cfc Posted January 2, 2008 Posted January 2, 2008 And I lost my Troy wood . . . Gee--poor Troy! "Come back with my wood! I need it for New Year's Eve!"
RaptorBoyASU Posted January 2, 2008 Posted January 2, 2008 OMG. For posting that picture of me bending over in my swimsuit......DIE! The others I don't mind I'm glad you're finally posting a PTR. I'm sad I missed a bunch of it until now. I had so much fun that entire trip, definitely a trip of a lifetime. Who's that guy, and why didn't I notice him before?
Moose Posted January 2, 2008 Posted January 2, 2008 Why does everyone think that kyle is the only one to go in the water because the rest of us thought it was cold? Kyle was the only one to wear his swimsuit. If I had mine I would have been in the water in a second.
RaptorBoyASU Posted January 2, 2008 Posted January 2, 2008 Jon, you don't have to lie to make friends. No need to keep the machismo up around here, many of us have met you
Louise Posted January 2, 2008 Author Posted January 2, 2008 Why does everyone think that kyle is the only one to go in the water because the rest of us thought it was cold? Kyle was the only one to wear his swimsuit. If I had mine I would have been in the water in a second. Oops! Well I won't speak for everyone, but in my mind it's baffling enough that even ONE person would want to brave that water, never mind more than one of you! And I'd just like to say, if I had wanted to go in, I would've gone in clothes and all, regardless of swimsuit. So there. Kyle, be glad I posted that one! The other two were really really bad, I chose the nice one on purpose! But I'll delete it if you wish... I mean, I may as well be nice because tomorrow it's turtle time!!
RonFrost Posted January 2, 2008 Posted January 2, 2008 I am so loving your TP, Lou! Brava! What a wonderful reminder, of a really awesome trip. And I'm flattered that you think I look like a catalogue model in that picture. I learned that pageant pose back in the early 90's.
Moose Posted January 2, 2008 Posted January 2, 2008 ^I love your new userpic! That looks like an absolute blast.
Carnage Posted January 2, 2008 Posted January 2, 2008 Kyle was the only one to wear his swimsuit. If I had mine I would have been in the water in a second. I just had a flashback from when I was 10, standing on some white sand beach in Florida, wearing Sunday dress clothes because my mother didn't think we'd have time to go to the beach.
gisco Posted January 3, 2008 Posted January 3, 2008 I just had a flashback from when I was 10, standing on some white sand beach in Florida, wearing a Sunday dress because my mother didn't think we'd have time to go to the beach. Fixed it for you Paul
RonFrost Posted January 3, 2008 Posted January 3, 2008 ^I love your new userpic! That looks like an absolute blast. It looks like I'm really high off the ground, but this one in St. Maarten wasn't as fun as the one I did a few years ago in Puerto Vallarta. The one in PV was all zip lines, and really high off the ground. That was a blast!
Louise Posted January 3, 2008 Author Posted January 3, 2008 LOL Bob!!! I love your new avatar too Ron, looks like so much fun! And thanks for the compliment, glad you're enjoying reminiscing, it's been fun for me going through all this stuff too!! I just got home and am wide awake and feeling productive, so I guess I'll do another bunch of pics. Changing the format up a bit too, this is my first trip report and I'm learning as I go, trying to figure out how I like doing this. Last Day in Spain!! -- Parque Warner Madrid, and the Last Supper. On the bus on the way to Parque Warner, I prove (once again!) that I don't look good in any glasses After arriving, we had ERT on the park's Superman coaster, and I loved it! Only my second floorless, and while I do think I would rate Kraken ahead of it, it's been a loooooong time since I rode Kraken, and I would definitely need a re-ride to be sure. Great coaster regardless of that. I actually greyed out at one point (first time ever, though it's happened a few times since) which I initially put down to intensity but upon re-riding and further experience now I think was a combination of lack of sleep, blindingly bright sunlight and nothing to eat or drink that morning. After Superman we headed down to get our wristbands for the day... We're SUPERSTARS!!! They also gave us Roadrunner stickers to wear, which was entertaining but kindof a failure as far as practicality goes... More on that later. Chadlyr really likes Superman, almost as much as Jon likes Batman... Shame I didn't get the photo of him humping the statue. Next we headed over to Stunt Fall, aka El Deja Vu-o, the first of three Deja Vus I would ride this year... And I'll never get that fourth. I actually REALLY enjoyed this ride! Smooth as glass, which prompted a big chunk of the group to tell me not to expect that from the others, if they were actually running the days I was in town. After dealing with the ride safety talks on El Deja Vu-o (I do understand it and usually don't complain about this stuff, but WOW they were obsessive), it was off to Batman for yet another great coaster, FAR more intense than I was expecting. I rode a further three of the Batmans this summer, and this one and Great America's were probably my favourites. Himeji Central Park's was decent, but those two definitely beat it, and for whatever reason, I just don't remember the one at SFMM, even though I KNOW I rode it!! I was pretty wiped out that morning and the whole park is kindof a blur so... Anyway, I figure if I had preferred it to the others I would remember it. So far, three coasters, all of them pretty damn good. So we decided to shake that up a bit and head over to Coaster Express.... Robb and Elissa and others had warned me about this one, and the video footage I'd seen had hardly been kind, so I wasn't looking forward to it... Look, John and I are definitely scared! But it wasn't that bad! Don't get me wrong, I hardly loved it, and I had no strong inclination to ride it again, but it didn't kill me. A few bumps, a few aches, but nothing major. Pleasantly surprised by our survival, we headed over to the log flume, which was really cool, a great backwards bit (love that turntable), then headed over to redeem our lunch coupons. Hector looks so tired and full because he's just eaten most of my lunch after having eaten his own. My earlier reference to the practical value of the stickers referred to this (photo courtesy of Hector): Notice my sticker is now attached with gaffer tape, as the water from the flume had completely erased any adhesive. After lunch, we went and rode Tom Y Jerry, which was interesting as the seats have these weird vibration enhancing appendages!! Think some of the guys (and MAYBE the girls) rather enjoyed this ride! I'm not a credit whore and rarely ride kiddie coasters but fun stuff like this is right up my street. We also rode the Scooby Doo shooting dark ride, which I completely failed at, though Elissa rode with me and did quite well, the ride told her she was "gay", then wandered and posed with random statues. My new boyfriend, I LOVE Marvin the Martian. About three seconds after this picture was taken Robb attacked me. Sadly my camera didn't capture the moment. We also waited in line in the BRUTAL sun for the S&S combo tower, which I forget the name of and can't be bothered searching for. They only had one side running, then eventually progressed for two, by which point we were all suffering from heat exhaustion. The second tower had been running on a bit of a naff programme, so a few of us were just sitting their chatting waiting for the slow ascent to the top, when suddenly we were shot upwards, as we were the first cycle they changed the program on. Shocked us all half to death but was great to be surprised. After waiting in the heat for that we tortured ourselves some more waiting in an area with NO COVER for the Batman simulator. The park staff didn't quite seem to understand the priority passes, as we ended up waiting longer with those than people with no passes for a lot of rides. Carl and somebody else from our group were in the normal line for this one, and the rest of in the Priority area, and we thought for a moment that he was going to get in a cycle ahead of us, but thankfully we all got in, even though they tried to cut our group in half. We then had to wait another five minutes inside before the pre-show started, then into yet another pre-show area. And after all that, the simulator was rubbish, as the screen was so terrible. Oh well. The only really amazing ride that stands out in my mind from this park was the rapids, which frankly is one of the best rapid rides I've ever ridden. I think we put ten in our boat, the whole ride was brilliantly Acme themed, we got soaked, and the thing spun more than you could possibly imagine! We all know what it's like, for some reason spinning just makes people laugh like crazy, and we all giggled like idiots all the way round, I've never known a boat spin so fast or so much. Overall, I really liked the park, and now, having visited a couple of Six Flags park, understand why many people were confused about the standard of a lot of things considering its past ownership. There are certainly improvements to be made, but the place has some great attractions and theming, and a really nice atmosphere. It desperately needs more shade though, we all really suffered with the heat and it was difficult to escape. Onto the evening, the goodbye dinner. A few of us had found a nice little buffet restaurant with a big outdoor area on the first night we arrived, and Robb and Elissa had contacted them to warn them that a group of thirty or fourty would be descending upon them on the final night of the trip. A large portion of the group were doing the add-on to Germany, but there were still a lot of goodbyes to be said, which always makes me cry! To all the non-add-on people, thanks for making the trip such a blast!! Why is it taking them all so long to get ready, let's go and start drinking!! Kyle looks way too happy to be saying goodbye to us and going home the next morning. Walking down to the restaurant... I'm telling you, he just can't wait to get away!! Jon had swiped my camera again at this point, here's Kristie dicing with death. Thank God her grandpa was there to save her if she fell! (Thanks for taking this picture and the previous one three times by the way Jon! ) ROBB EATS SEEDS. Dave decided to get some yoghurt from the machine... Chris offered to do it for him. With hilarious results. Robb saying goodbye to John and the lovely Rebecca, who was a great sport on the trip despite not being an enthusiast. Walking back up to the hotel, I noticed how gorgeous the sunset looked. I just *barely* missed it being a perfect shot, as that stupid Volkswagen didn't QUITE get out of the way in time. Robb kisses Kyle goodnight... Awwww. "Oh, Mr Alvey!!!" (I really think I need to make a .gif out of these two photos, they're hysterical.) Me with the awesome British bar crew, who I had SO much fun with. Love you guys!! And another one with Steve being silly for good measure. All the Brits together.... Except Piers, who was upstairs cutting and colouring hair, like you do. If anybody who's good with Photoshop fancies pasting him into this photo I'd be thrilled, I was always sad to not have a picture of ALL of us. Half of the Panthers. The Panthers and Brits turned out to be a match made in heaven. I love the awesome barman doing the rabbit ears too, he put up with a lot from us and was a great laugh. Does anyone remember his name?? Sadly we also said goodbye to Tomi, heading home to Finland. And to Rich and Mel. Never ask Chris to take a picture of women for you. This is attempt number one. And attempt number two. Number three.... "Rich, will YOU take the picture please??" "Chris, why do you still have my camera?" "DAMN IT CHRIS!!!!" And seeing as I'm posting pointless pictures that nobody will care about, here's one you WILL, I present Cool Rich's nipple. Robb, Chris, Kyle, Jon and myself ended up congregated in mine and Kyle's room for an hour, reminiscing about the trip before Jon and Kyle left the next day. Kyle was feeling constrained by his clothes, and decided to slip into something a little more comfortable. Apparently my arse makes a good pillow, though notice it's Kyle's he's interested in grabbing! Oh wait, maybe I spoke too soon... And so, another great trip comes to an end. The whole ten days was a blast from start to finish, and I was really sad for it to come to and end... Though knowing I was heading off for another mini-trip the following morning helped! Klotten up next, thanks for reading!
Carnage Posted January 3, 2008 Posted January 3, 2008 On the bus on the way to Parque Warner, I prove (once again!) that I don't look good in any glasses Makes you look like a librarian. The frames are too big and boxy. Thinner smaller frames would look better. Oh and Bob ...
Sunfire Posted January 3, 2008 Posted January 3, 2008 Lou, your pics are always hilarious! As are your stories (that you can remember). I look forward to seeing the next part!
RCFreak Posted January 3, 2008 Posted January 3, 2008 Ok you need to hurry up and finish so I can start mine! These are great and I'm loving re-living the Spain portion of the trip!
Louise Posted January 3, 2008 Author Posted January 3, 2008 ^ Finish what, the whole 2007 report?!?! It'll be a while mate, I've got Mini-Europe and then my 38 day trip to do!! Or are you just gonna do yours after Mini-Europe?! Should be about a week or less. Glad I've inspired you to do one, your pics had to be one of the best sets I saw.
RCFreak Posted January 3, 2008 Posted January 3, 2008 Opps, I just meant Spain and Mini-Europe, should have specified a little more...
Guy T. Koepp Posted January 3, 2008 Posted January 3, 2008 This is such an awesome TR Lou! It feels so much more like a group of friends getting together for a massive road trip than a planned excursion. I am enjoying it immensely. keep up the great work.
coaster05 Posted January 3, 2008 Posted January 3, 2008 Thanks for the great TR since this is where I had to leave and be a non add on loser.
ratdogg68 Posted January 3, 2008 Posted January 3, 2008 Loving this PTR, not just coasters but behind the scenes as well, Good one Lou. Good way to pass the winter time blues.
Louise Posted January 3, 2008 Author Posted January 3, 2008 ^^ I've decided that the non add-on people aren't losers, they're just like those people at parties who leave before they get too drunk to embarrass themselves: you're the ones with class!! Seeing as I may not be able to do add-ons for a couple of years while I sort out my finances, I have to find a positive spin. I just took a quick look over my Mini-Europe photos and it turns out I only took pictures at two of the five parks... Hector, you may be able to start your TR in like two days!! Thanks again for all the feedback guys, I really appreciate it.
Meteornotes Posted January 3, 2008 Posted January 3, 2008 Cool report, but no mention of the awesome prizes you won on the bus after playing a certain game?!? Ah well... dt
Louise Posted January 3, 2008 Author Posted January 3, 2008 There is a picture of one of them actually, I almost commented on it but I had no pictures from that bus ride so I didn't. Look harder!
RCFreak Posted January 3, 2008 Posted January 3, 2008 I just took a quick look over my Mini-Europe photos and it turns out I only took pictures at two of the five parks... Hector, you may be able to start your TR in like two days!! Thanks again for all the feedback guys, I really appreciate it. Luckily I did take MANY and I got impaitient, you're not moving fast enough so i had to start with what i did before I headed off to Spain.
Moose Posted January 3, 2008 Posted January 3, 2008 There is a picture of one of them actually, I almost commented on it but I had no pictures from that bus ride so I didn't. Look harder! I noticed it. I think the prizes really enjoyed those ultra luxurious accomodations. I know hypercolor whale/orca/dolphin did.
piers Posted January 3, 2008 Posted January 3, 2008 I completely forgot about colouring Kristies hair that night! It wasnt an easy task, using parkmaps for foil and a box colour with completely Spainish instructions. God I'm clever! Your pictures really capture all of the fun we had though, I really miss that trip.
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