The Excitement Lives On at Enchanted Kingdom

For the first time in years, I decided to board a plane again and explore the world… okay, parts of the Philippines. Destination: Manila.

The last time I was in Manila, we explored most media organizations and a few attractions. There was little time to explore and enjoy so this time, I tagged Harvey, my travel buddy, along. We took the first flight to maximize our weekend.

The obligatory airport pictorial:

It was a very cloudy morning when we left Cebu and our flight has been very turbulent on the first few minutes. Nonetheless, I enjoyed taking pictures of the sea of clouds. It is a blessing many airlines now offer promo fares helping even average-earning millennials travel “par avion” without spending too much.
 

Touchdown Manila.

My cousin Adama fetched us from NAIA Terminal 4 so we can leave our things in their house in Paranaque where we will be staying for a night. She and her boyfriend Gary are also very generous to take us to Park Square Makati where a shuttle takes passengers to Enchanted Kingdom. And Gary has a future in guiding tours around Manila as he drove around and told us bits of information about the places we passed by.

Just a side note: After my EdgeCoaster adventure at Crown Regency Cebu, I promised I would never put myself in such great danger, let alone pay for it! But tell you what, I just ate my words!

We paid PhP 750 for the shuttle and unlimited ride ticket when we got to the second floor of Park Square Makati. It was around 10:00 AM when we boarded the shuttle/van and I heard the driver say that it was the first ride of the day. The lady who issues the tickets will also ask if you are going to purchase a ticket for the shuttle from Laguna to Makati also for PhP150 but we opted not to since the first trip back is at 6:00PM. I was hoping we could come back to Makati a lot earlier because I was to meet a few friends for dinner.

So to Santa Rosa, Laguna, we were headed.

The trip from Makati to Santa Rosa, Laguna via the shuttle is just 45 minutes (granted it was a Saturday and we took the express way).

And here is Enchanted Kingdom… 

Enchanted Kingdom abbreviated as EK is a theme park in the Philippines. It is located in Santa Rosa City, Laguna, about 39 kilometers (24 mi) from Manila. It has a land area of 17 hectares (41 acres). The park is managed and operated by Enchanted Kingdom Inc. (from: Wikepedia.com)

Since it was already nearing lunch time when we reached EK, we decided to eat lunch first at Amazon Grill. For a restaurant in an amusement park, their prices are affordable and they offer generous servings too.

Here is Harvey's steak while I am helping myself to a quarter roasted chicken.

Since we were already full, we stepped out of the restaurant and picked our first ride. It was a mortal sin!

We chose the Space Shuttle. Mortal sin number 2!

The Space Shuttle is the roller coaster of EK. When we got in, we were surprised there were not many people seated. You will be asked to leave your things while you sit there and pray with all your might that: 1. The ride will be smooth. 2. You will not faint. 3. You will not throw up. 4. God will forgive all your sins. 5. You have let family and friends feel how much you love them. 6. All of the above.

Harvey was feeling jittery once we were seated but I tried to calm his nerves. It was just the first ride after all and it will be… so it was fast and totally nerve-wracking. You will be pulled up, go through three loops and then you will be left hanging upside down at the very top before you will be pulled to go through the same three loops- IN REVERSE.

There was no person who didn’t shout at the top of his or her lungs during the entire ride. For the minute or two that we were there, I enjoyed and felt so thrilled but at the same time frightened. When the ride was in complete halt, we got up and gathered our things. Harvey expressed how he feared for his life and doubted the machine. And we came out laughing as our knees shook with the adrenaline.

As our first ride was a little brutal, we opted for the mellower Wheel of Fate, EK’s gigantic Ferris wheel. It was ironic how I felt very afraid as our gondola was at the top. The view was breathtaking as you can see a large part of Santa Rosa but the nerves must have kicked in and here I was, holding for dear life while I hope the ride would be over. You will go through five rounds before you will be allowed to step out of the gondola and make way for other passengers. I was okay with the wheel ride but I didn’t quite like being so high in their without any seat belt to keep me still.

The third ride we tried is the Flying Fiesta. It was easier than the first two but it also made us feel dizzy.

After the ride, we looked for ice cream because it was really very hot that day.

We strolled around the park and I fell in love with this vintage-themed corner. Everyone who knows me well knows I am a sucker for anything vintage. I regret not bringing an LBD, flapper, pearls and killer heels while these photos were taken.

We strolled the park some more and went to enjoy the little lake by riding a swan. If only the weather was a little cooperative, paddling around the lake would be much easier. It was too hot so the paddling became a marathon to reach the starting point.

We also hit the carousel. Yes, we are kids like that.

Next thing we did was try the Hot Air Balloon, although it really wasn’t. It was just another ride where you will be seated as the gondola goes around and around. It is perfect for families with kids. We got a little dizzy afterwards that there was no other choice left but to look for Bonamine. Luckily, the shops do sell them!

After taking our Bonamine kontra byahilo, we rested a bit before hitting our next ride: Anchors Away. This swinging boat looks a little harmless but wait until you sit there and try it. The two-minute ride was enjoyable, exciting and tummy-twisting. We survived the ride, happily. It was fun though a little nerve-wracking.

We then proceeded to ride the Jungle Log Jam. It was a modified roller coaster with a catch- splashing water! I can sense Harvey was already a little drained and he asked me to be seat in front. The “logs” had to go up two elevated “slides” and you try your best to sit properly, leaning back, while hoping all your might not to drink the water splashing all over. Thankfully, I didn’t! it was a little nerve-wracking but I still enjoyed despite looking like a basing sisiw.

We tried another ride before the super final bump cars. I suck at it. TOTALLY.

But then apart from the roller coaster, we tried another of EK’s highlight- EKstreme Tower. This ride is definitely not for the faint of heart. You are seated strapped and buckled while you are slowly elevated until 40 meters from the ground before suddenly dropping at 76 kph.

I was at first hesitant to try it because I felt I had enough of the nerve-wracking rides for the day but then again, how often do I come to EK? With eyes closed, I sat there, buckled myself and prayed with all my might that I can survive the next minute or two. I was so silent that Harvey had to check on me. Apart from the nerves, I felt a little funny inside because the guy seated next to me was too loud. He was the last to come and sit and just as he was seated there, he was already uttering really funny lines:

Him (as he buckled himself): Kuya, ayaw ko na. Nasubukan ko na to dati. Ayaw ko na talaga.

Then the seats are starting to move up.

Him: Heto na kuya…. Ayaw ko na! Lord, sorry na po! Patawad sa lahat ng mga kasalanan ko! 

Mamamatay na ako! Heto na!!!!!!

Then we were speeding down the tower.

Him: Loooooooorrrrddddd!!!!!!!!!!

Although I was really very nervous, I managed to shout to my heart’s content but still enjoy the ride. It was fun. I conquered my fear of falling!

The moment we unbuckled, I looked to my right and saw the guy. I was surprised to see that he has a big built and looks really macho. Okay…

After our adventure, we changed clothes and decided to have some shake afterwards. We left EK with the happy heart of a child but little do we know that our next adventure would be going back to Makati.

As it was still 4:30PM, the shuttles are still not picking up passengers. Our only option to get to Makati early is to commute. We took two motorcycle rides and a bus ride. The sad part was it rained so hard that Manila traffic hindered us from coming to Makati early. Even worse, I never got the chance to meet Bamkwan for our dinner. Anyhow, the first day of our Manila trip was draining but so filled with fun!

*Disclaimer: All photos of rides are properties of Enchanted Kingdom: enchantedkingdom.ph