One of the most exciting parts of my recent trip to Miami was my whole swimming with dolphins thing.
Because, really, how often does a mom of 3 in the Western Maryland suburbs have time to see some dolphins up close and personal, never mind swim with them?!
I know a lot of people have beef with animals being in captivity and junk, but honestly, even though I woulda never eaten a dolphin before I got to swim with them, that sentiment was totally reiterated and solidified in my mind after being able to interact with them and learn about them in this way.
Not that these dolphins were ever in danger of being snagged and eaten in the wild; they were born in captivity where they will stay for life.
But still, I’m pretty sure controlled dolphin encounters save wild dolphin lives. No one could eat a dolphin after seeing how intelligent they are or how loving they are with their family members.
It would be like eating your dog. Or your, um, fish. And, you’d never eat your dog, or your fish would you?
Plus, aside from all of that conservation type stuff, dolphin swimming is fun!
Even if you do somehow wind up as the only person in your entire group who got a long sleeve wet suit that you could barely squeeze your lump of body into. Even if, when you emerged from the locker room in your tighty body glove, your so-called new friends did laugh out loud, in your face, at the ridiculousness of your chubby-12-year-old-girl appearance. Even if things got more horrifying thanks to the sexy glasses strap they made you clamp on to keep your specs from sliding off and being ingested by a dolphin. And, even if you look borderline insane in like 85% of the photos…
Still.
Despite my being all humiliated by the attire; so much fun and I will remember it for always.
What’s your best travel memory?
I’m always looking for a fun way to up my travel awesome!
Have something Wordful to share this Wednesday. Be sure to check out this week’s links, pop over to Angie’s Seven Clown Circus, and then link up your own posts below so we can see what kind of coolness you’ve been up to!
That looks like a blast. I could really use another fun trip…
It was a blast! Dolphins are awesome.
This use to be on my bucket list now i’m just terrified you make it look like so much fun. Perhaps it will reappear on my list.
It was fun. Tons! So interesting to see how the dolphins interact with each other and the humans.
I. Am. So. Flipping. Jealous! I have always wanted to swim with dolphins.
Totally cool. Probably not worth it if you have to pay for kids though. I woulda cost us like $800!
So awesome!! Love these!!
What an amazing experience!! (and I just applaud you for getting into that thing!)
Yeah, applause woulda been nice. It was horrible. Worst thing I EVER wore in life. Wet suits are not flattering on my body. Not even remotely!
What a totally cool experience! Seeing you out there makes me think that just maybe I could do it, too….though I have a thing about being in water with anything other than other humans.
They weren’t scary at all! And you’d probably look way more awesome in a wet suit!
Lucky duck! You have all the fun. lol
I did that in San Diego a few years ago and I think it’s still one of the top 10 days of my life!
Seriously, Amanda, you look cute and so freaking happy. That’s all I see. Your happiness and the beautiful dolphin. I have a huge spot in my heart for dolphins. What an amazing experience!
P.S. See you soon! Woohoo!!!!!
So, so cool! Just feeding the dolphin at Sea World is one of my favorite things, can’t even imagine getting to swim with them!
I was freaking out about drowning or something when they were about to pull me across the pool. But, as soon as I grabbed a hold of that fin and took off with them, I was just stoked to be doing it. Didn’t even care if I drowned.
Dang girl. You may not think so, but you’re doing that wet suit justice! I can’t wait to try this some day. Totally on my bucket list.
Hmmm, I’m certainly testing its limits!
Looks like it was an amazing experience! I’d love to swim with the dolphins someday.
Swimming with dolphins? Amazing. Solo trip (sans kids) in Miami? Fantastic. Appearing in a wet suit in public? Courageous. But keeping your glasses on while a dolphin pulls you in the water? BEAST MODE. I’m sorry, but since I am the lady that always has to push my stinking glasses up my nose, is always getting my glasses knocked or pulled off my face, seeing you “swim” with your glasses on is a miracle!!! MIRACLE, I SAY!
Actually, they gave me this totally lame looking granny glasses tie to wear. So, not only was I wedged into an ill fitting most-likely-child-sized wet suit with long sleeves, I had my specs tied to my face. NOT my most awesome or stylish moments for sure.
What an awesome experience! Solo trip and swimming with dolphins? You win.
Aww, you look cute in your pictures. I would LOVE to swim with dolphins.
When I was in 5th grade, I went to Hawaii with a friend’s family. We took a catamaran out to an island to snorkel. While heading out, there was a family (school?) of dolphins that were racing the catamaran. It was incredible. They just seem so playful.
I love, love, love dolphins and swimming with them is on my life bucket list. Love these pictures. It looks like a blast!!! So happy you were able to experience this!
Thanks, Mindi. It was a pretty cool experience!
I have to admit that I am so jealous of you swimming with dolphins, that is a dream of mine but I am not jealous of the wet suit.
Spending one entire week relaxing in a cottage on Lake Superior. It was the perfect vacation!
Swimming with the dolphins is on my bucket list. Whenever we see them in the ocean when we are the beach they are always a little too far out so I guess I’ll have to sign up for a dolphin adventure!
Love! I always thought it would be totally cool to meet a dolphin and swim with them :)
I have always wanted to do that!! It looks like a blast!
I can’t swim. I want to say more here, but, well, no.
I just think it’s so awesome that you had the opportunity & you pounced on it. I’ve said it before & I will say it again- you have got to be the funnest mom I know!
How is it that I didn’t know you lived in Western Maryland? I am from Western Maryland. I feel like all the bloggers are living in Maryland these days. ;) Also – I’m totally jealous of your dolphin time.
The 12-year old in me is SO jealous! I was obsessed with dolphins and wanted to be a marine biologist when I was a tween. I realized I didn’t like science as much as writing so I scrapped that, but I still want to swim with them one day!