The first thing on our "to do" list was the Dolphin Show. As we worked our way through the park to the theater we passed the "Mantra," one of the roller coaster rides. We knew we had to ride it at some point during the day - but first, the 10:00 dolphin show. It started out with water acrobats - glad we didn't break our necks to get there on time. When the dolphins finally entered the show, however, it was well worth the wait. The rest of the show was fascinatingly entertaining. It's amazing what behavior animals can be taught. (That would be proved over and over during the course of the day.)
Cari and I decided this may be a good time to ride the "Mantra" before the park got any more crowded. The wait ended up being only 30 minutes or so - not too bad. The line wound through a cave under an aquarium so we watched fish and stingrays for part of the waiting time. As it got closer to our turn, we turned to each other and said, "Now remind me why we're doing this!?" But you know by the time you get to that point it's too late to turn back. When we saw the previous cars returning, it was a bit unsettling. The passengers were locked into their seats lying on their stomachs, jut hanging there. Okay well that's a new one. I'd never ridden a coaster in that position before ... and believe me, it was just as unsettling once I was locked into place waiting to leave. Wow ... I'll have to say it was interesting! And yes, I did scream through most of it. Cari tried to but she lost her voice the day before we left and still hasn't found it!
From there we went to this little marketplace and got delicious, nutritious hot dogs for lunch - yummm! After lunch we started walking back to the theater for the Whale Show. (We spent a good portion of the day walking back and forth and round and round - not an exceptionally good plan.) We originally found seats down fairly close and even sat there for a good 15 minutes or so. But the more I sat there the more I worried about those signs on the backs of all those bleachers .... "Soak Zone." Cari didn't want her camera to get wet. I didn't want my camera to get wet. Hell, I didn't want to get "soaked." I didn't mind getting splashed ... but soaked? Not so much. Long story short? We ended up moving up. In the end I don't think the section we were originally sitting in got splashed that much so it probably wouldn't have made a difference anyway, but better safe than sorry. They have a new calf, born mid October. He and mom swam out and everyone just "aaawwwwed" at how little he is ... um, he weighed in at 350 lbs at birth. Of course mom is about 6,000 lbs. so I guess she could handle it huh? Again, it jaw dropping what they can teach those animals to do. The first trick was waving - first on one side, then on the other. An ambidextrous whale ... wow! Then he swam right up on the platform and posed - heat and tail in the air. You could really get a good look at how huge and beautiful this mammal is. It was awesome! Then, believe it or not he was twirling around in the water dancing. Incredible! After swimming up and sliding across the main "stage" he came back around to twirl around on the platform - literally, just spinning around and around. The last main trick they had them perform was swimming around the perimeter of the tank, splashing the audience with their tails. It was hysterical.
As we made our way to the next show at the Sea Lion & Otter stadium, we passed these Macaws sitting up in a tree just making all kind of noise and drawing attention. They are gorgeous birds and loved showing off for us. One of the handlers brought a Laughing Kookaburra out about the same time. I wish I had videoed it because it really does sound like it's laughing.
The sea lion & otter show was kind of cheesy but still entertaining. The mime that warmed us up, though, was really, really good. He was much better than the show. It always amazes me how you can communicate so clearly without words if you know how. Just by his facial expressions and gestures he could carry on a conversation better than some people with an extensive vocabulary.
Ice cream time! We had just enough time to find some ice cream before the "Allure of the Ocean" show started at 3:30. I got a soft serve twist in a waffle bowl. It was delish! We made it into the theater by the skin of our teeth (wth does that expression mean anyway?). The acrobats, as always, were mesmerizing and their costumes were beautiful. They make what they do look so easy, but you know it isn't. It takes incredible strength and balance to perform the acts they do. I didn't get any decent photos because the lighting was so low but I'll keep a few of them just for preservation purposes.
We were pretty much done after that show. It was about 4:00. We debated hanging around until the Holiday Tree lights show but in the end our exhaustion won and we decided to head back to the condo. On the way out we passed the Dolphin Nursery. What fun!! One in particular was rather social. He kept coming right up to people hanging around the outside sticking his head out of the water and just playing. It was so cool!
On the way "home" we got lost. No. I mean totally lost. The upside of that was that we literally stumbled by an O'Charley's restaurant and stopped for dinner. Good thing. We were still lost. We needed to eat again by the time we made it back to the condo. No, JK (just kidding) it wasn't that bad but after walking in circles all day I guess we had to drive in circles before finding our way home. Where was the GPS you might ask? Um, back at the condo. Lotta good it did us there, right? No matter, we were safe and had full bellies. Life was good. We knew we'd make it back eventually - and we did.
Oh and one more thing ... Bob was talking about picking something up at the grocery store and for whatever reason he couldn't get the name of it out right. We have a Publix right next door to the complex. All that would come out of his mouth was "Pubix." We laughed until we cried. And it has now become "Pubix" instead of Publix.
So, for today's top three list ...
Cari - Whale show, Mantra (roller coaster), dolphin nursery
Mom - Whale show, "Allure of the Ocean" show, mime at dolphin show
Bob - Whale show, dolphin show, "Allure of the Ocean" show
Me - Whale show, Mantra (roller coaster), "Pubix"
Loot List:
Cari - cards
Mom - mug
Me - mug (from Mom), scarf
So I've weeded my pics. I always take way too many just to make sure I get the shots I want. It's after 11:00 and we're up early for Animal Kingdom in the morning. Everyone else is in bed already but I needed to get this journaling done. So, TTFN ...
good day! And I've never been to a Pubix, have I? funny stuff - way to go, Bob!
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