Movies and Amusement Parks! Oh My!

One of the first things that you learn in Europe is that you truly can't judge a book by it's cover. Buildings are very plain on the outside. Some even appear to be abandoned. We decided to go to the movies with some friends, and arranged to meet them at the Euroscoop. When you arrive, all that you see are a bunch of old buildings that belong to an old coal mine.

When you walk into the complex, then you see the entrance to the Euroscoop. When you enter the theater, it is beautiful. One of the nicest ones that we've been to, in fact. Very well decorated, awesome surround sound, and very large and plush theater chairs. We were impressed. I just wish that we could say the same about the movie, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. For some reason, the makers decided that they needed to add a whole lot more violence, cursing and sexual innuendo than the first one (none of which were needed.) Unfortunately, they didn't spend much time on the plot. The first Transformers movie was fantastic, but this one... not so much.
The one thing that the kids wanted to do most was go to an amusement park. (That's something that Alaska didn't have, so they had been without one for 4 years.) On Tuesday, we went to Bobbejaanland. It's a great little family park with several roller coasters and lots of other rides to enjoy. The park was created in 1961by Bobbejaan Schoepen, a flemish country singer and entertainer. This is the view from the top of the Ferris wheel. The blue roller coaster that you see on the left is the Dreamcatcher.

This ride is called the Sledgehammer. The center part (where the people are sitting) spins in circles as it swings you back and forth. Needless to say, I didn't get on this one. Russ loved it, though.

Brandon thought the King Kong ride was funny. He picks you up in this car and shakes you around while roaring ferociously. Then he sits you back down again. You have to remember to not tick Kong off. He seems to have a pretty bad temper.
This is the Typhoon. It's one of the newer rides. Watch that first drop, it's a doozie!
Our family's favorite ride at the park is the Dreamcatcher. Brandon and Jess really loved it. This made up for those 4 roller coaster free years that we had in Alaska, for sure! (Russ loved the sledgehammer the most, but the kids and I were too wimpy to try that one!) This is one of those roller coasters that you hang down below the railing to ride, so it really feels like you are flying!

We had a great day at Bobbejaanland. It was lots of fun, and a really beautiful park, too.