Blogger's Best Vacations, Places and Food Trips: Hongkong

Showing posts with label Hongkong. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Hong Kong: Ocean Park - The Grand Aquarium

The day at Hong Kong Ocean Park was almost at its end. We passed by this huge dome with octopus-like-tentacles design surrounding it. Curious, we decided to have our last stop here before heading home. We ride up the escalator and found "The Grand Aquarium".

The Grand Aquarium

Upon entering the Grand Aquarium, at first I really didn't make out what this is. But after awhile I realized it's like a big pond or the aquarium itself for these sea creatures. Amazing how they made this and maintain it so excellently!

The big pond or the huge aquarium thus the name Grand Aquarium

Inside the Grand Aquarium are huge sculptures of these sea creatures. Can't help but ponder how long the artist made this. =)


Huge sculptures

Here are some of the sea creatures that you are going to see and discover...

Is it Nemo? The clown fish? =)

The Great Sea Star or the Stars of the Sea

The caption says:

The Sea stars of the ocean are famed for their distinctive shape, bright colours and the capability of growing back their limbs! In some extreme cases, sea stars can grow back a whole new body from a limb! Scientists are studying their limb regeneration to see if it can apply to humans! ;)

Here are some of the actual photos taken of the sea stars...

You can actually touch these sea stars, if you are brave enough. These sea stars are inside a different shallow pond.

One of the fascinating creatures of the sea is the octopus!

While walking and watching at all these fascinating creatures, the Grand Aquarium made sure that the little kiddies won't be left out. They have their own Kid's Discovery Tunnel! =)

The Grand Aquarium's Kid's Discovery Tunnel

Here are some of what we have discovered inside the tunnel. Sort of a continuation of what's outside the tunnel.

These lovely corrals are pleasing to the eyes.

This Giant Octopus just can't help to show itself up among the corrals

Here come the Giant Crab!

What amazes me are the seahorses. Do you know there are different types?

The caption says:

Seahorses are unusual fish! Often a symbol of love, they pair up and stay together all their lives! These peaceful and charming creatures have amazed the world, but they are also prized for use in traditional medicines, as pets and as decorations. Don't consume seahorses! It is the only way we can continue to enjoy this symbol of love.

I have this particular seahorse that so amazed me that I want you guys to see for yourself why it amazes me so.

Normal sea weeds?

Look again! Now can you see? How many are there?

Amazing species of seahorses, aren't they? =)

Finally, at the bottom of the aquarium, we can see how some of these big sea creatures move under water.

And what else do you think we saw? The shark! =)

The Shark

The aquarium is really huge that if you are to pry each creature one by one, you'll take hours and hours before you'll be able to finish. But if you are a nature or sea lover, I think this place is a haven of sort for you. =)

Whatever our interest maybe. Hope this blog find you smiling 'till the end. It's a fun fishy experience indeed! =)

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Express by Holiday Inn Hotel Hong Kong

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Express by Holiday Inn Hotel Hong Kong

After our magical stay at Disneyland Hollywood Hotel in Hong Kong, it's back to the real world and what else? Sightseeing and shopping in Hong Kong!

With soaring prices in hotel accommodation, we had to plan out where to stay after Disneyland Hollywood Hotel. Of course, as a traveler if its affordable and comfortable; why not? right? So, we asked around and a friend told us that we can try Express by Holiday Inn Hotel. And so we did!

Express by Holiday Inn Hotel main lobby and reception counter

Express by Holiday Inn Hotel, is aptly described by its name - Express ! Which means fast. If you want a no fuss stay and is always on the go and doesn't need bell service; this hotel is the one for you. Though it doesn't mean they don't have bell service, they just don't bother you that much when you don't need it.

When going to Hong Kong, I was usually asked where am I going to stay? Hong Kong side or Kowloon side? I never really value the question, not until I went to Hong Kong a few more times that I began to understand. By Hong Kong side, they mean Hong Kong Island; where the heart of the city is! Business, entertainment, shopping and commercial areas are found. It is where you want to be in. And by Kowloon side, they mean Kowloon Island. This is another side where all the high end stores are found. Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci... to name a few. If this is what you have in mind, this maybe the wrong side of the island for you. But nevertheless, MTR is always a convenient tool of transportation in Hong Kong.

Express by Holiday Inn Hotel is inconspicuously found in the heart of Hong Kong Island. Inconspicuous? Why? Because it's not like the usual hotel where, the front door leads to the main lobby. You have to step on an escalator which then brings you up the lobby. The escalator itself is not readily noticeable, it is partly hidden by the wall, but it doesn't mean that you'll get lost. It's just a bit puzzling! NOTE: Big luggages may seem hard to pull up the escalator. You may need bell service assistance for the elevator, which is also inconspicuously hidden at the back. =)

So you might now ask, where am I exactly if I am to stay here?

You are next to these well-known areas in Hong Kong which are:

Causeway Bay
Times Square Mall
Causeway Bay MTR station - a few minutes walk from the hotel
10-minute taxi ride from Ocean Park
15 minutes taxi ride from Lan Kwai Fong
40 minutes ride from Hong Kong International Airport via shuttle bus or the Airport Express rail service.

But believe me, you'll never be able to finish them all not unless you plan to stay longer than a few days. The amusement park and Times Square Mall only; will keep you busy that you have no time to even consider other options. =)

Express by Holiday Inn Hotel's directory

Express by Holiday Inn Hotel's rooms are fairly clean and comfortable. Though they are not as spacious as compared to Disneyland's Hollywood Hotel's rooms. It is more or less only 3/4 of that space. But it didn't really bother us at all. We were more on looking forward to the day ahead of us.

Express by Holiday Inn's rooms

The extra bed near the window means extra charge.

Our rooms hallway and door. The door on the left leads to the bathroom.

Our bathroom

Our bathroom's shower

The outside hallway

Only kids can share the room with their parents for free. Adults with extra bed entails extra charge.

What are the other benefits?

Complimentary set breakfast - you have choices to choose from. Not really sure if I remembered correctly; the choices were English breakfast, Chinese breakfast, Locals breakfast. =)
Complimentary internet access at the "Business Center / Internet Corner" - located near the lobby

It was quiet accessible and convenient for us. All in all, when its time for us to leave for home; while waiting for our bus ride to the airport, we were able to have a little tour at Time Square Mall. That's how short the distance is from the hotel. A little time for some leisure walk.

What else can I say, a vacation this short always leaves you feeling and wanting for more! But that means all the more better because you have something to look forward to the next time. =)

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Monday, October 3, 2011

Hong Kong: Ocean Park - Ocean Theatre's Dolphin Show

The main attraction of Ocean Park Hong Kong is the dolphin show in Ocean Theatre. It showcase dolphins and seals doing their famous stunts for the audience. It never fails to bring out smiles in everyone's lips. "Oohs" and "aahhs" will be the common language each onlooker will utter during the show.

Ocean theatre

I'll be posting detailed pictures of the Dolphins doing their stunts. Please embrace yourselves for quite a number of pictures! =)

These performers start off the program!

Drum rolls please...

Dolphins communicating with their trainors

And there he goes!

Twist...

and twist some more...

Another star of the show, the seal !

The seal, pausing before going down the slide.

But then again, these dolphins steal the show once more!

Dolphins - the graceful acrobats! . . . going up...

Ready for the dive . . .

There goes their coordinated stunt! =)

Still want some more ?. . . of course there's more! I call this their symphony of movement!

I wont' be adding anymore captions, the pictures speak for itself!