Thursday, August 27, 2009

Swimming With Dolphins!

The continuing saga of my vacation...

Get comfortable, because I took so many pictures of this day, I used up my entire memory card--that's a lot!

This was hands-down the most fun day of our trip. We set out out super early in the morning to take a ferry to Tortola which is one of the Britsh Virgin Islands so we had to bring our passports and stuff.

The ferry ride was a complete freak show--it was like one of those crazy amusement park water rides with all the bouncing and splashing--but it went on for like an hour! I was holding onto Pickle and Gooser for dear life, because one big wave could have sent them right over the side. It was...exciting?

Here's Teddy and Patrick at the beginning of the ride--by the time it was over we were all soaking wet!

I also want to mention that I had ONE prescription-strength motion sickness pill left over from years ago when my friend got married on a boat. If I hadn't taken that pill I never would have survived this ferry ride--or the rest of the day.

We arrived in Tortola and after the whole passport/customs thing walked outside to meet our trusty guide for the day: Captain Friendly.

Captain Friendly lived up to his name--he is one of the friendiest and nicest guys ever! Here's Don with The Captain:


He drove us over to the dophin swimming place on his kooky bus, telling lots of cool stories about the island along the way.

We got the the "Dolphin Adventure" and got suited up in our life jackets. Don, Pickle and Gooser don't know how to swim, so Don was the photographer and Gooser and Pickle got to sit nearby while we played with the dolphins.

First, though, we listened to a dolphin lecture so we knew what to expect. Do you know where dolphin's ears are located? I do!
Then it was dolphin time! And it was SO fun. Here's Teddy getting a ride from our dolphin friends:


Patrick doing something called a "foot push" where the dolphins swim up underneath and lift you up!
Here I am kissing a dolphin:
I can't even believe I'm showing pics of myself in a bathing suit--but while I'm at it, here I am getting a dolphin ride:

Teddy dancing with a dolphin:
This dolphin looks really into his dance with Andy!

Here we are dancing and prancing with the dolphins:
Wow--that was a great experience and now I can cross one thing off my "bucket list." I think the kids will always remember those dolphins.

Here are the kids post-dolphin swim:


And Gooser and Pickle with their stuffed dolpins from the gift shop:


When we were done, Captain Friendly was waiting for us on his bus with an icy cold bottle of Coke and fresh mangoes from his tree.

Here he is cutting up a mango (Pickle devoured them):


They were, by the way, the BEST mangoes I have ever had in my life. Here's Gooser and Patrick with their Captain Friendly treats:

Captain Friendly gave us an amazing tour of the island (again THANK GOD I took the motion sickness pill--I never would have made it!) driving up up the twisty roads of the mountains for some beautiful (though dizzying!) views):
We learned a lot of interesting new things--for instance, these are called breadfruits:
Captain Friendly said they taste like bread when they're baked and like potatoes when they're boiled (you can't eat them raw though.) I would love to try one someday!

We saw so many animals as we drove around:

Donkeys:
Lots and lots of goats:
And tons of chickens:
We stopped in the little town to look around for awhile. The streets were adorable--narrow and colorful:

I wouldn't want this job--would you?!
Then it was time for lunch. Captain Friendly drove us to this beautiful spot on the beach and we had some delicious food. This was my lunch--barbequed chicken, fried plantains and red beans and rice (also a pina colada--not pictured!).

Gooser moping--something about his stuffed dolphin...
There were also a lot of animals there which the kids were really into.
Me feeding a dog a tidbit:
There were cats too:Then we hit the beautiful white sand beach!
Pickle romping in the waves:
Gooser playing in the water:
And in the sand:
LOL!
For the last leg of our tour, Captain Friendly drove us to this crazy place called the Bomba Shack.
This place is infamous for their "Full Moon Parties." Apparently, every full moon they spike their tea with hallucinogenic mushrooms. It's not legal to sell the tea, so they give it away, but charge you for the glass. They must be pretty wild parties because the place was littered with discarded bikini tops and bottoms!
Would you drink the mushroom tea? I would be too chicken!

Anyway, we took the ferry back and just ordered a pizza that night--we were way too tired to go out for dinner. It was a GREAT day that we will always remember.

We miss you Captain Friendly!!
Please join the phabulous Candid Carrie phor some Phriday phun!
Photobucket

20 comments:

coffeejitters said...

Wow! That is so cool. What an awesome trip. I totally have to find a way to go swim with dolphins now.

thatgirlblogs said...

they'll never forget THAT trip! awesome!

following you even though I'm afraid of clowns...

SouthernDogwoods said...

How awesome! What great memories were made!

Becky said...

That looks like an absolutly amazing trip! I have always wanted to swim with the dolphins, and almost did in Mexico...now I am determined to make it happen!!

Looks glorious!!

Rebecca Jo said...

How awesome to spend that time with the dolphins!!!!

Gooser is going to kill you when he's older with the Butt-crack picture! :)

I love how colorful the buildings are too!! Looks like an amazing time!

Allison said...

That looked like an amazing day! What fun. We had hoped to swim with dolphins on our last trip to Hawaii, but it didn't work out with our schedule.

Jenni said...

What a fun day!

I am as afraid of dolphins as I am of sharks though...I don't know why but they scare me to death!

noble pig said...

OMG Jen, you guys must have been exhausted...that is a full day. I would have done the foot push with the dolphns...so cool!

Aleta said...

OMG - I'm so envious - I've always wanted to swim with the dolpihs. I LOVED those pictures! How cool!!!

Anonymous said...

That is a memory the boys will have forever, it's the stuff boy's dreams are made of.

Poor Gooser moping, but it looks like he brightened up once he hit the water.

Nice to have you back.

AV

Jen said...

Wow what a vacation! I would so love to swim with dolphins someday!

Susie said...

Swimming with the dolphins is a once in a lifetime kind of thing! We did this on our honeymoon and it is a cherished memory:-)

Rebecca said...

Awesome...I love the foot push and the fact that you can't believe you showed your *upper arm* in a bathing suit. Lunch looked delicious and everyone looks so happy! These are the pictures you go back to after a severely winter-y day!

Lori said...

That looks so fun!!

And, it was nice seeing pictures of you. :) You look great!

christy060276 said...

Hi Jennifer,
My name is Christy and I am Missy's sister from Two Little Monkeys. Missy told me about your vacay and swimming with dolphins. That is on my bucket list also and I am very thankful that you posted the pics for us to enjoy! It looks like you guys had a blast! I must admit...I am a little jealous, though:) Hope you have a great day!

johanna said...

what a fantastic trip those pictures are stunning!

y u l z said...

I Love DOLPHINS ~ whoaaa bring me back few years ago when I got the chance to see them performed at the zoo. i missed that moment

A Girl said...

Swimming with the dolphins is seriously on my Bucket List!

Anonymous said...

OMG that all looks like a blast!!! I went swimming with dolphins once and loved it. I can't wait to take Z when he's older...I think it is something everyone should get to do.... ;)

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