Nandan P A R K

Nandan Water Park sounds familiar? Uh-huh. Yeah. Here's the interesting part, apparently it's a section of Nandan Park (actually more of an independent section). So imagine our condition when some friends of mine and I approached the gates of the Water Park, realising that we had spent more than a quarter of our cash on the Festival Area (rest of the Nandan Park). However, we did survive the day having loads of fun. Here's a comprehensive review of everything you may encounter in the theme park - including financial suggestions (just so you don't end up clearing garbage for the park to pay off your debt). Enjoy.

The Festival Area has much to offer, but none of them are up to the standards of the Water Park rides. Since you have to pay for each ride in that area (including Tk50 for entrance), I guess you wouldn't want to hang out there for long. However, the Water Coasters are definitely worth checking out (the ONLY rides worth checking out in that area apart from the Cable Car) two mammoth waterslides consisting of enormous drops and curves. Not for the faint of heart.

The Cable Car is a rad way to get a view of the mesmerising landscape of the park. So if you want a short tour before you begin exploring the place, get aboard a cable car and observe all the attractions from above. Prepare your day accordingly; or you can check them out when you've endured the wicked rides, begging for more and about to leave the arena, thinking 'I've got thirty bucks left and the thing looks delirious, so why not?' The cable car is a one-way ride, so no worries about where it's going to drop you off. Anyway, the rest of the review is based entirely on the Water Park.

The Water Park itself has a separate entry fee Tk250 for adults and less for children (therefore I suggest each individual carry minimum Tk500). Although the fee may seem expensive, everything inside the Water Park is free of charge, except the food (and the lockers - to some extent). The lockers are charged Tk100 each. However 70% of the total amount is returned after usage of the lockers (the procedure is repeated every four hours).

There are several non-adrenaline-boosting attractions such as the 'Mist In Fall' (don't ask me what the title means, I just do the writing), which consists of a pool about a foot under water and an imitation of a miniature waterfall at one end. A similar offering is the 'Kiddie Pool'. Frankly there were more adults than children present. It is basically a playground with various slides and swings half submerged in water. Although the Kiddie Pool and The Mist in Fall may seem to be wastage of time, I strongly suggest the readers to check them out (especially The Mist In Fall) either after a meal or before roughing out the heart-pumping rides.

The curved and the linear water slides are absolutely amazing (NOTE: These slides are NOT the Water Coasters mentioned). For the majority of rides under a similar category, the 'fun-to-horrifying' ratio is much more biased towards the latter (to those who are afraid of heights). However these water slides are much more enjoyable and provide the perfect dose of adrenaline rush to the riders. There's also a separate 'Women's Curved Slide' for women who may feel uncomfortable in the mixed crowd.

‘The Wave Pool' presents its occupants with a weird combination of feelings. The experience of moving back and forth on the waves will probably astound you whereas the moment when the water (saturated with god-knows-what) enters your lungs is sure to leave you wondering 'how the hell did I end up in the sewers?'

For the conclusion, I guess its fair to say that Nandan Park is probably more than what you may have come to expect and a definite must-go even if it means you may have to stay back clearing garbage. Kidding.

By Paper or Plastic