
Oh wow! I’m going to HK in April (Holy Week)! My friend said she’s going to take me to Ocean Park.
Is that roller coaster inside Ocean Park? (not sure I’ll be brave enough to ride that but I do like roller coasters)
That other ride looks like the Drop Zone they had in a theme park in Ohio. Wasn’t able to get on it when I was there. I was freaked out about the thought of being carried all the way up only to be dropped!
I’m still not sure whether i wanna go to Disneyland.
My friend was here last week and she told me stories about how bastos the Chinese are. (the pushing and not falling in line, etc)
incoherents last blog post..It sucks to be an adult sometimes.
wow…what a very entertaining place. Thanks for sharing those photos Wits. I really enjoy it!
jeannys last blog post..Fast and Good
nice place! sana makapunta din ako jan. i had a taste of hongkong — for 6 hours lang. hahaha!
ekss last blog post..Migration… and Other Stuff
wow may garden na at may madagascar! wala pa yan nung nagpunta kami nung 2007.
it was also my 1st time to ride sa cable car plus i also have fear of heights. so imaginin mo ko nung nasa loob na ng cable car! nakapikit and sobrang nakakapit sa bakal hahaha!
for the sake of picture, dinilat ko mata ko tapos pilit ang ngiti! hahhahah! 
and 1st time ko rin pla makakita ng real pandas! ang saya!
btw, have u tried the tower? its amazing! when you’re up, you’ll see the whole view of HK
and di sya nakakatakot. mabagal kasi yung andar nya and w/ closed doors hehe 
great shots JO!
ilang days ka sa hongkong?ang ganda ganda nung ocean park,saka ok yung japanese garden..teka meron din tayo sa pinas ocean park,di ko lang alam kung kasing ganda ng sa hongkong.:)
evers last blog post..BuHanginG bAgYo na nAman!
wow! great shots and what a scenic view, now, i’m more convinced that I want a stop to make over in Hong Kong before going back to Manila this November… I have to see this amazing park.
kreezs last blog post..Getting Hitched
Such a lovely place!There are so many enjoyable things to do and it looks as if you had a blast. The pictures of marine creatures are amazing.
i also enjoyed ocean park more! i was there last week.
i rode all the rides, the abyss and roller coaster twice. sarap e!
Thanks for sharing your photos, ganda pala ng Ocean Park. Hopefully Garandee and I get to go backpacking in HK and Macau in the future so we can try those out… lalo na yung roller coaster! Pero malamang mag isa lang ako sasakay nyan.
Been to this place a couple of times – a very nice park, with the mountain and the sea in the background. My wife wasn’t too keen on the cable car though – she was scared in fact. I’m sure the park has improved a lot by now as everytime I visit the place, they have new stuff to show
The flamingos look like they’re about to go dance! Flamingo chorus line!
And those underwater shots? Beautiful. Sea life is amazing and when captured in photos, breathtaking talaga.
What a fun adventure! I enjoyed looking through all your photos. It’s so cool to see the gang of Madagascar.
My hubby tried that roller coaster several years ago. He said it was a really adrenalin pumping ride. I don’t think I can ever be coerced to try that.
Spectacular aquarium shots. The jelly fish are beautiful even though they are very dangerous creatures.
The panda and the flamingos are beautiful.
Thanks for sharing all these memorable shots during your trip.
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Same here. My first impression about Hong Kong is just shopping, then Disneyland came. But I never expected that its Ocean Park is great.
I’m glad the photos made the readers felt they’ve traveled with me, too.
It took a moment of zooming out to achieve great angles of these pandas. Especially An An, who is always hiding. Lol. Aaw, I remember the ‘disappearance’ of your laptop.
Haha. My posts are adding to your excitement to visit HK. I’m looking forward to that day, Sheng. I’m sure you and your family will have a great time.
Being ‘deathly frozen’ is very appropriate for me, too. It was scary but I still had to ride again, I think we did thrice. Otherwise, it would be a long walk kase. Yes, MTR is very helpful. I regret that I forgot to take a photo of the octopus card yata. Nakakatuwa kase pwede rin syang gamitin sa bus.
Time to revisit na.
Thanks for ‘traveling’ with me through the photos.
Thanks. I almost bumped to one also while taking a video. Lol. Wow, it’s good that at the time of your visit there’s an active panda.
Thanks. The Repulse Bay made the park more attractive. There’s one resto situated in a bayview. It’s very nice and cold there.
I feel comforted knowing I’m not the only who have fear of heights. But let’s try to overcome it. Cause we’re missing the thrill from these rides.
Thanks, Sinta. Another very childlike day for me.
Yes, next time na lang. Perhaps when you’re back there this December.
Oh wow, I can imagine Anj in her wedding dress! Pretty, pretty! Wendy must be excited as a flower girl.
Sure. Let me know if you need some tips or some queries. Know what? I want to be back to HK (almost soon!), although it’s better to visit another country naman. There’s more to explore in HK pa. Have fun in May!
I planned to visit the Ocean Park in Manila. But after visiting this park, we were advised to defer our visit until the completion of the other areas/attractions. We might be disappointed because of the probable comparison. Recency effect.
Wow, the query! Yes, I’m based in Abu Dhabi. I’ll probably be there for the Christmas season uli.
You’re welcome, Jeanny.
Naku, nakapikit din ako at sobrang ‘yakap’ sa bakal nung first time ko sumakay ng cable car. I even had photo with that takut na takot look. Haha. But it was fun no? Nope, I didn’t ride in the Tower. Yung mataas ng escalators pa lang natakot nako. I’m so duwag sa heights.
Hope you’ll visit HK one of these days. It’s a nice place.
Oh, for a stop over. I was supposed to have a couple of hours stop over lang, since my flight is coming from Dubai. There I had the idea to have a longer stop over.
Yes, that’s the Eagle ride and it’s inside Ocean Park. I still wish to ride in there once I’m brave enough. Drop Zone’s counterpart is called Tower. I didn’t ride in, too, because I have strong fear of heights. =)
I think there will be rude people everywhere. So far, all the Chinese residents and visitors I’ve dealt with are nice. =)
Four days. Pero in essence, three days lang because a day was spent in Macau (the day before Ocean Park adventure). Hindi na kame nakapasyal sa Manila Ocean Park kase konti pa lang daw yung attractions compared sa HK. Next time na lang.
Because of this visit, I’m now very fond of sea jellies. Heehee.
I’m so jealous! I remember you are fond of “flying”. =) I’m glad you enjoyed it there, too.
Yes, Kreez. It would be worth the stop over. =)
You’re welcome. Perhaps you can encourage her to try it. It must be fulfilling to try it together.
Yes, improvements are never ending. I assume there’ll be an added attraction this year because we noticed an ongoing construction during our visit.
Yeah, I remember the flamingo dance. And Lucy Tores! Because she’s fond of that. The marine creatures are wonderful. I’m looking forward to the day that you’re little Timmy will witness these wonders, too.