Manila Ocean Park Visit

How was your Valentine’s Day Muthers?

Wow! Ngayon lang? Heheh. Matagal na kasi dapat tong post na to eh ngayon ko lang natapos. Pasensya naman. =)

Grabe! Some of my friends in facebook posted their photos that they received flowers and chocolates last weekend. Mejo nakakainggit pero it wasn’t a big deal naman for me. I don’t want flowers that much talaga. The last time Daryl gave me a bouquet was back in 2011 or 2012, I think? Yun ay winarla ko kasi sya na wala syang gift ng Valentine’s Day. Hahahaha! I remember I was so childish back then..

Alam nyo kasi, yan si Daryl, he wasn’t really showy kung anong feelings nya. Huhuluaan ko pa talaga yan! Feeling ko dapat naging close kami ni madam Auring eh para at least alam ko ang nararamdaman nya pero waley te.. wala akong super powers na ganyan so minsan, nagkakaron talaga ng misunderstanding.

Anyhow, I received a gift from him naman. He gave it to me 1-2 weeks before Valentine’s Day. We had a misunderstanding kasi back then so he gave it to me in advance para di na ako magalit. Hindi rin kasi yan mapakali if he has a surprise eh, masasabi at masasabi nya talaga yan sakin. The night before the V-day, I was expecting ng sobrang slight na may dala syang surprise pero loss ang beauty ko. When I told him, “wala kang dalang flowers?” he said, bukas pa naman ang V-day so ok, nakalusot sya.

The next day, Feb 14, he has to go to work so I did household chores while taking care of James. Mantakin nyo, nilabhan ko ang mga damit namin na worth of 2 weeks habang nag aalaga ng bata. Jeske Lerd!! Ayun, hindi ako nakatapos. Hehehe. Naiwan yung mga white clothes kasi inuna ko yung mga colored clothes while I manually washed James’ clothes.

When Daryl went home, wala na naman flowers! Hay.. I said, “walang flowers?” He said naman na naiwanan daw nya ang lahat ng money nya so wala syang extra pangbili.

Anak ng tipaklong talaga, loss na naman ang beauty ko!

Pero I didn’t make it a big deal. I just told him na I am too tired na kasi naglaba ako. He was nice enough naman para lambingin ako ng slight. We left our house which we do every Saturday night. Pumupunta kami sa Mom nya to spend a night.

We also talked about our weekend getaway din. We have been planning to go to Tagaytay so we could spend some time for our own family. I have made an itinerary na sana kaya lang we would have to commute daw kasi her Mom will be using their car to go somewhere else. It made me really sad na lahat na lang ba ng plan ko? Hindi natutuloy? I told Daryl that we could just go to Manila Ocean Park kasi mas malapit and we could call a taxi na lang. It was our plan din sana kasi to go there back in January kaya lang it was rescheduled because we went to Pangasinan. When Daryl later on asked his Mom if gagamitin ang sasakyan, sinabi na we could use it na lang daw. Thank God!!! Hehehe. Ang hirap ng walang sariling sasakyan ha? Well, if it was just me, sanay naman akong mag commute although hindi ko nga lang naprepare ang itinerary ng naka commute going to tagaytay. I assumed kasi that we can use the car eh. Buti na lang, his Mom gave way. =)

When I checked on line about Tagaytay’s weather, ang forecast was 20 degrees with rainshowers so that made me decide na sa Manila Ocean Park na lang talaga kami. Aside from that, we woke up around 8am na which was very late sa itinerary going to Tagaytay. My plan kasi is to leave Manila at 6am.

We left their house at 11am already since we have to wait for Rufert who would drive for us. Wala pa kasing license si Daryl so hindi pa kami pwede na kami lang.

From Pasay, we took the Roxas Blvd to go to Manila Ocean Park. I have been checking online deals for Manila Ocean Park and the night before kaya lang sobrang bagal ng internet so hindi na ako nakatingin ng maayos. I have to hope na nasa 700 pesos pa rin ang isa sa mga packages nila. We arrived and saw some of their deals before we reached the mismong entry. I asked Daryl to line up dun sa mahabang pila while I checked kung para saan ang line. We both found out that the long line was for online purchased. Sobrang haba talaga ng pila. From their ticketing booth until sa baba ng stairs nila. We lined up on the other ticketing booth as we decide kung anong deal ang kukunin namin although I already have one in mind. Daryl and I agreed that we would take the Sea Breeze Package for P700 if James is not free of charge while we’ll get the higher deal for P900 if he’s free. When we got to the Kuya who’s pre-taking the deal you want, sinukat namin si James and was told na may bayad na sya. FULL PAYMENT pa mga ‘te!! Wala man lang kids rate?! 2 feet and below are free so basically yung mga 0-1year old lang ang libre or kung minalas ka pa na malaking bulas ang anak mo, like James, full payment talaga.

I was so devastated because I don’t think my payment for James’ part was sulit. My child was only 1 year old and 3 months. I don’t think na maappreciate nya ng bongga ang mga bagay na makikita nya sa loob. Yes, he knows birds and I introduced him sa fishes sa wet market pero he doesn’t appreciate it like those who are aged 4years old and above. You see what I mean? They could have a different rate na lang sana sa mga toddler 1-3 years old then adult rate for 4yo and beyond. I would feel great if James would say “Wow, may fish!!” “Wow ang laki ng bird!!” Yung mga tipong ganyan, matatanggap ko pang nagbayad ako ng P700 for him but for a reaction na so-so lang, not worth it. I also asked kung may special rate si James since he has a Junior Savers account at BDO pero wala daw. Hindi daw nila alam yun at discounted na daw ang mga rates nila. To MOP, sana mabasa nyo po ito. Salamat! =)

Anyway, We were given our tickets which was a total of P2100 (700x3). We took pictures in front of the entrance before we came in. I didn’t know during that time that food is allowed inside pala. If I should have known, nagdala ako ng mga biscuits for James and some snacks for Daryl and I. 

As you enter, the every first attraction you’ll see is the Birds of Prey Kingdom.

We agreed on coming in since James is very familiar with birds. Yung mga birds kasi na alam nya are those na nakikita sa mga paligid. Yung mga maliliit na ibon? It was around 12pm when we came in there kaya mejo mainit talaga. There were number of birds inside na ang lalaki talaga ng wing span. Yung mga tipong nandadagit na ibon? We took some pictures then we saw that kuya who offers free photo shoot while you hold their food tapos when the bird is about to pick it up, they’ll take a picture of you pero the picture would be for P200 ata? I am not that sure though. I want sana kaya lang takot ako pag lalapit na yung ibon eh. Baka dagitin ako hehehe.

Don't touch the bird daw, Anak!

Titigan with the bird!!

Verdict :

1. The place is big so basically birds can fly freely.

2. There were landscapes that the bird uses to take a rest.

3. I like the entrance and the walkway bridge.

4. There are trashes on the water below. Maybe because nasa Manila Bay talaga ito located pero when you check the trash? Parang mga binato or pinabayaang kalat lang while they are inside the attraction. Lack of discipline talaga ng mga visitors.. Tssk.

5. Ang konti ng birds. Mas maganda siguro kung mas madami pa. Although parang endangered na ata kasi yung mga birds na yun kay konti lang.

We only stayed there for about 10 minutes. Ang init kasi talaga, maalinsangan yung weather.

Our next stop was the Jellies Exhibit.

 

As we reach the attraction, I thought it was closed kasi walang pila and walang tao. It was dark din and it doesn’t look like na merong attraction there. When we got in, kelangan pala talaga madilim so we could see different Jelly fishes. OMG. Ang gaganda nila talaga. I didn’t know na may iba’t ibang type pala nun? Hehehe. I haven’t seen one sa mga beach kasi halos transparent sila diba? But with different light colors, ayun, nakita ko yung details ng body nila. Scary kasi I imagine myself sa beach tapos kakapit yung jellyfish. Hehehe.

 

Verdict :

1. I was really amazed with the Jellyfish kasi hindi ko nga alam na may iba’t ibang itsura pala sila.

2. Different lights complements the Jellyfishes given that they were transparent kasi.

3. I liked the parang tube glasses before the exit.

4. There were some kinds of Jellyfish there na parang ang konti. Siguro kasi mahirap kumuha ng ganong specie? Hehe.

5. Nakakahilo yung mga glass. Sobrang dark kasi ng paligid tapos iba – iba ang color ng lights so when I looked sa ibang glasses, parang mejo nahihilo na ako. I don’t know if it was just me ha? I forgot to ask Daryl eh.

6. The place was very big so may mga part na walang laman. Or maybe it’s under renovation.

After we visit the Jellies Exhibit, we were supposed to eat lunch pero sabi ko later na pag nap time ni Jami kasi he looked sleepy na pero ang dami pang energy eh.

Our next stop was Oceanarium. 

I want to let James see the fishes kasi before he goes to sleep so we went there na agad. I saw a lot of big fishes talaga. Nakakatakot! Naimagine ko kasi back then how it feels na nasa gitna ako ng dagat then I can’t see what’s underneath. Baka may sharks or big fishes, mga ganyan. Heheheh! I saw some sharks din. Mejo hindi ko na ma enjoy kasi nagsasalitan lang kami ng pagkarga kay James. Given that I wasn’t prepare at all, hindi din namin nadala ang stroller nya. Booooo!!! Mejo nahihilo na din ako kakatingin sa glasses along the way. There was 2 crocodiles din in one spot na as in parang statue kasi di nagalaw. That was my first time na makakita ng crocodile ng mejo malapit.

 

Verdict:

1. Madaming fishes especially yung sting Ray.

2. I think mejo kulang yung accessories like mga corals. Or maybe kinontian lang talaga so we could see the fishes better. Dun lang sa underwater parang hindi ako masyadong nakakita ng small fishes. Kasi diba if it really resembles the usual underwater, halo – halo yun?

3. There were small fishes naman on a different aquarium kaya lang nakakahilo tingnan sa daming aquarium. Heheh. I don’t know if I am just nahihilo kasi wala pa akong kain or Malabo yung glass.

4. The crocodiles place was a bit small.

5. Mejo masikip yung walkway dun sa may underwater aquarium. Siguro dapat mejo nilawakan lang ng slight.

There was a kids activity area din pala inside oceanarium but I opted not to bring James there kasi sleepy na talaga sya. Besides, pang mas older kids kasi eh. Activities are coloring books na hindi pa naman naiintindihan ni James. We went out na after, mejo nakakalito nga lang yung exit kasi it brought us to the second floor na where we saw the Fish Spa and the Trails to Antartica. Unfortunately, our tickets doesn’t include them so we skipped that. Pwede naman mag avail ng tickets but that was P200 each for Trails to Antartica and P150 for Fish Spa.

Nadaanan din namin yung parang al fresco area ng Hotel H20 pero it was tanghaling tapat kaya walang tao dun. That’s where the exit is located din so if I will be staying at that hotel, parang awkward naman na may mga dumadaang galling sa Oceanarium. Hehe.

We bought Dunkin Donuts which was surprisingly P10 higher than the normal rate. If I would have known, bumili na lang sana ako sa labas. We saw din the entrance of Yexel’s Museum which was not included on our package so we skipped that too.

We went down the elevator and looked for a place to eat our lunch. We took the Quix store kasi meron silang parang budget meal. There were other restos din like Gerry’s Grill and Pancake House etc but since di nga ako makapag move on sa amount ng tickets eh, we opted to settle na lang with Quix. I ordered Chicken BBQ, Pinakbet and Rice for P109 while Daryl had the Pork (forgot the name), Laing and Rice for P109 too. We bought mineral water na lang for P40 for 500ml while I unintentionally brought C2 ice tea sa bag ko. Ok naman ang food, hindi na masama pero quite expensive pa din. Parang Karinderya type kasi and dito sa office, I would only spend less than P80 for that pero since Manila Ocean Park nga, mejo mahal.

While having lunch, James pooped, eh wala pa naman akong dalang extra diaper. Hahaha! We called Rufert to get us an extra one and the mineral water we bought on our way to MOP. Naisip ko kasi, rather than bibili pa ulit ng P40 na water, ipapasok ko na lang yung binili kong malaking water to save some bucks.

After a while, we decided to proceed to Sharks and Ray Dry Exhibit since it opens at 1pm. It’s past 1pm already and the line wasn’t that long yet. The MOP has been courteous enough to give a schedule of each attraction. The Oceanarium, Jellies Exhibit, Birds of Prey Kingdom, Shark and Rays Dry Encounter are the attractions that has no schedule, meaning as soon as the gate’s open, you can come in anytime. However, Sea Lion Show, All Star Bird Show, Symphony Evening Show and 3D Penguin Talkshow has a specific time as to when the each attraction would start.

Going back to Sharks and Ray Dry Encounter, it was along the Aquatica Area where Sea Lion Show, All Star Bird Show and Symphony Evening Show are being held. We also see where the Buffet type resto is. As we lined up near the pool like area, there were total of 3 Sting Rays being held by 3 trainers. Private Photography is not allowed. 3 different types of sting rays are introduced to us. I was really scared to touch them talaga. Tinanong ko pa yung kuya if he’s not scared holding them. Sabi nya “ Ang takot daw ang nasa isip lang.” heheh. As I touched them, napapasigaw ako kasi iba – iba yung textures nila, may makinis, may magaspang. It’s as if I touched a live big fish na din. Mejo malansa din ang amoy nila like fishes. After the line, meron namang faucet na pwedeng paghugasan ng kamay. Our visit there lasted only for about 5 minutes din. It was a good decision to go in minutes after it opened kasi when we went out na of the attraction, OA na sa haba ng pila!

Verdict :

1. There were a very minimal line lang when we got in although mejo magulo nga yung line kasi wala naman instructions kung paano kami pipila.

2. I thought there was also a Shark pero Sting Ray lang ang nakita ko. I was waiting for the shark pa naman sana.

3. There were enough trainers to guide the people on how to touch the Sting Ray. Dapat daw open ang hand pag hinipo sila.

4. Sa dami ng nakapila, parang I got tired for the Sting Ray kasi hawak sila ng trainers although from time to time naman talaga, they’re being freed so makapag pahinga sila.

So that’s the first part of our Manila Ocean Park Tour. Abangan po ang Part 2 for the other 4 attractions na pinuntahan naming ha?! =)