Walking on the Dino Trail at the Dinosaurs Island at the Baguio Eco-Park in Tuba, Benguet may not actually make you feel like you’ve been transported to prehistoric times, when these huge creatures really walked the earth (but then again, I doubt there is anyone alive who knows how the real thing actually feels). It does, however, successfully make you feel like you are transported on a movie set, with animatronic dinosaurs at every turn.
I have to say, though, that I was in awe of the scale of the place. And the imagination that went behind it.
I still haven’t had the pleasure of going to the Dinosaurs Island in Clark, Pampanga, so I have no point for comparison. Which, I think, is a good thing, because there simply are things in life that are meant to be enjoyed, and not compared and measured against some other thing. Totally sucks the fun out of the whole experience.
Straight out of our jaunt in Holy Land, we came upon the wooden gate of the Dinosaurs Island. Since it was located right on the side of the mountain in Badiwan, Tuba, expect a bit of a climb.
Almost immediately, you are welcomed with the sight of dinosaurs on either side of the trail. Sure, you can spot them from below, even while walking through Holy Land, but it’s so much better to see them up close.
There were plates close to each of these creatures, with info on what they are.
As mentioned earlier, these dinosaurs are “powered” by animatronics technology, so they “come alive” when you approach them, or even make a noise. This is thanks to the strategically situated sensors along the path. They roar, they growl, they move, and they open their maws threateningly.
I was impressed.
Although, I must say it would have been better if the sounds made were louder. As it were, I thought the growls sounded oddly like, well, purrs.
In various spots on the trail, there are caves/tunnels where there are glass stands with fossils, bones, and what-have-yous of dinos. For example, this “Skull of Parasaurolophus”, a duck-billed dinosaur.
Of course, a dinosaurs theme would not be complete without the Tyrant Lizard King, the “Tyrannosaurus”.
The skin of these dinosaurs are some kind of a textured rubber. I was amazed at the detail put into it. Look closely, and you can even see their sides or chests expanding, as if they are breathing. I was also fascinated by how they blinked.
There were also dinosaur eggs that have just hatched. Approach them, trip the sensors, and they will emerge from the egg. Cool, eh?
See? What’d I tell ya? This is how dinos are born!
Along the trail, there are several rest stops…. and comfort rooms shaped like eggs. Too bad I didn’t take a peek what it looked like inside because, at that time, my bladder was cooperating.
Oh, and you can clearly see Holy Land laid out down below.
The end of the tour is at a bleachers of sorts. There is a mascot show twice in the morning (10:30 and 11:00) and in the afternoon (1:30 and 2:00). It involves dinosaurs grooving and dancing. When we were there, the repertoire included “Gimme Gimme” and PSY’s “Gentleman”, It was quite hilarious.
We were told that the dino suit weighed 60 kilos (or pounds, I couldn’t be sure which, but that’s hardly relevant, is it? Be it pounds or kilos, it’s still quite heavy to carry around and dance in!). There is an area where you could have your picture taken and it’ll be printed; it’s up to you whether you want to buy it or not. Kinda like how they do in parks such as Disneyland and Universal Studios.
These are only a few of the many things you’ll see when you visit the Dinosaurs Island Baguio in Tuba, Benguet.
Again, I am glad I tagged along in this activity of the Search for Mr. and Miss Benguet 2014. I totally don’t mind coming back here in the future (although it’d be great if it were another “sponsored” visit. Haha!).
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