Pac Daddy: Subic (mis)Adventure

After much planning and preparation for our trip to Subic (with just Karen and I), we finally had the adventure (or should I say mis-adventure Ü) we wanted to have. Mind you this was right after I got home from La Luz, Laiya, Batangas so I really didn't have that much rest. We left the house at 5AM so we can avoid the weekend traffic of the North Luzon Expressway. However, we were not so lucky because after we stopped over at Burger King at Shell, we got into some heavy traffic because of some road repairs being made not to mention the drivers who were looking on the road accident that happened on the southbound lane of NLEX. I also not familiar with the road to Subic so I was not able to drive as fast as I wanted. It was raining so hard on our way to Zoobic and I was already thinking of going to the Tiara Crowne Peak Appartelle first and wait for the rain to stop. I had Karen help out with the navigation but because she was not really used to doing that we missed the turn to get to Tiara so I just went ahead and drove straight to Zoobic Safari. We got there at around 10AM and the rain was still pouring hard. I didn't want to waste our vacation so I decided to continue with the tour despite the strong rains. I think we made the right decision because the tour continued. Thank God there were two umbrellas inside RV so I was still able to take some pictures. On a side note, there were also some people there who were from eTelecare. I was not sure if they were from the recently acquired AOL site or from the recruiting team who went to Subic.Ü Here are some of the photos I was able to take while waiting for the tour to start.

Our tour guide Nolen

Tiger Cub Lilo
We first went to the Zoobic Park. Just like your typical zoo, different kinds of animals are there. Some were caged while some were free to roam around the park. Unfortunately, I was not able to take a lot of good photos because I was only holding my camera with one hand while the other is holding the umbrella.Ü

Duck Walk

More ducks enjoying the rain

Black BabeÜ

A few goats who do not want to get wet

A cross-breed between a horse and a pony
After the Zoobic Park we went to the Serpentarium where you will find different kinds of reptiles.

Burmese Albino Python

Iguana

That must be one heavy shell for its size Ü
After walking for about 30 minutes, it was now time for the Tiger Safari! I was very much excited to get up-close to some large cats. Even with the heavy down pour of rain, these tigers were still very active and were eager to pounce on the chicken that our group bought to feed them. The chicken though was a little pricey for 200Php but the experience of seeing them get agressive just to grab the chicken was awesome! Check out the shots I got.

Waiting for the food

Finger-Lickin' Good (KFC)

My... What big teeth you have!Ü

Say AHH..

One of the tigers stalking us
After the safari, we were then given a tour around the rest of the zoo via a trambia. We were given the option to bring out car or avail of their trambia. I suggest riding their trambia since it only costs 50Php. We were brought to the Savannah where the ostriches were. There was also another Tiger close encounter where we were able to view the tigers inside their cages.

Kha inside the trambia

Some sleepy tigers :)
We were also brought to the Crocodile Land.

Crocoloco
It was a very educational experience for both Karen and I. I hope to bring my parents with us when we go back here before going to Baguio.Ü After the Zoobic Safari tour, we went (more like searched) for Tiara Crowne Peak where we were booked to stay overnight. If you are on a tight budget, then this could be a good place to stay overnight. Although, if you have money to spare, you might want to consider other places. We were expecting a hotel type with regard to the room and their service but I guess that's what we get for 2000Php. They had no room service, which is important because the nearest food establishment (without worrying about the taste and quality of the food) is about 30mins away.

Our next stop before we went home was Ocean Adventure. It was about 15 minute drive away from Zoobic Safari and we were getting more excited because it was not raining on our way there. However, I don't think a trip to Subic would not be complete without being caught by the SBMA police because of their very strict traffic laws. Honestly, they have certain traffic laws there that are not being implemented here in Manila so the warning people always saw about Subic and their traffic laws need a little more emphasis. When you go there, drive like you are driving around the US and you won't get caught violating their traffic laws. We were lucky that the SMBA police who caught us were kind enough to let us go with a stern warning since we were just first time tourists. :) My suggestion is to give out flyer about their traffic rules. That would really help tourists enjoy their trip more instead of worrying about the traffic laws.

Going back to my happy thoughts, going to the Ocean Adventure was the best way to spend our last day in Subic. The park was very well layed out. They also had a small zoo inside so you're not restricted to seeing just dolphins, fishes and other sea animals. We missed the first dolphin and sea lion shows but we looked around the park and I was able to take some pictures of the dolphins and some false killer whales during their playtime and training. The false killer whales were somehow checking us out when we got there like they were trying to put on a small show for us and my camera.Ü

False Killer Whales

Bottlenose Dolphins
While waiting for the shows, we first got inside their aquarium. Karen and I were so amazed upon seeing the different types of fishes. The corals were also beautiful! That was as close as I could get to seeing live corals. Maybe soon I will get to see them in ther natural habitat.Ü

Since we still had time, we then went to see their mini zoo. It was something like a rescue center since they only have a very small collection of animals.

The entrance to their mini zoo

At around 1230PM, we then headed to the Dolphin Show. I think the show would have lasted longer that what we saw but because the dolphins were being distracted, they had to adjust the show and feature just one bottlenose dolphin and 2 false killer whales. Here are some of the photos I took during the show.

After the show we had our lunch at their restaurant. The food is a bit expensive but food was ok. The lasagna I had was quite delectable so I didn't mind paying 175Php for it. Plus I was also hungry.Ü Afterward lunch, we went to the Sea Lion Show and met Coby and Simba, two of the stars in the sea lion show. It was again an educational show since the show was not all about what the sea lions can do but more on how we can help save them and the environment.Ü