Thursday 18 July 2013

Just for Fun

We went to Luna Park for the first time in about 5 years. As soon as I hit Coney Island, I am immediately flooded with memories from when I was 5. For my fifth birthday I got to go to Luna Park. This was my present, and also instead of a party. I explain this to my kids, who look at me blankly as if I'm speaking a strange language - 'What? With no friends? Just you and your family???'.

My daughter, who is 4, was not allowed to ride any of the rides that I loved as a just turned 5 year old (Modern safety standards differ greatly these days). I love the Turkey Trot, purely because as a little child, too scared of most rides, I thought this was so much fun, and that I was awfully grown up and brave to go on it.

My favourite is the spinning wheel (known in the '70's by a far less PC name), for the joyous memory it evokes - I adored that ride. As a kid we all crammed onto it - big, small, as many people as could fit. Now it's far more orderly, but still the same fun.

I remember getting lost in the mirror maze and crying (seems impossible now, seeing the size of it through adult eyes).

I remember feeling so clever getting myself through the Barrel of Fun.

I also remember my Mum not doing any of the rides - she'd just watch. Our Dad would join in with us. What happened between her generation and ours? What suddenly changed and we decide to join in with our kids (or not miss out on the fun, as I think is actually the thought process behind it)?

Nowadays, my favourite is the giant slides - and as my 4 year old could ride them, we spent much of the day going up those stairs and down the slides.

The heritage cartoons are still on the walls - part of me likes the reminder of how far we have come, part of me is horrified at how racist and sexist we were, and that it was deemed okay to publicly display.

Outside, as the kids waited to be escorted onto the Tango train, I remember the mad scramble as a kid - they'd open the gate and you'd run to find a carriage on whatever ride you wanted to get on. Like a mass musical chairs.

All in all, we had a ball. I love that it hasn't changed so much, that it triggers those strong memories from almost 40 years ago. I'm a little saddened that our kids are so over indulged that these 'treats' are nothing special to them, that everything is taken in their stride. Yet I'm the only one to blame for that.

When were you last at Luna Park? Did you ever go as a child? What do you love about it?

Linking up with some Grace for FYBF

PS This is not a sponsored post, but I did win tickets from Seana Smith - so THANK YOU! It needs to be said, there is no better view in Sydney than aloft the Ferris Wheel...



19 comments:

  1. Ah Luna Park...I went there last {and my first time} back in 2006...it's been a while now! I love amusement parks but having not grown up in Sydney, my first time here was 2006. :) I really should go back...

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    1. I have to say, I wondered why it had taken us so long to go back - we had a ball...

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  2. I was at the lovely Luna Park last week also. So many beautiful childhood memories for me also. Gorgeous pics, you captured it perfectly. x

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    1. Stuntmania was a bonus...loved the bikes. But me being a nervous old lady kept worrying that they had no margin for error....

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  3. Once a year I took my kids to the Amusement park...to me it was torture... when I was a kid (around 10) you could go without a parent. It may not have been safe, but no one knew that then.

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    1. yes, we did a lot of things no one would do now... :)

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  4. I went to Luna Park for a friend's birthday when I was five. I was so little I could walk under the turnstiles so they let me in for free. We were underage but my friend and I went on the rollercoaster and loved it.

    I'd never let my five-year old on a rollercoaster without me these days!

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    1. you just gave me back another memory! I vaguely remember being measured up against the turnstyle...

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  5. I went to Luna Park as a year 7 student, when we went on a school trip to Sydney, all the way from Brisbane. It was such a fabulous adventure, especially to enjoy with all your school friends!
    I remember going on the Wild Mouse roller coaster that swung out over the Harbour, man I couldn't do that today!!

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    1. I love the Wild Mouse! That moment when you jut over the ocean...and you don't know if the whole thing will stay on the rails...or not!

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  6. I'm embarrassed to say Lydia that I never went there when I lived in Sydney! That view looks awesome! My kids are very spoiled here on the GC and have all the amazing theme parks at their fingertips x

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    1. Yes, but its the old memories that make it special...(tho I LOVE that Superman ride!)

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  7. What a great day out! I haven't been to Luna Park for maybe 15 years!? Would love to take the kids there when they are a little older.

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    1. will be interested if it opens a flood of memories for you too, when you do go...

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  8. That ferris wheel view is amazing. I've been there twice in my life (being a Queenslander born and bred, I didn't have the opportunity as a child).
    The last time was in February this year and it was an awesome day. I really need to take my younger kids sometime. ;)

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    1. I think if you've been twice from interstate, you've done well!

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  9. I went to the Melbourne Luna Park not long ago, little one was too little for most of the rides though apart from the little train around the park. It seems like its a bit of an icon, (although the freaky face entrance does scare the bejesus out of me I must admit!)

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  10. Luna Park brings back so many memories! And yep I loved going there as a kid, and I super excited to be going there soon with our boys :)
    I think that in today's world Kids like the fun rides, but at the same time they expect a little bit more than what we used as kids...or were we the same at their age but didn't realise it till we grew up and appreciated/realising how much we got to experience as a child?

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  11. I have never been to Luna Park but now you have made me think that I definitely need to put it on the list next time we are in Sydney !!
    It's funny how memories of things we did as kids are sometimes so very different when we go back as adults - as you say, seen from a different perspective puts a whole new spin on it.
    Have the best day !
    Me

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