A Blessing In Disguise???

Got really pissed off this one rainy Sunday when a few of us internationals from Nick Central were laid off for the day. Some of my colleagues started at 9.55am, while I started at 11.00am. After working about 2hrs each, we were told to go home because the number of guests in the park was less than 4000, and the number of kids coming to Nick Central were really few. We were told that a bus will be coming to pick us up at 1.00pm, but none came. We asked Human Resource, and they didn't know anything about it. We found out later that they have cancelled the bus because, at first they had wanted to lay off all the internationals, but if they had done that, some rides would be really understaffed, hence the number of internationals laid off would be only about 6 for the day. The next bus to come pick us up would be at 9.15pm. That means we have a long long long way to go!

Ok, so we were pissed at this treatment, but guess what? It's a Sunday (the crowd is usually less than on a Saturday), and it's cold and raining, and the number of guests in the park is less than 4000. That means we get to go on the rides, and not have to queue too long for it! So, Hypersonic and Volcano, here we come! I'm also happy because I get to go on the rides with my good friend MY, and fac mate WH too. This was going to be a sweet deal.

So we went on the usual level 4 and below rides. Then it came time to go on the Volcano.....WOW! The grandeur of the ride already intimidates; being ON the ride would certainly kill. But I guess it wouldn't be that bad, it's a roller coaster afterall. I guess...

Volcano: Canyon Blaster. At the load-up station, we were strapped in by our friend MS, who happened to be on shift at that period of time. When the 'all clear' sign was given, the brakes were released and the hanging coaster started out slowly and made a turn. Somewhere along the turn, it shot up to 72mph in 3 seconds unexpectedly, and I was holding on and screaming at the same time. The coaster just kept on going. It made a big round turn and suddenly we went into a tunnel, and after that, the coaster shot vertically upwards, taking us with it. Before I know it, we were shot from the top of the Volcano, with the park in full view. The screams continued, and the spiralling kept on going, with our legs dangling in the air. After a few revolutions around the 'volcano', the ride came to a stop, leaving everyone of us breathless. I simply loved it! The only complaint that I have is that the structure of the coaster does not look appealing. It could have been made much more attractive. But the ride itself was fantastic! The funny thing was I met C and WY when we left the ride, and they told me my sister was looking for me. When my sister finally arrived, I told them we have to go on Volcano again, this time with my sister, C and WY. A second helping was a totally new experience for me, and I must say, no matter how many times I have been on the ride, I would never get bored of it.

After this ride I told them that they would not be thrilled by the other rides, simply because Volcano is already the ultimate ride, on par with Hypersonic. However, top let them experience the other rides, we went on Avalanche and Anaconda, but of course they said that these were definitely not as thrilling. I would've asked them to go for Avalanche first, but the ride was down at that time, so we headed straight for the mean machine.

Then it came time for Hypersonic XLC, my dream ride for the summer. I have seen people go on the ride, and it seemed so damn scary. I wonder if I will make it out alive...WY and C sat out on this one. WY said she needed time to contemplate if she would want to take it. Ling, MY, Les, WH, my sister and I went on it instead. At this point in time, there were already no queue because it was late and raining.

Hypersonic XLC. I had my sister switch places with MY because we promised each other a scream-off. So, when the Hypersonic moved slowly into position, I was telling MY how good a friend she had been, and that might be the last time we would be speaking to each other. MY said that she'll see me on the other side, and I replied that I hope we would end up on the same side...

then the countdown started...

the anticipation was hell...

I knew that I am a person with slow reaction, so I've decided that before we were shot off, I would first start screaming, so that the scream would continue till the coaster is shot off. I kept shouting things like 'I'm scared!' or 'somebody save me!'

Finally...it shot us off.

Other than the white track ahead of me, every other thing was blurred, kinda like we were travelling at light speed. We went up 90 deg vertically and then made a U-turn to go 90 deg downwards. After that everything ended. It was all so sudden. I didn't even remember what the ride upwards was like since my mind was already messed up by the launch. 0 to 80mph in 3 sec...wow...