Subic, Olongapo - Ocean & Zoobic Adventure

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June 17, 2005, Friday at 10:00 AM, Val, Toby (Val's brother), Ninjo (Val's cousin) & I left Filinvest 1, Q.C, our home & headed to Subic, Olongapo via North Luzon Expressway. Everything was going along fine, cruising with our music but suddenly when we reached the bridge in NLEX(North Luzon Express way) the steering wheel started to shake. At first I thought it was just the road, but after the long stretch of the bridge it still continued to shake. We went down from the CRV van & found our wheel unevenly bloated. My Gosh! Good thing it did not explode! We changed the front left tire. We were back on track by 10:45AM, we just had a 20 minute delay. We arrived at Subic, All Hands Resort at around 12:30 PM. Check-in is actually at 2PM but they were kind enough to give us an early check-in because we made prior arrangements. The place was ours, I guess, since very few people check-in on a Friday.

By 1:00 PM we were already starving. We headed back to Subic’s Restaurant & Shopping Center which was 20-30 mins ride from All Hands resort. Val & I ate at Pancake house while Toby & Ninjo ate at Chowking. A lot of Bars & Restos, fast foods are readily available. Some popular ones include Yellow Cab Pizza, Pier 1, Geri’s Grill & Jollibee. This busy commercial area has come along way from being a former American Naval base.

By 3:00 PM, we headed to Subic upper Cubi. It was a 35-40 minute drive from the Shopping center area. Zoobic’s last show ends at 4:00PM so we were just on time. The entrance was around P395, there we had a live encounter with a tiger. We even touched it during the photo-shoot. It was a little bit scary. You will never know when a tiger will get wild. We also entered a barrack full of reptiles. Then rode a modified safari jeep into the tigers' zone. They also allow feeding the tigers with chicken from the jeep. This would enable you to see their fierce teeth. You have to pay for the chicken at P200 each to enjoy this.

We then headed to the Ostrich & Pig potbelly area. The Ostrich really looked scary with the big heads & popping eyes supported by their long skinny necks. It has been said that they are stupid creatures that they stick their head into the soil when scared from predators. They think the predator will disappear if they don't see them. After that we went to the zone where we saw a variety of animals like the albino Tamaraw, the aromatic Malayan Caviat Cat (known for its oil used for perfumes, it was also shared by Grace the tour guide that the manure of this animal is processed to be drank as a flavourful and expensive coffee.), monkeys, birds etc…. The timing was just right if we came a little more earlier it could have been warmer. The tour was very informative, and Grace, our tour guide was very enthusiastic and entertaining as well.

By 5:30 PM we headed back to the All hands to swim at the beach. We were already hot & sticky. Ahhhh beach time!!! The water was warm & was so refreshing. There was also a wave runner or jet ski area which rents for P2500 per hour or P1500 for half an hour.

By 7:00 PM we were already preparing for dinner & a night out. We all ate at Yellow Cab pizza then went our separate ways. Val & I headed for the Subic Diamond Casino while Toby & Ninjo went to Pier 1 & Sybil. We retired for the night. We have to prepare for the Ocean adventure the next morning.

The next day, by 9:00 AM the Ocean Adventure park was just about to open. The entrance fee was P495 per person. They have different schedules each day so you’d better check before planning your itinerary. They normally start with Aquarium tour first, then the Sea lion show at 10:30 AM, then the Sea lion photo shoot. Next would be the Whale show at 12:30 PM. With that timing you would really have to eat there. We ate at the Illanin Bay café. Each plate serving averaged from P150-200, the menu was composed of chicken BBQ's, porkchops, pasta, soups. The quantity was not that satisfactory though but the taste was just ok as expected. I suggest you bring your bottled water, so you would not end up buying a lot of beverages at Theme park rates. It would also be wise to buy the bigger mineral bottle water because later at the Sea lion show they would encourage the public to minimize the use of the small bottles. At least you would feel proud of yourself economizing.

By 12:30 PM the most awaited Whale show has started, first the dolphins then the false killer whales, splash!!! Kabloom~!!! Wow!!! They were really great! The most exciting part for me was the dolphin photo shoot. It was our first time to touch a dolphin. It cost P600 per person & P650 for two persons which includes hard copy of the picture and 2 poses plus a cd of the your pics and the pics of the animals in the park. I patted the dolphin's skin, it felt very smooth & feels like rubber. The dolphin really looked like an intelligent creature.

By 1:00 PM we were already checking-out. We packed & headed to the PX shopping area. Goods like Liquors, imported snacks, Perfumes & colognes are a good buy. It’s cheaper by around 10% from the regular shopping mall, perhaps because 10% represents the Value added tax you save.

We arrived Manila by 5PM. it was a little traffic because of the road construction at NLEX. The newly repaired road & constructed roads really made travelling northward faster. You have to sacrifice though with the toll fee that doubled after the improvements.

Evaluating the trip, I found it exhilarating, informative & awesome. I really enjoyed the variety of activities we were able to do. The Casino trip was also really a hit. I had fun at the end we lost around P800.We were able to cash our entrance coupons by hitching with the other Baccarat players. I was able to convert the P200 coupon to P200 Cash. It was my last bet & it gave me winning feeling despite of the loss.

Costing for the trip
P750 @ or P3000 for 1 night accommodation for 4 Pax
P 395@ Zoobic Adventure Entrance
P 495 @ Ocean’s Adventure Enrance
P200-500 @ Meal Allowance
P1500 Gas expense
P300 aprox .back & forth toll fee Expenses

Optional Expenses
P150 Zoobic Touch the tiger Photo shoot
P650- Ocean Adventure Touch the dolphin Photo shoot
P500@ Casino Adventure!!!



Generally, I was satisfied with the trip the Zoobic & Ocean’s adventure. The All hands resort accommodation was not that satisfactory though.They have to improve their flooring & they also have to solve their mosquito problems. The cottages could fit 5-10 persons, but I suggest you bring sleeping bags & pillows because they charge P200 for 1 mattress. There is also an extra charge of P100 per person in excess of the P3000 for 4 pax accommodation.

Looking back though it was the best option because of its proximity to Ocean’s Adventure & Zoobic. There are newer, cheaper & better hotels near the Moon bay-walk & Crown peak area but you should consider the location. From Moon bay walk to Ocean’s Park would take you around 35-40 mins. It’s quite a journey. Buying a map is suggested.

The next best option would be Camayan resort which like 5 mins away from Ocean’s Adventure. As of date the Rooms are not yet open to the public. The huts cost around P1000-1200 & entrance fee at P200 per person which is separate form the hut fee. The beach has grey sands and are just so so. Water sports don’t seem to be available in this area.

Going back to the experience, I really learned a lot. It was really nice to be in touch with nature. The flora & fauna are interesting. It’s nice that we are able to educate the young ones about the environment thru more entertaining ways like this. This trip also gave us the opportunity to bond with each other. Subic has a variety of areas that will suit the different travelers' personalities. The Moon bay area for the more urbanized entertainment & the lower ports or the Ocean’s adventure side for the nature or animal trips. Val & I enjoyed it & even rekindled our relationship by trying new stuff like this. As for Toby & Ninjo they explored the different side of life. The nightlife they have their own stories to tell...
Love you hun! Hope we could go out again sometime! God bless!

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