Enchanted Kingdom is a theme park located in Santa Rosa City, Laguna Province. It is 26 kilometers from Manila and covers 17 hectares of land. The theme park is divided into seven park zones namely: Spaceport, Portabello, Brooklyn Place, Victoria Park, Boulderville, Midway Boardwalk and Jungle Outpost. There are a total of 19 attractions you can choose from although some are not for the faint-hearted and below 42″ in height. For thrill-seekers like me, you will enjoy riding the Space Shuttle, Anchors Away and Jungle Log Jam. Be prepared to get really wet when you ride the Rio Grande Rapids. A separate fee will be required for the following attractions: Xtreme Paintball, 4D Discovery Theatre, Kart Trak, JR Kart Trak and Exodus: the ATV ride. Aside from these, there is also an arcade section called Steeplechase Arcade for those who simply enjoy playing video games, billiards or shooting.

And if you are already tired and hungry, you may eat some slices of pizza while watching some bands perform at the Bandstand during weekends. There is also fireworks display every weekends and on holidays. Enchanted Kingdom may pale in comparison to Disneyland but it still gives you the same thrill. The Enchanted Kingdom is billed as Manila’s answer to Disneyland, unfortunately it is not in the same league. Even when you compare it to Thorpe Park, Chessington and Alton Towers in the UK, it comes across as a poor relation. All this said and done, the Enchanted Kingdom proved to be a good day out for all the family. If you are looking for lots of thrills and exciting heart pounding rides, there is only Space Shuttle and Loggers Leap to satisfy you. In terms of marketing, EK has a lot to learn. Although there were plenty of stores selling gifts, the choice was very limited and the stock levels are low. The best-marketed ride was the Rio Grande, and the best gift shop was by the entertainment area.

A day at EK is not complete without watching the fireworks!

Park zones

• Spaceport - Relive the glory days of the American space exploration program of the 1960s.
• Portabello - A replica of Portabello, a place in Panama in the Caribbean Sea where the riches of the Incas were shipped by the Spaniards.
• Brooklyn Place - Take a sentimental journey down the streets of Brooklyn, one of New York's five boroughs, as it was in the 1940s.
• Victoria Park - Inspired by the era of Queen Victoria's rule
• Boulderville - Discover an era ruled by dinosaurs as you enter Boulderville, a prehistoric cartoon zone designed to capture every child's imagination.
• Midway Boardwalk - Coney Island, known as "America's Playground" in the 1930s, comes to life at the Midway Boardwalk.
• Jungle Outpost - The heart of the Amazon is the setting of the Jungle Outpost.

Philippines have beautiful beaches, as well as Rivers and Waterfalls. I have the chance to visit one great place in Magdalena. Magdalena is a fifth class municipality in the province of Laguna, Philippines. It is situated at the foot of Mount Banahaw. The River is clean and the place is laid back so don't expect hotels in this area. There is no accommodation in this area. You may find one in the town of Pagsanjan. Transportation is not a problem, you can hire a tricyle to send you at the river area.







How To Get There:

From Manila, ride the bus going to Santa Cruz, Laguna. It is located 87 kilometers south of Manila and will take you about 3-4 hours before you reach the capital of Laguna. From Sta. Cruz, ride a jeepney going to Magdalena or Majayjay. Just remind the driver to drop you at the Sabang Eco-Tourism River. Then ride or hire a tricyle to take you to Sabang river. Its cost 30 pesos per head or 120 per tricyle. Cottages are available at the river area for a cheap cost of 150 pesos.