A couple of weeks ago we went on a day trip to a fantastic aquapark in Doha. This was certainly exciting for all of us, especially as I offered to drive. I was tense following the convoy of fast moving traffic, on the scary pot holed road, in our hired Nissan sunny covered in dust! There was a particular moment I recall, we were being over taken and the overtaker was being overtaken as an oncoming truck was approaching on the opposite side of the road. Nigel was shouting at me to not veer off to the right into the sand and the kids in the back were expressing negative feelings of being scared! I'm sure we left the road as I could not possibly avoid this gigantic crater when I thought, perhaps I chose the wrong day to make my first drive to Doha? We did get there in one piece and marvelled at the scene before our very eyes. As we entered the park the loudspeakers were playing kum by yah and I thought it was by yah we had safely arrived at this oasis of fun! It was amazing there were pools and gigantic, coloured slides and a huge pirate themed area for the younger kids. Those of you who know me well will understand how the thought of spending the day out in my swimming cossi fills me with horror. It's not that I am so vain, but the varicose vein I have to live with!!! I fashioned some kind of sarong out of my green and pink scarf and took Josh to play in the pirate area. Meanwhile the true adrelin junkies, Nigel and Eleanor went off to the super slide area. The staff were amazing and so friendly. It was like being at Barnsley Metrodome, but on a much larger scale and outside in the brilliant sunshine with the rest of the world except Yorkshire folk. Get the picture?
Somehow Eleanor managed to convince me to go on this huge, red,swirly slide. We got to the top of about 100 steps ( I felt like I was stood on the top of Emley Moor mast!) and I checked with the attendant that I wasn't too 'big' to embark. Of course I wasn't! No way out now! We sat on a double rubber ring, Ellie in front, and got shoved off into oblivion. My stomach lurched towards my throat and I screamed all the way down the first set of spirals. I confess I shut my eyes too until Ellie shouted 'mum, open your eyes!' WOW! I thought I was on Willy Wonka's crazy boat trip or I had been transported back to a 1970's boogie wonderland! The neon lights provided a kaleidoscope of colours, it was AWESOME! Then we shot out into an enormous circular area just like Veruca Salt going down the nut hatch in the more recent film of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. We circled a while before plunging down a vertical drop into the pool and the end of the ride. Phew! At which point I got my leg stuck in the rubber ring and couldn't get out for a few minutes much to my daughters embarrassment! I needed refreshment! There was a coffee/tea bar in one of the pools with stools in the water you could sit on. Brilliant! A Tequila Sunrise moment if ever there was one! We had a cup of tea.
I continue to enjoy my bike rides and after my cold left me last week, I went on a 50 minute ride. I went down to the beach and was just watching the beautiful, shimmering sea, when I heard the sound of tyres approaching in the sand. There was no-one around and nowhere to hide. It was a police van with two officers inside! We exchanged Arabic greetings and then in English they asked me if I was lost! They were just checking I was ok. I found this really amusing but also very reassuring. I don't know if I will ever cycle outside the compound alone, but I do feel very safe and protected here.
I'm really excited to have some followers of my blog! Thanks!
xx
Somehow Eleanor managed to convince me to go on this huge, red,swirly slide. We got to the top of about 100 steps ( I felt like I was stood on the top of Emley Moor mast!) and I checked with the attendant that I wasn't too 'big' to embark. Of course I wasn't! No way out now! We sat on a double rubber ring, Ellie in front, and got shoved off into oblivion. My stomach lurched towards my throat and I screamed all the way down the first set of spirals. I confess I shut my eyes too until Ellie shouted 'mum, open your eyes!' WOW! I thought I was on Willy Wonka's crazy boat trip or I had been transported back to a 1970's boogie wonderland! The neon lights provided a kaleidoscope of colours, it was AWESOME! Then we shot out into an enormous circular area just like Veruca Salt going down the nut hatch in the more recent film of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. We circled a while before plunging down a vertical drop into the pool and the end of the ride. Phew! At which point I got my leg stuck in the rubber ring and couldn't get out for a few minutes much to my daughters embarrassment! I needed refreshment! There was a coffee/tea bar in one of the pools with stools in the water you could sit on. Brilliant! A Tequila Sunrise moment if ever there was one! We had a cup of tea.
I continue to enjoy my bike rides and after my cold left me last week, I went on a 50 minute ride. I went down to the beach and was just watching the beautiful, shimmering sea, when I heard the sound of tyres approaching in the sand. There was no-one around and nowhere to hide. It was a police van with two officers inside! We exchanged Arabic greetings and then in English they asked me if I was lost! They were just checking I was ok. I found this really amusing but also very reassuring. I don't know if I will ever cycle outside the compound alone, but I do feel very safe and protected here.
I'm really excited to have some followers of my blog! Thanks!
xx
