22 September 2010
Today’s weather is dark, bleak and gloomy with bits of drizzle splashing against your face as a reminder that mankind hasn’t conquered nature yet. In other words, it is typical Edinburgh weather! Undeterred, we made our way towards Edinburgh Zoo using the Airport Bus. The bus fares are included in the Edinburgh Pass but a normal local bus also stops at the zoo as the zoo is quite near to the city centre. We spent more time in the zoo than expected then we went back to the city centre to check out Edinburgh Dungeons. Finally we ended the day with the “Murder & Mystery” night tour from Caddies and Witchery Tours.
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1. Edinburgh Zoo
Even though the weather is not bright and sunny we still enjoyed your day at the zoo. The animals are a delight and they always managed to bring smiles to our otherwise dreary faces. This zoo does have a good variety of animals but they usually only have a limited number for each kind, with the exception of penguins! This zoo has a huge area dedicated to penguins and these cute sea birds are definitely a crowd puller.
Entrance to Edinburgh Zoo
Rainbow lorikeet
Pigmy Hippo
Koala Bear, look like a soft toy? No?
3 Rock Hyraxes. They do like to cuddle together.
Patagonia Sea Lion during the feeding show.
Animal Antics Show, Rainbow Lorikeets.
Southern three-banded Armadillo
Kune Kune Pig
Penguin Mug Shot
Penguins enclosure
Penguins take turns to dive.
Globe Nomads review ratings: 3.5
This attraction will be well suited for families and couples. Have a fun day out and at the same time learn something. Don’t miss the various animal shows.
(please refer to ratings explanation)
See http://www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/ for latest information.
Included in Edinburgh Pass.
2. Edinburgh Dungeon
I have high expectations for this attraction considering that the standard walk-in price is definitely not cheap. The tour starts with you taking a photo and ends also with a photo. At the start you take a photo of yourself with a funny face and hopefully you end the tour with a terrified face. You proceed room by room and usually for each room there is a live actor. Other than live acting, you have an uncomfortable boat ride in total darkness, a seat tilting attraction with gases coming out near your head, and then at the very end you have a near free fall of just a few metres. Not terribly exciting I must say.
Entrance to the Dungeons!
Globe Nomads review ratings: 2
If you have some time to kill and want to have some fun, then this place would fit you. Even though all the live actors tried hard, this attraction is just not as good as the others. Never pay full price for this place as there are lots of discount vouchers available from tourist brochures.
(please refer to ratings explanation)
See http://www.the-dungeons.co.uk/edinburgh/en/index.htm for latest information.
Included in Edinburgh Pass.
3. Murder & Mystery
This tour brings the night to life! Not in the scary way but in a fun and enjoyable way. The guide is really hilarious and he puts in the effort to have extensive white make up all over his face. After attending a number of tours you will find the material quite repetitive but this tour is really all about the guide. The guide really is the reason behind the success of this tour and I suspect he will do well in any tour.
On the right is the main tour guide, one very funny man!
Globe Nomads review ratings: 4
This is really an entertaining night tour to do plus you get a nice booklet in case you didn’t pay attention! Do note that this tour has to be prebooked either through email or calling. Tour times may vary depending on the majority of the customers that night. This walking tour includes a lot of stairs in the route so please take note.
(please refer to ratings explanation)
See http://www.witcherytours.com/ for latest information.
Included in Edinburgh Pass.
2 Comments
Some really pretty animals in the zoo.. Awesome colours those rainbow lorikeets have. The Rock Hyraxes looks like they were posing for a group shot. I had not even heard of some of these animals before.
Yes, the rock hyraxes do look kinda peculiar. First time I have seen some of these animals too. That means one can never be too old to go to a zoo! Cheers.