On a hot 40 degree day we arrived into San Sebastian and headed up to Monte Igueldo. The views that greeted us, were, as always stunning as we made our way up and through the theme park. Monte Igueldo amusement park is adorable in that “retro carnival that may or may not be haunted” kind of way.
And for once the boat ride did not have along line! This was it, my chance to finally ride the rapids! No rapids involved, just a gentle ride with some of the best views money can buy. At €2.50, a bargain.
Like an excited toddler, I rounded up some of my guests and convinced them that this was something they had to do. And got to give them credit, they got with the programme, albeit without the squealing that I was doing.
The boats are shaped like little wooden tubs that appear to have been designed by someone who has never seen water. I step in. It tilts. I tilt. But I do not fall. Rich, one of my guests humours me and I get the front seat. He's tall, I'm short, it only seems fair.
The boat launches forward at a speed best described as “grandma jogging.” We're off and we're gently floating by that amazing view overlooking the Bay of Biscay and La Concha beach. I'm trying to hold my phone steady to video the view while providing a running commentary. There is a photographer in a stripey shirt - "smile" we do even though both of us know that we won't buy or even look at the photo.
We drift into a dark tunnel filled with mysterious noises and questionable animatronics characters who look like they were built in 1972 and have been powered by pure determination ever since. There is a mermaid who blinks one eye every 20 seconds, a sea monster that looks like a sock puppet with ambitions and a pirate who looks like he’s reconsidering his career choices. The water splashes gently, like it’s trying to baptise me into the Church of Mild Panic.
The boat suddenly swings around a corner with the enthusiasm of a shopping trolley that’s just remembered it has wheels. We bump into the side. The side bumps back. Daylight. The boat drifts toward the end with the grace of a potato as a staff member helps us off looking slightly bored and hot.
The Monte Igueldo boat ride has been conquered. It is charming and absolutely worth the €2.50 and I would 10/10 do it again. In fact, I've since been back, but the long lines were also back. Next time. I might even give the rollercoaster a go.
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