FROM: Wandering the World with Wally Published Mondays

Typhoon Lagoon

After so many months of adventure, our hero Wally has worked himself up into quite a lather, and the only way to relax, especially in such sweltering August weather, is a trip to Typhoon Lagoon, where splashes, slides, and spouts new tales.

- by Walter Octavius March, August 1, 2011

KUNGALOOSH!

And good day, my friend. Imagine meeting you here at Typhoon Lagoon. Well, yes, it is rather warm today. Ho, ho - that is exactly what I thought. On such a hot steamy day, I should head to a water park!

Did you get a chair and put your things in a locker? Very good. I don't want you to have to stand all day.

Wally Stows His Stuff

When I got here, I stowed my stuff in a locker and then went right for Crush 'n' Gusher. I actually rode on Pineapple Plunger. The trio in front of me was laughing so hard, I thought they were going to drown with their mouths open that wide.

I enjoyed the ride, but I'll tell you something, if you don't keep your bottom up, you get a little rubbing by the conveyor belts that keep the ride moving. After that, I went down Humunga Kowabunga, which reminds me of the time I was cliff diving in Acapulco...

Wally Dives Off a Cliff

Did I ever tell you about that? No? Well, I was in Mexico, and I was eating at the La Perla Restaurante one evening, when we saw some young men climbing the cliffs of La Quebrada, alongside the restaurant. After they said a prayer, they dove from the cliffs into the water below.

We were all fascinated with the divers. When our waiter came back to the table, one of our party commented that it was amazing, and the waiter responded that we could join them if we wanted to.

While the rest of my party nervously laughed him off, I asked where I could go to join in the fun. He took me around the back of the restaurant and introduced me to a young man named Raoul, who said he was named after Raoul Garcia, famous for jumping from these very cliffs. I followed him to the cliffs and removed my shirt, shoes, and belt.

Then, after climbing to the top with Raoul and the others, I repeated their prayer to Virgin of Guadeloupe and took my place in line. Watching and learning from the young men, I saw that they were timing their dives with the tide.

As I got to the front of the line, I muttered the beginning of Adventurers Club Creed:

We climb the highest mountains,
just to get a better view.
We plumb the deepest oceans,
cause we're daring through and through.

And then I took my leave of the cliff and performed what they later told me was the best swan dive ever seen in Acapulco. I was asked back many times over the years and once in a while I do return to show the new divers how the old timers do it.

But I digress...

Wally Swims with Sharks

How is your day at Typhoon Lagoon so far? You've been spending most of your day on Castaway Creek, the lazy river? Well, that sounds like, er, em, it sounds relaxing. But have you done any of the slides? No? Oh. How about any of the falls? No? Oh, but you have been in the Wave Pool? Well, I guess that is something.

Would you like to come with me? I was just on my way to the Shark Reef. Oh, very good! Let's go, then.

What's that? Is the Shark Reef a restaurant? Not exactly; it is an attraction. Come along now, you'll enjoy it. You can travel through at your own pace. I knew you'd like that part.

Here we are! We have to get some equipment over there. That's it - grab a set of goggles and some swim fins. Now follow me over to this pool of water. Don't worry! See, they have lifeguards, so it has to be safe. Here we go! Just follow their directions and we'll swim with the sharks.

What an exhilarating experience! A lot better than the last time I was swimming near a shark. It was off the coast of South Africa. We were...

Wait! Where are you going?

I suppose seeing sharks up close like that brought on Nature's call. I'll catch up with you later, my friend!

Until next time, KUNGALOOSH! And keep your eyes open for Adventure!

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