After an incredibly low readership on “Alligator Alley” – I am
hoping you people like dolphins a little more.
Before watching the horribly sad “Blackfish” documentary and
learning all the terrible things that go on at SeaWorld and other similar tourist/marine
life attractions – Matt and I visited Atlantis on our honeymoon to swim with
dolphins. It was an experience I will never forget – kissing the sweet dolphin,
rubbing her tummy, taking pictures with her – it was an incredible moment.
Of course after learning about how AWFUL these places are to
the poor dolphins and whales, I immediately regretted my ridiculous purchase/action-
and would take it back in a heartbeat, if I could.
Guilty:
It breaks my heart looking at these now.
After watching the documentary, Matt and I vowed to never, ever visit a zoo, a circus, SeaWorld, or any other business that uses caged wildlife animals to gain profit. Surprisingly so, this made traveling almost entirely different. When you stop to think about all the tourist attractions that revolve around captured wildlife – you realize that there are a TON.
Planning our next cruise excursions (while in the Cayman
Islands and Jamaica) is already posing a problem because 99% of them involve
some sort of interaction with a (naturally) wildlife animal that is taught to
do tricks, pose, or just stand there for people’s amusement.
More guiltiness:
So while in Alabama, we had the unique experience of going
on a dolphin cruise. Taking a boat out on the Gulf (that’s air-conditioned and
has a BAR) to see dolphins in their natural habitat. Before boarding the boat,
I expected to see 2, maybe 5 dolphins – at the most. But what really happened
is that we found a school of dolphins – that had at least 30 swimming in a
group.
This experience trumped kissing the poor, caged dolphin at
Atlantis by tenfold.
These dolphins knew no tricks. They were wild animals,
acting and living like they always do. It was extraordinary. I remember staring
at the beautiful creatures in amazement thinking: This is BY FAR the coolest thing I’ve ever done.
I CAN’T wait to do something similar with whales in the
Pacific northeast someday… (New Vacation Idea! Pretty please, Matt??)
Please note: I am NOT a professional photographer (shocker
right?!?!) I wish I had a better lense on my camera. I also wish I wasn’t so
behind and slow in taking pictures. Several times, dolphins would jump out of
the water right near the boat – and of course my camera shutter would be .2
seconds behind and click after they landed back in the water.
Nonetheless, it was SO breathtaking and worth every penny.
Speaking of – A one day SeaWorld pass costs $89.00 per
person. Swimming with dolphins for an hour excursion cost $190.00 per person.
Our two hour boat ride to see at least THIRTY dolphins in their natural habitat
cost us $15.00 per person.
Enjoy the [unprofessional/I DID AS BEST AS I COULD]
pictures:
***Also a lot of them are very similar to each other... but I couldn't bring myself to delete any of them.
***Also a lot of them are very similar to each other... but I couldn't bring myself to delete any of them.
More on Alabama to come.
Happy Friday!
