Another's Kids Day- Manila Ocean Park

           I was like a boy playing on the sea-shore, and diverting myself now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me.----- Isaac Newton 

          The ocean is one of the places I wanted to explore but I don't have the courage. Honestly I don't know how to swim, and If I see big waves, like for an instance when riding a boat, I come trembling down. I love looking at aquariums with fishes swimming as if the water provides them positive energy. I was already offered scuba diving and asked to ride a submarine but I have these thought that I might die if I do so I declined. Lol! When I was a kid, I saw that there is this big aquarium that can be seen in Singapore where you can see marine animals as if they are in there natural habitats. I wanted to go there, I even cried it out to my mom but we don't have the means (poor me). So I was indeed very happy when Manila Ocean Park opened here in the Philippines. At last, I can feed my curious mind on what we can see at the bottom of the ocean, not on TV and not on Internet but in ACTUAL!

Entrance of the Manila Ocean Park

           Me and my college  friends decided to go here for a feasibility study that we were doing before. Our study is a restaurant with an ocean park theme that's why we need to see the actual park to have an idea. Honestly, the reason we went there was pure FUN only. lol. The ocean park is located in Pasay. We got there early  so we decided to stroll first and wait till the Park is open to the public.

Checking out packages that we can avail :)

And because it is sooo long, Picture :)

Tired already, we haven't had fun yet! common! :D

My beautiful girlssss :D

       After waiting for the Ocean park to open, Finally they let visitors in. There were quite some tourist visiting the area, usually kids, but hey! We are kids, kids at heart :) The Park is big, you can see there small and huge aquariums with a lot marine life in different sizes. If you could tell how happy I was? I was like ^___________^. There are also several packages that you can choose, it depends on what you want to see and what you want to encounter. There some extra attractions there that you can avail once your inside the park. There are also restaurants inside and souvenir shop too.

My Favorite area in the park, lovely right? :)

This caught my attention, I so like BAGING :)


There is a big arwana behind us :)


I dont know what those are, Are they edible? Just a thought :)


I am the king of the ocean (feeler xD)


Small Aquariums with small fishes :)

Emote with Daeme Epi :)

Perfect, galing ng nagpicture :)

        Aside from fishes swimming around the aquariums, there is this section that really caught my attention. Who among you hate jelly fish? Well, I do, specially when I enjoy my self swimming on  a beach and they come swarming around me, Gawd! It would give my swim such a bad vibes. Instead of me swimming and enjoying, I would end up on a marathon, running away from them. But when I saw this area of jellyfish in an aquarium I was amazed! They where tagged as Dancing Sea Fairies and it was such a wonderful sight!

Entrance of the Jelly Fish Aquariums

Aren't the lights great? 

        As we go along the trail,  there are some things here that shows the Filipino culture. There is an area where you can see Jeepneys, Sorbetes  and the like as an attraction within the area. There is also a place that shows Dinosaur for the kids. We really enjoyed having photo opportunities here! 

Big Buuuug :)

Stoooooppp!

Ahhhhhhhh :)

A view from the Manila Bay :) (manila bay nga ba?) hahaha

Ice Cream anyone? :D

         After walking and being exhausted, its a good thing they have this Fish Spa area. I really loved this one, the idea is that you will soak your feet at a pool with small fishes. This fishes would come nibbling the dead cells in your feet. It does not only give an extreme relaxation but it cleanses off the dead cells as well. It took us around 30 minutes sitting there enjoying the ticklish sensation of the fishes nibbling our feet! Lol. 

It's actually ticklish to be honest!

I dont know who's legs are these, Daemie? or Jess? 

               After we have explored the park inside, there is a sea lion show on the activity area outside. These sea linos are so cute and they were trained to do tricks that made not only kids enjoy the show but also us, the kids at heart. They also asked audience for participation. 

There were 2 sea lions here, I think mag jowa ata sila? ahaha 

Trainer providing the instruction :) Very bright indeed. 

Enjoying the show :) 

              It was indeed a tiring day. But this fed our curious mind what to see underneath the ocean. It might not be actual but at least it shows the idea on what to see. There are still a lot of things that you can see in the ocean. I hope someday I can explore it with my own eyes riding on a submarine or something... SOMEDAY

Lets take a peek at ZAMBALES hidden treasure- ANAWANGIN COVE

       Zambales is starting to earn a little attention lately since several islands are being discovered here. These islands possess what most of beach goers love, white sand, crystal blue water and of course exquisite beauty of nature. Being tagged as Haven of Hidden Islands, Zambales is not only boasting its Sweet Mangoes but they also offer beaches that can be in lined with Boracay, Palawan and other beaches that has white sands. There are a lot of islands here that a tourist can surely enjoy, We have the Potipot Island, Mag-Alawa Island, the Capones Island and of course the first Island in Zambales that I will be featuring here on my blog, Anawangin Cove.

       Anawangin Cove is located in San Antonio Zambales, approximately 4-5 hours from the busy place of Metro Manila. This is the nearest Island that can be found here in Zambales if your coming from Manila that's why it is popular by Manilenos as a travel get away. From Pundaquit, San Antonio, Zambales you need to rent a boat that would take you to the island. This place is perfect for those who want to be in tuned with nature because once you get to the island, there is no cellphone signal and no electricity.

       This is the time when me and my high school friends decided to take a look of the Island that is being famous lately. We haven't gone out lately since we graduated high school so we agreed to have our bonding time here.My friends dad, Roa, assisted us going to San Antonio and then after arriving we were dropped off to Pundaquit, we then rented a boat afterwards. I don't remember how long it took us from the shores of Pundaquit going to Anawangin Island. All I remember is us, chit chatting and laughing feeling excited on what we might see.

On our way to our boat :D

Safety First... 

    

I find it difficult to ride this thing! Arrrgggh!

  

Picture, while waiting for all to get in :)

 

All set? Let's Goooo!

        As we sail off to the island, excitement is rushing to my veins (naks! ano daw un? haha). The wave is somewhat scary, I'm thinking what if the boat sinks? damn it I can't swim -.-  But all those worries did paved away. As we see the vast blue ocean and different rock formations, I am indeed starting to like what I am seeing. I could just jump off the boat and feel the cold water (but i cant, i might die! Imagination lang naman eh!) 

 

Isn't it obvious that me and charry is happy? aahhh! Candid shot. who took this? xD 

I thought I saw a mermaid on the rock :D

I saw some kids, playing on the shore, Aren't they afraid?!

 

Nice Rock Formation huh? 

 

Cool!!!

         I remembered a friend telling me that this island is like Boracay-Baguio mixed. Why? because you can hike on the mountains which surround the island. The fine white sand shore here is connected to a lake on the middle that would lead to forest-like-camp-site. This is where the fun begins.  As we near the island, I know now what my friend means by Boaracay-Baguio mixed. Before we went there we prepared everything, food, drinks and the like. We rented out tents when we got there at the island. I can surely say that this place is one hell of a camping adventure. 

We are nearing, finally :D

 

See the beautiful shores of the Island?! 

 

 

I'm lost, where the hell are you guys?! (cast away ang peg xD)

 

Look at that lake, I'd rather swim there than the ocean :D

        After we got ourselves on the Island, we went to the area where we will pay for our entrance fee and rent out a tent. Honestly I don't like camping! The fact that I am not good on setting up a tent, that makes me worry! It's a good thing that we are per group on a tent, Im exempted from humilitation, I thought Ill just sleep with a sleeping bag (lol, kawawa naman pala)! Honestly I enjoyed setting it up, bonding with friends, laughing and teasing. That's what is vacation all about. :)

On our way on the camping site. 

Cute huh? isn't it nice?

That's the best spot! I hope :D

 I am tired! Damn it.

 

Ok, I give up :( 

Finally! Did I do it? lols.

        After setting up our tents, we decided to look around the island. It means that we are off to pictorials (yehey...) Some of us decided to go swimming, some went for photo opps, some went for skim boarding and some roam around the island. I really am enjoying this place, very peaceful and calm, no signal, no stress! This is life :)

Nice Jump Shot! Wish I could jump as high as that >.<

Im so itim :( Thank you GLUTA :D

Anyone for a hike? Not me!

Louie enjoying "skim boarding" Tama ba? haha

 

Nice shot! :D

 

Anyare charry? :)

 

The rocky shore, literally rocky since  got wound bec. of those rocks! 

 

 What a relaxing view!

 

Roa the mermaid :)

         After we did our stuff, swimming, running, skim boarding, picture taking, we then decided to rest and eat lunch. Everyone is hungry, it's a good thing we have enough. But I think this won't last until dinner. (hahaha) We did the pot lock style, each of us brought food so that we will have many options. We also brought potable water. There is one store here but they don't have much. I also found out that the comfort room and C.R. here is not very comfortable to use if you ask me. They are doing this "batalan" thingy. Wherein the shower room has no roof or ceiling. If your not used to this, better be prepared if your gonna stay here! 

 See, I told you everyone is hungry, INCLUDING ME :)

The sisters look like they are not yet full, kulang po ba?

        Since it is getting dark, we decided to fix our tents and get ready for the camp fire. This is it, night and bonfire follows and ghost stories. I could also say that this island is safe. Alcohol or any liquor is prohibited to tourist visiting the island. There are also policemen and "barangay tanods" roaming around at night securing the safety of the campers. 

 

We need to dig a hole for the Bon Fire set up.  

It's a good thing they know what they are doing, I am such a lazy ass :)

         After we have secured the dry woods for our bonfire, we decided to clean up while the sun is still up. I did mention that there is no electricity right? Welcome to the pre-historic era. (lol) I thought I can manage a place without electricity and signal, hell I was wrong! I can't imagine how many message, tweets and pm i got during that time. (lol paranoid). Honestly when we got there we were not aware that there is no electricity and specially signal. We are all worried about our parents who is texting us. specially me, i did not bother to tell them where I am at. haha.

On our way to the shore to take a night walk :)

 

Not much for a welcoming committee? huh? lols.

         We decided to take a walk while we wait for 7 pm. The place is indeed peaceful. It's a good thing that there are campers, not only us! Because if not, I might think that this is some kind of an URBAN LEGEND thing and we might end up being massacred?! (Nega ko no? haha) But you can't blame me, and besides I am not the only one who is thinking that way. I remember the "samurai" topic that me and my friends are babbling about! Stupid but funny and SCARY! Thinking of what if's! hahaha

When night came, we realized that it is full moon. made the atmosphere creepier -.-

We decided to have small talks and gossips while the night goes on. 

 

It's a good thing there is a camp fire. Good night Zzzzzz

        To tell you honestly, we did not came here prepared, as I see this island a paradise a while ago, there would be a time that you will wish that you were home. We did not brought much. that's why we end up going home the following morning. We ate all the food (lol) we should have brought a lot. We are not expecting that the island would be a total shut out from the outside world (PBB lang ang peg?). But in totality I did enjoyed the experience with my friends on the island. I will definitely go back and make sure that I have everything I need and notify everyone that I wont be with my phone and internet for a while!