Melbourne, Australia Day 6: Melbourne Aquarium

Date of Visit: 5th October 2012

Basically, there are two reasons why I choose to visit Melbourne Aquarium. First of all, it was because I love to visit any kind of zoos, aquariums, wildlife parks and anything that relate to animals. It's just simple as that. Then, the other reason was because I got another free admission ticket to visit the aquarium itself. Again, it was given when I bought the two full one day tour packages (Great Ocean Road and Phillips Island) from a local tour operator which recommended by my friend.

#1: Melbourne Aquarium is located in between Flinders Street and Kings Street

Actually, Melbourne Aquarium is just a short distance away from Flinders Street Station. But since I saw the free city circle tram was stopped right in front of Flinders Street Station, instantly hopped on to the tram without any second thought. To be frank, I not sure which station should I hop off but I was very confident that the tram will passed by the aquarium. Unfortunately, the tram didn't stop right exactly in front of the aquarium and it still required few minutes walk from where it stopped. Luckily it just required less than 3 minutes walk.

 #2: Part of the hall decoration anyway.

The Aquarium has a one-way self-guided tour, which is spread over four levels. Just like every other aquariums, Melbourne Aquarium comprises of four distinctive sections; Antarctica, Weird & Wonderful, River to Reef and Sharks Alive.

#3: Gentoo penguins, the world’s fastest underwater swimming bird

Right after got through the ticketing counter, the first section I came across was the Antarctica. This is where  the visitors get to see the penguins as they swim and play in their spectacular icy home. Oh man, this type of penguins were incredibly fat and chubby. Unlike the little one I saw in Phillips Island. In case you are filthy rich, you can embark on an amazing sub-Antarctic journey where you have the exclusive opportunity to sit among majestic King and cheeky Gentoo penguins which cost AUD$199 per person on the weekdays and AUD$290 on the weekends. It's was pretty expensive after doing the conversation.

That's the only thing to see in Antarctica area. Felt like being conned. Next, I proceeded to the next section which was Weird & Wonderful located at the same floor as Antarctica and moved to River to Reef at the first level. 

#4: Didn't take note the name of this fish. Anyone know the name of this fish?

#5: Spiky lionfish, a marine fish that are mainly red, brown and white and have a striped, zebra-like appearance

#6: Glass catfish or also known as ghost catfish. Except for the head, bones and internal organs, they were totally transparent.

#7: Wide array of unique marine creatures in Weird & Wonderful and River to Reef sections.

Last but not least, I ramped down to the Sharks Alive section, which was my favourite part in Melbourne Aquarium. Typically, most of the marine creatures here were huge and more fascinating compare to the rest.

#8: Jaws!

#9: Amazingly this stingray seems like it was smiling.

#10: Surrounded by sharks, stingrays, turtles and thousands of schooling fish in the 2.2 million litre Oceanarium.

#11: If you have a brave heart, experience the ultimate adrenaline rush of coming face-to-face with a shark, stingrays and more in Shark Dive Xtreme.

#12: The incredible underwater world - I just love to sit and stare these

Initially, I plan to spend roughly three hours but at the end, I rushed within one and half hour cause I promised to meet my friend in Flinders Street Station. Plus, I was overspend my time in Queen Victoria Market. That's indicates I'm bad in time management. Because of the rush, I was also missed out the fish feeding activities. At least another of my Melbourne's checklist has been successfully accomplished.

There's a cafe located on the first floor whereas the gift shop is located on the ground floor, besides the ticketing counter. 

Melbourne Aquarium's General Info

Address: Corner King Street & Flinders Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000

Opening hours: 9.30am – 6pm (last admission 5.00pm)

Admission Fees: AUD$33.50 for adult and AUD$19 for child (The ticket allows visitor to return within the same day upon leaving the place)

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Another Adventurous Autumn Japan Trip 2013 (Sneak Peek)

There's once I posted #throwback photo of my Japan trip and I told my friend that I wish to go back again someday, I never thought after three years later, here I am again going back to the "Land of the Rising Sun".

I found out there is direct flight from Kota Kinabalu to Osaka via Malaysia Airlines. Hassle-free from transit to Kuala Lumpur and the airfare is really affordable, so I bought for my mommy as her this year birthday present. 

My initial plan was to do the same route like I did for my maiden trip; Osaka, Kyoto & Tokyo but at the end, I changed the plan which was just solely focus on Kansai area as it was one of my travel wishlist.

#1: Long haul flight with Malaysia Airlines to Kansai-Osaka

#2: After 3 years, I never thought I will seeing this signboard again.

#3: Dotonbori for second time just to take photo of this huge & colourful Glico running man in Osaka.

#4: Deer - the messengers of the gods in Nara Park. One of my travel wishlist accomplished.

#5: Whenever I travel, I always love to visit theme park. No exemption for this one as well - Universal Studio Japan.

#6: Himeji Castle - Although it is currently undergoing renovation, but this castle is regarded as the finest surviving example of prototypical Japanese castle architecture.

#7: I never seen a real cherry blossom aka sakura in my life but it's hard for me to believe that I able to see it eventhough it is autumn in Japan now.(It's so beautiful I'm gonna die)

#8: Another wishlist accomplished but Kobe seems like nothing for me.

#9: Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, one of the biggest aquariums in the world. Again, another wishlist accomplished. 

#10: Once I reach my most favourite city in Japan which is Kyoto, immediately I went Fushimi Inari Shine.

Although I went Japan twice but I still love to come back again and again. This beautiful and amazing country never fail to impress and amaze me in every single little thing - the local was so friendly and helpful, and when come to the foods, my goodness, my saliva almost dripped eventhough but just looking at the display model.

#11: Even Japanese manhole covers are individual masterpieces of the street art. Seriously so beautiful & decorative.

#12: What we had throughout our trip in Japan - ramen, sushi (inari & maki, my favourite), donburi and bento. Oishii!

#13: Even Japanese desserts were so detailed in each and every design - so refreshing kawaii!

If compare between Southeast Asia and East Asia countries, somehow I still prefer to travel the latter one - to Japan, Korea, Taiwan, etc. I would love to return back to Japan again and this time, my next aim would be Tokyo (for second visit) and Hokkaido! Sayonara!

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Philippines Day 5: Manila Ocean Park

Date of Visit: 24th March 2012

Frankly speaking, we were indeed overspend too much days in Manila itself. We had done with visiting most of the tourist top spots such as Tagaytag City, shopping at the second largest mall in the Philippines, SM Mall of Asia, and even done with city tour around Manila. 

Thank goodness Manila has more to offers for the foreign tourists like us - such as having fun and exciting experience in their theme park, Enchanted Kingdom or even getting wet in their biggest waterpark, Splash Island. There is another option which is an oceanarium in Manila, Ocean Manila and we opted for this one since it was kinda near to our lodging.

#1: Here I am at Manila Ocean Park

Manila Ocean Park is the first world-class marine theme park in Philippines. It's not just an oceanarium, but also serves as a premiere educational facility. It is very close to Rizal Park, which located just opposite to it. 

#2: There are many kind of package rates that you can choose from and we opted for the PH900 (roughly around RM63).

The package we took which includes entrance to Oceanarium, Sea Lion Show, Marine Life Habitat, Fish Spa, Jellies Exhibit, Trails to Antarctica and Musical Fountain Show. It's really worth cause we spend whole of our day in here. 

#3: Sea Lion Show started at 2pm

We started our tour with Sea Lion Show, located just next to the ticket counters. I watched this kind of show before during my maiden trip to Ocean Park, Hong Kong but I always get exciting with this kind of entertaining show. Both of the sea lion were so adorable and makes all the audience laughed non-stop throughout the show. No worry, their trainers spoke in English language. By the way, if you got the chance to visit here, don't be shy and become volunteer if they request cause you could get close to these two sea lions.

#4: One of Oceanarium's area - Looks alike rainforest

#5: The main attraction: the walkway underwater acrylic tunnel - which similarly seen in Ocean Park (Hong Kong), Underwater World (Singapore), Aquaria KLCC (Malaysia) and Siam Ocean World (Thailand).

#6: All About Penguins - Remind me of the Happy Feet animated movie

If you have extra money and don't know where to spend, try to feed the penguins! I forgot how much they charged for that but you got the chance to get close with the penguins and they even provides photos of you and your family with the penguins. Those photos are save in a CD for you to bring back home. We didn't do so cause it seems a bit pricey for us but if I really got the chance, I really wish I could do so. Not like we got the chance to see penguin everyday especially in a hot and tropical country like us.

#7: Jellies Dancing Sea Fairies - My favourite section compare to the others.

The arrangement and ambiance of the jelly fish section was so beautiful and well designed. Upon entering into this, all those jellies were just like grow in the dark and they were so colourful eventhough they were behind those transparent glasses. Instead of swimming, I felt like those jellies were indeed doing their dance and at that moment, I think my eyes were barely blink and non-stop watching they dance. It's really pretty amazing cause I will never thought jelly fish cause be so interesting to me.

#8: Ended our night with Musical Fountain Show

We ended our tour with Musical Fountain Show which performed at the same location as the Sea Lion Show. And again, this night show which started at 7pm, never fail to amaze us with different kind of water nozzles, music, light, sound and special effects. As you can see the photo above, there even a laser show behind the Philippines's first and tallest musical fountain. And finally, it ended with loud bang of colourful fireworks.

It's not just entertaining but also serve as the purpose for education. However, if you had been most of the aquarium world and park before such as Ocean Park (Hong Kong), Underwater World (Singapore), Aquaria KLCC (Malaysia) and Siam Ocean World (Thailand), maybe this place is not highly recommended unless like us, if you got plenty of time then you could go ahead with this.

[Credit To: Wikipedia, Manila Ocean Park homepage]

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Singapore Day 3 - Singapore Zoo

Date of Visited: 28th September 2011

On the third day of my Singapore short trip, I can't think of any place to go besides Universal Studio Singapore. But because I had visited it on the second day, so on the third day itself, it's like totally free and easy trip for me and my Boyfie. Plan to go Sentosa Island again but I went there before, which was like almost 5 years ago, hence lazy to repeat the same trip. Then, I remembered there was once where my lil bro suggested me to visit Singapore Zoo which he went before when he was like 8-9 years old. Damn you lucky, bro! He told me that the Singapore Zoo is totally different from any other zoo he visited and suggested to me that I should go there at least once. 

Because my sis and I haven't went there before, plus I did blog that I love to visit and watch those moving creatures (click HERE), so Singapore Zoo is my final resort to visit on the third day of my Singapore trip. I didn't know exactly how to go Singapore Zoo from the place where I was staying, therefore Boyfie and I just followed my sis and her boyfriend to a bus stop which located few stones away from our hotel and we waited for the bus services provided. 

The bus that fetch us from the bus stop was quite small and it can only accommodated less than 10 people but surprisingly on that day, there are more than 15 people required the bus services, so at the end, we had to change to a very big bus. The journey to Singapore Zoo from the city took roughly more than half an hour. Initially, I thought it was free shuttle bus but I was wrong. A single journey cost $4.50 anyway.

#1: Our admission ticket with different animals printed on it. Which is your favourite?

Set in a lush tropical rainforest with its famous "open concept", this multiple award winning zoo gave us unforgettable opportunity to up close and personal encounters with those exotic wildlife. Built in the shaded boardwalks, this is where we got the chance to observe countless of animals as they frolic amidst lust surroundings that mimic their habitat in the wild.

#2: It is better to take photo of this map cause there is no map printed on their pamphlet.

#3: Once we went through, there is a phototaking with these colourful talking parrot.

#4: Walking through the short distance of treetops trail that offers a view of canopy animals at eye level, we spotted this False Ghavial in the rivers. False Ghavial is a large fresh water crocodile with a very thin and elongated snout.

#5: I always being "forced" to take photo with any kind of monkey families. Check out my photo which I took in Everland and also Universal Studio Singapore. By the way, this is group of fake Proboscis Monkey.

#6: These are the real Proboscis Monkey which mostly can be found in Island of Borneo, including Sabah. The longer and bigger of the male's nose, it will attract more the females one.

#7: The sleepy and lazy otter but I found this one was pretty cute and adorable.

#8: Tiger Trek but I seen no tigers.

#9: A flock of pink flamigos in an open spaced area where they can move and even get close to you.

#10: Singapore Zoo doesn't create a zoo but more towards a like tropical rainforest environment.

#11: Now I'd seen the tiger but they are not like any other normal tigers. They are the White Tigers. One of the animal you shouldn't miss when visiting Singapore Zoo.

#12: This is known as "Babirusa", means pig-deer in Malay language. Mostly found in Indonesia and the species that is closest to them are Warthog, the character of Pumba in the movie of "The Lion King"

#13: You don't have to travel so far to Australia just to see kangaroo cause you can them in Singapore Zoo. I almost forgot that I'd seen them before in here before I saw them last month in Melbourne, Australia. Those kangaroo are indeed always love to do the laying down sexy pose. Do you know that the meaning behind of Kangaroo means "I don't know".

#14:Creative signboard

#15: Walia Ibex - This is one of the rare animal that I seen for the very first time. It is endangered species and can only found in Ethiopia of Africa. 

#16: Watch the elephants at work and play show in the "Elephants of Asia" area where they display their intelligence and gentleness.

#17: Antarctica Penguins

#18: See! Being "forced" to take photo with the monkey again.

#19: Komodo dragon, snakes, gila monster are some of the creatures that can be seen in Reptile Garden area.

#20: Giant turtle that can live up to more than 100 years. It's amazingly huge if seeing them in real.

#21: The male is very lucky cause it was surrounding by 4 females.

#22: If you want to feel the ride of the elephant, you can do so in here but there is a minimal charge requested.

If you just like me who loves to see many kinds of different animals, Singapore Zoo is definitely one of the place that you should visit together with your friends and family and it opens daily. Come and explore the best rainforest zoo in the world where it features more than 2,500 animals and feel the excitement of the ecological adventures.

The admission fee cost $20 for an adult and $13 for a child. You can even save on your admission ticket by taking the Park Hopper Special package:

• 3-in-1 Park Hopper (Singapore Zoo, Jurong Bird Park & Night Safari) for $58 per adult and $38 per child.
• 2-in-1 Park Hopper (Singapore Zoo & Jurong Bird Park) for $32 per adult and $21 per child.
• 2-in 1 Park Hopper (Singapore Zoo & Night Safari) for $42 per adult and $28 per child. 

TIPS:

1. You might need at least half or a day to cover almost all of the area.
2. Be aware of the show times by checking their notice board which located nearby the main entrance.

How To Get To Singapore Zoo
1) By Mass Rapid Transit (MRT)

• Alight at Ang Mo Kio station (NS16) and take bus service 138 from the bus interchange.
• Alight at Choa Chu Kang station (NS4-BP1) and take bus service 927 from the bus interchange.
• From Changi Airport station (EW29), board the train and alight at Tanah Merah station (EW4) to switch to the west-bound train to City Hall station (EW13-NS25), switch again to the north-bound train to Ang Mo Kio station (NS16) and take bus service 138 from the bus interchange.

2) By Bus

From the City, take bus service 171 to Mandai Road. Alight at the first bus stop after the bus turns off Exit 7 of the Bukit Timah Expressway (BKE). Transfer to bus service 927 or 926 (Do note that 926 only operates on Sundays and public holidays). 

To find out and know more about Singapore Zoo, check out on their official website HERE. 

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