I had a mini vacation in Novigrad, Croatia this week.
While driving there I saw a couple of ads about Istralandia which is an Aquapark a few kilometers outside of Novigrad. I decided to take a trip there a day before departure and I was not dissapointed.
A full day ticket (10.00-18.00h) will cost you 24€ during pre and post season. 8 hours is enough to try out all the water slides if you don't have any hesitations about taking a ride on them. 😀
I felt a little "rusty" because it's been a long time since I've been down a water slide but I got used to it pretty fast. The adrenaline rush was invigorating though, it felt good.
I had gone down all of them except the one called Free Fall which starts from a 27 meter height and it's almost a free fall at one point.
Sad to say I chickened out on this one. The biggest issue for me was that it was an open slide and thoughts about sliding to the side and falling off it were rushing through my mind. I felt like I could have gone through with it when I left the park :)
I did go on the Black Kamikaza which is the closed one next to the Free Fall. Per the rules you have to use a rubber boat. The rubber boat makes the drop more bearable and thus more enjoyable.
The second scariest water slide in Istralandia is the Sky Rocket in my opinion. It's a closed water slide and the only water slide you start in a standing position. You step inside a cabin that closes once you get in. The guy manning the slide pushes a button and steps away. The board you're standing on doesn't release right away but makes you wait for around 5-10 seconds.
The first time on the Sky Rocket was not pleasant. It's that first part that is stressful because of the sudden loss of footing you experience. In the end I ended up going the second time. Because I knew what to expect it almost felt enjoyable.
To the right of the Sky rocket are three enjoyable water slides you take with a rubber boat.
Crazy Hills is a surprising water slide in terms of speed or at least in perception. Although nowhere near as steep as Free Fall or Sky Rocket you actually pick up lots of speed. Fun ride.
Another intense one is Top gun. It's short and steep and slightly launches you in the air at the end and into the pool.
There are three more fun water slides near the entrance of the park but I didn't take any close up pictures.
Overall it was a fun and refreshing experience. And you get a good workout going from one waterslide to the next and walking up stairs to get on top of each one.
*All pictures were taken by me
