Underwater Dragon Dance

Posted by May February 11, 2016

Underwater Dragon Dance

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It's 猴年初三. What better day to bring the children out on a trip to S.E.A. Aquarium with the school closed and no one else to visit! Besides, there is no entrance fee for children below the age of four. We heard that Gong Sea Fa Cai is quite awesome with an underwater dragon dance performance at the Open Ocean Habitat. We have watched several lion and dragon dances on land but underwater? This must be quite a show for the kids!

There are three underwater dances a day at 11am, 2pm and 4.30pm. I have a preference to arrive at opening time to any attractions so we started our S.E.A. Adventure at 10am. Strolled our way through clownfish and eels to reach the Open Ocean Habitat.

Note: The Open Ocean Habitat is the largest viewing panel in SEA Aquarium, shared by the Ocean Restaurant.

I decided to dock ourselves on the second level of the viewing gallery to watch the performance because if we went right in front of the glass, we will not be able to watch the divers and their dragon dance from one end to the other (36 metres across). Well of course we would miss a close-up photo opportunity with the dragon in the background but really? Look at the crowd! A wefie with them is quite impossible especially with low light exposure to make the picture look fantastic. At least not something I can manage with two very young ones in tow. I do not wish to lose them in the crowd. Check out more vids at @mmlittlee instagram.

It is really quite cool watching dragon chasing fish (or sometimes, the other way round). I understand that this smooth-looking operation is actually quite challenging! The underwater dragon is different from other land dragons. Its material is made of polyester so it is more durable in the water. The head of the dragon is made from plastic. Like the traditional dance, the dragon chased after the pearl. Due to the polyester material and the plastic dragon head, the divers will need to spend some time sinking the dragon dance equipment by letting out trapped air. Performing underwater also comes with added resistance to the movements of the divers. Each appearance took only 15 minutes yet divers must be fit enough to swim, manoeuvre and synchronise their movement throughout.

After the crowd dissipated, I brought the children down to the glass to catch a quick close-up encounter with Mr Dragon and his divers. They will swim pass the glass panels of the Ocean Dome to say their last goodbyes so there you will have your Right-In-Your-Face spot. So don't forget to head that way to claim your "seat" by the window before the divers head that way.

Note: The Ocean Dome is a panoramic 180° vista of the Open Ocean Habitat.

There is also a special Goldfish exhibition, art and craft area to make red packet goldfish and a photo booth filled with Chinese props! These are situated outside the aquarium (within the building itself) and marks a meaningful round-up for visitors. Ewan and Faye enjoyed this section a lot too because it is children-friendly with touch pool filled with special marine animals like abalone.

We spent a total of two hours here and could have stayed longer if not for lunch. I must say the venue is decorated beautifully with a lot of nice photos to bring home with. Gong Sea Fa Cai ends on 22nd February 2016 with an array of attractive ticketing promotions to choose from.