Pug Marks: The Zoobic Safari Trip
A weekend trip to Zoobic; to see and experience a close encounter with the tigers. We took Victory Liner's bus to Olongapo around 9am and got there around 1pm. We didn't know that Group I, Ilanin Forest was far from Subic Freeport Zone's gate and that we have to take a taxi which costs P400 (they don't do meters..). Since we planned to stay overnight in Crown Peak Tiara Hotel, we sought a way to get there first, unpack and think of a "more affordable way" of getting to Zoobic. Good thing, Winstar had a coaster passing through Tiara, and it was only a P13 ride. In the hotel, we realized that there's no other way to get to Zoobic but ride a taxi (i should've brought my car). Though it hurts our hearts so much, we took a taxi and the P400 just disappeared. Hehe. The entrance in Zoobic was P395 for adults, and we had to pay extra P50 each since we didn't have a private car, and a part of the tour consists of walking and riding. I can say the entrance was worth it. I enjoyed every part of the tour. The performances from in-house park entertainers, the animals' performances (would you believe they also took part?), the informative tour guide (thanks kuya jaywell? not sure bout the spelling, hehe.. not even sure bout d name.. but it sounded like that), and of course what we enjoyed the most.. the close encounter with the tigers. I'll be posting video clips here.
Though it was a sudden trip, we still managed to get through it. After the tour was over, we were lucky enough that a couple and their family was kind enough to give us a free ride. That saved us P400 and time in waiting for the taxi to pick us up. They dropped us off the main gate, where we had our dinner in a fast food in a nearby mall. The next day, we had good Chinese food over at Kong's. We asked a locale to suggest a place where we can get good food.. and he pointed us there (thanks kuya guard!) Before heading back to Manila, we computed our funds again, and found out they have been enough and was even a little excessive. If you're planning to go to Zoobic by bus; from Pasay to Olangapo, Victory Liner is only P173, and the amount to Olangapo to Pasay is still in that range.. P177, I think. If you like to stay overnight, Crown Peak Tiara is just 15 minutes away from there. Their overnight rates only cost P1,500. Computing expenses, a P5,000 budget for 2 people is a bit more than enough. If you go there in a group, the same budget may apply but it would be a lesser burden 'cause the expenses will be divided to more people.
If you want to have a quality time with your family, good time with friends, or a unique date.. I can suggest Zoobic is a nice place to be. Information, entertainment, adventure, await you in Zoobic.
