Philippines Zoo: Zoobic Safari (Subic)

If you're going to Subic, please take particular notice of ALL STOP Signs and ALL SLOW DOWN Signs. Because just a little further, there's a bunch of traffic officers lurking who will consider no apologies from first time travelers who have "violated" their traffic ordinances. Apparently, they are pretty strict when it comes to their traffic signs. So if you happen to miss one Stop sign, you're pretty much dead and it'll pretty much cost you a hundred bucks per officer if you get caught.

Also if you're going to Zoobic Safari, DO NOT BE FOOLED by their "accommodation" package. They say that the hotel is NEAR the safari, but in actuality, it's a 15-minute ride by car. If you plan on walking, good luck. It'll take an hour before you reach the actual zoo.

The safari itself is nice. The animals are interesting, the layout of the place is nice, and the ambiance is really relaxing.

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Here are the rates:

- Php 395 per adult for the day tour (that's approximately 3 hours of walking around the zoo with a tour guide);
- Php 200 for the chicken - so you can feed the tigers and have a much more exciting "close encounter" with them;
- Php 50 for the chicken - so you can feed the crocs;
- Php 240 and Php 540 to have your pictures taken with a tiger on your lap;
- Php 30 for one Magnolia Twin Pops ice cream.

Damn overpricing. Also don't miss their "SCRAMBALLED" Eggs when you plan to have breakfast at the zoo!! Hahaha!

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But the close encounters with the animals is really something to remember. If you're planning a trip to Zoobic, I suggest not getting their overnight package because you'll be extremely disappointed with their accommodations, and unless you're not doing anything else, you'll just waste time sleeping in your room.

Philippines Zoo: Avilon Zoo (Montalban, Rizal)

For all animal enthusiasts in the Philippines, visiting the Avilon Zoo in Montalban, Rizal is a must! This 7.5 hectare zoo is the largest zoological park in the Philippines and it lies in the heart of Bo. San isidro, Rodriguez (Montalban) Rizal, Philippines. It will definitely satisfy your hunger for animal sight-seeing and adventure.

Going to Avilon Zoo is quite a pain. There's a part where the road gets rough and it would be best if you brought your 4x4 vehicles with you. If you're commuting, there are tricycles that offer a ride from the nearest town (Total Gas station) to the zoo for Php 40.00. However, don't expect to be squeaky clean once you arrive =). Also it's easy to get lost because there are no road signs that would direct you to where the zoo is. There are a few (and I really mean FEW), and you have to be very sharp to find it because it's VERY small (the sign says "This way to Avilon Zoo" but it's as big as a legal sized bond paper). It's better if you just ask around.

The zoo itself is a nice place. The entrance fee costs PHP 208.00 per person (around USD5.00), and if you want a guided tour, you can "rent" a knowledgeable guide for PHP350.00 only. Guests are allowed to bring their own food (and believe me, it's better if you do so because food and drinks sold inside the zoo are waaaay overpriced), but bringing of commercial goods such as McDonald's or Jollibee or KFC would cost you PHP25.00 per meal.

You can also have your picture taken with some of their animals. They charge PHP50.00 for 2 shots (using your personal camera) with their birds or with the mighty albino boa constrictor. This is a close encounter with their animals, by the way. Also at 2:00 PM onwards, their baby Orangutan is available for cradling. Don't miss this!

Despite the wonderful adventure, Avilon Zoo still lacks Maps and Directions. If you don't have a tour guide, you'd have difficulty figuring out where you are... It's a big place and it's easy to get lost without a map. Also some areas of the zoo are still being constructed. We have yet to see the fully developed zoo.

Bottom line is, the Avilon Zoo is absolutely a great experience for the family.

Belize Zoo

A visit to the Belize Zoo is a guarantee to see the amazing diverse wildlife of Belize.

Al and Johns Belize Adventure......

Oh where, oh where do I begin…..

I wanted to write a summary, now that we have some more time, of our wonderful experience at your Jungle Paradise. John and I chose your 8 day/9 night Jungle package which we changed the Zoo for the Black Hole Drop. Before I give some summaries of our trips, we want to thank Karen, Andy and Simone from the bottom of our hearts for being so warm and courteous during our stay. The wonderful conversations in your Treetop Lounge were memories that will stay with us for a lifetime. The Food! The food that Nora, Tella and Wani prepare is fit for a King…. the fry jacks in the morning are a wonderful start to a long day.

The Guides that you use from “River Rat” (Gonzo, Brainard) are incredibly knowledgeable and have a passion for what they do, they respect the culture of the Maya and know so much from a personal level about each site and adventure that it is truly amazing and you listen to every word they say.

The eight days that we spent at your Jungle Dome started nice and easy with Horseback Riding in the jungle to see and hear the wonderful sights and sounds that your nearby area has to offer followed by a relaxing trip down the river before dusk to see the Iguana’s sunning themselves in the evening setting sun.

River Kayaking was incredibly fun, 14 miles on the Belize River with Henry was a great experience. There are just enough rapids to keep you on your toes while enjoying the sites of the river and what it has to offer.

Cave Tubing was something that we had never experienced; Brainard is very passionate for the caves and knows every crevice that they have to offer. To float thru a cave with crystal walls and natural stalactites was breath taking.

Our trip to Caracol was our very first experience to a Mayan temple site. Our group was a lot of fun and it was a great experience to see these massive structures that the Mayas once lived in. Caracol is so desolate and quiet that we felt like nothing else in the world existed!

Actun Tunichil Muknal was an experience of a lifetime for John and me. It was truly inspiring and amazing to swim, climb, and crawl thru the caves of ATM. To see vessels of the Maya from thousands of years and skeletal remains in the cave was mind blowing. We left there truly inspired!

The Black Hole Drop…WOW! I definitely countered some personal demons on that trip. After a very long hike thru the jungle and spotting panther tracks we came to the sink hole which was breath taking. To repel down from above and thru the jungle canopy was an experience that we will never forget….This is definitely one of the most exciting yet exhilarating trips that is offered. The guides are very professional and really know what they are doing and are patient and trusting, John and I left there feeling like we just accomplished a life long dream.

Tikal is massive, something that is difficult to accomplish in a day. The site is filled with tons of structures and to witness the temple peaks thru the jungle canopy is something that is beyond words. One of the longest days for our trip, but definitely worth checking out.

Some suggestions that we noticed while in Belize, especially for first timers like ourselves. Definitely come prepared with some cash. Whether it is in American currency or in Belize currency. We found traveler’s checks difficult at times to use, I definitely suggest exchanging your checks into some cash for tips and the like. Also, wearing white shirts is something that you should not do- they will get very dirty LOL.

Once again, thank you so much for sharing this piece of paradise with us. You can count on us coming back to Belize and the Jungle Dome in 2006!

Cheers,
Al & John