More Crocodiles

Reminiscent of scenes from National Geographic TV

Croco Loco

A big bunch of crocodiles waiting to be fed. A whole chicken is available for PhP 100 (??) for visitors who can dangle it from a pole. The hungry crocs can leap up swiftly to snatch their meal.

At the Aeta Trail

The Aetas
They performed a short program and did a few of their cultural dances. Spending more time with them would be a highlight in itself.

The Trail
A park in the middle of nature with a few "attractions" and a snack station.

MuZOOeum

A Museum in Subic
"The MuZooem in Zoobic"

Caught in the ACT II

"Animal Love" in Zoobic

Zoobic Ostriches

Savannah
We went around in convoy with other vehicles and saw these ostriches and other animals just milling about.

Close Encounter

Another portion in Zoobic where some tigers are kept.

Another Zoobic Safari Vehicle

This train shaped vehicle was another ride at Zoobic.

Feeding the Tigers Up Close

These Tigers have it easy. They look well fed.

Though the "safari ride" and the feeding was over in less than thirty minutes; it was a nice experience. This is the highlight of the Zoobic Safari as seen in its ads.

Tiger Views

Tiger at the side of the vehicle in front of us.

Tiger at the side of our vehicle

Tiger in the Wild

Our first glimpse of a Tiger in the enclosure as we rode on our vehicle on the "Tiger Safari" ride.

The Tiger Safari Ride

What got us really interested in visiting Zoobic were the posters and ads about the tigers in Subic and the chance to get close to them in this Ride (a converted and well framed jeepney actually).

About 10-12 people fits in a vehicle per ride. The guide told us that if we want to see the tigers fed, it would cost i think an additional 50 or 100 pesos. The other group with us on the ride was composed of around 8 people and we were just a couple, but anyway we agreed to split the added cost to see the tiger eating up close.

Inside the Serpentarium

Inside Zoobic Park

Majestic forest trees towering all over the place

Entrance to the Rodent World section of the park

More Park Critters

Roaming Horned Creatures in the Zoobic Park

Some of the animals inside the park were free to go about the place. They really don't bother you; as long as you don't annoy them.

Waiting Area Display Cages

Before the Zoobic Safari tour starts, visitors are divided into groups. We were in a group that included what looked like a small neighborhood (around 25 of them i think) and there were lots of kids. A tour guide is assigned to each of these groups.

At the waiting area there were already several big cats on display.

Tickets and Flyers for Zoobic Safari

We just took the complete tour package at PhP 395.00/person.

Finding the Zoobic Safari

Once inside Subic, we did not have a clue where to go. If only those traffic marshalls would only concentrate in helping guide tourists (foreigners and locals alike, hopefully) to the different attractions instead of "preying" on the uninformed motorists.

We were just able to see a sign that said Zoobic with an arrow. We followed the arrow and drove on for quite a while. It felt that we were going around the bay and we have been on the road for a several kilometers already. Anyway, we took it as a leisurely drive and enjoyed the view and the fresh air.

Finally, we saw more signs and directions.

Subic Summer 2007

It was actually the last days of summer. We have long planned to go to Subic. There were ads in the papers and it was just a short trip to the north of manila via the North Expressway.

We tried to search the internet for travel tips but what we got were sites of expensive hotels; resorts and attractions in Subic/Zambales. And in the end what we just found out from our research was that we exit at the San Fernando Exit in the North Expressway; and what we wanted was to visit Zoobic and Ocean Adventure.

We thought that Subic was a nice place that we could visit anytime we wanted to. It was just only a few hours a drive away. That time came only last June 02, 2007 when we finally decided to go there before the onset of the rainy season.

We stayed home and slept early on a Friday night and woke up before 5 am. We left Paranaque just after six but still got caught in traffic along Edsa because of road repairs. From Quezon City, travel was smooth.

We went through the Expressway and we forewent the usual stopover. We got out at San Fernando, filled up with PhP 1000 worth of gas and asked the way to Subic. The directions we got was to just go straight and follow the signs. We just did that and we didnot have a hard time finding our way. A morning leisurely drive is really very refreshing.

We had breakfast in a Jollibee outlet in Dinalupihan Bataan. After the brief stopover, we went on our way and continued our drive. After a while, we saw on the left side the way to the Subic freeport. We had to pass by Olongapo so we just went straight ahead. The winding roads reminds one of the way to Baguio city but not as steep. In Olongapo, there was slight traffic but it was not that bad. After another stopover there (for about a couple of hours. looking for a non existent person---) , we found our way to the entrance to Subic from Olongapo.


In SUBIC

Off to a Bad Start

At the gate, there was the usual stop and we were given flyers/tickets. The Olongapo stopover was a downer but still we were excited to find our way to the attractions; determined to have a great time. It was around lunch time already and we kept our eyes open for signs and directions from the gate.
After getting the ticket, we slowed down behind a car at the first intersection and braked (we knew that you have to make a full stop at every intersection even if there is no vehicle oncoming from the side). After seeing the direction signs that pointed left, we just followed the vehicle in front of us as it made its turn. But alas, the traffic aide (or whatever he was) signalled us to stop. We did and let a car pass in front of us, but he still flagged us down.
Apparently, vehicles are supposed to cross alternately. We argued that we did not know that and there were no signs that indicated that rule. The traffic aide told us that it is written at the back of the ticket that was given us. But who reads these tickets anyway, and besides the intersection was just a few feet away from the entrance so who would have time to read them. We did not argue anymore. We just asked where we would settle the citation and he responded that it would have to be paid upon exit. So we just took the ticket and went on with a really bad start.
We hope that these traffic aides would be there to guide and help visitors and not just there waiting just like a predator. Obviously, this is what they are doing; preying on the uninformed. Are they really concerned on the safety and comfort of visitors? Big information signs should be posted if they have these rules. Besides, during the rest of the trip, we were very careful to stop at every intersection even if there were no traffic aides but there were some drivers who just went on driving. How's that for inconsistency. Anyway, after a brief stop, we got over that episode and decided to have a great day.



This is where we stopped after the incident at the entrance, and well....it was a great day and we were going to enjoy it!!!

Caught in the ACT

"Animal Love" in AVILON ZOO
Love Animals in AVILON ZOO

The Lion's Den

Lions in the AVILON ZOO