Mr. & Mrs. Vandebilt + kids

We have been researching what to do on the island – it is so hot that most of the options just don’t seem feasible. We’re barely surviving being on the beach. It’s easily over 40, the water is over 35. It becomes lovely in the mid afternoon but over the noon hour it’s wildly hot. Any kind of outdoor hiking activity seemed foolish, same with temples. There’s a large amusement park in the north end of the island, but it’s at least an hour to get there, and walking around an asian amusement park in 40 degree heat is my own personal hell.

After our evening in Sunset Town we knew we wanted to head back to that area – it was super fun and easy to get to. Then we found out that there was an 8km long cable car that left from Sunset Town, and at the end, is a little island turned water park. How asian is that?! This little island that didn’t have power a dozen years ago now has the longest cable car in the world, whose sole purpose is to attach a big island to a small island that has been bulldozed and then transformed into a water park. The island isn’t done being developed yet, they still plan on putting in a “Greek inspired town” and a tower with a pool around the outer ring. Everything should be wrapped up within the next 18 months.

While I don’t necessarily agree with their eco-ethics I can’t deny that it was a super fun day. The cable car ride was beautiful, like absolutely stunning. You are gliding over these lush green islands with crystal clear water. You can see all the coral in the water and the fishing boats out starting their day. After a 15 minute journey you descend into the jungle and wind your way through shops and restaurants before you reach the park.

The kids were big enough to go on all of the rides, even if I’m sure they would not be allowed to in North America – there were slides where the door opens up below you and you rocket down the slide, huge funnel tube slides, racing slides, a lazy river and large 6 man raft rides. There was pretty much all of Charlie’s dream water slides available – with no lines! The cablecar/waterpark deal also comes with 1L of beer or juice for everyone and access to some pretty delicious pizza. We stayed until almost close before we made our way back on the cable car.

We had every intention of sticking around Sunset Town for the evening and visiting the night market again for street food. I unfortunately yacked my guts up after the cable car ride, a perfect storm of a touch of heat stroke and some serious motion sickness. Thankfully, they gave me some anti-nausea meds, some paracetamol and sent us on our way. It might have been for the best in the end that we left Sunset Town as we got front row seats to the fire show that we had spied from the rooftop our first night.