Rancho Texas

 It cost us a fair bit of dosh to come here. We were relieved to see that our transfer was included in the price, but we were concerned that we might be losing time and wouldn’t fit everything in after all the pickups but we needn’t had worried. Upon arrival, a friendly staff member handed us a map and directed us to a queue to have our online tickets scanned; though I did wonder if it was quicker pay on the door.

We made straight for the dolphin arena to get a seat for the show, stopping to look at creatures along the way. Upon arrival, we did manage to get seats near the back but the viewing and performance area looked quite large and the dolphins seemed to be happy and well cared for. We then wandered around the rest of the zoo section. The ponies didn’t seem to be in any shade, but the enclosure for the white tiger was huge with plenty of viewing angles once you’d worked out where he was. We also enjoyed watching the lynxes chase each other. Then we had a go at the canoeing, though we were disappointed to pay a surcharge for this and the experience would have been better if you did a lazy island style circuit with optional rapids than paddle down a u-shaped bend to a dead end with some bushes. We dried off by walking around the reptile house, though I did wonder if the amphibious crocodile-shaped tortoise had enough room.

After some interesting xxx antics from the tortoises, we observed the bird show from the hill, but they did indeed seem to be tied up when not flying. We then headed down to the fast food restaurant for lunch. The portions and freshness were reasonable for the price, and staff were happy here. We shared a pizza and some baguettes with fries and onion rings between six of us before heading to the sea lion show which was also good fun with some great photo opportunities.

Onto the water park. We hired a locker for our valuables then found some sunbeds and grabbed some inflatable rings. There was a bit of confusion about where to queue for the lower slide, but the wait wasn’t long (I wondered how busy it gets at weekends when the locals come along). I think it’s a shame that you have to take these tyres up yourself and perhaps a ramp could be devised. The hidden valley was also a bit of a disappointment; I was expecting a lazy river style circuit that you could swim or float through rather than a waterfall around a corner. But me and the young ones happily spent the rest of the afternoon sliding down on the rings; we did try the larger wave slide once but lost count of how many times we went down Wild Canyon and the Gold Rush.

I had a quick visit to the gents by the gift shop and was surprised to see into the parrot enclosure; the parrots could literally watch you pee! Then it was onto the transfer bus which was waiting for us at the exit and we were directed by more friendly staff. We weren’t the last ones on but we had booked; it appeared that a seat shortage was caused by those who hadn’t booked the transfer and came earlier via taxi. No-one seemed to check us on as we embarked. A few little ones ended up on laps to make room.

Although admission was slightly expensive, we all had a great time as there was a lot to see and do. Hopefully there will be new exhibits to tempt us back and we may be braver to try some of the faster water slides!