Hong Kong Part 3: Ocean Park

On our last day in Hong Kong we went to Ocean Park, a Sea World/Six Flags type amusement park. We got to see some pandas!


Matthew was especially excited about the pandas.


The had a big display about all the different kinds of goldfish they breed. These ones had a big lion mane.


Riding the carousel, always a favorite with our kids.


We found a play area there with a rock climbing slope.
Matthew did it...

...so Anna had to do it too, and by herself, thank you very much!
Scott spots her.


If you get to the top of the rock "wall" you get to go down the slide!
Anna was excited about that.


On a small ferris wheel


And sitting in the little steam boat. They didn't actually ride in these little toys. Just climbing in and out was entertainment enough.


Matthew rests on Scott's shoulders while we watch an acrobat show.
He looks really excited, doesn't he?


Here's one of the giant pandas.

And taking a ride on the train that goes up the mountain. The park is located in a mountainous part of Hong Kong Island and the park was separated into a high part (headlands) and a low part (lowlands). You had to take a train or a little sky cable car to get between to the areas.

Here we are up at the headlands. A great view down.

This is at the sea lion display. Their sea lions were from California and the sea lion habitat was decorated kind of like a San Francisco (or Monterey) pier. Reminded me of California for sure!

Things were expensive, but not this expensive. The conversion rate was about 7.5 HK dollars to 1 US dollar...so these were really about $1 and $1.20. I was still shocked when I saw prices on things. Also, dividing by 7.5 or even 7 is harder than dividing by 100 in Japan. I wish I had brought a calculator.

The kids got tired out after so much excitement.

We took the sky cable cars back down the mountain after we found out it was crazy crowded up in the high part of the park. That's where the big people roller coaster rides are. The ride down was very peaceful and had a nice view.

What our cable cars looked like.

Ocean view from the cable car


We went through a Christmas themed funhouse, which was actually really fun, and only a little creepy.


This elf was a little creepy.


There were a lot of optical illusions to take pictures of.
Fun!

And we met Santa at the end. Anna started to cry at first, but then she calmed down and looked at him and said, "Santa!" That was the first time she has acknowledged someone as Santa. Maybe he is the real thing?

After a busy day at Ocean Park we watched the harbor laser show back by our hotel. They do this ever night. A bunch of different buildings participate. It's pretty cool to see.

Are you imagining the song Final Countdown playing while you look at this picture?


Anna was snuggled up in Scott's jacket while we watched the show.

We had a great time in Hong Kong. There were so many things we wanted to do and didn't get to, but we opted to go at a little bit of a slower pace with some of the sightseeing, 'cause of the kids. I think they had a good time too.