Tropical Island

We all woke up early and raring to go to the Tropical Island - a crazy, huge water park located inside an old blimp hangar.  We have been here twice before on previous Europe trips and the kids have always had a blast.  When we first talked of moving to Germany for the year both kids said that they wanted to go to the Tropical Island for their birthday.  And who were we to decline.  Apparently there is free admission on your birthday so that made sense to us.  Unfortunately, Marty has to fly home on Josie's actual birthday.  She has not been taking it very well at all and is quite upset about it.  So, we decided to celebrate her birthday early and still include the Tropical Island, not for free and two weeks ahead of time. 

The first time we came, two years ago, the outside area had not been completed yet.  That first time was fun as everything was new to us and we couldn't get over the enormity of the park.  There is a huge water slide tower with 4 separate slides.  Some you use inner tubes and some you just slide on your backside.  Then there is an enormous beach area with sand as if you are at the actual beach and a huge pool complete with kiddie pool and pirate ship.  The inside area is so big and so tall that there are people riding around in hot air balloons.

Then there is a completely different area called the lagoon with yet 2 or three more slides, a lazy river, a waterfall and of course, lush (real) greenery throughout.  Oh, yeah and there is an enormous indoor playground with cars you can drive around a track, a climbing area and a huge lego blocks area.  The place is enormous.  Throughout there are restaurants and even various types of lodging.  There seem to be nicer, private rooms with private bathrooms like a hotel and strewn throughout there are areas with teepees complete with platform beds inside.

The second time we went the outdoor area was open and I think we probably spent 90% of our time outside.  They have this crazy white water rapids slide where you basically are being pushed down and around a slide like a human pinball machine.  You are half body surfing and half slip sliding.  It is really one of the craziest things we have ever done.  SO. MUCH. FUN!  I have no idea how there aren't more injuries you always seem to come withing inches of going straight into a cement, pool wall every time you turn a corner. 

There is also a few other pools outside including a lazy river and this blue tarp thing that you try to run down and get to the end before it sinks.  Benjamin was the best at this because he doesn't weigh much.  Josie did better than I did but neither of us were very good at it. 

There is video but I can't get it to load... Still shots will have to do.

This was the first time we had to take a train to get there.  In times past we always had a rental car.  Comparing the two I'd saying taking the train is just as easy if not more so.  We had to get from Zehlendorf to the main train station at the zoo via the S-bahn and the U-Bahn.  We arrived with plenty of time to spare and filled it with taking photos of the beautiful morning.

In no time we were at the train station in Brand, a teeny, tiny little town that basically consists of a train station a few houses and the Tropical Island.  There is a free shuttle bus that meets you at the train station and takes you directly to the water park in less than 10 minutes.

Once there we were off and running.  But, what should we do first?  We decided to head to the outdoor area.  It wasn't hot by any means and in fact there was a definite chill in the air but the water is perfectly warm and they keep the area where you have to wait in line quite warm as well so it wasn't uncomfortable at all.  In years past we were lucky enough to go on a weekday before the Berlin school kids were out on summer break so the park was always quite empty for us.  This time it was on a Sunday and there were probably 3 times as many people. 

Regardless we probably never waited more than 10 minutes for any of the slides.
We all have bumps and bruises all over our bodies, mostly from the outdoor rapids.  In the end we all said it was a successful early birthday celebration for Josie.  But...when we returned to Berlin it was dinner time and we were all starving.  Josie picked an Italian restaurant that we hadn't been to before and it was DELICIOUS.  Or we were just super duper hungry.  Either way, we were all satisfied.  Just so happens that the place with the enormous ice cream sundaes is RIGHT next door. 

Well, it was her birthday celebration so we decide to head over and we were smart this time and only order 2 sundaes.  A chocolate one and a fresh blueberry one.  We don't have photos because our phone batteries had died but trust me, they were as big and beautiful as the first ones.  After we stuffed our faces we decided that next time we celebrate we could probably just order two.  We are learning... slowly and happily.

Happy (almost) 11th birthday to our sweet, smart, confident and kind Josie.  We love you!!!