Ocean Park - pandas, rollercoasters and fun!

A fun afternoon at Ocean Park~! The park was created by Canadian Alan Zeman (of the Keg restaurant chain). He also created Lan Kwai Fong, a clubs district in the middle of Hong Kong. The park is undergoing massive construction and will be astounding when done. It was a very humid day - 96% humidity and about 27 degrees! Interesting! We took a cab to Ocean Park as it is very close - you can see the roller coaster from the Bate condo. A clown show was underway when we entered. First we went to the HSBC ATM - it was an air conditioned booth so we all stood inside in the cool for a bit. Then we went to see the giant pandas. Three large areas, two being used by pandas. One was asleep and looking very content. The other, Zia Zia, was having lunch, stripping bamboo leaves off branches. She was just lovely.

Then we went to see the red pandas, which are now my favorite little animal. A lot like raccoons, they have striped brown and red tails and the sweetest little faces. Sarah sent a picture of her holding one in Chengdu. We also saw alligators and lots of fish.

We took an express subway up the hill to the rides. Shea and I went on the Dragon Rollercoaster - two upside down loops - amazing! Then all of us went on the Mine Train roller coaster. The cars looked like old western mine cars. It was fun, lots of screeching. Then we went on Raging River (a little optimistically named!), a wet log ride ending up in a big splash at the bottom!

Shea's favorite part: The Dragon. Ro's favorite part: The Raging River. Jan's favorite part: The HSBC air-conditioned booth....

Fun!