You need a strong heart for a cobra ride

Many expats in the Kingdom visit the Cobra Amusement Park in Dammam when they travel to the Eastern Province.
“We are responsible for making sure our kids have a good time during their childhood,” said Eric P. Asi, an engineer at a local firm.
However, a doctor in Dammam gave a word of caution.
“Visitors who want to try the rides in the park must make sure that they have no heart condition,” said Resureccion O. Ramos, who works at the Dammam Medical Dispensary.
The establishment spans an area of 130,000 square meters inside the King Fahd Park in Dammam and has a capacity for 15,000 visitors.
It has 10 games, which include the cobra ride, in addition to 18 mini-games.
Asi and his wife Jannette, a teacher, have been bringing their children to the park quite often.
They drive in a convoy along with friends, whose children also enjoy the different rides inside the park.
“They have been urging us to go to Dammam again ever since they experienced the cobra ride and wave swinger,” he said.
These expats drive for eight hours to and from the Eastern Province for its other recreational havens.
“In Alkhobar, there’s the Half Moon Bay and the Corniche. I also used to visit the Dammam Corniche when I was still assigned in Hofuf,” said Cenon Sagadal, a bank representative from RCBC Telemoney.
Dammam residents also visit Dhahran, Alkhobar and Jubail, along with tourists.
“We travel more than an hour from our compound in Jubail to go to Dammam with our kids. They are grown up now, but they also enjoy the rides,” said Chuck Obero, who has been working for the Royal Saudi Navy, also called King Abdulaziz Naval Base, for several years.
“We have a lot of fun bonding as father and son,” he said.