For the ride of you r life

Thrill-seeker goes on an exhilarating VR rollercoaster ride at Hong Kong’s Ocean Park, home to colourful fishes, cute pandas and more

THERE are two good things about my Hong Kong trip. One, this is my maiden visit to the former British colony and two, which is the icing on the cake, are the roller coaster rides. I am a sucker for rollercoaster rides — not that I love being kilometres up in the air but it’s more the thrill and adrenaline rush I get every time the train slowly climbs up the trail and the metallic sound it makes as it ascends.

So, here I am with four Malaysian media representatives on an invitation to try Hong Kong’s first virtual reality (VR) rollercoaster as part of the Ocean Park Christmas Sensation 2017 tour.

Situated on the southern side of Hong Kong Island, the 91.5ha Ocean Park is Hong Kong’s premier educational theme park offering a diverse selection of world-class animal attractions, thrill rides and shows.

On the exciting day, we’re welcomed by Jeanie Ka Yee Lam, a senior public affairs officer from Ocean Park Corporation. Armed with a special media pass, we’re then ushered to meet the park’s new mascots — Whiskers and Friends.

MASCOTS TO REAL ANIMALS

Jeanie then takes us to Grand Aquarium, home to about 5,000 collections of fishes from over 400 species. Like a journey to the Atlantic, the visit to the aquarium is an eyeopening experience for me.

As I walk across the spectacular Reef Tunnel, I can see the beautiful ecosystem around the coral reefs.There are also sea cucumbers, starfish and sea horses. The mermaid in me feels a connection with the marine life. If only I can jump in and swim with the beautiful creatures.

Next, Jeanie takes us to the Giant Panda enclosure, home to world’s oldest male giant panda An An. Opposite it is the enclosure for red pandas. Inside the park, there’s also cautionary tale of the panda’s habitat loss, fun facts about pandas and the crucial conservation efforts to save them.

For those interested to get closer to these gentle creature inside their enclosures, they can sign up for the Panda Programme. Even

Visito rs trying o ut the VR ro llerco aster.

(Belo w) A view o f the VR ro llerco aster ride. (Picture co urtesy o f Ocean Park) Red panda lo o king at visito rs fro m inside the enclo sure. though participants are not allowed any physical interaction with the mammals, they get to learn to prepare their toys and meals with the experts and feed the pandas.

Along the way, the panda keeper explains the daily routine at the enclosure, how the