What a day we had at Seaworld! Everyone must have had a great time because everyone was in bed by 10pm!
We arrived at Sea World about 11am and everyone had to line up for their mug shot for their 3 park super pass. Took a little while to get through with so many of us, but we finally got there and into the park. First stop was the new penguin’s. Those Emperor penguins are an impressive beast, and certainly a lot taller than I thought they would be. Put our little fairy penguins in Melbourne to shame!
As we left the penguins, we saw the mono-rail station and decided to jump on the train for a tour of the park. Only took 20 mins to do a lap, and it was a great way to see everything… a little slow and boring for Zac, although we fixed that later… The park had changed a bit since I had been there last with a few new rides and attractions. Unfortunately some the rides including the log ride were closed for maintenance 🙁 still there was plenty to see.
After our trip around the park, we stopped briefly for some lunch, then headed into the dinosaur exhibition. Big scary, noisy moving dinosaurs…although disappointing as they it turned out they weren’t real after all… so we headed across to Dinosaur island…again big and noisy, but not real. What we did see though, were our fist dolphins swimming in the water around the island.
Well dinosaurs done, we decided it was time to get a thrill and headed over to the roller coasters. There were two that were operating, Sea Rescue where you sit on Jet Ski’s and fly super fast along a track, and the Sea Viper that looped above our heads. We thought we would start with the smaller of the two, so headed over to Sea Rescue.
Zac, Mattie, Mark, Kate, Kelly, Aunty Jess and Aunty Amy all bravely lined up for a go on the Sea Rescue. My back was still killing, but there was no way I was going to miss out! This however is where I broke my little ride champion. Zac and I were first in line, and that meant that we were on the front cart of the roller coaster… nothing but track in front!
Zac looked a little nervous as we got on, and held on for dear life as suddenly without warning…WHOOSH! We took off at a great rate, man is this thing fast! Sitting on the front, you could see the track coming and knew what was about to happen, which I think was worse, but as I do on a ride, I laughed at the top of my lungs. Zac on the other hand…. was silent. Not a good sign.
The ride was over so quick, but even as we got off and headed back to the Mum’s, Zac wouldn’t talk and was white as a ghost! We all looked hungrily towards the Sea Viper looping above us, but not for Zac. He had had enough of rides for the day. I think he was kicking himself later, as he really wanted to go on the rides, next time maybe we won’t sit in the front.
So, the rest of us (minus Zac and Kate) headed over to the Sea Viper. This one is more of a traditional roller coaster, and once again I was worried about my back, but no need, this was a smooth ride, and the loop and corkscrew where you are upside down were over so fast. Mattie loved it so much, he dragged Mark back for a second go!
Thrill rides done, we headed back to the scariest rides in the park, where Jess, Tara, Emma and Clare showed us boys up with their bravery, running from ride to ride.
The day was slipping away, so we headed to the Ray feeding tank, where we all got to pat sting rays as they swam past. Soft and slippery is the only way to describe them. We didn’t feed them as it was $10 for a bucket of fish (4 or 5 pieces) and there were limited buckets.
After the ray’s we dropped by to see the big cuddly teddy bears, also known as Polar Bears! I love the poler bears, they look like a big friendly dog really, although not so sure I would want to get close enough to pat one!
Shark bay was magnificent as always, but no diving for me this year 🙁 while I can brave some rides, I don’t think strapping 40kg of equipment to my back is a good move at the moment. Seeing all the fish though did make me want to get in the water, and I can’t wait until we get up north and out onto the reef.
After the sharks, it was time for the Dolphin show. Doesn’t matter how many times I see this show, it still amazes me as they leap out of the water. No “Dad can I have a pony?” here, it was all “Dad can I have a dolphin?”
Last stop for the day was Cast-a-way bay. This had some water play, so Fi and Kate made the trek back the start of the park where all our bathers were in the locker, while the rest of us were dragged through tunnels and rope bridges by the kids. Now that did wonders for my back, I was a little slower than usual, but it was still good fun.
Our last attraction for the day while Mark took the kids out on a pirate ship with water cannons that shoot the kids on the shore, was a suspended course. Wearing a harness, you work your way across different challenges suspended 3 stories high above the ground. This is where Zac came into his own attempting any of the challenges with grace and style. He even braved a few of the harder challenges. Well done Zac, you did an amazing job. As for me, I think the course helped to stretch my back! Didn’t feel too bad after I came down, although maybe it was adrenaline cause it all started to hurt again later.
Well that was it, the park was closing and we headed to the gates. What an awesome day.
It was Aunty Kate’s Birthday yesterday (Happy Birthday Kate), so we stopped into our favourite Fish n Chips shop in Tweed for a feed. Ok, Kelly and I in the lead got a little disoriented and turned left when we should have gone right, but Fi driving Vicki’s car stumbled across the place by accident as they had become separated coming though Surfers Paradise in Peak Hour. Using the magic of the iPhone, I tracked her location and got directions straight to her.
The Fish n Chips were still good, but not as good as the fish Ray had cooked us on Sunday!!!
Back at the park as I said before, it was an early night. Aunty Jess and Aunty Amy retired to their cabin exhausted after running around with the kids all day and Kelly wasn’t far behind. By 10pm, I was cold, my back was sore and I could barely keep my eyes open!
I didn’t get many photo of the day, but I know Fi did, so I will steal her iPhone and upload some photos later.
Anyway, it is either Wet and Wild or Movie World today, will see what everyone is up for after breakfast.
