Phantom Junior Learns To Swim

Hi frenz,

For years (2 years to be exact), Charon had paid instructors to get Iggi to learn how to swim but he just simply won't go into the water where his feet can't touch the ground and he can't keep his head out of the water. Yesterday, there was a break thru.. What started out as a day of play turned out to be a day to be remembered by both father and son.

The Phantom had brought junior to The Water Park at Jurong East (next to the Stadium). It was quite a cool place really... a great place for a family outing. For $2 per adult ($1 for kids), its real value for money for a full day of fun.

We started out at the slide rides that turned out to be an real adventure for father & son. We explored all the 3 levels of slides (the highest being 4 storeys high)... The rides are free but the floats for the rides cost $5 each (including a refundable $2 deposit.. so its really just $3 per float).. but the floats can be used thru-out the whole park and for the whole day too... so its quite worth it.

Then we went to the wave pool. Initially, we were rather disappointed coz there wasn't much excitment there. Just as we were about to move to the next attraction, the jets at the top of the man-made waterfall were turned on and water was splashed out at unsuspecting patrons around the whole area of the wave pool (some eating and some fully clothe.. hehehe)... It turned out that this is the signal for the start of the fun at the wave pool... Hordes of kids dashed into the pool to play with the "tidal" waves.. quite a thrill really..

After that, we took a ride on the "current canal" that provided a parameter tour of the Park. We hopped in with the same floats we hired for the rides and the "currents" simply carried us along the "canal" around the park with some water featured attractions along the way like a cave, a shower tunnel, etc.

There was a water playground for kids with mini water slides, swings and lots of stuff to climb all over.. This was a time for parents to take a break. Located within visible proximity, is the cafeteria where I took a coffee break while Iggi continued having fun.

When Iggi was done with the water playground, we went to do some serious swimming at the Olympic size pool. This was where Iggi chickened out. His legs could not touch the ground and he refused to get off the side of the pool. But somehow, after some coaxing from me, he trusted me when I reminded him on what I've taught him long before... that the best way to fight his fears was to face them... but before he took that bold step forward, he called out at me again, "dad, promise that you'd be there to catch me if I sink".. and I crossed my heart as a sign of assurance.
He swam towards me in strokes that I taught him.. popping his head in and out of the water to grasp air just as I taught him.. I lead him further by backing off and he swam towards me.. And before he knows it, he reached out for my hand and we were already on the other end of the pool.. I held on to him (as promised) and he clung close to my chest coz we were at a deep end and his legs could not touch the ground.. I pointed to the other end of the pool to show him and he giggled (still grasping his breath) and said... "I did it dad... I did it"...

We did another few laps on the breadth of the pool to build on the confidence that he had just acquired.. You could see that gleam on his face that how proud he was conquering something that he never thought that he'd be able to face.. I guess swimming lessons will never give him cold feet again from now on..

And as we sunk into the jacuzzi to end the day's fun, he gave me a peck on my cheek and said, "I love you, dad.. you're the best daddy any boy could have".. geez.. I tell you, that sure warms my heart..

hmm... come to think of it, The Water Park is quite an affordable place to have a whole day of fun for the family.. I mean for $2 per adult and $1 for a child??? I seriously wonder how they manage to cover the costs with such low fees they charge.. You should see the number of life guards and the amount of facilities they have there.. Either they are getting a lot of funds from the Sports Council, or these life-guards are volunteers...

I'm certainly going back again.. and the next time, I'd probably bring my nephews and nieces along.. erm... I'd try to get you guys some photos the next time... eh... so who says that Singapore doesn't have any cheap and nice places/theme parks to go???
(KPNN-Gossips)