Holiday Diary – Day 4

Today’s the day (Hmm…sounds a bit like the Dolmio ad). Today’s when I take part in the Dolphin Emotions. Really nervous but at the same time, really excited too! I’d chosen to do the morning session so had to be there for the park opening.
First stop for me was registration. Was given safety instructions to read while I was waiting and then had to sign at the bottom. Times and that were explained to us and then we bought an extra spectator ticket.
Took in the Wings Of The World (Birds of Prey) show (the one show that we missed the last time we visited). Very good, very educational. Headed off into the aquarium where we found Nemo. Last section of the aquarium is still a work in progress. Wandered around some of the outdoor pens before heading off to the meeting point at 11am to meet the other 7 participants in the group.
We were taken to the changing area where we were given a bag with flip-flops and towel (ours to keep) and choose between a wetsuit or vest. We all opted for the wet suits. With regards to wet-suits…straights have been easier to get out of than trying to get into a wet suit!! Once we’d all fought with our suits and locked our personals away, we were led up to the ‘Lagoon’ where we were given a brief overview of dolphins and what ‘behaviours’ we might be doing with them. Then, it was off to meet the dolphins.
Group wise, I ended up with 3 Portuguese and with Mickey the Dolphin. After being introduced to Mickey by having a kissing session, we delved into a stroking fest. It’s a really strange sensation to stroke a dolphin. It’s kind of like stroking melted rubbery plastic. Time for the first encounter which was either going to be a waltz or hand push. Hand push was to be mine which is really strange to have yourself pushed around in a circle by a dolphin. As a group we sent Mickey to do some of the behaviours that were seen in the show.
Time for the individual moment with the dolphin. For me, I got to hug Mickey. I don’t know how many of you will have tried hugging a dolphin but my god, it isn’t easy! Lots of hugging, kissing and stroking and then it was to the final encounter. For our group we got to do Foot push with board. In the basic sense, you hold onto what can only be described as a board used to train young kids to swim and then have two dolphins pushing you by your feet through the water. I admit it, I gave a yelp when they started push but it was a yelp of fun (trust me, the photo says it all!). More kisses and the session was over. Getting out of he wet suit was almost as difficult as getting into the damn thing, but once changed pre-ordered the DVD and then it was lunch.
A recent addition to the park is a 4D cinema in which a film called Planet SOS is shown. For those who have never heard of 4D, you watch the film in 3D and there…physical implications during it (that’s all I can say). Having learned from having see Avatar in 3D, we choose the middle. It was hysterical watching the reactions of the people in front with animals and other bits and pieces flying towards you. Despite the fun animation, it did get a serious message across. Had some time to kill before the Dolphin show so we walked round and ended up picking up my photos and DVD (these were 15€ each or if you bought both it only cost 25€) Photos were worth the 15€. Worried about seeing the DVD though :s. Caught the dolphin show. Not much has changed in it in 8 years. Got to see Sam (the father of all but one of the dolphin’s born at Zoomarine). Caught the Seal and sea-lion feeding and then saw their show. Decided to give the parrots a miss this time round and head home.
Stopped in at Algarve Shopping on way back to pick up a few food items for the next few days (this also involved us trying to decipher what plain naan bread was). Back home watching Simpsons and House with Portuguese subtitles…maybe it’s time to watch the shows with just the subtitles…