Category Archives: Entertainment

Macau Fisherman’s Wharf (Macau)

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From Macau Tower, we next proceeded to the Macau Fisherman’s Wharf, the first theme park in Macau, located near the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Pier and right beside the huge Sands Casino. Grace, Mom and Dad stayed behind at the bus, leaving just me, Jandy and Cheska to explore the place.  There weren’t too many people around during our visit.

Sands Casino Macau

The HK$1.9 billion, 111,500 sq. m. (28 acres, 40% reclaimed from the sea) Macau Fisherman’s Wharf complex, was opened on December 31, 2005.  The complex has a slots hall, a 72-room hotel, a casino and is divided into three major theme “wharfs”: Dynasty Wharf, East Meets West and Legend Wharf.

Fisherman’s Wharf

Dynasty Wharf, composed of many Chinese towers which are built in the imitation of the Tang-style, encapsulates Chinese history and culture in the form of traditional items sold on the streets, handicrafts in the exhibition halls, and sampan and “jumbo” seafood restaurants.

East Meets West

East Meets West, constructed on mainly reclaimed land, mixes together Oriental traditions and features of Western design.  Vulcania, a  a 40 m. (131 ft.) high man-made volcano, “erupts” every evening. Housed inside are waterfalls, night-time laser shows, the ‘River of Fire’ white-water and ‘Dragon Quest’ roller coaster rides. The exterior of Vulcania includes walkways styled on the Potala Palace in Lhasa (Tibet).

Vulcania and Potala Palace

There’s also an ancient battleship, an Arabian children’s play area, a  and large ceramic crucibles and mine carts to ride in inside for that Indiana Jones experience.  Alladin’s Fort,  an attraction in the style of a Middle-Eastern fort, is home to a large variety of children’s funfair rides and  playground for kids and teenagers.  The Greek Square serves as a leisure park and performance area, with banqueting facilities and ice-skating rink attached. Aqua Romanis is a Roman-themed shopping center. The outdoor, 2,000-pax Roman Amphitheater is designed as a venue for concerts and other performances.

Roman Amphitheater

Legend Wharf includes over 150 stores and restaurants in buildings built in the style of different world seaports such as Cape Town (South Africa), Amsterdam (Netherlands), Miami (U.S.A.), New Orleans (U.S.A.), Lisbon (Portugal), Venice (Italy), the Italian Riviera and Spain. It features the leaning Tower of Pisa, a 16th century Portuguese restaurant, 18th century French inns and a galleon museum.

Legend Wharf

It also has a disco and is equipped with all kinds of recreational facilities such as a 21st century, high-tech games center and a video games center.  Its Vasco da Gama Waterworld is a performance venue, complete with dolphins, for water-based shows including four jet-ski performances every day.

Macau’s Fisherman’s Wharf: 1/F., Rome, Avenida da Amizade e Avenida Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, Macau. Tel: (853) 8299 3300, (853) 8299 3581 and 8299 3582. E-mail: info@fishermanswharf.com.mo.  Website: www.fishermanswharf.com.mo.

How to Get There: Take bus no. 1A, 3, 3A, 8, 10, 10A, 10B, 17, 28A, 28B, 28BX, 28C and 32, get off at Macau Fisherman’s Wharf. Free shuttle bus service from ferry terminal to the Fisherman’s Wharf leave every 30mins..

Sentosa Resort (Singapore)

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After our Singapore Flyer “round” trip, we had a  late lunch at Seafood Paradise. Next in our itinerary was Sentosa and, to get there, we again boarded 2 taxis and dropped off at Sentosa Imbiah Station.

Tiger Sky Tower

Upon arrival, we all first tried out the Tiger Sky Tower, Singapore’s tallest free-standing observatory tower, opened on February 7, 2004.  Once inside the large, 72-pax air-conditioned, disc-shaped cabin fitted with glass windows all round, it then revolved slowly as it ascended the column of the tower to a maximum height of 131 m. above sea level (110 m. above ground). On the way up, we enjoyed panoramic views across Sentosa, Singapore’s southern islands and neighboring Malaysia and even Indonesia.

View of Sentosa and Outlying Islands From Tiger Sky Tower

After our tower ride, we walked to the nearby Images of Singapore building to try out Singapore’s award-winning attraction – the Images of Singapore. A quick peek into Singapore’s history, culture and heritage, this walk down memory lane was the second for me and Grace and the first for the rest.  A journey to the very soul of the nation, it brings the country’s past back to vivid life using multimedia displays, multi-screen theater presentations and life-sized tableaus depicting local history.

Images of Singapore Building

Here, legend, facts and folklore are creatively interwoven into an “I am there” experience as we journeyed from the earliest days of Singapore’s founding, when Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles stepped along the banks of Singapore River, to today’s modern Singapore where cultural diversity, unity of values and adventure converge. We were also amazed by the many colorful festivals celebrated in Singapore.

Images of Singapore

After our Images of Singapore, Jandy, Cheska and I tried out the non-motorized Luge, a self-steering, gravity-driven 3-wheel cart, originally from New Zealand, that is part go-cart, part toboggan. Here, we all navigated 650 m. down the Jungle Trail or 688 m. down  the Dragon Trail with the option to go thrillingly fast or to cruise slowly as we went down the hill to Siloso Beach. Truly a unique outdoor experience.

The Luge

After the Luge, we next boarded the Skyride, along the way taking in the panoramic and breathtaking scenery of the city skyline, harbor and beautiful coastline. The used luges are also slung underneath our seats for transport back up the hill.

The Skyride

Come evening, we proceeded to the S$4.5million Cineblast, opened in June 2007, to watch “Extreme Log Ride,” Singapore’s only cinema ride. This thrilling, 4-dimensional, motion-simulated “ride of your life” combines the virtual “roller coaster” rides with high-definition wide-screen projection.  Here, we all sat inside a cyclone unit that is mounted onto a 6-axis system and then experienced amazing real-life thrusts and motion unlike any other as we felt the exhilaration of flying to the top of the highest mountain, the stomach-churning virtual thrill of rushing into the deepest valleys, and the gripping excitement of being tossed about by whitewater rapids.

Cineblast and 4D Magic

Next, we moved on to the S$3.5 million Sentosa 4D Magix Theater, opened on January 2006, to watch the comedy “Pirates!”   This whole new generation in movie magic, the first in Southeast Asia, is an interactive movie experience with 4-dimensional digital effects, using a state-of-the-art digital projection system and a DTS 6.1 sound system.

Cineblast and 4D Magic

We were seated on a motion-based chair equipped with a wide spectrum of special visual, sound, motion and environmental effects such as built-in speakers as well as environmental effects like water features, seat vibration, leg ticklers and base shakers, placed us right in the middle of the action. During the 3-D show, visual effects kept popping out of the big screen, we were tossed about in our seats, felt the wind blowing in our face and the water rushing our way, all environmental effects that provided a life-like feel.

Songs of the Sea (Palawan Amphitheater)

We again met up with the others at the 2,500-pax, open-air Palawan Amphitheater for the 7:30 PM showing of the mesmerizing “Songs of the Sea.” This one-of-a-kind entertainment spectacle, with a live cast, features dramatic effects, pyrotechnics displays, water jets, flame bursts and lasers amid captivating music.  Truly, a performance we didn’t want to miss.  Designed by Yves Pepin, this show was started on March 26, 2007, replacing the 25 year old Magical Sentosa show. The water jets, water screens, lasers and projectors are hidden at the back of the 120 m. long Malay kampung (or kelong) by the sea. The show runs twice nightly.

Songs of the Sea (Palawan Amphitheater)

After the “Songs of the Sea” presentation, Grace accompanied Dad and Mom back to the hotel while Jandy, Cheska and I tried out the after-dark Go Green Segway® Eco Adventure, a first for all of us.  Here we tried out the Segway, a futuristic personal mobile transporter and mobility device, along a secure circuit.

Segway

After the Segway ride, we had a late dinner at a 7-Eleven outlet and loll around, for some time, at Palawan Beach. We, as well as many other tourists leaving Sentosa, waited a long time for the arrival of the monorail to Vivo City.  From Vivo City, we took the MRT to Dhoby Ghaut and then a taxi back to our hotel.

Sentosa Resort: 33 Allanbrooke Road, Sentosa Development Corporation, Singapore 099981.  Tel: 6275 0388.

Jurong Bird Park (Singapore)

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We decided to spend our second day at Singapore all day at the fresh and interesting Jurong Bird Park, a first for all of us.  At first glance, I did not think that a park with just birds would interest me (that’s why I didn’t go there during previous visits to Singapore), but I was to be proven wrong. Again, the park being very far from the city, we all went there (and returned) via 2 taxis, arriving there by noon after a 20-min. trip.

Main Entrance of Jurong Bird Park

Managed by Wildlife Reserves Singapore, this world-famous S$3.5 million, 202,000 sq. m. (50 acre) bird zoo and landscaped park, built on the western slope of Jurong Hill, within the Boon Lay Planning Area of the Jurong District, was opened on January 3, 1971. In 2006, it  completed its S$10-million makeover.

Souvenir Shop at Main Entrance

The well-maintained Jurong Bird Park, currently the world’s largest bird park in terms of number of birds and second largest in terms of land area, after Germany’s Vogelpark Walsrode, is home to an impressive collection of 4,600 exotic birds of 380 species, (29 of which are endangered) from South East Asia, Africa, South America and Australia. Some exhibits are fully open (Flamingo Lake, Swan Lake and Pelican Cove), some are cage-based (Parrot Paradise) and 4 are large walk-in aviaries.

Birds and Buddies Show (1 PM, Pools Amphitheatre)

Upon arrival, we opted to first watch the 1 PM Birds and Buddies Show (formerly called the “All Star Birdshow”) at the Pools Amphitheater. This lively and entertaining, 25-min. bird show, professionally presented with an environmental message, showcases a large number of species of performing birds, trained to such amazing levels, interacting with humans in a single act.

Birds and Buddies Show (3 PM, Pools Amphitheater)

During the show, we were enthralled by the antics of talented birds like the mimicking cockatoos, parrots and macaws singing , playing basketball, doing stunts etc..   We liked it so much, we attended the second show at 3 PM, also at the same venue.

In between these 2 Birds and Buddies Shows,Jandy, Cheska and I climbed up a couple of flights of stairs and hopped aboard the relaxing, airconditioned Panorail (S$5), the world’s only monorail that runs through an aviary.

The Panorail

We dropped off at the Lory Station were we visited the 3,000 sq. m. (32,000 sq. ft.), 9 storey high Lory Loft, the world’s largest walk-in flight aviary for stunningly colorful lories and lorikeets.

Lory Loft

Here, we walked on suspended bridges at tree top level, surrounded by over 1,000 free-flying lories. The ambiance here is said to be similar to that of a rainforest vale in tropical Northern Australia. Cheska, wanting an up close encounter, tried to offer the lories a specially concocted nectar mix in a little cup (S$3) so that the birds would flock to her.

Up Close and Personal With a Lory

We also visited, on foot, the 32 aviaries (housing 92 species of parrots) and the interpretative pavilion at the 1-hectare Parrot Paradise; the impressive colony of 1,001 roosting, flamboyant flamingos at the beautifully-landscaped Flamingo Lake; and Pelican Cove.

Flamingo Lake

At Pelican Cove, we observed a cosmopolitan colony of all 7 species of pelicans, including the endangered, 11-15 kg. Dalmatian pelican (the largest of the 7), while strolling along a boardwalk. However, we failed to catch them at the world’s first underwater viewing gallery for pelicans, where the birds scoop for fish at feeding time.

Pelican Cove

Next to Pelican Cove is Swan Lake where, from an observation deck close to the water edge, we observed, at close quarters, graceful Black-necked Swan, Black Swan and the Mute Swans roosting, fishing, bathing and swimming amidst the tranquil ambiance.

Swan Lake

Jandy and I again hopped aboard the Panorail and dropped off at the Waterfall Station where we visited the African Waterfall Aviary, the world’s largest walk-in aviary with more than 1,500 free-flying birds from over 50 species from Africa. Species here include the golden-breasted starling, turacos, bee-eaters and the hoopoe.

African Waterfall Aviary

Here, the birds tend to stay further away and we needed to move slowly round the jungle landscaped paths to avoid spooking them. Later, we met up with Mom, Dad, Grace and Cheska at the 30 m. high Jurong Falls, the world’s tallest man-made waterfall in an aviary and a popular photo-ops.

The 30 Meter High Waterfall

At 4 PM, we watched the Birds of Prey Show at the Fuji Hawk Walk. Here, we watched majestic birds of prey such as eagles, hawks, vultures and falcons fly in aerial loops and soar above, moving from one treetop to another. We also learned about falconry as these birds were put through their actions in a simulated hunt.  The birds sometimes swoop just 6 inches from our head.

Birds of Prey Show (4 PM, Fuji Hawk Walk)

After the show, Cheska and Jandy had a cool time having their pictures taken with a live owl, first putting on gloves so that the owl can be transferred to their hands.

Up Close and Personal…. This Time With an Owl

After the show, we next visited the 1,600 sq. m. (17,000 sq. ft.) Penguin Coast which houses 6 species of penguins. Featuring a 21-metre (69 ft) tall Portuguese galleon facade designed to resemble a ship, the interior of Penguin Coast, a great place to escape to during a hot day and one of the few places where you can see live king penguins outside of Antarctica.

Penguin Coast

Constructed with wooden beams and flooring,  Penguin Coast has 2 displays, one indoor and the other outdoor.  The Humboldt, Rockhopper, Macaroni, Fairy and King Penguins live indoors in a captivating, climate-controlled den while Jackass penguins, one of the few species that are adapted to the tropics, can be viewed, with Cape Shelducks and gulls, at an outdoor penguin enclosure.

World of Darkness

At 5 PM, we dropped by the 400 sq. m. World of Darkness, Asia’s first nocturnal bird house, opened in April 1982. It features a system of reverse lighting, converting day to night and vice versa, thereby inducing night-active creatures to come alive during the daylight hours. It is akin to a quiet nocturnal walk along a starlit jungle path, watching birds in a simulated “moonlit” night and hearing them beckon. On display are 31 birds (mostly owls) from 9 species: Black-crowned Herons, Stone Curlews, Lesser Whistling Ducks (Javan Tree Ducks), Snowy Owls, Malay Fish Owls, Eurasian Eagle Owls, Barn Owls, Great Grey Owls and the Bobook Owls.

Royal Ramble

Next, we dropped by the 800 sq. m. Royal Ramble where we had an unobtrusive view of the world’s largest pigeons.  It has a 40 m. long walkway and 3 separate aviaries housing the 3 species of Crowned Pigeons found in the world (Common Crowned Pigeon, the Victoria Crowned Pigeon and the Scheepmaker’s Crowned Pigeon).

Dinosaur Descendants

Finally, at the 4,579 sq. ft. Dinosaurs Descendants we were greeted by a huge rock with a relief of feathers and ostrich eggs. Here, we learned the similarities and intriguing facts which link ratites (flightless birds such as ostriches and cassowaries) to dinosaurs, amidst the simulated grassland habitats of these birds.

Dinner at Bongo Burgers

Come evening, we dined at Bongo Burgers’ delectable but quite pricey choice of pure and lean patties in generous, American-sized servings.

Jurong Bird Park: 2 Jurong Hill, Singapore 628925. Admission: S$18.00 (adults) and S$12.00 (children, 3 – 12 years). Tel: (65) 6265 0022. Fax: (65) 6261 1869. E-mail:info.jbp@wrs.com.sg. Website: www.birdpark.com.sg. Open daily, 8.30 AM-6 PM.

Singapore Zoo – Night Safari (Singapore)

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After our hotel check in, we rested a bit before all leaving, via 2 taxis (a 30-min. drive), for the world-famous Night Safari, the world’s first nocturnal zoo. The Night Safari opens at 7 PM, only after the zoo itself has closed for the day (6 PM) and, because it takes place at night,  everything was dark and the habitats are only illuminated, if at all, by soft, indirect lighting that resembles moonlight.  The paths between sites are very dark.

Night Safari

Built at a cost of S$63 million, the 40-hectare Night Safari, adjacent to the Singapore Zoo and Upper Seletar Reservoir and managed by Wildlife Reserves Singapore, was officially opened on May 26, 1994. It currently houses a total of 1,040 animals of 120 species (29% of which are threatened).

We availed of the 45-min. night tram ride which took us past areas only accessible by tram, passing lots of wild South American and Asian animals roaming free in naturalistic enclosures that simulate the animals’ native habitat. On the first part of the trip, those seated on the right side of the tram had  the best views (opposite on the second leg).

Tram Ride

Carrying anything too bright is prohibited, and pointing lights at the animals is not allowed. I wasn’t able to get pictures of the animals because it was very dark, and all flash photography is prohibited so as not to freak out the animals. We were dropped off at a “jungle station” where some explored, on foot, the walking trails to get a closer look at some of the animals.  Later, we were picked up again for the second half.

"Creatures of the Night" Animal Show

Later, we attended the “Creatures of the Night” animal show where we saw the animals in action.  At one point, a night barn owl, on cue, swooped over the audience at hair top level.

Back at the main entrance, we checked out the food and beverage outlets there for our dinner. Choices include very tasty satays, noodles, fish and even burgers offered by Ulu Ulu Safari Restaurant, Bongo Burgers and Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop.  We decided on Bongo Burgers.

Singapore Zoo: 80 Mandai Lake Rd., Singapore 729826.  Tel: 6269 3411.  Website: www.zoo.com.sg. Open daily, 6 PM-12 midnight. Admission: S$22.00 (adults) and S$11.00 (children 3 to 12 years old).

Hong Kong Disneyland (Hong Kong)

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Too excited to even wait for our check-in, from the Hollywood Hotel we all proceeded to the park via its regular complimentary airconditioned shuttle.   The actual 100-acre park, the smallest Disneyland in the world, currently features 4 themed lands similar to those at other Disneyland parks: Main Street, U.S.A., Adventureland (the biggest one among all the Disneyland parks), Fantasyland and Tomorrowland.

Entrance Promenade

We had a choice of 22 entertainment items in the park (there are 44 in Paris, 45 in Tokyo and Florida, and 65 in California).  The park’s biggest draws were its shows and there were three on our list. The Golden Mickeys, at Disney’s Storybook Theater in Fantasyland, is a spectacular musical extravaganza featuring all the glitz and glamour of a Hollywood tribute, honoring your favorite Disney films.

Golden Mickeys - Disney's Storybook Theater

Also at Fantasyland, we donned special sunglasses at Mickey’s PhilharMagic and watched a hilarious and dazzlingly immersive 3-D attraction of movies, music and mayhem featuring Maestro Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Alladin and other animated Disney characters as they burst forth before our amazed eyes.

Festival of the Lion King - Theater in the Wild

At the newly decorated Adventureland, temporarily renamed Pirateland (until June 30) to celebrate the release of the new feature film “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End,” we watched the fantastic Festival of the Lion King at its Theater in the Wild. This colorful pageant of music and dance, inspired by and celebrating Disney’s animated classic “The Lion King,” features a vibrant collaboration of live performers (including a number of Filipinos), stunning costumes and exotic scenery. We liked it so much; we watched it again the next day.

Jungle River Cruise Pirate Takeover

Also at Pirateland, we tried out the Jungle River Cruise, Pirate Takeover!, venturing down the dangerous waters of a seemingly mysterious river filled with new surprises; and took a motorized log raft to Tarzan’s Island (inspired by Disney’s animated feature, “Tarzan”), climbing the moss-and-vine-covered Tarzan’s Treehouse, along the way  learning the story of this human child raised by gorillas.

Sleeping Beauty Castle - Fantasyland

Other park attractions are their rides.  We took one giant and tumultuous leap for fun at Space Mountain, an indoor roller coaster, where we seemingly rocketed, at warp speed, to into the inky blackness of the nether reaches of space, amidst synchronized music and sound effects.

Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters - Tomorrowland

At Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, in Tomorrowland, we became Space Rangers saving the galaxy from the Evil Emperor Zurg, riding Star Cruisers and firing moveable, hand-held laser cannons as we tried to blast enemy targets and amass points. Less tumultuous was our horseback ride on the Cinderella Carousel, a sure hit for the young and the young-at-heart.

Posing with Snow White

Other favorite activities of kids, including mine, were photo opportunities with costumed Disney characters. However, you have to sometimes wait in long lines to do so.  Where the queue was short, we posed with Captain Hook at Pirateland; and Belle, Goofy and Snow White at Fantasyland.  We again got to see them, and the others we missed, at the magical 3 PM Disney on Parade, a daily cavalcade of Disney characters and music in a procession starting in Fantasyland and proceeding down to Main Street, U.S.A.

Royal Banquet Hall

In between rides and shows, we quenched our thirst and filled our stomachs with rice meals at the Royal Banquet Hall at Fantasyland, and chicken burgers and French fries at Comet Café at Tomorrowland.

With a Tricycle-Mounted Filipino Piano Player at Main Street, U.S.A.

Main Street is our favorite hangout, cooling off (and buying souvenirs such as shirts and key chains) at Main Street Emporium, again cooling off and admiring (but not buying) expensive and exquisite crystal figurines of Disney characters (including watching a demo on how they were made) at Crystal Arts.

The Disneyland Story - Main Street, U.S.A.

We also learned “How Mickey Mouse came to Hong Kong” in The Disneyland Story, or simply watching  people passing by or enjoying a nostalgic and leisurely trip along Main Street to Town Square on board quaint Paddy Wagons or Main Street Taxis or on the excursion-style train of Disneyland Railroad.

Disney on Parade

I also enjoyed chatting with many of our kababayans employed in the park, including a tricycle-mounted piano player. Main Street is also the venue for a grandstand view of the 8 P.M. Disney in the Stars, a  magnificent, magical and colorful fireworks spectacular, choreographed to classic Disney songs and music, and held over the towering and graceful spires of Sleeping Beauty Castle. We capped our evening with fine dining at the nearby Corner Café.

Disney in the Stars Fireworks

Ocean Park (Hong Kong)

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From the Peak Tram, we all met up at the Ocean Park main entrance where we rode cable cars in 3 groups, ascending to the headland section (1,400 ft. above sea level), during which we had an unparalleled and spectacular view of Hong Kong Island, the sublime South China Sea beyond and the expanse of the park including Atoll Reef, Shark Aquarium, Ocean Theater, the 72-m. (236-ft.) high Ocean Park Tower (with its cabin which slowly revolves from ground to top) and its rides.

Cable Car

This marine park’s main draw is its marine attractions at Marine Land.  Mark,  Nenette and their kids Gelo and Matthew watched the thrilling theatrics of adorable Pacific bottlenose dolphins and Californian sea lions (the official mascot of Ocean Park is “Whiskers,” a waving sea lion) in a huge pond at the open-air Ocean Theater.

Atoll Reef

On the other hand, we visited the Shark Aquarium where 70 sharks from 35 species are displayed. At its underwater viewing tunnel (Asia’s first), we observed Black Tip Reef Sharks, Pygmy Swell Shark, Hammerhead Sharks and other kinds of sharks, looking at them eye to eye as they safely passed overhead.  Too bad we missed seeing divers feeding or playing with sharks.

Shark Aquarium

We next visited the expansive Atoll Reef where 2,000 fish in 250 species are displayed in a huge, coral-themed aquarium. Shaped like a 3 or 4-storey, elliptical fishbowl, here we viewed a variety of fish through 6-cm. (2.4-inch) thick glass windows. Atoll Reef is divided into the shadow and the deep levels, each exhibiting its characteristic aquatic life.

Marine Life at Atoll Reef

The collection includes sharks, tropical fish, nautilus, tiny Pomacentridae fish, a gigantic Zebra Shark, morays, groupers, turtles and over 400 kinds of maritime animals from the Pacific Islands or the South China Sea, plus some corals and cays.

Sea Jelly Spectacular

Another sensory wonder was the Sea Jelly Aquarium, Southeast Asia’s first.  Here, we were awed by over 1,000 sea jellies of all sizes, shapes and colors from all over the world.

The Dragon

The park’s other attractions are its numerous exciting rides.  Too bad the Dragon, a steel roller coaster (the longest one in Hong Kong) with 842 m. of track, was closed for servicing.  I, however, tried it (alone) on my second visit. My 2.5-min. ride, travelling at a maximum speed of 77 kms. (almost 48 miles) per hour, consisted of heart-stopping twists, turns and 360-degree loops with a brief but thrilling stint of being suspended upside down.

Abyss Turbo Drop

However, Cheska and I tried out the swinging Crazy Galleon, the Eagle and the thrilling Abyss Turbo Drop.  At the latter, we were slowly raised, on a platform, vertically up a 185-ft. tower (where we had an overall view of the ocean and park). The platform then stops briefly at the top before it drops abruptly straight down in free fall in 5 sec., surprising even us who were prepared.

Flying Swing

Jandy joined us in the Ferris Wheel and Flying Swing were we were swung in chairs as high as 7 m. (23 ft.) through a gyrating wave.  We missed out on the Zamperla Mine Train (a roller coaster), the Space Wheel and the Raging River, all at Adventureland.  Upon closing time, we all left the park the same way we came in – by cable car.

Ocean Park: Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong.  Tel: 3923 2323.  Open Mondays-Fridays, 9 AM–5 PM.

Sentosa Island – Musical Fountain Show (Singapore)

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From Underwater World, we walked to Monorail Station No. 7 and boarded one of the 6-pax cars of the Sentosa Monorail that circles Sentosa and alighted at Station No. 1 (Sentosa Ferry Terminal). Here, we plan to watch the 7:30 PM Musical Fountain (also known as the Magical Fountain of Sentosa) show.

The Sentosa Monorail was closed in 2005 and most of the island’s monorail was dismantled, though parts of the original track structure still remain. The monorail was replaced by the red, blue and yellow bus lines.

Sentosa Monorail

Started in 1972 and opened, 10 years later, in 1982, the fountain show was designed by world-renowned fountain designer Yves Pepin.  The star attraction at the resort, it was just upgraded early in the year and the fountain is now Neo-Classical in look, with heavily decorated arches.  Its design was also themed to look like a nature wonderland, with small ponds, shrubs and  gigantic man-made waterfalls flanking the fountain grounds.

Musical Fountain and Fountain Gardens

The pool consisted of 25 million gallons of water which took 3 man-hours to fill and the fountain and could be shot up to 20 m.  It had more than 19 different water formations including the famous Phoenix flanked by waltzing “chorus-lines.

The Neo-Classical Musical Fountain

It was already late in the afternoon when we arrived at the amphitheater which could  accommodate 5000 people seated and at least 100 standing. The 7 seating zones in the arena were themed after the colors of the rainbow.  The 3 minute and 36 second fountain display show we watched was said to have been inspired by the synchronized dance of the Fountains of Bellagio.  The show capped our visit in Sentosa.

The Musical Fountain underwent a major restoration and upgrading project in 1999. In 2002, Yves Pepin replaced all the musical fountain shows with the Magical Sentosa Show but this show did not last long. After operating for 25 years, it was shut down to make way for an integrated resort called Resorts World Sentosa . Its last show was staged on March 25, 2007 and was replaced by the “Songs of the Sea” show. The area once occupied by the Musical Fountain is now occupied by the Lake of Dreams, Hotel Michael and Crockford Tower.

Ocean Park (Hong Kong)

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After our morning city tour and lunch, we all proceeded to Ocean Park, one of the most spectacular attractions in Hong Kong.  This huge complex, comprising an amusement park, oceanarium (Asia’s largest) and an aviary, is located at the valley between Wong Chuk Hang and Nam Long Shan Mountain along Deep Water Bay, on the south side of Hong Kong.

Ocean Park

Ocean Park

Beautifully set high on a hill overlooking the South China Sea and opened on January 1977 (at a cost of HK$150 million) by Hong Kong Gov. Sir Murray MacLehose, it was a perfect place to take a break from the hustle and bustle  of our Hong Kong holiday.

Cable car

Cable car

Access to the theme park’s headland area, 1,400 ft. above sea level, is either by a 1.5-km. long cable car system or around the other side of the hill at Tai Shue Wan by the longest outdoor covered escalator in the world which can carry 4,000 passengers an hour up a 30-degree slope. Both cable car and escalator offer fantastic views.  We chose to enter the park via the former.

Atoll Reef

Atoll Reef

Sea lions

Sea lions

Penguins

Penguins

The amusement park has a selection of thrill rides including the “Dragon,” one of the world’s longest and fastest roller coasters.  Perched on the edge of the mountain, it features a series of heart-stopping series of twists, turns and giant 360-degree loops.

Walking through the Aviary

Walking through the Aviary

Atoll Reef, a huge aquarium in Marineland, houses 500 different species of fish.  Wave Cove, an exhibition area, is where we saw sea lions, African fur seals, Stettler sea lions, dolphins, penguins, pelicans and Miss Hoi Wai (formerly named Peanuts and Susie), its signature female killer whale (Orsinus orca) captured on October 1977 in Ingolfshofdi, Iceland and moved to Ocean Park on January 27, 1979.

In early 2011, Atoll Reef was closed after 34 years of operation. Many of the fishes were moved to the new Grand Aquarium.  The killer whale Hoi Wai died on April 21, 1997, at the age of 22, due to severe blood loss.

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The free-flight, walk-through, 2,500 sq. m.  Aviary, at Bird Paradise in Tai Shue Wan, is one of the largest in the world. It houses about 3,000 birds of 150 different species.

Ocean Theater

Ocean Theater

High diving act at Ocean Theater

High diving act at Ocean Theater

The highlight of our visit to Ocean Park was the high altitude diving show at Ocean Theater.   On April 7, 1985, during a single show at the park, Americans Lucy Wardle and Randy Dickison set new world high dive records. Lucy’s dive of 120 ft. (36.8 m.) still stands today. Randy’s dive of 174 ft., 8 ins. surpassed Dana Kunzie’s 172 ft. dive in 1984. The current world high dive record of 177 ft. belongs to Oliver Favre of Switzerland, set in France in 1987.

Ocean Park: Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong.  Tel: 3923 2323.  Open Mondays-Fridays, 9 AM–5 PM.