Make a splash!

RAGING Waves, Illinois' largest #waterpark with 58 acres of slides, a lazy river, wave pool and more, will unveil Quokka-Nut Island and Wild Wallabies in 2018, marking the waterpark's largest expansion to date. Located southwest of Chicago, Raging Waves will open for the summer on May 26. Raging Waves features a wave pool, multiple kiddie areas, private cabanas, a quarter-mile long lazy river, and 26 water slides including the award winning Wonambi slide. Ranked one of the top new water rides in 2016, Wonambi is a must-experience this summer at Raging Waves.

Quokka-Nut Island is the newest addition for Raging Waves littlest mates (ages 2-5). Located within Kiddiebunga Bay, Quokka-Nut Island will include four new kiddie slides and a zero-depth pool which more than doubles the size of the existing kiddie pools. Additional interactive play features will include a coconut rain curtain, palm tree sprayers and a large octopus that spouts water.

Guests can embrace their competitive spirit as they race one another down the Wild Wallabies. The two new slides add more than 600 feet of twists, turns and thrills to Illinois' largest waterpark for guests over 42 inches.

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Travel Quote . . .

Airline food is the tiniest food I’ve ever seen in my entire life. Any kind of meat that you get — chicken, steak, anything — has grill marks on each side, like somehow we’ll actually believe there’s an open-flame grill in the front of the plane!                       

                                                                      

Ellen de Generes

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Hot New Attraction in Japan

THE first step in the Yuenchi hot spring theme park plan will be a water-splashing festival, set to take place on April 2. This will be followed by the opening of a new attraction in July, involving rides at the existing Beppu Rakutenchi theme park. This attraction will be open for a limited time only.

The April ‘hot water splashing’ festival will be held alongside the Beppu Hatto Onsen Festival (March 31 to April 3), during which equipment such as fire hoses are used to douse float bearers with warm hot spring water as they parade outside JR Beppu station. This year the festival will spray 10 times as much onsen (hot spring) water as usual, a total of around 30 tonnes, which will be pumped from unused onsens in the town.

The ‘hot spring theme park’ attraction opening in July will coincide with the annual Beppu Sea of Fire Festival, and will encourage attendees to enjoy new hot spring attractions at Beppu Rakutenchi theme park, details of which have yet to be finalised.

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Picture Credit: By z tanuki, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=52843691

Reindeers on Parade

THE annual #reindeer parade and Christmas procession through Truro, #Cornwall happens on Wednesday November 30 this year and is a favourite in the family festive calendar, heralding the start of late night shopping in the city.

The reindeer parade starts at 6.45pm from Victoria Square and travels via Little Castle Street, River Street, St Nicholas Street, King Street, Princes Street, Green Street, Lemon Quay and Lower Lemon Street and finally ending in Victoria Square.

There are chances to enjoy looking at the reindeer along route, which takes about an hour.

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Picture Credit: tomylees flickr.com/photos/71256895@N00/31138361081 331:365, 2016, Ready for Christmas IMG_0349 via photopin

Happy Halloween

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Alton Towers Scarefest

ALTON TOWERS Resort has unveiled its spook-tacular plans for Scarefest 2016, which include the opportunity to tour the depths of a recently re-opened mine at the resort. Scarefest 2016 will take place on 8th-9th, 15th-16th and 21st-31st October. 

‘Altonville Mine Tours: uncover the legend of the Skin Snatchers’ 

A deep underground tour in a brand new live action horror maze. Those brave enough can head to ‘Altonville’ and enter the, damp disused mine, which is believed to have once been home to a family of village outcasts with a dark secret. Nicknamed the ‘Skin Snatchers’ by local residents, their spine-chilling secret is about to be unearthed. 

‘House of Monsters’ will give families the opportunity to join an up and coming online blogger who has turned into somewhat of a new-age monster hunter. He is on a modern-day quest to discover the truth about monsters and his trail has led him to what is believed to be a disused house. 

‘Sub Species: The End Games’, a post-apocalyptic experience where a sewer dwelling community have been infested by a species from another world. 

‘Terror of the Towers: What Lies Within’ maze returns, taking those who enter through the undiscovered passageways of gothic towers to discover the dark secrets that await. 

After dark #AltonTowers Resort will also become home to two Scare Zones, Dark Apocalypse and the new Freak Show, each filled with its own free-roaming, gruesome and truly chilling residents. 

Gill Riley, Marketing Director at Alton Towers Resort said: “We are incredibly excited for this year’s #Scarefest event as we feel the new additions to this year’s line-up make it the most spine-chilling yet. We have been working incredibly hard to prepare groundbreaking and breathtaking experiences for guests of all ages for a truly spectacular experience. There really will be no better place to enjoy Halloween.” 

Tickets start from £31.92 for a child and £36.12 for an adult. 

To find out more information and pre-book tickets visit www.altontowers.com

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Picture Credit: www.altontowers.com

Late night light relief

In a Danish airline office: We take your baggage and send it all directions.

In the lobby of a Bucharest hotel: The lift is being fixed for the next day. During that time we regret that you will be unbearable.

In an Athens hotel: Visitors are expected to complain at the office between the hours of 9and 11 A.M. daily.

On the door of a Moscow hotel room: If this is your first visit to the USSR, you are welcome to it.

Adam Jacot de Boinod worked on the first series of BBC Television’s QI for Stephen Fry, and is the author of The Meaning of Tingo and Other Extraordinary Words from around the World – Penguin Books, £10. 

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Adam Jacot de Boinod gets lost in translation

• The Swedish vacuum cleaner company Electrolux told Americans that 'nothing sucks like an Electrolux'.

• Clairol messed up with their translation in Germany and made the mistake of trying to sell customers a manure stick instead of a mist stick for their hair.

• Coors told customers that their beer made people have diarrhoea. They meant to say it 'loosened you up'. 

Adam Jacot de Boinod worked on the first series of BBC Television’s QI for Stephen Fry, and is the author of The Meaning of Tingo and Other Extraordinary Words from around the World – Penguin Books, £10.

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Adam Jacot de Boinod gets lost in translation

• Pepsi’s slogan ‘Come Alive with Pepsi’ was dropped in China after it was translated as Pepsi brings your ancestors back from the grave’. 

• When General Motors tried to market the Chevy Nova car in Central and South America, they overlooked the fact that No va means, ‘it doesn't go’ in Spanish. 

• When American Airlines wanted to advertise its leather first class seats in the Mexican market, it translated its ‘Fly In Leather’ campaign literally, which meant (vuela en cuero) Fly Naked in Spanish. 

Adam Jacot de Boinod worked on the first series of BBC Television’s QI for Stephen Fry, and is the author of The Meaning of Tingo and Other Extraordinary Words from around the World – Penguin Books, £10.

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Picture Credit: 39160147@N03/27256764966">Pepsi Emoji Displays, 5/2016, pics by Mike Mozart of TheToyChannel and JeepersMedia on YouTube #Pepsi #Emojis</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com

To end the day with . . .

I don’t mind doing the bracing British beach bit, anoraks and gumboots and soggy fish fingers in the Sun-‘n’-Sands Café, so long as no one suggests I am supposed to enjoy it. Katherine Whitehorn

No matter what happens, travel gives you a story to tell.
Jewish Proverb

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Wide World of Language Mistakes

In a Rome laundry: Ladies, leave your clothes here and spend the afternoon having a good time.

On a box of a clockwork toy made in Hong Kong: Guaranteed to work throughout its useful life.

In a Thai advertisement for donkey rides: We have our own ass if you would like to take a ride.


Adam Jacot de Boinod worked on the first series of BBC Television’s QI for Stephen Fry, and is the author of The Meaning of Tingo and Other Extraordinary Words from around the World – Penguin Books, £10.

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Picture Credit: 82186157@N00/12622037773">Failure to communicate</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com

Welcome to …

Adam Jacot de Boinod’s  Wide World of Flags

• The blue part of the Azerbaijani flag stands for Turkishness 

• The Swiss flag is the only national flag in the world that is square 

• The Nepalese flag is the only national flag in the world that has five sides 

• The flag of Lichtenstein had a crown put on it in 1937, to distinguish it from the flag of Haiti 

Adam Jacot de Boinod worked on the first series of BBC Television’s QI for Stephen Fry, and is the author of The Meaning of Tingo and Other Extraordinary Words from around the World – Penguin Books, £10.


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Picture Credit: By Hukamero - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=44570848

Welcome to …

Adam Jacot de Boinod’s  Wide World of Words

gulch (Newfoundland English 1895) to frequent a sheltered hollow for sexual intimacy

exhibition meal (Hobo slang) a handout eaten on the doorstep: the madam wants the neighbours to witness her generosity

growlery (Dickens: Bleak House 1852) a place to growl in; jocularly applied to a person’s private sitting room

shangle (Cumberland + Westmoreland dialects) to fasten a tin or kettle to a dog’s tail

Adam Jacot de Boinod worked on the first series of BBC Television’s QI for Stephen Fry, and is the author of The Meaning of Tingo and Other Extraordinary Words from around the World – Penguin Books, £10.

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Aqua Park makes a splash

CORNWALL'S first giant inflatable Aqua Park has welcomed its 15,000th guest since opening in April. 

The floating #AquaPark at Retallack Resort and Spa near #Padstow has been bounced on, slid down and conquered by thousands of groups, birthday parties, and businesses.

The course, which can take up to 65 people at once and is designed for adrenaline junkies aged seven and over, features a giant trampoline, climbing walls, slides, a 'blast bag', and a challenging balance beam.

Amy Keyter, marketing director at the resort, said: ‘The numbers have gone way beyond our expectations. The sessions have been jam packed with individuals and especially groups, businesses have really taken to it as a fun way of having some team bonding away from the office.’

Prices for the Aqua Park are £15 per person for one hour with discounts available for group bookings including birthday parties, hen weekends, and corporate team building days. Guests over 65 pay £6.50.

During the summer holidays, the Aqua Park will be open every day, with hourly sessions running from 10am to 7pm.


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Picture Credit: 26767541@N00/28369687533">The Swimmer</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com

UK’s biggest waterpark opens

ALPAMARE SCARBOROUGH – which claims to be the Britain’s biggest waterpark – has opened.

The attraction has ‘adrenaline inducing waterslides’, a giant indoor wave pool, an infinity pool with massage jets, an area for younger children, a terrace overlooking Scarborough’s coastline, and landscaped gardens with sunbeds, pool bar, and a restaurant.

The alpine-themed waterpark, overlooks Scarborough’s North Bay and represents an investment of £14 million. It’s hoped the attraction will play a key role in the strategy to retain Scarborough’s status as the second most visited town in England after London.

Anton Hoefter, chief executive officer of Alpamare said: ‘We are introducing state-of- the-art technology, unique in the UK, and we take great pride in delivering the highest standard of enjoyment and safety so people get the very best experience they can.’

Cllr Derek Bastiman, leader of Scarborough Borough Council added: ‘This is the most exciting thing we have seen open in Scarborough in recent years. We have been working extremely hard over a long period of time to secure this development and the addition of this unique attraction will help cement the borough as being the Queen of the Coast”.

www.alpamare.co.uk

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Make a splash in Dorset

DORSET’S newest waterpark has opened, with inflatables designed to test the toughest of competitors. 

In woods near Corfe Castle, #Dorset #Waterpark has inflatable slides, trampolines, gladiator rings, hurdles, rollers, monkey bars, bridges, and balance beams.

Director Rob Mulliner says: ‘The Dorset Waterpark really is the first of its kind for the country. We’ve been open for a couple of months now and are already booking up fast. Thanks to its individuality, it has proven to be quite the attraction for people from all around the country and of all ages and abilities.’

The waterpark is spread over multiple lakes, with each lake having with its own set of obstacles.

Offering one-hour sessions, the park requires people to be able to swim at least 54 yards and be over six years old.

www.dorsetwaterpark.co.uk

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Half-term fun and games at the Eden Project

VISITORS can play their way through half-term at #Cornwall’s #EdenProject with a wide range of oversized, retro, and traditional games to entertain all ages from May 28 to June 5. 

There will be a giant selection of hands-on games, and younger ones can explore the many play areas and hidden nooks and crannies that Eden's gardens have to offer.

In the Core building, gamers can step into the history of video games, from vintage to virtual reality. There will also be Subbuteo table tournaments and classic 8-bit games in a magnetic form on the fridges.

In the Rainforest Biome, Eden's narrators will be teaching visitors about a variety of global games, such as mancala, a strategy game played using a wooden board with hollows in and either seeds, small stones, or marbles.

Kate Francis, Eden Live Programme producer, said: ‘Game On will be a great chance for families to play and share their favourite games with one another. We are inviting visitors to come to explore the world of gaming at Eden from arcade classics to playground games. Gaming is about having fun, but it's also about being creative, collaborating, and solving problems. These are all skills that are very useful in day-to-day life. There are a lot of advantages in all of us playing games. It tests our brains, helps us think differently about our environment, and teaches us life lessons for the future, no matter how old you are!’

www.edenproject.com

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Get your skates on in Brighton

BRIGHTON’S winter ice rink on the Royal Pavilion’s Eastern lawns is open now, and will be until January 17. 

The rink – which has a bar and restaurant – has space for 260 skaters per session, with a beginners’ area, penguin skate aids, and skate sizes from ‘just walking’ to adult.

Skating tickets cost from £10 for adults (aged 12+), £7 for juniors (children under 12) and the one-hour skate times run from 10am to 10.15pm daily. There’s no charge for spectators.

Club Rinkidinks (10am-11am daily) offers children under five the chance to skate for free when accompanied on the ice by an adult paying full price. There are also season tickets for those who want to learn to skate, and great concessions for students.

www.ticketmaster.co.uk/royal-pavilion-ice-rink

www.royalpavilionicerink.co.uk

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Shrek adventure coming to London in July

MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS and DreamWorks Animation have confirmed they will launch London’s newest family attraction, #Shrek’sAdventure! #London on July 1.

The immersive walk-and-ride-through indoor attraction will feature a combination of live performance, a 4D bus ride, special effects, and DreamWorks animations.

It will be located in County Hall on London’s South Bank and close to Merlin’s other attractions in the city: the London Eye, the SEA LIFE London Aquarium, and the London Dungeon.

Tickets can be booked online at www.shreksadventure.com

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/66478195@N00/5493526666">Meeting Shrek at Universal Studios</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/">(license)

Odds on for a laugh

LOOKING for a very unusual festival this summer? Head to the annual Sheep Racing Festival (July 18-19) on the Channel Island of Sark.

There are six races day each day, featuring six runners. As well as the sheep racing, there will be stalls and a children's play area.

www.sark.co.uk/events

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/30004392@N04/2807119172"></a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license), www.sark.co.uk