A trip to a theme park. Toverland, in Venlo, on the German border. A long drive, one and a half hours from Houten. But well worth it.
This theme park offers a bit more than Chessington or Thorpe Park. It has two massive halls, which hold smaller rides, amazing play areas constructed of ropes and wood plus soft play areas.
And the best part was the price at this time of year, 16 Euros for each child, and for us pensioners too.
There were lots of characters too. Toverland means Magicland in English.
The first ride, once in the door, was the whizzy chair ride. Raphy especially loved this ride.
It was difficult to know which ride to choose first. There were so many rides, and no queues either, but I guess in summer time it may be a different story. There was a small roller coaster in this hall, but too whizzy for me. Ever since I went on Ramoses (not spelt correctly) Revenge at Chessington, about six years ago, and nearly threw up in front of all the parents from school, I have been rather cautious about rides in general. Or maybe I am starting to become a more responsible senior.
But this roller coaster I could not resist. What a fantastic wooden structure. An oversized sculpture really, and landscaped with grasses around it. But once was enough. It was very high, very fast and went on, and on, and on. Quite scary. However, Steve, Jackson, Isabel and Mia certainly had many, many rides on it. They thought it was such an exciting ride. In fact they went on it three times in a row at the end of the day.
The wooden horse of Troy.
On the Viking Ship. All that swooping made one's stomach churn just looking at it. Abi loved this ride, and went on it at least fifteen times. The girl who feels carsick after twenty minutes in a car, had no problems with this ride. The man and the girl in blue just happened to be in this photograph. I hope they don't mind. Isabel looks pensive, and Mia is checking out the girl's reactions, but Abi, sitting in the corner at the highest point, is loving every minute of the ride.
The horse ride. Emma and Raphy enjoying the gentle and slow ride, with just a little bobbing up and down. Raphy also liked the little roller coaster ride, which consisted of vehicles. Raphy spent ages riding in the front vehicle, a fire engine, and pressing the horn and pretending to steer it, with one elbow resting on the window ledge. Practising for later years when he can drive a real car.
There was also another fantastic ride, a roller coaster of motorbikes grouped together. Very fast. The type of ride that leaves your stomach behind when it initially takes off. But very comfortable, as you lean forward. There is a clamp against your shoulders, and another against your legs. No hope of falling off.
Of course there was a flume ride, very genteel, except for the part when the boat suddenly turned around and went down the flume backwards. Not really a good ride in the winter. But fun all the same.
Lunch was very satisfying, hot dogs, chips, pizza, hamburger, nuggets and other unhealthy options, except for Walter who chose a salad roll. There is always one in the crowd. The coffee was really awful. Nescafe instant with fancy names. Ugh!
We had a really lovely family day out, and did not leave until it closed at 6 p.m. Great fun.
I am writing this as I sit in the lounge area of the hotel in Kuala Lumpur. The day at Toverland now seems so unreal. I hope the blog makes sense. Jet lag!
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