Would it ever open? Well Siam Park, the water kingdom in Costa Adeje, Tenerife had its official inauguration tonight, and opens to the public on Wednesday at 10 am. So was it worth the wait? the short answer is yes, as long as you want to get involved , there are no shows or vast displays of animals to watch like in Loro Park, but It will definately appeal to the younger visitor looking for some wet and wild fun.
It was 6 months since my tour of the unfinished park so it was good to see the parking areas all surfaced and in use. The approach road from Las Americas, over the TF1 motorway was heavily manned by police and even arriving early, I could see a crowd had built up outside the entrance. The frontage is very imposing, with grand towers, and lions on plinths, the attention to detail comes through in the form of cracks in the wall for an aged effect.
The 4 open topped double deckers, painted in the Siam Park livery, were ferrying dignitaries and well heeled guests in at regular intervals as we all waited around the red carpet for the Princess of Thailand to arrive. Nearly an hour later the Bishop of Tenerife blessed the park, the Princess cut the floral ribbon and we surged through the gates to be met by a large display of flowers and the sea lion pool beyond it. The wave of suits and evening dresses set off around the park, some of the ladies soon regretted those high heels on the first slatted bridge.
The park is visually stunning from the lazy river burbling along, to the bright and vibrant designs of the 14 water rides, particularly the dragon, the 28 metre high tower of power and the giant. A group of local youngsters had been invited in to try some of the rides and they dutifully screamed, as they hurled themselves down the slides to emerge in splash pools with a lifeguard waiting to ensure their safe landing.
There have been compromises over the last few months, the slide from the tower of power was originally going to send the rider through a pool of crocodiles, in a sealed plastic tube, the pool now has fish which you can view through the glass windows as the human torpedo whizzes through. Also the lazy river was to have had a series of boats allowing a leisurely cruise around the park, but it is now for swimming, with a series of flotation aids for swimmers and non swimmers to go with the flow. This removes the main attraction for parents etc who don’t want to get a soaking, there are of course 5 bars and restaurants, but they aint included in the price.
