Friday, June 9, 2017

Dolphins....

Marlina and Trish decided that our excursion down in Ol Mexico was to be one that they had always wanted to do, but disguised it under the rouse that it was something the kids would always remember.  I think I will always remember it as well.

We got to swim with the dolphins at a place called Chankanaab Wildlife Park.  When we arrived at the park, we found our place to change into swimsuits, then watched in amazement as we saw the dolphins in the lagoon.  We got paired up with our host and photographer and prepared to enter the water.  It was chilly, but not too bad.  At least not to me.  Marlina thought otherwise.  But she managed to push through it.

One by one, they called us to touch the dolphins and rub their bellies.  Then they pulled Marlina and Kate out to swim with the dolphins.  Katie got to grab the fins and go for a ride.  Marlina did the same.  When it was time for Luke and I, they tried something different.  We got a boogie board and were told to place our legs straight out.  The dolphins came from behind us and their noses hit the soles of our feet and pushed us through the water at a surprisingly fast rate of speed.  We created a wake!


We spent the rest of the time playing around and watching the dolphins do tricks until it was time to leave.  After we got out, we walked around the pier and got to see a manatee.  I have never seen one of these beasts until that time. What a large animal!  We took several photos of the dolphins and manatee, but then we discovered how they get ya.  We were not allowed to bring our cameras into the dolphin area, but they did give us a personal photog.  She took awesome photos and they were glad to sell us the disk for $200 per family.  We politely passed and went to lunch.  But before we left the park, we negotiated them down to a slightly less obscene price and bought the CD, but they only allowed us the photos of the kids.  Sorry, but no bikini pics of Marlina (or me).



We had a blast.  Trent and I then rented snokels and took off.  I saw a lobster under the water that was bigger than anything I had ever seen in a tank.  Bring on the butter.  Too soon, it was time to leave and get back on the boat.  After a stop in downtown at the Hotel Barracuda, a lovely plate of nachos and cold margarita later, we boarded the boat and prepared to cruise back to Galveston.  Good times....Good times....