DOLPHINS, SHARKS, PARROTS, TOUCANS, LOVE BIRDS, OH MY

 

I’ve always wanted to swim with dolphins and thought the word “encounter” meant I’d be swimming with dolphins…plural. Well, that wasn’t the case, but it was a wonderful experience nonetheless.

          The ship disgorged its inhabitants after having all those going ashore show photo ID and the ship keycard. The folks going to Ocean World at Puerta Plata gathered in a group and were escorted onto a bus. The bus then took us outside the city to Ocean World. If you look up Ocean World, it states day activities which include, water slides, sea lions, sharks and the main attraction—swimming with dolphins…that must be where I got my original idea.

          The tour guide, Robin, gave us lots of information during the bus ride which included the fact you could rent an apartment just outside the park for $300 a month. He also said not to come in November…too rainy or August…too hot. Maybe a month in the Dominican Republic would work just as well as a month in Costa Rica to get away from Seattle rain. I’ll have to check into that.

          Off the bus, we were led out into the park to a series of docks and eventually to a square dock that enclosed water. The trainer (whose name I never did learn) introduced us to Luna, a seven-year-old dolphin that had been born at the park. He provided instructions on the dos and don’ts with regard to the Luna encounter. The main don’t seemed to be, “…don’t touch her peepee.” This was repeated over and over. I don’t know if it was for the humor or if it was a real fact. At one point I did ask him what would happen if I touched her peepee and he said, “You would make her very happy.” Later on, I tried to talk to him away from the encounter space and came to the conclusion he had just enough English to do his spiel.

          He divided us into two groups and the other group went first. My group watched from the other side as Luna was instructed to perform. She was rewarded each time on completion with a small fish. All those small fishes apparently add up to about 300 pounds at the end of the day.

          Then it was my group’s turn. We got down in the water on a ledge and Luna swam back and forth in front of us, back up, belly up…”Don’t touch her peepee.”…. Then, Luna kissed each of us on the cheek. She followed this by putting her head on our shoulders and allowing us to hug her. Luna then raised herself out of the water in front of each one of us so the photographer could get a photo. Finally, Luna’s trainer had her float in front of me with her tail in my face. I held her tail and apparently my excitement got the best of me because suddenly I was floating and my toes were sticking out of the water on either side of Luna. The trainer wanted to know what I was doing and I was quick to reassure him that, “I didn’t touch her peepee.”

          Finally, we were each given a fish to feed Luna…surprised to find out it was frozen…and then she swam back and forth again so we could touch her as she passed. The trainer also had Luna float on her back so he could show us her peepee and the mammary glands that are on either side. That seemed a bit strange. And, that was the my swim with a dolphin.

          I was surprised to find that Luna did not feel wet even though she was in the water. She didn’t feel cold or warm. She felt firm and kind of silky. I don’t think I’ve ever touched anything else that would approximate how Luna felt. I was also left feeling a bit sad about the experience. Yes, I retired from a zoo. Yes, I’ve had encounters with grizzlies, elephants, gorillas, penguins, hippos, giraffe, zebra, orangutans and other zoo inhabitants, but I’ve also always felt a bit sad about all these animals being in captivity. Not that I would have forgone a single one of those experiences you understand.

Following the encounter, I was fortunate enough to speak with the Director of the Animal Collection. He was out welcoming guests and helping his staff. We had a nice chat although he’d never heard of Woodland Park Zoo, he did say they had an employee who came from San Diego. He also said that in 2018, Ocean World passed a rigorous third-party audit to become the first institution in the Caribbean to earn the prestigious Humane Certified Seal of Approval. The American Humane Conservation program is the first-ever certification program solely devoted to helping verify the humane treatment of animals living in zoos, aquariums, and conservation centers across the globe. (I stole the actual verbiage off the internet.) This gentleman also said the majority of the dolphins at Ocean World had been born there. This information helped with my sad feelings.

Then, I had a Dominican Republic style buffet lunch followed by the Shark show (boring) and the bird show (amazing) and wandered around the park. Very nice attendants took photos of me with the parrot, toucan and love birds (parakeets). Rather than intersperse additional photos in the text, I decided to post these at the end. Here you go. Enjoy...I certainly did in case you couldn't tell.

                                       

SNORKELING and MANTA RAYS

          I thought about how I should post regarding my cruise and decided to just go with the exciting events first…today, it’s SNORKELING and MANTA RAYS.

          First, the snorkeling. I had never done this before and was fairly nervous about it, especially because I do not swim well. One of the women on the boat said the instructions the crew provided were the best she’d ever heard and another woman who had all of her own equipment provided a number of suggestions based on her experience. I was so grateful to both these women as well as the crew of the boat. This is the boat:

          That’s me in all my gear, and that’s me in the water. The experienced woman’s husband was kind enough to take the photos of me. Don’t I look terrific? Doesn’t it appear as though I definitely know what I’m doing? 

                    Let me tell you, I only tried to breath through my nose once…okay, maybe twice. All that does is suck your facemask closer to your face…you get no air. I quickly learned to breath through the snorkel in my mouth. I was also wearing a vest that contained air as well as one of those pool noodles through the vest. They helped hold me up so I didn’t have to worry about drowning due to my lack of swimming ability.

          Actually, you don’t swim. You use your flippers to move you through the water while you’re gazing down into the beautiful blue depths. I saw a number of fish, one of which might have been Nemo, some sea fans and other stuff I couldn’t identify. Eventually, fish came up, mostly yellow ones, but some blue, and swam around me. It was so astonishing to be in the middle of them. The next time I do this, I’m going to have a camera that will take pictures under the water. And, there will be a next time. I loved, loved, loved it.

          Then, it was back in the boat and off to the manta ray experience. This picture is of the crewman in the water chumming (That may not be the word they use, but it's the only one I know.) for mantas. Those dark shapes under the water are the mantas going to him. At one point, and I didn't get a photo, he was surrounded by manta rays...they almost appeared to be climbing on him. I don't know how he chose which one to use for our experience, but eventually, the others all left and he kept just the one you'll see in the photos.

          I wasn’t the first, but I wasn’t the last either to wade out to the crewman to have my time, and photos taken, with the manta ray. As you can see, I even kissed it. They mantas feel very silky and smooth on your body. The crewman also put it onto my back, but those photos weren’t very good so I didn’t purchase.

          Not only that, but the only time I thought about Steve Irwin was when the crewman held up the manta ray’s tail for us to see the wicked barb. Once we all had our time with the manta ray, it was released and swam off to join the others until the next time, I guess. Not to anthropomorphize the manta ray, but I’ve thought some about what the one we interacted with had to say to his/her fellow mantas when they all met up later. Very amused by my imagination was I.

          This was a wonderful experience, although it wasn’t quite what I expected based on the literature about the event. I thought I would actually be swimming among them, rather than having a crewman hold it and arrange for me to hold it for the picture taking. Perhaps I was a bit naïve to think I would actually swim among them. I’m sure there are huge liability issues when it comes to this type of experience. Still, I wouldn’t have missed it for anything. I’d even like to do this again. I believe if you go to Hawaii, you can actually swim with the manta rays after dark. I’ll be looking into that.

          Of course, the majority of the other folks on board the boat were couples. Some seemed to be surprised I was alone; and if asked, I told them my husband had passed away last August and this was my first venture without him. Response comments varied from, “So sorry.”, “You’re so brave.”, to “Good for you.”. Being a widow in instances like this can be very awkward…perhaps I should have just lied, but I’m a horrid liar…will have to share with you the why about this at some point.

ONLY BECAUSE...

I don’t want to miss a day since I said in the beginning, I would post something every single day of 2020.

          My cold seems to be worse today than yesterday, so I haven’t downloaded all the photos from my cruise. I haven’t begun to write any posts about my cruise. The only thing I have accomplished is laundry…only have to get off the couch every hour or so to switch washer/dryer and fold. This morning I went through all my emails and have come to the conclusion that there are a lot of them that I will unsubscribe to when I have more energy. I now wish I had counted before I began deleting, but there were a ton of them where I simply hit the delete button. Several attempts to sort them by “from” only resulted in Outlook freezing up, so instead of deleting en masse, it had to be one by one by one by one…you get the picture.

          Anyway, I’m so sorry I’m not posting a wonderful photo and brilliant (okay, maybe not that adjective) verbiage, but I’m going back to the couch…made me think of Elton John’s Yellow Brick Road…for now. I promise much better posts in the days to come…WITH PHOTOS!!!!

I'M BAAAAAAAAACK...

but this won’t be much of a post for a couple of reasons. First, I’ve only had 4.5 hours of sleep since 6:00 am, Florida time Saturday morning. I did sort of sleep on the plane on the plane from Ft. Lauderdale to LA, but the brats behind me wouldn’t stop screaming and the one directly behind me wouldn’t stop kicking the back of my seat. Their mother tried to make them behave, believe me and must have the patience of Job. The ride from LA to Seattle my seat was on the aisle and I didn’t feel comfortable leaning against the very young man in the middle seat.

The second reason is on Friday, I woke up with a scratchy throat. I went into Key West to a CVS and bought my usual cold remedies, but apparently a Caribbean cold doesn’t recognize Washington State therapy. This morning at 4:00 am, my ears were totally blocked, but they are better this morning. Besides feeling tired, I don’t actually feel too bad.

There are some todos on my list that must be addressed today. Beyond that, I’ll be on the couch with my doggies drinking, drinking, drinking, and having chicken noodle soup. I’ll also attempt to organize my thoughts, notes, and experiences from the last nine days.

Just to begin, it was a WONDERFUL cruise. There were some negatives, but not serious enough to affect my enjoyment. Met some wonderful people…one woman in particular…and had some nice chats. Experienced many “first time in my life” events and cannot wait to share those with you.

This widow went out into the world alone for the first time, from point A to point B and back again. This widow now doesn’t feel quite as untethered as she did before she left. And this widow looks forward to sharing the happenings of the last nine days. Are there any other widows/widowers out there who have their own first time experiences to share? If so, please, please, please do share with all of us.

FAREWELLL ZUIDERDAM

       Today, I leave the Zuiderdam for a little tour around Ft. Lauderdale and then it’s on to the airport and a flight home. While this post won’t tell you what a wonderful time I’ve had, how much I loved the warm blue water, how good the sun felt on my bare skin (hopefully, I was careful and didn’t burn), or how many wonderful people I met and with whom I hope to stay in touch, future posts, beginning with tomorrow’s will.

      And, of course, if things go according to my expectations as I write this on Friday, 2/7, I’ll have a ton of photos that I haven’t published. Of course, given the opportunity to do so, you can bet I posted and shared while on the trip. 

      I also want to thank the folks who helped make this all possible:

• Corina Cantu for her Holland America connection and assistance in getting this trip scheduled.
• Cece Ryan for staying in my home and caring for Karma, Kaizer, Zooey and Mabel...I hope they behaved for her.
• Haley Karlberg for taking over the last couple days because of Cece's previous commitments. 
• Kim Nashif for loaning me necessities I didn't know I needed.
• Becky Sander for sharing her vast experience about cruising.
• Family and friends who encouraged me to go and reassured me over and over that I'd have a wonderful time.
• And, anyone else I may have forgotten to thank here.

         Tomorrow, Sunday, 2/16, my post will be later than the usual 8:00 am time. It’s my hope to have prepared something on my I-pad to post on that day. Something that has photos, raves about manta rays and dolphins, the ship and the people, the food and the fun…let’s face it, I hope to rave about every single thing. 

        My first post home may be a long one which I hope you will enjoy. And, I sincerely hope you’ve enjoyed the posts I prepared and scheduled before I left. I also hope you made lots of comments about those posts...I look forward to reading them.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

            It’s cupid’s day and I sincerely hope everyone who reads this has someone who will give them a hug, kiss, card, candy, dinner, or some fun event in recognition of not only the day but your importance to him or her. May you join him or her in celebrating your relationship.

           I want to share with you how important it is to reach out to the people in your life that you care about. It’s so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day life challenges, whether good or bad (especially the bad), and forget that one person who would leave a huge hole in your life if they were gone for good. True, you eventually become accustomed to that huge hole, or so I’m told. Meanwhile, that large empty space in my life is being filled with lots of regrets, none of which I can remedy in any way.

          As you read yesterday, John and I were each other’s early Valentines. We remained that for many decades, but I now wish I could go back at least five years, maybe more, and ignore the damaging challenges we faced and celebrate the ones we conquered. We mastered many trials and tribulations but John’s health and my impatience left no room for celebration during those last years.

          Our 50^th wedding anniversary is a perfect example of my making the wrong choice. I didn’t want it to be recognized with a party, family event or any kind of celebration. I did buy John a 50^th anniversary card; and we did go out to dinner, but it wasn’t the kind of celebration that event really warranted. With one exception, out of all the friends we had in the beginning, John and I were the only ones to remain married. All the rest divorced; and while we had problems, we hung in there. We should have celebrated for at least a week and invited everyone we’d ever known and each and every family member. We should have stood together and accepted the accolades we so richly deserved. We didn’t and now instead of a wonderful celebration to remember and cherish, I only have regrets.

          John didn’t fail when it came to that anniversary. He bought me a gold wedding band and had it engraved 1966-2016. He remained a romantic through the years, something I didn’t appreciate at the time. In fact, we had an argument not long after the 50^th, and he made me so mad with whatever his comment was about the ring, I took it off and threw it at him. I didn’t see it again until after he died. I found it on top of his dresser. I now wish I had been more patient and understanding, far less irritated; and, let’s face it, just plain unpleasant and miserable. I've worn that ring a lot since I found it last August. When I look at it, I do remember the wonderful things in our marriage it represents, but I also am so very sorry I cannot share those memories with John now.

          My Valentine wish for each and every person reading this blog is that you stop, look at your partner and think about what you cherish most. Let the impatience, frustration, annoyances and anything negative recede to the background…you can always pick it up tomorrow. For today, Cupid’s Day, hug, kiss, appreciate and care for each other as though he or she will be gone tomorrow. You won’t have any regrets…trust me. 

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EARLY

          This evening, about 7:00 pm, will be the 55^th anniversary of when John and I met. A woman I worked invited me to dinner so I could meet a friend of her husband. My daddy dropped me off at their house. My feelings were kinda soso because it seemed like the guys I’d been dating for the last while had all been such losers…buy you dinner, take you dancing, whatever; and they wanted payment at the end of the evening. I lived with my parents and was never willing to go to wherever my date suggested we go. I didn’t expect this “date” to go anywhere either.

          When the door was opened, I bent down to keep the dog from leaping and snagging my nylons. Yes, this was ages ago when a woman wore nylons, a girdle, and nice clothes (in my case a blue and white sweater and blue wool skirt) when going out. My eyes began at John’s feet and travelled upward. Nice shoes, khaki slacks, belt, a crisp, patterned short-sleeved shirt. And, then his face, a very nice smile and those eyes…WOW, was all I could think. Don’t know about John, but for me, I think it was love at first site.

          We had dinner and played a card game. When the evening was over, John drove me home. We sat in his car and necked for the longest time. He was the very best kisser, and I think if he’d suggested going to his house, I just might have gone, I was that in love…and maybe lust.

          The next day I was in a tizzy. I waited and waited for him to call and he didn’t. I was sure I’d been too “easy” the night before with all that necking. My mom and grandma had indoctrinated me on how boys want just one thing and that an “easy” girl won’t be called on again. I really liked this guy. I was really attracted to this guy. I wanted him to call and jumped every time the phone rang.

          Just about dinner time, John did finally call. Would I like to go back to our friends and play cards again that night? Boy, would I. And, that was the beginning.

          Over the next few weeks, we talked often on the phone and saw each other as much as possible. One subject we talked about and agreed on was neither of us was looking for a permanent relationship. We just wanted someone to have fun with. In an effort to keep us from becoming too serious, on Friday nights we each did something with other people…Saturday nights were our date night.

          Regardless of our conversations, John showed up at my house with one single long-stemmed red rose to commemorate the occasion of our dating for one-month (3/13). The next month, John showed up with two long-stemmed red roses. He also began to be a bit surly on our Saturday night dates. It took me a couple of times to realize it was because he didn’t like the idea of my going out on Friday nights without him. The third monthaversary, John brought me three red carnations…roses were getting too expensive. That was also the point at which I told him I wouldn’t go out on Friday nights anymore.

          I won’t tell you how long it was before we consummated our relationship. Initially, it was disappointing, but it didn’t take long before we were both enjoying these wonderful interludes. Since I was still living at home and he lived with his mom, we had to become creative in our efforts to be together. Thank heavens for blankets, darkness and Seattle’s many many parks. Thank heavens too for being so young our bodies were supple and being together in John’s car was also one of our chosen, but not exactly favorite places.

          Toward the end of that summer, my daddy accepted a job out of town and so I either had to find an apartment or move with them. I couldn’t leave John. I couldn’t leave my job. I found an apartment within walking distance of my job in Fremont. Being together was no longer a problem. John didn’t move in, but he spent most weekends with me.

          Funny story here. John had lots of friends. Most of those friends didn’t have girlfriends or wives. They all knew where John was, but do you think they would come by my apartment or phone there?  Nope, they’d call John’s mothers and leave messages…after all, we were sinning. When we were married the following year, they showed up the day we arrived home and never really left until they had wives of their own. I basically became their den mother once we were legal.

          It was also toward the end of summer when marriage came up. Not in the way it usually does with a ring and the asker on his knee. Nope, I was in John’s bedroom waiting for him to change his shoes or something. I was looking (snooping) through his bookcase which held a coffee can over half-full of pennies.

          “What are you saving all these pennies for?” I asked.

          “For rings,” he responded.

          “Rings, I thought you just put rings in your car. How often do you have to do that anyway?”

          At that point, John pointed to his ring finger and said, “No, this kind of ring.”

          I guess that was his way of asking me to marry him because he never actually asked “the” question.

          We referred to each other as our “early Valentine’s” during the ensuing years and never actually celebrated Valentine’s Day. We gave each other cards and gifts and candy on February 13^th. It was our special day.

          This year before I left on this cruise, I went to See’s and bought myself what John always bought or ordered for me…a box of dark chocolates. Tonight, I’ll sit myself on my verandah with my open box of chocolates and let my memory loose to remember some of the wonderful times we experienced together in the beginning. I look forward to sharing more of those memories with you.