The past week has been tiring even though we didn't do much. Partly because I've started a new hobby but mainly because XX has been more than a handful recently.
On our first night at the Windmill Holiday Park in Ballarat, XX refused to sleep. He finally fell asleep in my arms after I sang to him. Then throughout the night, he kept waking up crying. I don't know what's wrong with him. Maybe it's a new environment or maybe he's not well. And once he gets into 'the bad mood', nothing you do will please him. Try to hug him, he'll push you away. Ignore him, he'll cry harder. Everything you ask him, he'll give you his standard answer 'NO'. This boy can be very adorable when he's in a good mood but can also throw a stubborn terrible tantrum. We had wanted to visit Souverign Hill the next morning, but end up both Hubby and I were so tire out by XX's midnight drama that we couldn't wake up in time. We decided to visit the Ballarat Wildlife Park instead.
The ticket price to the Wildlife Park was $22 per adult and $13.50 per child above 5 years old. We also bought a pack of kangeroo food for $3. It's quite expensive but we could only confirm that it's a rip-off after we went in. The premise is not very big, I reckon if you walk non-stop, you could probably complete one round in 15 mins. We took about 2 hours, stopping to let the children feed the lazy and greedy kangeroos, while avoiding their lumps of poop scattered all over the place. I did enjoy the Reptile House collection of snakes, lizards and crocodiles though. I could see these reptiles, some of them poisonous, so close up and they are so beautiful. Not sure if I'll say the same thing if there isn't a glass wall between us! And we came really close to some emus, who were so docile they just stood there like a statue while visitors posed next to them. Unfortunately, XX tripped over a tree root there and had his face in mud, and most probably their poop, while trying to get closer. Poor thing!
Although I packed bacon mushroom and egg sandwiches, the kids were picky and refused to eat them. That's one of the biggest headaches I'm facing nowadays, making their meals. If I make something that they don't fancy, you should see the tortured look on their face! KK will make comments like 'Gross!', 'Disgusting!' while XX will spit it out and then cover his face with his hands when you try to feed him again. Of course, I have my ways to counter them. Wait a while longer. When they're hungry enough and there's no other food, they'll eat. (This works for KK.) Or try again when they're in a better mood. (This works for XX.) Alternatively, give the food some 'plastic surgery' to make it look different but still the same ingredients. When all else fails, finish up the food yourself, or make husband eat it, and remember never to cook it again for the next few months.
Anyway, we left the Wildlife Park when XX got tired and cranky. The 'show' they had then was about snakes and the narrator kept talking about what to do if you are bitten by a snake while another keeper had a python around her to let people touch. That's all? And there was no proper seating for visitors so you got to stand around under the scorching sun. For the next 'show', they bought out a koala for photograph taking, which I believe they will charge extra for.
The kids had just as good a time, I believe, back at the holiday park. They played water at the pool, jumped like crazy on the gigantic Jumping Pillow and watched cartoon movies (with free popcorn) at the Recreation Room. At 5.30pm, there will be some kids activities organised by Windmill where they played simple team games. KK had fun running on the Jumping Pillow while others try to row a ball across to touch him. Or he'll be trying to throw balls at the other kids running through. Even XX and I enjoyed some bouncing fun on this giant 'pillow'.
The chalet is clean and looks quite new. It is small but rather cosy, with a queen bed, a bunk bed and a small but complete kitchen. We could park our car just beside the cabin and the pool was just right outside. There's a fan and air-con/heater, TV in both living and bedroom, so it's very comfortable.
On the 3rd day, we decided to skip Souverign Hill as we didn't think the kids would enjoy gold-panning or learning about mining. Instead, we drove to "Australia's Biggest Playground" and let them have fun there. Most importantly, it is free. As expected, they got tired of running around after a while and rested over gelato ice-cream at the open space next to the playground. The playground was supposed to be facing Lake Wendouree but 3 years ago, this artificial lake dried up. There's a bad drought in Australia, so can't waste water maintaining it. We played frisbee and had a simple picnic lunch of sandwiches there, followed by a short walk through the Botanic gardens opposite. That's how we spent the day and XX fell asleep in the car on the way back.
The last day, we checked out of Windmill and visited Kryal Castle, Australia's 'unique' medieval castle. I'm sorry to say, that's another disappointment. There's wasn't much to do inside, besides looking at some of their collection of ancient weapons, armoury and chemistry. The place looks run-down and is poorly maintained. The exhibit rooms are old and boring looking. Besides a rather scenic hilltop view and the little drawbridge at the entrance, there isn't anything there worth seeing. The shows are 2 hours apart but how to stay so long with young children? Luckily, we managed to endure till 1.30pm to see the Jousting show, which was probably the highlight of the visit. You see 2 'knights' on horses taking turns to hit some targets with a joust and a jester trying to make you laugh with silly antics.
After this, I think I've enough of Ballarat. It was a good break, but it's time to drive back home.
No comments:
Post a Comment