Today we rose at a more civilized time compared to yesterday, 6:30am. We got ready and made our way down for another buffet breaky. Boo again played up. Nearly fell off her chair and is just not listening. Must be the age, but it is trying. Meg also is pushing the boundaries, hopefully the two will sort themselves out.
Todays adventure is to go and have some fun at Waterbom Park, Bali's water park. We walked down the beach and took the shortcut on the boardwalk which we saw our first wild squirrel. It was so cute! Along the beach we had less hagglers to annoy us which was good, and what took us 20mins yesterday took us 10mins this time! Brilliant short cut we reckon and the scenery was better looking out at the ocean and hearing the waves.
We arrived at Waterbom Park at around 9:30am and it looked amazing! We first had to put money onto our wristband scanner. It's exactly what it says, a moneyless payment system which means you don't have to worry about cash on you. So we decided $500,000 rupiah would be enough ($50) for lunch and our lockers and towels, etc. The girls ran around excitedly wanting to go on this and that. We headed to the lazy pool, where we got some donut rings and floated down the water. Would have been relaxing if we didn't have the girls screaming past is playing!! Lol. Next stop was the waterside area where there was 6 different slides to choose from, all with different thrills snd speed, also height restrictions! b*****! Meg only able to go down 3 of them, but still that's better than nothing. First we thought we'd try an easy one, the raft river. We went in double tubs and it was a hoot! Fast enough to ease us into it. Then it was the racer. We all slid down on mats, of course Marty and l kicked the girls butts as we were bigger. We all then raced down the macaroni ride, which was pretty cool as it was half tunneled. Meg loved it, it ended up being her favorite for the day!! She kept calling it the tunnel ride! Marty and Boo went down the Smashdown, a single free fall slide that was so quick and gave everyone a wedgie. We were slowly increasing our thrills. Next Boo and l went on the Race track and it was a tad scary as you got a bit of air on one of the bumps. Again, another wedgie ride! After climbing the stairs for all the rides, we decided it was time to have a chill in the pool and then we let the kids have a run around in the kids splash playground, which had a huge water bucket! Was pretty funny seeing the attendants all dressed in raincoats in the kids playground area. Think it's because of the misty water spray. All the lifeguards were great with the kids and everything seemed to run smooth.
After all the morning fun we decided we needed to refuel for the arvo. So we went and sat for some lunch. We had all chosen and ordered our meals when Marty went to scan his wristband and our funds were short. So off he went to top up the wristband, still not enough funds, we hadn't brought enough money. So back the towels went which gave us our deposit refund so that we could eat lunch. Big effort just to eat lunch, and we have now learnt our lesson to carry a bit more cash.
After lunch we took our time doing the rounds of all the slides again, everyone had a ball. Boo and l then lined up for the longest time to do this ride called the boomerang. It was well worth the wait, it was amazing and thrilling. Was over before we knew it. We went down in a double ring and slide into a tunnel before coming out to slide up a ramp, which then allowed you to slide down into the pool. It felt like you would go right off the ramp, squealed my guts out! Marty was too chicken to go on the ride so opted for the Superbowl ride. Like it states, you go thru a tunnel which you come out into a bowl that you go round in circles before heading down a hole down another tunnel then out to the pool. Boo and Marty went down together while Meg and l watched. Meg was such a trooper waiting for all of us to have a ride so we let her choose the last ride, of course, it was the macaroni!
But for me, l wanted to check out the Climax ride. Before really checking it out, l lined up and off l went, climbing the stairs. I figured that l would chicken out if l really saw what was involved. All l knew was that you stood on a platform and then it was released! That was enough. So up l climbed and as l waited for my turn l listened to all the screams of those before me. Then l was up. I went in the capsule and the bloody attendant loved watching the fear. He counted down from three then the floor was released and off l went. It was so fast and curved around, the tunnel looked long but it went so quick. I think l was the loudest screamer of the day with the biggest wedgie by the end. I must have shut my eyes cause l has to force them open when l started to slow at the end of the ride. Was definitely worth it, Climax for sure!!! Lol
The day had been long and we were all waterlogged. So by 3:30pm we decided it was time to head back to Hard Rock.
After chilling for a few hours in the room, the girls had time to rest with Meg actually falling asleep. Marty and l tried to work out an itinerary for the next ten days. Then it was time to head out for dinner. So off to Poppies Lane 1 we went, this time heading down to the Treehouse. It looked ok, open planned with a few westerners in having a meal already. The meal was ok, but nothing like last night at the Sandbar. We all had a meal and shared two appetizers between the four of us, Marty and l having a drink each, all for $210,000 rupiah ($21)!! We were all in the mood for a treat, so we made our way to Flapjacks, a pancake parlor. OMG it was so yummy. The girls had chocolate gelato but Marty and l had the buttermilk pancakes with vanilla gelato and honeycomb. Amazingly delicious! The girls both had big chocolate grins by the end, which made the waitresses laugh a little. Will be coming back here a few more times we think. It nearly cost as much as dinner at $160,000 rupiah ($16)!! Oh well it was worth it, and for a three course meal for the four of us, it still only cost us $37 for the night. Not bad.
We walked back to the hotel, all feeling a little stuffed, both our brains and our bellies. Lol. On our way back we were hassled by at least half a dozen kids trying to sell friendship bands. They had no shoes and were pleading for 50c. So sad. Worst thing was we had no oz money on us. They were barefoot and dirty. Wish we could take them home, give them a wash and feed so they didn't have to beg on the streets at night. Oh well, it's no different from the poverty we've seen in the Northern Territory over the last 6 months. We got home, kids had a bath and thru were beat. Asleep in seconds. Wyan also called back (the bloke from Kuta beach last night) and it ended up he was genuine. Unfortunately we couldn't go with him as he was going tomorrow and we just couldn't do two big days in a row with the girls.
What a great day we had. So good to be having fun family time again.....
Bell Xxx