Ocean Park Hong Kong is a place I’m in two minds about. I loved the rides and I loved learning about the fauna there but that fauna is held captive.
Before we get to Ocean Park Hong Kong we need to show a photograph of my breakfast from the Cosmopolitan Hotel.
Prior to leaving for Hong Kong, Ms20 had arranged ground transport with Buffalo Tours from our hotel to Ocean Park Hong Kong. After breakfast we waited for our shuttle bus. It was delayed but not too delayed. The guide on the shuttle bus was very good at explaining what we should see and do when we got to Ocean Park. He was also very careful to explain our pick up point and pick up time.
It’s said Deep Water Bay is the wealthiest neighbourhood in the world.
The Hair Raiser was the best ride we experienced in Hong Kong.
I found this YouTube video which shows just how much fun it is.
Best ride in Hong Kong.
There are four giant pandas held captive in Ocean Park Hong Kong. Two are kept in the open and the other two in a closed in enclosure.
After the cable car ride and visiting the Giant panda and panda exhibit we went back to the area of the rides. We went on two roller coasters which were great. As good as any roller coaster ride I’ve had in Australia and as good as Space Mountain at Hong Kong Disneyland.
After the rides we went for lunch. We thought we’d try the Terrace cafe. It looked nice but the maître d’ was incompetent beyond imagination. we walked away after 20 minutes of waiting and being ignored while others (who could speak Cantonese) pushed through and got tables.
We ended up in the cheap and cheerful eatery. I had roast duck and pork with rice.
After lunch we went to the arctic and antarctic exhibitions.
In the arctic exhibit there were seals and a couple of walruses. The walruses were huge.
After the arctic and antarctic exhibits we went to the dolphin show. I shot about a hundred photographs but when I looked through them all I saw were dolphins held in captivity. Ocean Park Hong Kong makes a strong point about conservation, animal welfare, protecting marine ecological systems and zöological research. I still feel uneasy about these animals being trained for entertainment.
In the south American rain forest area there were some Capybara. These rodents are huge.
It was an enjoyable day at Ocean Park save for the lunch episode at the Terrace Cafe.
After we left we went to Times Square in Causeway Bay and enjoyed dinner, albeit an expensive dinner at Greenhouse.
I had Singapore noodles with lobster and bacon.
After such an expensive main course we went to McDonalds for dessert
And so ended Saturday in Hong Kong. It was a good one.
Hi Gary. I have been once to Ocean Park (about seven years ago) and just enjoyed a few of the rides as the park was closing for renovations. The pandas seemed very well cared for as I was concerned about their welfare before going there. I thought their cages might be too small but they had lots of space (not in cages). So I really liked your comment that the park is concerned about animal welfare. I am like you if I ever went to a dolphin show (I never go) as all I would see are animals trained for entertainment which I am totally against. It’s sad. Great post. Am loving following your trip around HK.
Thanks Sue. Part of me loves watching the dolphins jump and spin, but I’d prefer to see them do that out in the open ocean. I agree, the giant pandas have a large space, they seem to be content and given their endangered species status I think having some in captivity is not such a bad thing.
I’m just loving these pictures from Hong Kong. I really need a vacation!
I hope one day you get to visit. Nine days was perfect.
I’ve never been to Ocean Park but the animal and family photos are lovely. But can I ask you a question Gary? Jam and scrambled eggs on toast? 😮 What kind of jam?
It was blackberry jam. I like mixing up my foods and the contrasting flavours.