Again, sorry for lack of pictures. They come later :D
I have been neglecting this Blog for too long - although In my defence I have been very busy with various *cough* important things.
We went to two theme parks in the land of HK.
Ocean Park is a mixture of amusement park, zoo and aquarium. It’s split into two areas, with one up the mountain and one at its basin bellow. Once inside you can switch between the two either on a tram with plays a great undersea video to amuse you throughout the journey, or by cable car so you can enjoy the view (it’s right next to the sea but you can still see the city and mountains complete with swooping birds of prey).
We took a taxi there and the 20 minute ride cost less than a fiver. I took a taxi in Basingstoke a few days ago and for a 5 minute journey I was charged £6. -__- Anyway, we went into the main aquarium area first with had loads of great fish and underwater life. Some of the tanks were open topped so you could get a great view of the starfish or stroke the rays :D I wore my spotted cape/poncho-y thing and people were very quick to pick up on me looking like the sting ray and manta ray’s lost cousin XD I loved watching the sharks swim overhead in the tunnel section and was amazed at the massive giant crabs and sweet seahorses.
We headed up the mountain via tram for a few rides and attractions including a roller coaster that took us right off the side of a cliff. I enjoyed getting the adrenaline going, but had a very funny scared face for the ride photo. I vowed to improve my facial expression for the next ride. The queues weren’t too long and it wasn’t too hot either as it was January which was very pleasant.
Going back to my childhood, I filled up a glass star with colourful sand and then watched the sea lion and dolphin show. There were so many people we had to stand for the most part and only caught the last 15 minutes but it was still great fun to see the animals do tricks and then beg food off the trainers. Everywhere you went pictures were taken and developed before you bought them. Whilst in the West you could expect to pay a tenner for these, here they ranged from £2-£5 and if you didn’t want to buy they were thrown away.
A highlight of the day was seeing the animals. In one section of the park, called “Asian Animals” you could get up close to many rare species including otters and… PANDAS! We got a great view of FOUR giant pandas lolling around, washing, sleeping and eating bamboo. I don’t think I’d ever seen a panda in real life before that, so it was a fantastic experience for me, especially as they were so close. The red pandas weren’t so co-operative, and I only saw one quite far away and it was having a snooze. >_< The enclosures opened up into a courtyard in with there were pillars which you could write in board pen your wishes for the future and the environment on the shiny glowing screens. I admired the drawing someone had done of Kung Fu Panda. J
At the end was a section devoted entirely to goldfish. There was a traditional looking Asian room with beautiful artefacts and many tanks and water features, all with clear glass so you could see the abundant species of goldfish. There were signs showing each ones history and popularity and I recognised several species such as Black Moor (which I’ve owned myself) and Koi Carp. I was beautiful and relaxing to see them swimming about so peacefully, and some were very large.
At the top of the mountain was another area which focused on the rainforest. Macaws and parrots were prominent and flew around in a large aviary. A mother and baby marmoset (so small and cute*_*) were shielded from the public by bushes and plants as they “Needed privacy and rest”. Awwwww. I loved watching the reptiles – tortoises and frogs got jiggy with it and seemed to pose for tourists, and the toucans were so close I could reach out and touch them.
When we were about to leave as it was getting dark, we stopped to watch a Chinese Acrobatic show which loads of breath-taking stunts and clever maneuverers. For the grand finale they wheeled on giant wind-socks in the shape of people that waggled about with the blasts of air and shot streamers. It was an amazing day, and if you go to HK I thoroughly recommend visiting.
We had to visit Disneyland before we left, so on our last full day we paid a visit. It was a bit out of the way being on Lantau Island, however the tube journey was pleasant and the rail line used to get there was Disney themed! Even the handrails were shaped like Mickey Mouse’s shorts! XD Even the entrance was extravagant as a massive fountain with surfing Mickey greeted you at the gates, and there were people who took your ticket and inserted it in the machine for you, then gave it back. *_*
The park in general is quite small, however some of the rides (like It’s A Small World After All) were being refurbished and the area expanded so it will possibly become bigger. Sleeping Beauty’s castle was also pretty small, but looked really cute and dainty just the same. It was also the venue for the fireworks in the evening.
Disneyland is quite generic wherever you are. There were adorable little Asian girls dressed as their favourite princess. Disney characters stood around for pictures and autographs. The rides ranged from tame kids rides to adrenaline fuelled thrills; Ruth convinced me to go on Speedy’s Racer Ride in Toy Story Land and I shut my eyes for the most part and tried to enjoy feeling the whoosh. We caught the end of a parade with girls in slightly sexy Buzz Lightyear outfits and went into an interactive ride where Stich (from Lilo And Stich) actually talked to you. He interacted with members from the audience and I was one of the victims/participants. After a bit of banter, he became my boyfriend XD However, as there were many shows a day I don’t think he was faithful. ;)
The first ride we went on had a sign saying it could scare small children. Someone obviously didn’t read this, and went on Tarzan’s River Boat Ride anyway. When we ‘angered the spirits’ by rafting down the wrong area, the river burst into flames (don’t ask me how) and as a tidal wave of water crashed over it, billowed steam whilst intense music played. A little girl screamed her head off and burst into tears. Our commentator/boat driver was an absolute legend. He told the girl “Don’t worry – I’ll protect you!” and at the finish said “I hope you all enjoyed the ride and, barring one, will come again!” XD
The live shows were also pretty amazing. We saw “The Golden Mickeys” where characters from various movies sang and danced to their respective hit musical numbers, and also The Lion King Show which retold the story, conveniently leaving out Mufasa’s death. All of the performers (especially the dancers) were super talented and the shows were great entertainment. Photography and recordings were allowed without flash as there was no point trying to stop the hundreds of cameras that whipped out each time (which I thought was hilarious).
After enjoying the events, rides and scenery we watched the fireworks. There was a gorgeous display with lights, smoke, fire and tons of fireworks going off artistically to Disney music. The sweet little girl with a bowl cut next to us said “WOW!” after every one! XD It was a magical end to a magical day.
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