Weekend whisk (Conclusion)

CEBU, Philippines - If last Sunday’s weekender itinerary tugged you out of Manila for a joyride in the uplands, this set will take you back down to Manila via Laguna – two stops, two amusement parks  in sun-sky-sea fashion.

My tour group opted to stay overnight in Sta. Rosa, Laguna (nearly two hours away from Tagaytay) before we headed Manila. (Thanks to our gracious hosts Mr. Net and Mrs. Angie Isidro of Pilipino Star Ngayon for letting us stay at their comfortable abode in Belair). And what premiere recreational facility they have in Sta. Rosa than Enchanted Kingdom? It’s just a few blocks away from the Isidro home. So it was the destination the next day.

Ride all you can

‘Twas my second visit in Enchanted Kingdom and still I cringed at the mere sight of the death-defying rides, in seven themed zones. Clearly, this amusement park is a daredevil’s playground and is designed to intimidate the faint-hearted.

Purchase a Regular Day Pass or the unlimited use of all ride ticket pegged at P500, and enjoy the rides with your adventure buddy…and scream like crazy! If you have limited time, try out these rides: Flying Fiesta, Space Shuttle (roller coaster), Rio Grande Rapids, Jungle Log Jam, Anchors Away (galleon ship swinging like a pendulum), Grand Carousel, Up Up and Away, Dodgem (bump cars), Roller Skater and EKstreme a.k.a. drop tower. If you’re a thrill-seeker, you’ll never go wrong with these rides! Give it three hours to complete this set. (Refer to this section’s August 10, 2011 issue for some ride reviews.)

Underwater world in the city

If you haven’t tried diving nor have never been to an oceanarium anywhere in the world, then Manila Ocean Park in Luneta is your preview to the underwater world. Although ours is a miniature of some of the world-renowned marine enclaves, Manila Ocean Park still is a charmer given that the underwater world in itself is utterly a spectacular attraction to behold.

Since the year it started, MOP has showcased attractions such as the Oceanarium, Fish Spa, Aquanaut Voyage, Jellies Exhibit, Bird Photo Op, (South American) Sea Lions Show, Glass Bottom Boat Ride, Musical Fountain Show, among others.  

Oceanarium

This breathtaking marine life exhibit is a display of roughly 300 different marine species or 5,000 marine creature varieties, endemic to the Philippines and in South East Asia. It has seven sections: Agos (current/flow) is for freshwater fishes such as giant arapaima, arowana, giant gourami, African rifts, cichlids, koi and a heap of others; Bahura (coral reef) is for corals and those who thrive along or within them such as giant clams, triggerfish, white bamboo spotted shark, target fish, etc.; Laot is the fishing ground where big fish thrive, such as giant groupers, sea turtles, snappers, tuna, etc.; Buhay na Karagatan (living ocean) is perhaps the Oceanarium’s main draw because of the 25-meter underwater viewing tunnel curved at 220 degrees – which is a display of marine species in peaceful coexistence in the ocean – leading to Ang Kalaliman (the deep) is for deep sea creatures; while in Kalaliman, look up and you’ll see Pagis (sting rays) flying by —— err…swimming by — some are blotched fantail ray, mangrove whipray, honeycomb stingray, cowtail stingray; and finally, my most dreaded section – the Pating (shark) where a variety of sharks lurk at the bottom of the huge tank. (Rates: P400/head for adults, P350 for children 4 feet and below, and FREE for children 2 feet and below.)

Jellies

The tour was short but sweet. Jelly fish/jellies touted as the dancing sea fairies are well-highlighted in the Jellies exhibit where each tank is designed with state-of-the-art lighting technology. As the jellies flutter gracefully in rhythmic dances, light-reflected hues illuminate the tanks, each full of blubber, upside-down, moon, amakusa and spotted jellies. The Jellies doubles as a bar at night in its entire romantic ambiance, illuminated by multicolored lights that streamed through the jellyfish glass tanks. The play of lights is delightful! (Admission: P150 per head)

Fish Spa

The doctorfish is in! The fish spa frenzy was also taken inside the MOP premise. For skin rejuvenation, simply dip your feet in the water with little freshwater doctor fish, measuring a little less than four meters. These nibble fish eat up the dead skin cells sans the pain yet it brings a tingling/ticklish sensation. I did not take it. That was very ticklish, I couldn’t bear! Some of my companions endured the feeling for 15 minutes though pegged at P120 per head. Now, you spare yourself from a trip to the spa for that foot scrub.

There were more to explore yet so little time. We had to catch our flight.

This tour asks one to two hours of your time. Inquire of their Mid-Year Savers promo that is currently running until October 9, 2011 to avail of their discounted tickets. 

Special thanks to Mario Mendoza of Philippine Star, Angie Isidto, Beth Ambayec and Emma Doroteo of Pilipino Star Ngayon and Charles Lim of Selrahco Management & Consultancy Services. (FREEMAN)