Hong Kong - Day 3 (Ocean Park)

Guzzle is a classic Hong Kong-style sandwich shop that has two branches, one on Nathan Road and this one in Central. The shop is small, with only two bar tables that may seat up to six people. We left the Prudential Hotel at 8.15am, rode the MTR from Jordan to Central Station (HKD 10.30 per person) on the Tsuen Wan Line, and walked roughly 8 minutes (550m) to Guzzle. Even though we had trouble finding the shop, we are happy that we did in the end. The staff is really nice and patient when taking our orders.

I chose the Cousin sandwich, which has cheesy ham, egg and pork floss. My partner selected the Truffle flavoured angus beef and egg sandwich (toasted), which includes 4.5oz of angus beef, truffle mayo, caramelized onion, egg, lettuce and tomato. We added one cup of cold milk tea as well. My Cousin sandwich is good. It's lightly toasted and I love the texture of the scrambled eggs. It's light, creamy and bright yellow. My partner enjoys anything with meat and is ok with his sandwich as well. The milk tea does not turn out sweet, but it is smooth and creamy. Overall, we both quite enjoyed our breakfast.

(Total bill - HKD 96)

Guzzle and milk tea - HKD 9

Cousin sandwich - HKD 36 + HKD 2 for toasted bread

Truffle flavoured angus beef and egg sandwich (toasted) - HKD 49

Address:

Guzzle

A2 G/F, Khuan Ying Commercial Building,

85-89 Wellington St, Central,

Hong Kong

Opening hours: 7.30am to 8.30pm / Sunday - 9am to 8pm

We arrived at Ocean Park before 10am by using the MTR from Central to Ocean Park Station (HKD 5.70 per person). My partner bought the Ocean Park entrance ticket through www.klook.com (RM 399.59 for two people). You only need to present the e-ticket on your mobile device at the entrance to get entry to the park. Surprisingly, the park is not too crowded on a Monday morning. 

Ocean Park

Ocean Square

The park opens at 10am

School kids queuing to enter the park

Ocean Park is divided into two sections, separated by a mountain: the Summit and the Waterfront. To go from one side to the other, you can use the cable car or Ocean Express, which is a train trip featuring many simulations of underwater life. We were a little confused when we entered the park since they did not give us a printed copy of the theme park map. Instead, they asked us to download the Ocean Park Hong Kong mobile app to check show times and the park map. So we just followed the crowd and ended up at Ocean Express Waterfront Station. We assumed it was a form of ride and got on it, only to discover it took us to the Summit!

There are 7 attraction zones for you to explore in Ocean Park:

1) Aqua City (The Waterfront)

2) Amazing Asian Animals (The Waterfront)

3) Whiskers Harbour (The Waterfront)

4) Polar Adventure (The Summit)

5) Thrill Mountain (The Summit)

6) Rainforest (The Summit)

7) Marine World (The Summit)

Ocean Park welcome performance

Le Petit Prince

Ocean Park

Sea Life Carousel

Amazing Asian Animals (The Waterfront)

Ocean Express Waterfront Station

Ocean Express Waterfront Station

Ocean Express Waterfront Station

There are 14 attractions in the Marine World (The Summit):

1. Ocean Park Tower

2. Pacific Pier - closed for enhancement work

3. Shark Mystique

4. Flying Swing

5. Crazy Galleon

6. 180 Laboratory

7. Dolphin Explorations

8. Demon Grove

9. Ferris Wheel

10. Veterinary Centre

11. Marine Mammal Breeding and Research Centre

12. Cable car

13. Sea Jelly Spectacular

14. Wild Twister

Our first ride was the Ocean Park Tower. Since we arrived early, there is no line at all. The slowly spinning observation chamber, located 200m above sea level, offers a 360-degree view of the sun, sea and sky. Known as one of Southeast Asia's tallest observation towers, travelers can observe Aberdeen and surrounding islands with clarity.

Shark Mystique has more than a hundred sharks and rays. You get 360-degree views of fascinating marine life, such as the sawfish with its saw-like rostrum, spotted bamboo shark, zebra shark and giant stingrays.

We then went on the Crazy Gallen ride, a pirate ship that is not for the faint of heart. It swings and sways wildly, tilting at nearly 45 degrees in each direction, and I hear myself screaming for the first time. If you are afraid of heights, sit closer to the middle divider. Those wishing for more excitement should sit at the very back. The last rows gain the most height and airtime. I guess I'm getting old since I feel a bit queasy after the ride.

Next, we headed to the 180 Laboratory, a laser shooting game. The staff gave us a briefing before we entered, but he spoke quickly in Cantonese. We couldn't quite understand it, and neither did one of the players in front of us. We were supposed to blast those mutated creatures or pathogens with laser guns by shooting at the green light, which would become red if struck. I finally realized it as we were about to exit the room. When the player in front of us finally figured out where to aim and shoot, he decided to turn back and start all over again since there're only three of us.

We went to the Dolphin Exploration and waited for the dolphins and sea lions performance at 12pm. The performance lasted around 20 minutes. After that, we entered the Demon Grove. It is not scary at all. I expected a jump scare, but it was absolutely nothing. We also rode the Ferris Wheel. The line moved quickly as the park wasn't very crowded. The Marine Mammal Breeding and Research Centre is located just beside the Veterinary Centre. Nothing much can be seen, just a few dolphins swimming around.

Ocean Park Tower

View from Ocean Park Tower

Pacific Pier closed for enhancement work

Shark Mystique

Shark

Shark

Spotted bamboo shark

Fish

Flying swing

Flying swing

Crazy Galleon

180 Laboratory

Dolphin explorations

Dolphin explorations

Dolphin explorations

Dolphin explorations

Demon Grove

Demon Grove

Demon Grove

Marine World Games Zone

Ferris Wheel

Veterinary Centre    

Marine Mammal Breeding and Research Centre

Wild Twister

There are 4 attractions in the Polar Adventure (The Summit):

1. North Pole Encounter (seal feeding at 1.30pm)

2. Arctic Fox Den

3. Arctic Blast

4. South Pole Spectacular (penguin feeding at 3.15pm)

We went to the North Pole Encounter at 1.30pm for the 10-minute seal feeding session. We also saw an adorable walrus blowing bubbles underwater.

We had our late lunch around 2pm. We saw two fast food kiosks and decided to go with Golden Fried Chicken. I'd say the food is rather costly here. Since I'm not hungry, we share a meal no. 2, which comes with two pieces of fried chicken, French fries, mango pudding, a FRUTIPS fruit flavour ice bar and a soft drink (22 oz) or Hi-C lemon tea (330 ml). We initially chose lemon tea, but after paying, we had a change of mind. Luckily, the staff was kind enough to let us change to Coke since we hadn't opened the packet of lemon tea yet.

On a hot day, there's nothing more refreshing than the taste of an ice-cold Coke. Besides that, the fries are crispy and tasty too. The chicken tasted average, but it was crunchy. I like their mango pudding and ice cream bar as well. What a coincidence, as the two ladies who happen to share the table with us are both from Malaysia. We had a pleasant conversation with them before saying our goodbyes.

After our late lunch, we continue with the South Pole Spectacular to see the penguins. It was freezing cold inside, so I skipped the penguin feeding at 3.15pm. However, we missed out on the Arctic Fox Den while at Polar Adventure.

North Pole Encounter

Seal feeding

Walrus

North Pole Encounter

McD

Golden Fried Chicken

Meal no. 2 - HKD 108

FRUTIPS fruit flavour ice bar

Coke - soft drink (22 oz)

South Pole Spectacular

Penguins

Meet the mascot

Arctic Blast

There are 5 attractions in the Thrill Mountain (The Summit):

1) Hair Raiser

2) Rev Booster

3) Whirly Bird

4) The Flash

5) Bumper Blaster

We chose to forgo the rides in the Thrill Mountain as we don't think our hearts can handle the speed, craziness and rush of adrenaline at our age.

Hair Raiser

Hair Raiser

Rev Booster

Whirly Bird

The Flash

There are 4 attractions in the Rainforest (The Summit):

1) The Rapids - wet rides with sudden water gun attacks

2) Expedition Trail

3) Summit Plaza

4) Rainforest Why Zone

5) Ocean Express Summit Station

As we enter the expedition trail, we get to see the smallest monkeys, parrots, Emerald tree boas, yellow-banned poison dart frog and many more. Emerald tree boas ambush their predators at night. They can detect vibrations and locate prey with infrared sensors. While hanging down from the branches, they snatch prey passing underneath.

My partner was very eager to ride the rapids. However, I'm afraid of getting wet because I didn't bring any extra clothes and I'm wearing sneakers. Then, I saw two mischievous ladies shooting water guns at the riders despite telling them not to.

Rainforest

The Rapids

The Rapids

Rainforest Expedition Trail - Pygmy Marmoset (smallest monkey)

Great green macaw and Hyacinth macaw

Emerald tree boa and yellow-banned poison dart frog

We decided to experience the cable car ride when descending from the summit. Sea Jelly Spectacular is just beside the cable car. There are more than a thousand sea jellies of all sizes, shapes and colours from across the world. We left the Summit around 4.20pm and queued for 15 minutes for the cable car ride. It is a 15-minute cable car trip from The Summit to The Waterfront. The cable car ride offers magnificent views of Hong Kong and the South China Sea.

Sea Jelly Spectacular

Sea Jelly Spectacular

Cable car

Cable car

Finally, after spending almost 6 hours at the Summit, we have another 3 hours to explore the Waterfront until the park closes at 7pm.

There are 8 attractions in the Aqua City (The Waterfront):

1) Old Hong Kong

2) Sloth & Friends Studio

3) The Hong Kong Jockey Club Sichuan Treasures

4) The Grand Aquarium

5) Aqua City Lagoon

6) Ocean Express Waterfront Station

7) Cable Car

8) Sea Life Carousel

The timing was excellent, as we came down from the hill and got to watch the Dance Jam in Old Hong Kong. Sloth & Friends Studio is just beside Old Hong Kong and we get to see the sloth napping on top of the tree. From January 2nd, 2024 to May 5th, 2024, The Little Prince who celebrates his 80th birthday this year will be in Ocean Park, Hong Kong. Le Petit Prince Starry Universe is a great place to take nice photos; however, there's a lot of people, therefore you can't take excellent photos without people in them.

We walked all the way to the The Hong Kong Jockey Club Sichuan Treasures to see the Sichuan Golden Snub-nosed monkey, but all we saw was one with its buttocks facing us. There are three cubicles, but only one has monkeys. The staff said that there are four monkeys, but only one will come out.

Old Hong Kong

Old Hong Kong

Dance Jam at Old Hong Kong

Old Hong Kong

Old Hong Kong

Sloth and Friends Studio

Le Petit Prince

Le Petit Prince

Le Petit Prince

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Sichuan Treasures

There are 2 attractions in the Amazing Asian Animals (The Waterfront):

1) Giant Panda Discovery

2) Red Panda Keeper

We saw the cute panda poking out his head while resting on the rock. There were too many people watching the red panda, so I couldn't obtain a shot of it.

Panda

Our last stop was the The Grand Aquarium at Aqua City and the aquarium is simply amazing. We were too tired to walk anymore, thus we missed out on Whiskers Harbour.

The Grand Aquarium

The Grand Aquarium

We waited for the 7pm neon lighting show and water fountain show at Aqua City Lagoon. My partner bought a cup of Red Grapes slush from O So Sweet. The drink is very refreshing. The lighting and laser display (Soul of the Ocean and Vision of Hong Kong) preview begins at 6.30pm and continues until 7.30pm. The plot of the musical revolves around Animo, an ancient spirit that awakens within the heart of Ocean Park's Aqua City Lagoon. It started off fascinating but eventually became dull.

O So Sweet

Red grapes slush - HKD 42

Aqua City Lagoon

Aqua City Lagoon

Aqua City Lagoon

Aqua City Lagoon

Aqua City Lagoon

Aqua City Lagoon

Address:

Ocean Park

Aberdeen, Hong Kong

Opening hours: 10am to 7pm (Closed on Tuesday)

We left Ocean Park around 7.30pm and took the MTR ride from Ocean Park to Tsim Sha Tsui Station (HKD 12.80 per person). I felt so queasy and wanted to throw up, but fortunately, I felt much better after dinner. We had our dinner at Yung Kee Roast Goose Restaurant, which is a 5-minute walk (350m) from Tsim Sha Tsui Station.

I had roasted pork belly with rice, while my partner had a combination of Chinese BBQ pork (char siew) and roasted goose legs with rice. My order came with wasabi mustard sauce, which pairs perfectly with the roasted pork belly. Most importantly, the pork is lean, with no porky flavour. My partner's meal tasted so-so for me.

(Total bill - HKD 221)

Yung Kee Roast Goose Restaurant

Restaurant ambience

Combination of roasted goose legs with rice - HKD 163

Roasted pork belly with rice - HKD 58

Address:

Yung Kee Roast Goose Restaurant

G/F, Wing Lee Building,

27-31 Kimberly Road,

Tsim Sha Tsui,

Hong Kong

Opening hours: 7am to 12am

We ended the night with dessert at Kai Kai Dessert. We went back to this dessert shop for their glutinous rice dumpling in sweet ginger soup. Instead of queuing in front of the shop, they have this numbering system whereby you just need to key in the number of people, get your ticket and wait for your call. Make sure you don't miss your number; otherwise, you will have to retake it. This time, the total wait time is about 10 minutes. I ordered their red bean with mung bean soup as well. The taste is ok but the best is still their glutinous rice dumpling in sweet ginger soup. After dessert, we head back to our hotel. We beat our previous record by walking 17km today.

(Total bill - HKD 54)

Kai Kai Dessert

Ordering system

Glutinous rice dumpling in sweet ginger soup (hot) - HKD 27

Red bean with mung bean soup (cold) - HKD 27

Address:

Kai Kai Dessert

No. 29, Ning Po St,

Jordan, Hong Kong

Opening hours: 12pm to 1am