In thirty three years of our conjugal life I hardly had any complete week to stay with wife and family .Most of the time I had to be abroad on work or away from the place where my family was stationed.
Year 2014 gave a rare opportunity to stay longer with family in Melbourne . The open heart surgery of my wife and my long deserving rest from full time work for a while gave me that opportunity which my wife and sons missed. My wife Rozy is still recovering in her post rehabilitation cycle .The surgeon advised us to keep her happy and give her company as much as possible. Our eldest son Shahriar Shuvro is having refreshers course in Melbourne .
We have free time at week end to travel around and visit places of attraction around Majestic Melbourne. Last Sunday we visited Balart Region about two hours drive from our Melbourne residence .We visited Kyral Castle, Tangledmaze and Delsford Lake. We have a fascination for history and also like to be lost in wilderness. So we enjoyed the day to our hearts content.
Kryal Castle:
Kryal Castle is an Australian replica medieval castle located on a foothill of Mount Warrenheip at Leigh Creek, just north of Dunnstown and 8 km east of Ballarat.Kryal Castle Adventure Park and Resort, this is Australia' only medieval adventure park, and recreates a legendary land of myths and medieval adventure with knights, dragons, wizards, kings, queens, princesses and fairies.
It was built in 1972and opened to the public in 1974by Keith Ryall, who gave the castle his namesake, having made his fortune selling body armour.
The castle has many features including a moat, drawbridge, maze, castle towers, stocks medical museum, armoury. It also features shows such as jousting, public whipping, a jesterjuggler, fire eating and a "Wax of Torture" museum.] It also has accommodation and performs weddings.
The property was listed for sale with an asking price of $10 million in 2007 but failed to sell. In January 2011, it was sold after having been on the market for several years. There was interest from some parties in turning it into a medieval-style brothel. However, it was bought by Jay Finch and Wendy Alexander who intend to continue keeping it as a hotel and theme park.
In August 2011 ownership of the property was returned to Keith Ryall after the Finch family was unable to complete payment for the property.
In January 2012, Kryal Castle was acquired by Castle Tourism & Entertainment Pty Ltd. The Castle closed for major renovation and upgrade works. It has been developed into a multi-use venue, offering day time and night time tourism and entertainment experiences 12 months of the year. Castle Suites with 4 star accommodation, function, and wedding and conferencing facilities reopened in 2013.
Medieval Adventure, Fantasy and Theme Park concepts have been developed. The medieval sport of jousting has been reintroduced along with special effects, sound and light attractions.
Within the Castle walls is a medieval town of activities, but first visitors negotiate the Dragon's Labyrinth which tells of the legends and story of the Land of Kryal with the dragon that lives beneath the hill, with stunning special effects. 
Continuing the journey one can witness daring jousting contests as Castle Knights display their mounted skill at arms, or see the Wizard mix potions in his workroom display. Visitors can buy sweets from the Tooth Fairy Lolly Shop, and if the visitors can’t resist the lure of this fascinating period can try on an outfit at the King's Britches Costume Emporium and take a picture of medieval self. The Torture Dungeon and Museum is a fascinating display of medieval torture implements. Tourists can also explore the maze, Knights Round Table Tower, Brave hearts Playground and so much more.
To extend the adventure, visitors can continue with a night in one of the Castle's 17 luxury suites, which beautifully capture the glory and mystery of times past, with stunning hand woven European tapestries, yet are as modern and as well-equipped as any lord or lady would want. Perfect for romantic getaways or fun family adventures staying in the heart of the action!
Visit to the Castle:
It was a bright sunny day with temperature reaching around 30 degree Celsius. Starting at around 11:30 PM from our place we reached the castle at about 1; 30PM .The castle was almost full of visitors being a Sunday and beginning of spring. We thought that our own Lalbag Fort area could be turned into similar place of attraction if we had the luxury of huge space around which the location is blessed.
We were really moved to see how Australians have mixed technology with tradition to change it into a memorable place of remembrance of old days. In the dragons cave and toruture chamber the 3D animated audio visual effects can be scary .
But those who can hold their breadth can really get lost to 300-400 years back finding and feeling about ways of life. The torture chamber had animations of alleged criminals being tortured to death, sometimes hanged, sometimes beheaded and on other occasions limbs cut one by one. Shuvro and I got scared at some of these.
But Rozy had courage to see all and capture photographs. We had the luxury of having photographs seating on the King and queens chair and dining table. We loved to see and listen to animated story of the princess, dragons and the King.
Visit the Tangledmaze:
Tangled maze is a lovely little hill top garden having a beautiful flower garden and a bush designed in such a way that one may get lost if not very careful .Seven mysteries are hidden in different corners which visitors are challenged to find out . We three teamed up and with great difficulties could find all and could get out of the maze. We got an award. Rozy found four, Shuvro two and I found the most difficult one.
We were so tensed from the visit of Castle and Maize that we spend an hour sitting beside the Delsford Lake watching at majestic geese. The sunset from the lake made the sky painted in multi colored attraction. We left behind Balart carry with us unforgettable memories.
BDST: 1606 HRS, OCT 13, 2014
