Trip to visit Popo and Gung Gung in Aug 2019. It was a nice Southern California summer week. Clear, with temps mostly around 80F (reached a max of 90F only on 1 day). We had considered going to the beach, but an offshore storm was causing high surf and rip tide warnings. Even more excuse to play on the waterfall and swim in the pool!
We went to Sea World on Tuesday. Temps were in mid 80s in Laguna Niguel, but several degrees cooler in San Diego and with the usual offshore breeze. This was the kids’ first time there and it has changed a lot since the last time I had been. In the past the activities revolved around the animal shows, but due to criticism over the years, these have been seriously curtailed or discontinued. There are still animal “shows”, but the vibe has definitely gone from “Animal entertainment! Oh, and conservation” to more of “Sealife conservation! Oh, and some amusing animals.” Alton loved watching the sea lions play. Nikola was very taken by the flamingos, and particularly the skate and rays petting tank.
There is just as much (if not more) emphasis on the amusement rides. Alton really enjoyed the river rafting tube ride. Nikola was naturally drawn to the roller coasters. I went on the Manta with her several times. The more extreme rides, like the Electric Eel, she had to go alone.
On Thursday we went to Knotts Berry Farm. The timing was right as both LA and OC public school districts returned to school this week, so there were really were no lines to speak of. Nikola loves the fast roller coasters there, particularly the Xcelerator and Hang Time (which were a bit much for me to want to ride). We did go Montezuma’s Revenge several times (Terry 4, Nikola 7) because we were able to exit and run around the line to get back on immediately. She asked why I was okay with that ride (which launches 0-55 mph in 4.5 sec, a large loop, and has high vertical drops) but not Xcelerator (which launches 0-82 mph in 2.3 sec, reverse corkscrew, and high vertical drops). Good question. Maybe I’m just more familiar with it.
Alton really loved the new River Rapids tube ride. Also because of the lack of lines, he was able to ride it again and again (Shaynee 6, Alton 10). The bumper cars and Iron Reef were also very popular. We ended the day with a late dinner at Mrs Knott’s Chicken Dinner restaurant. That is seriously good fried chicken, and of course, boysenberry pie.
The rest of our time was spent at the house and swimming, sitting in the jacuzzi, reading, board games, and eating (not necessarily in any particular order). Of course, we had the requisite stops at Pollo Loco and In-N-Out Burger. And dinner at Peking Dragon (for sizzling rice soup and Mandarin prawns) and Gen Kai (where Nikola ate a rather large plate of sashimi and Alton had an amazing shrimp tempura roll).
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