Welcome to Dinosaurs Island!

Happy New Year!

There’s a lot of risks and restrictions these days that are stopping us from travelling like before, but thankfully, last January 1, we were able to go on a trip with the whole family. That was the first time that the kids were able to go out since the Covid19 has began and I am just so glad to see them run free on a wide space again.

But before anything else, let me just share our simple celebration for the New Year’s Eve.

Surely, there were no dull moments for us as we wait for the New Year. After preparing all the foods that we’ll eat, it’s the time for the games that Ate and Kuya prepared. It wasn’t that much, just some trending games at YouTube and TikTok but we truly enjoyed a lot.

First game, I don’t know how to call it so let me just describe it. There are prizes lined up on the table, all we have to do is to pull the tissue that has an overflowing glass of water at the edge, the moment the tissue was ripped off, you got the prize where the glass of water stops. We really don’t have much prizes, highest prize is only 500php and luckily, I got it. I won in the game! LOL

Second game involves pingpong ball. There are cups at the end of the table that has an equivalent prize. All we have to do is to roll the pingpong ball and let it fall into the cup. We have 3 tries until we shoot the ball on the cup. Highest prize is only 200php and again, luckily, I got it on first try. LOL. I was really in a competitive mode on because it involves money. LOL

Third game, the sandok pera challenge. This challenge was really trending these days and so we tried it. But since we’re on a tight budget and we are so many at home, there are only limited players in the game. We had to play rock paper scissors just to determine who the players are. Sadly, I wasn’t able to play this game. It was still a lot of fun though.

Last game, this is something that is always included on our every party. It’s none other than, Bingo! LOL. We are already in a rush that time since 12mn was just 15 minutes away so we only played two games. First is the ‘pabahuan’ or the game for the unlucky because to win in this game, you must be the last one standing that doesn’t have a mark on your bingo card. In short, you should not have any of the numbers that they will call. My nephew won 1000php on this game. Second is the blackout, meaning that all numbers on our bingo card must be called. The first person who will mark all the numbers on his card wins 1500php. Again, I didn’t win this time.

2 minutes before New Year, we were done with all the games. We then shouted a loud Happy New Year. After that, we declared blessings throughout the whole year through prayer. What comes next are the sound of the horns and fireworks, we don’t really have fireworks though, we could only afford the fountain. Then we ate until we’re full knowing that we got to sleep in the next few minutes and of course, a toast for the New Year. Cheers!

Next day, New Year’s Day.

We slept late so we woke up late too. We don’t really have plans but a Facebook advertisement showed up. Dinosaurs Island is open and they are offering a promo. They have this Barkada and Family Package that originally costs 4750Php but on New Year, it was only 3000php and that is good for 5 people.

We’re only 2 hours drive away from the place and so it was decided, next thing happened is that we’re already on our way to Pampanga.

Dinosaurs Island is an Animatronic Theme Park and Museum that aims to offer visitors an interactive learning experience about the Dinosaurs Era with life size moving creatures. It is located at Clark Freeport Zone, Mabalacat, Pampanga.

We are 20 in total so we have availed 4 packages and here’s what is included in the package.

First off, we have free meal each at the chicken restaurant inside. It was only rice, chicken and iced tea but that’s already good enough. That was our first stop as we enter the place since it was already past 2pm that time and we haven’t eaten lunch yet nor a decent breakfast.

Right after eating, the tour to the Dinosaurs Island has begun. As we enter, life size dinosaurs welcomed us. And what’s entertaining about it is that it's moving and it has sound effects which the kids truly enjoy. There’s also information about the dinosaur’s name, it’s scientific and its Latin name. Characteristics of the dinosaurs is also included so it is really educational.

Look at how my nephew is enjoying! He doesn’t like taking pictures but in here, he’s the one who asked us to take a photo of him. He’s really thrilled in seeing all the dinosaurs in a bigger size since what he only sees them on his toys and from YouTube.

At the end of the tour at the Dinosaurs Island, just beside the exit, there’s a show featuring dancing dinosaurs mascot. It was really entertaining and kinda scary at some point. LOL. Because there were parts when the head of the dinosaurs will reach out to the audience.

Since what we have availed is full package, we also have access to a different theme in there which is the wonders of the world. In there, there are miniatures of The Wonders of the World like Taj Mahal, the one on the photo, Great Wall of China, Pyramid of Gisa and many more.

Aside from the Dinosaurs Island and The Wonders of the World, at the other side of the place is Insectlandia where life size animated insects are featured. Like in the Dinosaurs Island, before the exit, there is also a show in there featuring insect mascots where they dance and act as with the story telling.

Aside from the 3 places I mentioned above, there are also other attractions at the place like the playground, zip line, wall climbing and bike rental. And if you like foods, there are enough places inside where you can buy your snacks.

What I also like about the place is that there are photographers everywhere. You can ask them to take your photo using their cameras and you can also lend them your camera and ask them to take your photo. There’s also a booth somewhere in there where you can see all your photos so that you can choose which photos you want to be developed.

Another thing are the ever-friendly staffs on their cute uniform with smiles you can see on their eyes.

All in all, it was a great trip, and though it is very child-friendly, I can see that the adults that we are with also enjoyed the trip. Geez. How could not they? They made me their photographer. LOL

I also did enjoy and it was really a time well spent. :)

This is the last part for my holiday season articles. At last! LOL. I hope you guys enjoyed the holiday season too. And I hope that you were able to find time to relax and spend time without all the stress coming from studies, work and whatever stuffs that we are facing, even just for a while.

This has been so long so yeah, I gotta end it here. Thanks for reading this far. See you around!