Clark Dinosaurs Island: a fun replica of Jurassic Park
A visit to Dinosaurs Island inside the Clark Freeport Zone is a must especially for those who want to make their trip to Pampanga both fun and educational. Dinosaurs Island is an animatronic theme park that reminds me of the movie Jurassic Park minus dinosaurs running around killing people.
We went there on a weekend, so the place was brimming with families and students having their field trip, guessing from several rented buses.
The tour started from the massive gate, a replica of the one in the movie. Once inside, they were treated to the sight and sounds of dinos like Tyrannosaurus Rex, Spinosaurus, Stegosaurus, Iguanodon, Triceratops, and Brachiosaurus, among many others. It's quite educational because they provided a description at the foot of every display.
The dino replicas have sensors that trigger them to move their tails and make sounds - a growl, a howl or a wail depending on the dino type - when people are near.
The last part of our tour was Jurassic Jungle Safari where we rode a railcar towards the exit area. Along the way, "raptors" will sneak up on you. This is not for the faint of heart supposedly, but we already knew what to expect because we watched YouTube videos of the Jurassic Jungle Safari. We knew that these "raptors" are humans so we ended up laughing instead of being surprised.
The whole experience lasted about 40 minutes and we paid P350 per person. We were on a budget, so those were the only activities we did. But it’s okay because it was already enough to make us happy. The other activities offered at the Dinosaurs Island are Unearth Museum, Dino World of Fun, 7D Super Screen, and Wonders of the World.
Insectlandia is another must-see and it is located just beside Dinosaurs Island. It features giant mechanical insects (Insect Trail), Bugs Life Show and a butterfly garden.
They have food kiosks as well as souvenir shops. But, we opted to buy a flute souvenir from an old man outside the entrance.
Dinosaurs Island and Insectlandia are open Monday to Sunday from 8 am to 6 pm. (For prices and more info, visit: Clark Land website)
El Kabayo, a replica of an old Western town is the perfect place for that and it is just a few meters away from the Picnic Grounds.
Our visit there was timely because they were holding a Horse Fest with participants coming from different parts of the country.
El Kabayo offers the following horseback activities:
* A riding tour of Western town
* 30-minute rides of the Picnic Grounds
* 60-minute rides
* Trail rides with drinks and snacks
* Carriage ride
* Riding lessons
They arrange day tours, photo opportunities, and team-building conferences.
When it was time to go back to the hotel, we walked a bit to 7/11 where the blue jeepney going back to the Clark Freeport Zone gate passes by. But we waited for a long time and still no jeepney and I was already late for a meeting.
If you want to be more familiar with a place, take their public transportation. If it gets complicated, take GrabCar, so we chose the latter that day.
It was our first time using Grab and we had a little internet data left but it was enough to download the app and book a ride back to the hotel.
Lesson: make sure you have the necessary travel apps on your phone before going to a strange place.
The rate per night was P1750 but since we failed to inform the hotel that we will come later than 4 pm (flight delayed), our booking was canceled and we had to re-book at a much higher price of P2,400.
Lesson: It is best to always leave an extra amount whenever you make your budget. Note the hotel's number. And read the booking confirmation thoroughly!
Anyway, the room rate was worth it. The guestroom which has its own private bath looks new and clean and complete with the basic supply like towels, 3-in-one bath liquid; and TV with cable. They have a strong WiFi connection in the room, perfect for working travelers. However, my working station was a foldable desk located beside my bed. No chair except my bed. At first, I had a backache but on the second night, I found the perfect working position. Then, they do not have a cabinet in this room, but they have a rack where you can hang your clothes.
Traveling teaches you to make do with what's available and to adjust.
Nevertheless, traveling creates beautiful memories that are more valuable than any material thing on earth./
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| Massive gate of Dinosaurs Island |
We went there on a weekend, so the place was brimming with families and students having their field trip, guessing from several rented buses.
The tour started from the massive gate, a replica of the one in the movie. Once inside, they were treated to the sight and sounds of dinos like Tyrannosaurus Rex, Spinosaurus, Stegosaurus, Iguanodon, Triceratops, and Brachiosaurus, among many others. It's quite educational because they provided a description at the foot of every display.
 |
| Tyrannosaurus Rex |
The dino replicas have sensors that trigger them to move their tails and make sounds - a growl, a howl or a wail depending on the dino type - when people are near.
The last part of our tour was Jurassic Jungle Safari where we rode a railcar towards the exit area. Along the way, "raptors" will sneak up on you. This is not for the faint of heart supposedly, but we already knew what to expect because we watched YouTube videos of the Jurassic Jungle Safari. We knew that these "raptors" are humans so we ended up laughing instead of being surprised.
 |
| Quick facts about Tyrannosaurus Rex |
The whole experience lasted about 40 minutes and we paid P350 per person. We were on a budget, so those were the only activities we did. But it’s okay because it was already enough to make us happy. The other activities offered at the Dinosaurs Island are Unearth Museum, Dino World of Fun, 7D Super Screen, and Wonders of the World.
Insectlandia is another must-see and it is located just beside Dinosaurs Island. It features giant mechanical insects (Insect Trail), Bugs Life Show and a butterfly garden.
 |
| Brachiosaurus |
They have food kiosks as well as souvenir shops. But, we opted to buy a flute souvenir from an old man outside the entrance.
Dinosaurs Island and Insectlandia are open Monday to Sunday from 8 am to 6 pm. (For prices and more info, visit: Clark Land website)
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| Quick facts about the arm lizard, Brachiosaurus |
PICNIC GROUNDS
Just a few minutes walk near the main road from Dinosaurs Island, are the Picnic Grounds where groups gather to eat or have a selfie. It boasts of wide green space and trees with perfect crowns. It is quite a nice place to take photos to post on Instagram.EL KABAYO
Ever wondered what's it like to be in the Wild, Wild West minus the gunfire exchanges that we see in the movies?El Kabayo, a replica of an old Western town is the perfect place for that and it is just a few meters away from the Picnic Grounds.
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| Clark Picnic Grounds |
Our visit there was timely because they were holding a Horse Fest with participants coming from different parts of the country.
El Kabayo offers the following horseback activities:
* A riding tour of Western town
* 30-minute rides of the Picnic Grounds
* 60-minute rides
* Trail rides with drinks and snacks
* Carriage ride
* Riding lessons
They arrange day tours, photo opportunities, and team-building conferences.
 |
| El Kabayo western town’s trading post and Amante Restaurant |
GOING TO PICNIC GROUNDS, DINOSAURS ISLAND AND EL KABAYO
Our hotel, Red Planet is located along Don Juico Avenue, so in order for us to go to Clark Freeport Zone, we took a jeepney going to SM Clark. From there, we walked towards former Bayanihan Park to take the blue-colored jeepney bound for Picnic Grounds. The jeep fare was P25.When it was time to go back to the hotel, we walked a bit to 7/11 where the blue jeepney going back to the Clark Freeport Zone gate passes by. But we waited for a long time and still no jeepney and I was already late for a meeting.
If you want to be more familiar with a place, take their public transportation. If it gets complicated, take GrabCar, so we chose the latter that day.
It was our first time using Grab and we had a little internet data left but it was enough to download the app and book a ride back to the hotel.
Lesson: make sure you have the necessary travel apps on your phone before going to a strange place.
 |
| El Kabayo western town’s courthouse, sheriff’s office and county jail |
ACCOMMODATION
Three weeks before the trip, we booked a room at Red Planet. We chose the "pay at the hotel" option instead of paying online because we do not have a credit card.The rate per night was P1750 but since we failed to inform the hotel that we will come later than 4 pm (flight delayed), our booking was canceled and we had to re-book at a much higher price of P2,400.
Lesson: It is best to always leave an extra amount whenever you make your budget. Note the hotel's number. And read the booking confirmation thoroughly!
 |
| Red Planet Hotel room with two single beds |
Anyway, the room rate was worth it. The guestroom which has its own private bath looks new and clean and complete with the basic supply like towels, 3-in-one bath liquid; and TV with cable. They have a strong WiFi connection in the room, perfect for working travelers. However, my working station was a foldable desk located beside my bed. No chair except my bed. At first, I had a backache but on the second night, I found the perfect working position. Then, they do not have a cabinet in this room, but they have a rack where you can hang your clothes.
Traveling teaches you to make do with what's available and to adjust.
 |
| My daily ride from Red Planet Hotel to the Friendship Terminal which is located outside the main gate of Clark Freeport Zone. |
FLYING TO CLARK
Air Asia has direct flights from Iloilo to Clark and vice versa. I booked a month before our trip, thus I was able to avail myself the promo fare of only P700+ for one way. For the schedule, visit: Air Asia Iloilo to Clark flightsON TRAVELING
Travel is not as romantic as people are led to believe. It requires a lot of researching, adjusting one's schedule, patience towards companions and unexpected incidents, lots of walking, and budgeting skills - behind-the-scenes stuff that does not show in people's travel photos.Nevertheless, traveling creates beautiful memories that are more valuable than any material thing on earth./
