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Published: August 21st 2009
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I finally got to fulfill my dream of swimming with Dolphins. I wouldn’t really call it swimming but we were in the water with them. Early that morning we collected our wetsuits from a dive shop near the Pet Porpoise Pool. A few tight squeezes and we were fitted out with our suits. They gave us extra layers as well as it would be pretty cold in the pool. Our Dolphin Encounter was scheduled for 1pm so we visited the centre and watched the Dolphin and Seal show that morning. Michelle got a kiss from a seal but she assures me it meant nothing! We also got to see Blue Penguins being fed and the big child that I am, I lined up with all the kids to hand feed a penguin some fish.
Soon it was time to get into our wetsuits and I went to use the bathroom first to get changed. Little did I know, my had fallen out in the car. I proceeded to put on Michelle's wetsuit, wondering why on earth it wouldn’t fit me now. I even managed to get it up as far as my hips but when the arms wouldn’t stretch to
my height I knew something was wrong. I should have guessed though by the nice pink design on the front. Getting it off was twice as hard. After we solved my little problem we waited in the sun in our swim suits. It was quite warm and the second layer didn’t help.
We were given a quick briefing on the dolphins before entering the water. We all stood in a line along the pool and the women in charge got the dolphin to swim slowly beside us so we could rub it. You should never touch the top of a dolphins nose or its forehead. This is the same as someone putting their whole hand over your face. They wont attack if you do but they will swim off. The dolphin we were shown was rescued from sea after getting caught in fishermen’s line. For the half hour we were in the pool we got our pictures taken with the dolphin, first getting a kiss and second getting a hug. All very cheesy but they make for nice photos. We got to throw a ball to her and she would catch it and bring it back without it touching
the water and she also balanced the ball on her nose for a few seconds. It was amazing to interact with her and watch her show off her power by swimming up out of the water on her tail or the speeds she can get up to underneath the water. We also got to be close to her daughter Bella but she was still shy and wouldn’t come that close to us. She was curious but still unsure about human contact.
At the end the brought a Seal in to the pool and for us to look at. They’re a funny animal and very inquisitive. It was the same seal that had kissed Michelle earlier so I was on my guard all the time. He wasn’t getting a second.
In a bit. DH
Song of the blog: U2 - Where The Streets Have No Name
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anonymous
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Looks brilliant, very funny blog too darren!! Watch Michelle, she's lookin very flirty with that dolphin too!!! Hope all is well!! Mairead