nandan park

nandan park

water coaster

The new and novel facility at the Nandan Park offers seven new attractions, but each with a different look. Whereas there only used to be a danger of getting wet, Water World intends to drench you through and through. Each section of the ride is essentially complemented with its own small pool, or in some cases consists of just such a pool. However, swimming in the real sense is not possible in pools as shallow as four feet under. Most of the rest are good only for wading. Because of the nature of the attractions, the authorities recommend that visitors bring a change of clothes and a towel. For those who forget, the park has facilities for renting swimming attire. The dress code states that, for women, swimsuits are not allowed. Any ‘decent’ substitute is acceptable (so no women in bikinis running in slow motion). As for men, I assume that because nothing specific was stated, that anything but a birthday suit is acceptable (think Jockey ®, the next best thing). I was particularly indignant about having to wear a shirt. There are two sets of changing rooms and bathrooms on the premises complete with facilities for taking showers. There are also lockers available, the keys to which can be conveniently worn on the wrist with an elastic band. Special arrangements have also been thoughtfully made for women not wishing to use the same pools as the men. Some of the rides have separate areas for men and women. Of course, this is entirely optional on the women’s part; those wishing to take part in the un-segregated are welcome to do so.

The first ride on our list was the wave pool. This is an entirely new concept in Bangladesh, but one that is in use extensively overseas. Basically, the set-up consists of a large, arc shaped pool, with the deepest end at one of the corners. As the name suggests, the pool makes artificial waves, which emanate from the deep end. Visitors can simply wade and swim around, or float on one of the many yellow air-pumped tubes. And it can be just as much fun dislodging others from their tubes (as many of our group found out). According to the park authorities, about 200 hundred people can fit into the pool at one time. But, in my opinion, it would not be much of a cooling, splashing experience amidst such a crowd. The waves in the pool are strongest at the deep end, so anyone looking for a thrill should start there. The waves will be in motion for twenty minutes, before being shut down for forty minutes.

Next on the fun-list was the ‘Tube Slide’; this is a large winding waterslide, which ends in a small pool at the bottom. In the same complex is the ‘Family Slide’, which is similar but reserved for women and children. Starting from two storeys up, visitors sit on the inner-tube rafts and are given a gentle shove over the edge. From there, the flowing water carries the raft down through the tight curves, to a soft landing. By itself, this slide is rather tame, but it can be made slightly more interesting. Swaying on the rafts will cause a much more erratic, and in some cases, faster slide. The double rafts enable multiple persons to slide at a time, once again, with the option of increasing the speed. It is very similar to the older water slide in Nandan Park itself, with the difference that this one ends in a pool of water. This is definitely one of the park’s highlights.

Adjacent to the ‘Tube Slide’, is the ‘Wave Runner’. The ‘Wave Runner’ is in essence just another slide, but one that trades winding curves for speed. There are two slides next to one another; both travel straight down to the small pool at the bottom. A lot faster than the other slides, the ‘Wave Runner’ requires one to be slightly more careful about allowing hands or feet touching the sides. Rubber mats are normally used for sliders; there are two different types, one allowing the feet first and the other the head first. The more adventurous may decide to leave the mats behind and go down without their aid. It is recommended that they also should not be wearing any shirts (just the excuse I needed to take off mine). The trip is significantly faster without the mat, and the water dispels any friction between you and the slide, making for a painless trip. I recommend that this method be tried at least once. My only qualm about the slide is that my haunches kept hitting the bottom of the pool; deeper water would have been a good idea.

We then proceeded to the ‘Water Fun Plaza’. Now this is not a ride in the strictest sense of the word, it is more of a small water playground. This is meant for children, but as my counterparts and I proved, there is much to be had here by those capable of acting like children. A few very small slides and tire swings make up the major part of this installation, along with water being spurted out from various angles. Adults are allowed on this area, but only to accompany kids. Even so, they won’t be able to do much on the equipment, as one of my group found out after getting stuck on one of the slides.

I couldn’t really understand what the ‘Water Fun and Mist’ was actually supposed to be. Let me describe it: There is a pool of ankle deep water with rails on two sides and a wall at one end. The rails have sprays that emit a fine mist, and the ledge on the wall has water coming over it. So, effectively, people walk into the pool, get engulfed by the mist, maybe stand under the waterfall, and then walk out. Explanations are welcome… please.

Lastly, there was the ‘Doom Slide’. When I read about this on the information sheet, I was psyched. Finally, something that would provide the cheap thrills that we all yearn for! Sadly, it ended up being a sardonic mockery of its name. It is just a dome in the middle of a pool of water; visitors climb to the top of the dome (which is about two and a half metres high) and slide down. That’s it. Nothing more. The ‘doom’ part in the name comes into play during the landing; if you miss the foam at the bottom, and it happens more often than not, then the shallow water won’t provide much of a cushion for your legs. Be afraid… be very afraid.

The system for entry fees is an interesting one. Tk.50 is required for admission into Nandan Park, and another Tk.250 for entry into Water World. The criteria for these entry fees are height; over 120cm is Tk.250, under 120cm Tk.200; and under 80cm it is free. I guess the logic behind this is that a larger number of smaller people can be made to fit into the rides at the same time. There are no more charges after the entry; one can go on as many rides as desired, and stay for as long as they want. A food court will be opened inside Water World soon, until then there are still the places in Nandan Park for a bite or two.

Water World is situated in the rear area of the sprawling Nandan Park complex; those who had taken rides on the cable cars will probably have noticed the construction sites. It is located on the Nabinagar-Chandra Highway, between Chandra town and BKSP. A trip from Dhaka will normally take about an hour, give or take twenty minutes depending on traffic. BRTC buses travel to the park via Farmgate and Shyamoli, while Ababil buses go through Moghbazar and Mohakhali.

The authorities promised me that the Water World experience was even better at night; some other day I suppose. Despite the distance from Dhaka, Nandan Park is definitely a place that you’d want to be this summer. My advice is to go in the early part of the days, when crowding will be less. In all, in spite of the long drive, it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience.