Ocean World

We had another adventure day planned on Friday. When I researched fun and exciting things to do in the Dominican Republic, I saw some dolphin adventures somewhere. When I asked Bob about it, he said that some friends of theirs took their boy to Ocean World and of all the things they did on their trip, the dolphin experience was all the young one talked about. Bob said he wouldn't especially recommend it for adults, but the kids just love it. So we booked an all day tour for a pretty penny, met our bus, and went to the park.

 

When we got there, it was a little chaotic. Some people were complaining, others were trying to pay, workers were trying to organize the guests, and we were shown to the amphitheater for the upcoming sea lion show by an employee. Nicco didn't want to wait. I think he was wishing he was on the beach.

 We looked out on the marina while we waited.

 Finally, the stars of the show arrived on stage:

Nicco loved the sea lion show. The critters were very silly and well trained and they put on a great show. When it was over, they brought out their newest addition, a four week old baby named Marina.

 So cute!

My pictures got out of order, apparently. Drat. Oh well...a sea lion doing tricks. Fun stuff!

After the show was over, the same gentleman who showed us to our seats greeted us and asked us how we liked it. We said we wanted to find lunch, asked for directions to the cafeteria, and he said "I'll give you a courtesy tour so you can look around and then you can have lunch." Patrice and I aren't naive travelers. We're not stupid. We assumed that because the guy was wearing an Ocean World shirt, he was going to give us a courtesy tour of the park so we could get oriented and have a feel for how our day would go. But, he proceeded to take us off site in a golf cart in and around the time share villas. After about 5 minutes of this, Patrice and I had it. I told him to take us back, he said we wouldn't miss anything, the next show didn't start for another 40 minutes. Patrice said, firmly, "Look. We are paying for a day at Ocean World with our boy. Take us back so we can enjoy it." We were both pretty furious, mostly at how sneaky it was. They shouldn't let the time-share reps inside the park. Grr. We only lost a little time, ate our really awful free lunch, then found the spot to watch the shark show.

The trainers really played up the drama, even though these were nurse sharks, not great whites.

 They gave us an anatomy lesson...this is a girl...

 and this is a boy.

 Up close and personal. Nicco was sure those whiskers were poisonous fangs. Shark, after all.

 This is my new favorite picture. Look at those bright blue eyes!

 After the sharks, we saw a bird show. That was fun.

 Then we went snorkeling in the little reef aquarium.

We took turns because we had a big beach bag with all our cameras and money. I asked for a key to one of the lockers I saw around the corner and the guy said they don't have keys, but we can just leave our bag behind the counter. "I'll watch it, I'm the supervisor. It will be safe, trust me." Uh, sure. Ten minutes later, there was no one at the counter and then the first guy was replaced by another guy.

When we finished snorkeling, we thought we had half an hour before the dolphin show so we were going to look for the tiger habitat. We were stopped by a trainer who asked us where we were going. I told him we wanted to see the tiger. He said they aren't feeding the tiger for a while, but the dolphin show is starting in just a few minutes. Then he said there is an opportunity for kids to interact with the dolphins in the show. Would we like our boy to have that chance?

We decided earlier not to pay for any of us to swim with the dolphins because on top of the price of entry, the fee for the experience was pretty outrageous. The trainer, Alex, told us that the show interaction is free. They cannot ask for money, but if we want to tip them, it is much appreciated. You understand? He asked. Yes, Alex, we understand. We jumped on that "free" opportunity.

Nicco got geared up and we waited for the show to start.

 Alex came to get Nicco for his part in the show. He was a little timid and intimidated, but he did great.

 (out of order again, watching and waiting...)

First, he wiggled his fingers to make the dolphins sing,

 Then they took him on a boogie board ride around the arena,

 then the trainer held Nicco on his hip and waited for two dolphins to place their noses under his feet and lift them up into the air.

 They swam like that for a bit then the trainer tossed Nicco up and the dolphins swam away. He got salty water in his eyes and up his nose and he didn't like that, but I was giddy! It was so fun to see our boy in the show!

 He got his picture taken with the dolphins,

 then I got to pet them and take a picture with them too.

 So softy!

Pretty and friendly. What a great experience!

We tipped them less than the price of the dolphin swim, but more than was necessary, according to Bob. He said that our tip probably sent them over the moon! Well, it was worth it for us!

Next we wandered around the rainforest and saw the birds...

 he got to hold one of the show parrots like a baby! Because it was low season, Nicco got lots of opportunities he would not have had otherwise.

We had an exhausting and exciting day. He will certainly have some stories to tell when he gets back!