Tuesday 8 May 2007

Dreamworld

We hit Dreamworld for the day. Great fun, but not really conducive to taking photos except for the Tigers. I haven't been there since a physics excursion in grade 11, so it was like going to a new theme park. The most terrifying ride. The Giant Drop. 110m straight down. Nice view from the top, but then it all goes ridiculous. It is as close to the 134m Bungee jump I did in NZ in 2000. (That one was truly terrifying). way scarier than any of the similar rides at the royal shows around the country. Most fun ride. Probably the Wipe Out. Heaps of fun without being scared out of your skin. (The Cyclone Roller Coaster was close behind). Most disappointing. The Tower of Terror. Long line up, and not even close to being as scary as the Giant Drop. Still a good ride, but a bit over rated. Most wet. The Wild Rapids. Not that much of a thrill, but Kerri got 100% soaked & I was only marginally better off.
Dreamworld is mainly about kick arse rides, (which it has plenty of) but it also has a bunch of Bengal Tigers. They have 3 or 4 displays a day with some tricks & a bit of an info talk. See the photo above & the couple in later blog entries.
Anyone who thinks you are safe up a tree from a tiger, think again!
Dreamworld are part of a tiger breeding program & have a couple of 8 week old cubs. They are very cute & very popular. Kez wanted to take one to Canada with us. The photo tells the story.
These tigers don't look at all stressed from their jobs. They do one or maybe two shows a day & get heaps of treats for doing not much. The only one that looked a bit stuffed was the one down the back of this shot. He is involved in the breeding program. It's a tough job!
Even the Bengal Tigers that are from the tropics think that Brisbane is hot. Not too often you see a cat voluntarily sit in water.
Here is a lesson in stuff in Canada.
Dreamworld/tiger island also have a couple of female Cougars. They are magnificent animals but you don't want to cross them. Part of the demonstration was a jump. For a small animal, they have incredible jumping skills. Can't wait until I see some wild animals in Canada.