Return to Wonderland - a Haunting Experience

In case you didn't realise October is the month of Halloween and all things spooky. As soon as it hits October 1st everyone has license to get creepy. You will notice all of the Halloween stuff in the shops from cards, candy to costumes and candles. In a land where common sense seems to prevail this is a little odd. As you walk down the street and see "crime scene - Do Not Enter" tape around a house and some grave stones in the garden - you wonder what it is people are celebrating. The dead or the undead? I guess its all a bit of fun and there is always a need for that.

In this tradition the theme parks go all out for Halloween. Turning themselves into haunting playgrounds filled with zombies and vampires. We went to Canada's Wonderland after dark and experienced this hauntingness. In the dark and through the mist and red glow that has descented on the park you make out a mix of funny and scary creatures. The park is only open 7pm to 12am so its a rush to make the rides, eat, run from the monsters and experience the mazes. Its truely the mazes that make this so great. I have not experienced anything like this in England. When I say maze I don't mean some pretty hedge maze where you have to get to the other side. These are themed, haunting and damn right scary mazes. The Slaughterhouse - where you have to make your way through the building bumping into crazed workers with chainsawes and mutant chickens and cows - all in the dark and to a terrifying soundtrack. Clowns at Midnight - where your wildest creepiest nightmares about clowns come to life in neon 3D! You may wonder why - why put yourself through this terror? Because it is fun. Your heart is pounding, your mouth admits a scream, you want to run yet its all so exciting! After you "survive" one maze - you want more. Its a terrifying high that you just can't get enough off! After this the rides seem alittle tame.

Halloween is now my favourite "holiday". What could be better than a reason to eat lots of candy, dress up in costume, drink lots and get scared? It may be the most pointless celebration but is by far the most fun. And that's what Canada is - fun.