Trip to Six Flags, Vallejo

Probably Six Flags, Vallejo would not bring chill of ice down one's spine (exceptions are always there), but to a person who have been anxious to even get on to the only roller coaster in Essel World, Mumbai, was obviously scary. Though while visiting Essel World I always knew about other scary and crazy rides in the world, but was never sure about me riding one of those. Now after riding craziest of rides of Six Flags, I can say things can be different or ones approach can be different when viewed from different perspective. I would say so because, if you were to visit one of these parks with a guy who is scared to death by stupidest of the rides, then you are sure to get scared and obviously miss the fun. In effect if you were to visit one of these parks with guys with lion hearts and then you can feel courage of Baajirao oozing out (though this doesn't holds true for all those fattu people).

This time I did exactly what is needed to go on and enjoy these rides. I went with my friends we call crazy/psycho because for whom enjoyment is totally proportional to the craziness, height, width and duration of the ride. By doing this I made sure that I am going to make most of every penny I have spent (though got tickets at 50% discount and even when I am writing this blog, I haven’t yet paid my contribution of the trip)

It all started with Jan 2^nd 2009; what a way to start New Year... with a bang. As we Indians always do, start anything and everything with Bhagwaan ka Aashirwad (Blessings of GOD), we all went to Sunnyvale Temple (I obviously prayed for some courage) and after an auspicious darshan headed straight to Vallejo. One could not miss the view of those huge structures as you enter the city of Vallejo, though I was expecting more spectacular view. As we kept nearing Six flags, I was getting butterflies in stomach.

My formula to successfully finish all the rides was “DO IT BEFORE LUNCH”, if you don’t want to feel dizzy and nauseatic. As we entered Six flags, we first got hold of the Map with all the various rides and their location in the park and spotted all the rides that we would ride before lunch. We kind of rated all the rides and agreed on the sequence to ride, starting with most thrilling.

Off all the rides, I found Medusa the scariest of the rides. Being still early in the day and rare view of no queue for ride, after about 10 mins wait in line we got chance. Ride starts with 65 degrees drop and a immediate round about, which scares the hell out of you. We sat in 1^st row with our feet hanging; Medusa started its way up to the top. When on top it took speed and went down 65 degree drop and an immediate round about. At this time probably you can feel the effect of drop, it was like nothing I have felt before. Everything next just followed and everybody was almost shouting at the top of their voice for next 1 min. No sooner you felt comfortable ride is over and you are left wanting for more. Same happened to us and with not much queue for the ride; we came back for the ride. This time I was really anxious to go on the ride. I had this kid sitting beside me with no sign of fear and me sitting beside him scared to hell. After first ride I knew the only scariest part was the first 65 degrees drop and rest will just follow. This time I was more balanced and composed, during the ride I was also searching for camera to pose for.

Then on our list was next best to Medusa, Kong. After 5 mins in line we were told of technical fault and had to leave without even getting on the ride. But as it came as blessing in disguise, we rushed for the Bird show which otherwise we would have missed. It was good to see how these Owls, Eagles or Vultures act on the commad of their masters but certainly was below our expectation. After bird show we just strolled around and then came across another thrill ride or I can say puke ride for me. Tazmanian devil, it swings 170 degrees horizontally and even rotates 360 degree when swinging. You can say perfect reciepe for me to throw up and as you can expect I did not ride that. But you bet, as I already mentioned, my crazy set of friends enjoyed it so much that they rode it twice.

Our next destination was Kong, which we were not able to ride earlier due to technical difficulties. Difference between Medusa and Kong is that, in Medusa you sit on the ride and in Kong you hang from ride. Kong was good but not as thrilling as Medusa. Probably by riding Medusa first we killed the thrill that other rides had.

Now our next stop was Roar, a wooden roller coaster making roaring noise due to its wooden structure and hence the name. We had to wait 30 mins in queue, due to which we decided to skip the Roar and went to next ride Big Spin. Big Spin was kind of new kind of ride to all of us. This ride was a roller coaster with you seated in a carriage which keeps spinning 360 degree the whole time. While waiting in line we were sort of observing what makes the carriage spin the most. Big Spin did not have many twists and turn and obviously after Medusa it did not seem that thrilling to all of us. Our chance came, 4 of us sat in one carriage (one of our friend opted to keep out of this and hence designated photographer) and it started climbing. When on top, it started with a drop and while dropping down our carriage started spinning. I would tell you, this ride though not as scary as Medusa; this for sure has its own excitement and is one of must ride.

With Big Spin we finished all the thrill rides and thought of having lunch. For those who have visited Six Flags, Vallejo might be thinking about other 2 other rides that I did not mention. You may say that it was my bad luck or whatever but yeah V2 Vertical Velocity and Boomrang both were closed. . Also we did not try Sky coaster, probably due to time and the extra charges.

After lunch it was time for Dolphin and Whale show. I was amazed to see the crowd that had gathered to see the show. This was my first Dolphin and Whale show and I was very much excited to see them in action. Training imparted to the dolphins and whale and the way they put the show amazes me. Without doubt it was worth watching. After both these show it was time for Christmas tree to light and Santa parade. Also we did not miss the shopping part in various shops.

By this time we were all exhausted and time to go back, but would you leave without another Medusa. NO WAY!!!

On our way to Medusa, we came across Cobra, which was meant for kids we suppose. One of us wanted to ride that as well so we went for it. It was so small that only one of us was able to sit in a car, in process we almost took 50% of the available cars. I would not say that this ride did not had any thrill, but for sure Medusa can make any other ride in Six flags, Vallejo, look dwarf .

After Cobra we all rushed to Medusa and to my surprise there were people still waiting in line to get on Medusa. It was 6:30 in the evening and another 30 mins for park to close, almost chilling weather and people waiting for their turn. We got on Medusa after 5 mins wait in queue. Don’t know why, but I had first time feeling. Medusa started and then followed the drop, round about, twists and turns and obviously screams. This time I did not miss the cameras and gave a photo finish. Guess what!!! We wanted more (as we would say in India KHATAM NAHI HUA HAI *******) and we ran for another chance and found standing in queue for next one. We took the ride one more time with the same thrill and excitement and another photo finish. YEH DIL MANGE MORE and we did it again; this time we did not even went around getting in queue for our turn. We got up and then sat again for our next ride. MAN!!! I couldn’t believe I did 3 in a row, WOW!!! After 3 times we were almost frozen and even hot water had no effect on our hands. We finished our day with a BANG… MEDUSA 3 in a row. Hoooo!!! Hoooo!!!! Hoooo!!!!! Yaaahhhooooooo!!!!!

This is journey of me from chicken heart to lion heart. It was obviously most thrilling day for me by far.