We, the members of the “CATS” grand prize winner were all excited as we boarded a hired bus going to Leofoo Village Theme Park, a theme park and safari located in Guanxi Town of Hsinchu County, Taiwan. This is part of the tour for winning in our 2008 Christmas Party in Manila, another surprise treat apart from our four-day tour in the northern part of Taiwan.

This is our fifth day in the country and I observed everyone was still empowered by intense energy, ready to indulge in another day’s relentless adventure.

Little Facts

Leofoo Village Theme Park was established in 1979 as Leofoo Wildlife Park but was reestablished in 1989 to Leofoo Village Theme Park. It has four theme areas: Arabian Kingdom, African Safari, South Pacific, and Wild West. Every area offers thrilling rides that will give a dose of excitement and fun for everyone.

We were welcomed by a yummy giant cake (how I wish it was really a cake) with the theme park’s cartoon logo and the prominent number 30, indicating its number of years in operation.

Arabian Kingdom

What we first explored was the magical-themed area of the Arabian Kingdom. The sight of the captivating Arabian Castle was amazing. The man-made knee-level lagoon added a scenic view. We’ve been snatched away from reality to a fantasy world in our Arabian journey with Ali-Baba and the Forty Thieves and the royal Flying Carpet of Aladdin.

The top attractions are Ring of Fire, Flying Horse, and Sultan’s adventure.

 

The boys had their first ride at Ring of Fire. It was a big metal circle where riders will enjoy the 360 degrees continuous loop.  No one from the girls brave the ride. The boys screamed so loud as they turned upside down. When they set off, we were all laughing while they shared their funny experience.

Sultan’s Adventure. This is where I enjoyed it most. From the main entrance, we walked inside a spooky underground before we boarded a treasure hunter’s jeep. As we moved on, we started screaming as we banged to every door which was loaded with lots of surprises. There were mummies, monsters, snakes, and dragons. The desert night adventure was filled with screams and laughter as we jolted, shook from side to side, went up then dipped down. It was an unpredictable and spooky ride but full of so much fun. You better try it!

Flying Horse is a family-friend dark-ride monorail not only for kids to enjoy but for young adults as well. We boarded the white Pegasus, the mythical winged divine horse, and toured inside the beautiful castle. Later we came out to the open and had a better view of the lagoon and the Arabian Castle.

South Pacific

This tropical-themed area is where we experienced heart-stopping rides like the top attractions Mighty Mountain Flume Adventure, Pagoda’s Revenge, and Intamin Drop Tower.

The creativity behind the design of Mighty Mountain Flume Adventure was fantastic. I braved this ride because Sir Remel was with me. We were given raincoats before we ride in a canoe.  I was in the backseat, a bit scared because it had no safety provision such as a seat belt or any harness that will prevent the rider from falling.

We embarked on a journey where at first I got so excited on the first slide. But when we were ascending to the top of the volcano I was so terrified thus I closed my eyes and held the edge of the canoe so tightly. I felt my spirit was left out of nowhere when we plunged so fast into the pool level. When I opened my eyes we were back in a smooth ride again. The experience was a combination of excitement and fear. But one thing for sure, I will never be persuaded to ride in here again. Hahaha!

Pagoda’s Revenge is a 17-storey gravity floor ride where one will be taken up slowly to the top and will enjoy gazing at a wonderful view of the Leofoo Village. Funny, when I was young I was so excited riding at heart-stopping attractions. Things changed when I have my two kids now. I don’t have the courage to try this ride anymore. What I did, I just watched my office mates screaming so loud while they were nearing the top and another crazy scream as they were pulled down so fast.  Another wonderful experience guys. Hahaha!

The Lost World is a visit to the Jurassic world where we indulged ourselves walking on a trail with lots of dinosaurs to see. There was a treehouse at the top of the hill where we enjoyed viewing the entire Leofoo Village.

African Safari is a wild-safari-themed area where animal attractions could be seen.

Carnivora Area’s Tour Bus. We rode in an air-conditioned tour bus going inside the carnivore area. This was my first time to see a great number of monkeys with African baboons, orangutans, white tigers, and black bears. Yellow tigers and lions were sleeping. We enjoyed touring a real-life African-style safari in this park.

Monkey Trail. After our Safari Tour, we tried the Monkey Trail. It is a mounted bicycle where we encircled atop the Primate Sanctuary. Ellen and I were partners as we paddled cheerfully ahead of our office mates. It was so delightful to see again great numbers of monkeys ruling in their kingdom.

Wild West is an old theme Wild West area with lots of live shows and thrills. The top attraction is the inverted coaster called the Screaming Condor.  Other attractions are the Little Rattler and the Big Canyon Rapids, where you will get wet in river rapids.

Screaming Condor is an inverted launcher and another heart-stopping ride where it will bring thrill and excitement to riders just like an eagle flying up into the sky.

Big Canyon Rapids Ride. This is said to be the largest man-made canal in Taiwan. The nine-minute-river adventure was fun and fulfilling as riders enjoyed surprising treats in every corner with plenty of rapids and hidden rocks.

There was a canteen inside the theme park and a souvenir store to which we bought pasalubong for our family and colleagues.

We had so much fun. We only had difficulty in talking to Taiwanese staff but thanks to our bosses for patiently translating English words to Mandarin.

We were so thankful to our company for this wonderful break. CATS enjoyed it so much!