Suoi Tien Cultural and Amusement Park....a tad strange.

I don't mean that in a bad way.  It's just that is is kind of weird.  The best way I can describe it is Buddha meets Disney.  We spent the morning here on Saturday and actually had a lovely time, for the most part.  Suoi Tien is located in District 9.  It took us about 30 minutes to get there from D1.  From what I can gather it was built in 1994 on some old swamp land that used to be a revolutionary base during the Vietnam War.  This place is ENORMOUS! .  It includes several entertainment areas and the landscaping and attractions are supposed to illustrate Vietnams history and legends.  There is a man made beach with a giant waterfall with the face of the Emperor sculptured into it.  It looked like loads of fun but of course due to Quiddys dodgy ears it was a no go for us.  The rest of the park is full of giant sculptured dragons painted in gorgeous blue and orange pastels as well as soft red Buddha statues in lush green gardens. Everything is big, bright and colourful....did I mention big?  There is a croc farm as well as a dolphin and sea-lion show which was quite good.  All the usual dodgy looking rides were there and of course all lacking the necessary occupational health and safety requirements.  We were just a bit choosy about what we put them on.  It is really cheap to get in then you pay for each ride. (They were really cheap also).  A fun morning....strange...but fun.

This bride was sitting in the water.  Her dress was soaked.

The water park.

A cultural performance.

We thought this ride might be fun for the kids.  Had no idea what it was.  Just hopped on and hoped for the best.

Fun right Scarlett?

Ummmm....not so much.  It was horrific!  I have no idea what it was all about but the kids were terrified.  It was like "It's a Small World" in Disneyland meets the apocalypse.

Nice

They were absolutely beside themselves.  We had to get them to cover their eyes while I sang "It's a Small World" (which is also horrifying)

This thing actually comes down and grabs you.  I have no idea why they think it is so funny to scare the pants off kids.

Finally some fun 

This show was actually really good.

We passed on this one :)

It's not really a theme park unless you can buy a cactus.

Now I have said it before and I will say it again.  Napping is serious business here.

They had these big areas set up just for forty winks

Hire you hammock for 50 cents an hour

Or do as the school kids do and pull up a bit of concrete and away you go.  The ability to do this still astounds me.  Ok kids....we are in the middle of a fun park.  Lets all lie on the concrete and go to sleep now.

They were all sound asleep except for the 3 cheeky girls in the middle.

If that is not your style you can hire a little bungalow and have a little nap in a chair.  Tempting.

Stormy Weather

Watched this awesome storm from the lounge room window today.  It was a cracker!

Happy 4th Birthday Scarlett.

Scarlett had a great afternoon with friends celebrating her 4th birthday.  It was a "P" theme so there were princess and pirates a plenty....with one policeman to keep them all in line.

There MUST be lollybags

My Policeman made sure there was no monkey business

Well....almost no monkey business.  Go Quiddy!

My Policeman and my Princess

The birthday girl 

Arghhhh....the Pirates are here

Painting of faces was next

Poor Tom drew the short straw and Nick did his face.  Groucho Marx perhaps?

Party bread

Pink biscuits

Popcorn

Party Pies and Party Sausage rolls

Platter of fruit

Even a Pyrotechnic display!

A little scary looking

Pin the tail on the donkey

Pass the Parcel