Manila Ocean Park "Jellies" Jellyfish Show 2012

Jellyfishes are my least favourite sea creatures because they're the most annoying things underwater. They sting, they breed during summer just when the beach is filled with swimmers, and they never fail to give me a mini-heart attack whenever on my skin diving trips, I turn around to find a jellyfish smack right in front of my goggles. Their very behaviour of not knowing where to go, not having a semi-permanent address and just floating aimlessly on the surface of the water makes puts them on top of my "sinister little buggers" list.

Yet, jellyfishes are one of the most magical, graceful things to watch underwater. The way their bodies pump water in and out of their bodies is a constant source of fascination, even for people like me, who doesn't like them.

They are beautiful, and sometimes even fatally beautiful. Some of the deadliest animals in the world are jellyfishes--- the box jellyfish or Australian sea wasp, the Irukandji jellyfish and the Portugese Man of War. However some are harmless and you can even pick up with gloves and some you can actually eat, as I've tried jellyfish doused in vinegar from my home province in Banga, Aklan.

Classical music plays on the background, in sync with the whimsical moving jellies

Tickets to the jellyfish show cost P150/head. You save money by buying by the packages. Be careful to bring small children as the whole attraction is very dark and relies on the illumination provided by the tanks. The exit/restroom is not even obvious so you need a little time to navigate through the attraction. Have fun on your visit to the Manila Ocean Park!

Manila Ocean Park Sea Lion Show and Marine Life Habitat

It's not everyday that we get to see a sea lion, so I consider this part of the trip a treat. Although thanks to the movie Madagascar, I can't help but feel for these beautiful creatures being plucked out of the wild so they may be used to spread awareness for their preservation, and hopefully not fall to the hands of illegal poachers.

Loaded with popcorn, nachos and soda, we sat on the first row of the side bleachers to avoid the afternoon heat

The sea lions performed clever tricks and dance routines with their trainers, to the tune of Mission Impossible which set the mood for the seals going on exciting "missions"

After the show, we went to the Marine Life Habitat where you can take photos with the sealions (500php.) Of course, the children are too small to be allowed (by their dad!) Here you can get up-close with the sea lions and see them in underwater action just right below the viewing platform.

The coleman filled with sardines kept the seal happy to perform some more tricks

More on the next post!

Manila Ocean Park Oceanarium and Shark Tank 2012

No Ocean Park is ever complete without an Oceanarium, a long glass tunnel which takes us underwater without getting wet. In the oceanarium, we got a good glimpse of how the other fishes interact with the other fishes in the wild, even with the limited space. Eels can be seen hiding under the corals, manta rays can be seen gliding their way through the other fishes and some lay low, minding their own business careful not to bump into others.

OMG ang sarap gawing sweet and sour fish!! Giant lapu-lapu

Since the fish are fast and I don't have the luxury of time waiting for them to pass nor chasing after them with a baby in hand amidst the big Sunday crowd, you need to make do with these blurry shots :D

At the very end of the whole attraction are Marco's most beloved creatures: Sharks!

The ceiling has a glass bottom to view stingrays

This giant tank holds several species of shark

Marco at the Trails to Antarctica

Miggy looks on to the nearby harbour :)

More on the next post!

Manila Ocean Park 2012 Exhibits

We took the kids out on a trip to the Manila Ocean Park two weekends ago. It was not easy taking care of children and their dad on a family day out. Their dad doesn't usually like taking the kids out to public places because he's always feels up to neck about taking care of the three. It's not that the kids misbehave, it's just that they're still too small to be be left unattended for even one minute. What we do is take them one at a time, while running errands or doing the grocery. Boring life for children, I know. It sucks to be children growing up around concrete with little greenery. I myself grew up climbing rocks, getting scraped by talahib and catching bugs from mango trees. Hopefully by next year we can find our own little house so the children has more space instead of the sad penthouse with no playmates.

The high ceiling at opening past the entrance looks like this. The glass separates the park entrance from Hotel H20.

It opens up to an even higher atrium, with three floors of attractions and retail/dining areas.

The kids take a quick pose at a photo of a shark while an attendant gathered our tickets

A flight of stairs led us to the first few exhibits, with thriving vines that hung from the ceiling

Have your photo taken while feeding koi (Php100)

Daddy E with the three Ms

And of course, with Mommy!

The iPhone4s takes wonderful photos :)

With one of my favorite fishes, the lionfish

This deck houses schools of larger fishes and gives them ample space to move like how they do in the wild

Huge pampano

This diver cleans the tank by vacuuming all the fish poop. 

More on the next post!