Nrthwnd

That's Shelly Mae, the bear Mickey made for Duffy so he wouldn't be lonely... It shouldn't be long before she joins Duffy here in the States. That's all I got.

"My Daily Ritual"

Bandit (Movie Park Germany) or Anaconda (WalyGator Parque) Either one's a win. So-to-speak.

"YOU - SHALL - NOT - PASS!" (Go Gandalf!)

Recently, Mad Rats, Happy Valley Chengdu on the recent TPR China Tour. The thing had been closed all day. My little group had gotten the other credits, time had been extended at the park (by vote, of which we complied). but we had had enough, exited and did lunch at the nearby Pizza Hut. Then, the text came in, that the mouse was open! Unfortunately, since we exited, there was no re-entry at this (and some others) park. It's a thing with them. But awesome Robb was even willing to cover us again for entry to the park, if any of us wanted to get that credit. But we decided we'd had enough, thanked Robb and declined, and just chalked it up to "one to get in the future" LOL! Maybe in 2016? And THANKYOU again Robb, for offering to do that for us! Me in front of Mad Rats when it was (then) closed, PO'd in my Dippin' Dots, lol.

"Let me be your star' Katherine McPhee / Megan Hilty from SMASH

^^^ That - is - amazing - looking! I'm curious what that candycane archway on the right, is all about? It looks intriguing.

Um........ Duffette? Or maybe Duffie?

The prize selection looks awesome!

^ Yeah, there was that too. The money helped. I also remember feeling sorry for all those poor people trying to get hot water out of that small standup dispenser for their noodles. Of course with so many wanting the hot water, it ran out. I think there was another dispenser available but it was down the long hallway, at the other end of the waiting areas. And nobody wanted to go that far for their hot water.

^ Ha. The outside of that dark ride looked in better shape than the inside of it.

I love it... "Do Wah Diddy City" on the map.

"Later that evening..." Well I said it in my last post, our plane trip that evening got cancelled on us, and eventually the airline put us all up in what they called a "4 Star Hotel", although I am sure several of us, once we arrived there by bus, would beg to differ. A lot. No matter, we got some sleep in, got up early (as usual), got the bus back to the airport and flew on, after enjoying a somewhat questionable "breakfast pak" handed out at the waiting area. It was Cup 'o Noodles, large size! Yum. Robb in the meantime, decided that because of what had happend, it might be best in reversing two touring days, once we got to Gangzhou. So Sunday was more sad-and-pathetic credit whoring and the next day (Monday) we took on the two parks we were going to hit originally on Sunday. Simple? Yes! And it worked too! So here's a few of the smaller coasters we rode that day. This will be followed by (in my next post) an all-out Extravanganza of Dragons, Mousies and Worms, oh my! And here's Neil thinking to himself, "Will this mouse stay on track?" And...it did. Whew! I think this was supposed to be a fancy shot of a loading station and such. Uh.... ok. I am still not quite sure why this shot was taken, lol! I think this was a refreshment stop. Before riding another sad-and-pathetic coaster! Later in the day, we headed to a partially indoor park. And there's two credits in there, somewhere... You can sort of see it now, and it does a bit of an outdoor run, besides being inside the building. Loading station found! And...a second coaster found! And yeah, it's a spinner, too. And slightly different setup, with the cars attached as a mini-train. It was different. On the way out, and off to dinner, I tried to get an "action shot" of this. Eh, I'll try to do better. SURPRISE! It's a blurry shot, but we did a group dinner that evening at The Hut for a change. Woo hoo!

So Chuck. Now, that you and I (and some others) have been to China... Any standouts? I have a few, but am curious what your selection is.

And so, the following day.... Ah yes, the following day. A Saturday it was. We went to at least two parks, each having three coasters to ride. And then, Elissa had to leave us to head back home for other scheduled stuff to do... So -To get right to the end of the day - our flight that night was cancelled and from all the tension around the waiting area, I am totally in awe of Robb at how he handled the situation and made sure we were all included in whatever backup plans, the local airline had for us. Which turned out to be a (we heard) "4 Star Hotel" for the night, and an early morning flight to Guangzhou the next day (Sunday). Well, if that was a 4 Star, my house is a 7 Star Hotel itself, LOL! The rooms were adequate at best; small enough to juuust have a bit of walking space between bathroom and beds; atmosphere I won't even touch, as the management never did, either. But we did best with what we had, got some sleep, did the flight, and it actually ended up being a good thing to happen. But before that is told, we went to World Joyland and China Dinosaurs Park for some really good coastering that day. Joyland had the luck of getting rain as we arrived. So we weren't too sure what was going to be opened or closed. Happily, for most of us, we got to ride the flyer (Sky Scrapper); the mine train (Dragon Roaring Heaven); and in a bit of brief luck, the skyloop opened for us (Clouds of Fairyland) in a small window of time, and right before we had to take off for our second park! Sadly, there were a few I believe who didn't make it to the Skyloop in time. Ah well, next China tour, hmm? So we continued on to... China Dinosaur Park, Which had the distinction of owning one of these '4-D coasters' (ie. X-2, Eejanika) most either love or hate. I still remain in the latter category. I have only ridden the Fuji-Q one, and then this one. I was on the outside seat of one, and the inside seat of the other. It rumbled along, I felt like I couldn't see anything going by or coming up. At this point it's just a credit to me. But THIS coaster was where The Age Thing came into question. A ride op approached me, and for a few times (in the best ebglish he could do) kept asking me my age. Now, I had already read The Rules, and the "age limit" for this thing was 60. I was 59. Too close for that nonsense. So I fibbed a few years down, to 55, and told him that age. And he STILL wasn't sure about it.i was waiting for the inevitable BUST, if and when he asked for ID. But he didn't, I got on, miffed about the whole thing... And didn't ride it a second time when offered. Once was enough. And then... to the airport..... Something there in the distance - looks like Joyland... Definitely Joyland! (o: The park is partially based on World of Warcraft characters, I believe! But first, getting ready to fly! On...Sky Scrapper! With an extra 'p' ! Lovely loopy thing it was. Very nice (although a bit short, IMhO ) layout. I mean, I'm talkin' Big Themeing, lol! And then, what did I just "happen" to notice while standing around Clouds of Fairyland? Testing!!! And I/we got the credit. Here's That Coaster at Dinosaur park. Just before The Age Question is asked of me. Grrrrr.... And Thankyou Chuck, for taking a pic with me on it (2nd row, inner seat, hands clasped), still PO'd by the recent discussion I had with the ride op, lol. And after that one ride, I was out of the station and got an "action shot" of Dinoconda. heh heh. Now, to the airport and more "adventure"....

(all of the the above) Me, as well.

Great photo TR you've posted, so far. Some of your shots are really clear, well thought out, and framed nicely. And I KNEW there was something about WalyGator land I did get a kick out of - but sadly did not get to ride.... The INSTRUMENT Carousel! That so looked so very cool. I know it's a brand made kids flat, but still... looked great. And that's about all that I liked about that park, back in 2008. And I see that some of it still hasn't changed much, lol. And I definitely want this t-shirt next time I ever get back to Movieland! I love it! Want one! But Magma-2 I might pass on, in future. That still looks like it's a nasty "backlot tour", lol. Looking forward to more! Yep. This is The One. In XL will do very nice.

^ While we're on the subject.... Action figures. New cast CDs. Delightfully sinful chocolate ______. MmmmmmmmYES!

^ Best. Part. Ever. (Espcially after going 'round and 'round and..)

Since my last post, I have had the opportunity to now tour all of the various Disney MKs. Hong Kong Disneyland being added, this past September. So, my choice has changed to Tokyo Disney Sea. No other explanation is needed. There are thousands of posts telling of how TDS is such a WOW to visit. Even from the non-Disney freeks, heh heh.

Twiddling can be a fun thing.

Now finding out there was once a Honey Nut Boo around my cereal... is scary enough.

I think the best thing you can do for shipping internationally IMhO, is to attach that card to the wrapped item itself - and make sure the name and destination is written out exactly, like you would write it out on the (then) paper-wrapped or boxed item, on the outside. And there on the card in the corner is where you can actually write 'SECRET SANTA' and your home address. I believe if and when ever customs opens and checks what's inside, the seeing of the card clues them in a bit better. And they get it. It seems to work every time I have sent things into the US, for friends and close ones for all ocassions. (Secret Bunny?)

I sold my car over a month ago! I don't care any more! WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE. (Sorry, had to let that out - I think we're around $1.30 a litre in Vancouver. Thereabouts.)

I just remember our table being very very quiet, and not too sure what to do next, lol. And Elissa? How about this one as a not-too-bad-shot of you, too? "Laughing Ice House" Here ya are at Floraland, enjoying the cool weather there...