COOK ISLANDS

                          FEAST FOR A KING

Most of the road around the island of Aitutaki was little more than  tire tracks. However, about two miles before we reached an absolutely gorgeous park we hit a paved road. This park was at the lagoon’s edge. Palm trees grew everywhere affording relief from the hot sun. Picnic tables were scattered around a central area near a BBQ setup.

Islanders had laid out the most fantastic feast for our lunch.    The yellow fin tuna was delicious and absolutely the best I've ever eaten!

The chef told us, “The fish is sliced very thin and dipped in a marinade and then it is cooked quickly.”

When asked for the marinade ingredients he smiled, “It’s a family secret.”

All the food was served on woven palm fond plates. All the large serving dishes were also woven making for one of the prettiest tables I’ve ever seen. Included in the meal were all kinds of fruits, and salads. It was a feast fitting for a king and that day we felt like kings and queens!

            Local musicians serenaded us for over two hours while we ate.  The music was delightful and the setting was magnificent.  We lingered over the most enjoyable lunch just relaxing, talking and eating. This day is a treasured memory!

The friendly sweet people definitely know what’s important in life. The pace is slow and relaxed. The people are happy and content living in this lovely island paradise. I truly fell in love with the place!

COOK ISLANDS

AITUTAK

  Aitutaki, 155 miles from Roratonga, is generally referred to as an almost atoll because of its unique structure  The island  actually consists of lagoon, coral reef, and scattered sand islets with  a high volcanic island at the northern end. It covers only eight square miles and is the northern most island of the southern islands in the Cook chain. A low barrier reef protects its triangular shaped lagoon which has 15 small uninhabited islands in it with the whitest of white sand beaches and beautiful clear water, all fringed with coconut palms.  

The rolling hills are lined with banana plantations and coconut palms. Until 1960 these were the main exports with most of the fruit being shipped to New Zealand.

            We left the ship in the zodiacs about 8AM. We maneuvered through a cut in the reef but we did not have to surf as we had at Atiu. The flower lei is a symbol of love and peace and we each were  given one.

    We walked, uphill to a large recreation hall where we sat on benches to watch a dance demonstration accompanied by a small island band. The dancers ranged in age from kindergarten age  to those in their late teens. Some of the older dancers were very good. After the dancing we were offered a cool drink before loading les truck for an island tour. These vehicles were a bit more comfortable than the ones on Atiu.

Arutanga is the main village. Religion is a large part of island life. The Congregational Church is the major religion of the Cook, Society, and Samoan Islands, and the large white church was built by English missionaries in 1821. Baskets woven from coconut leaves and finished with braided looped handles made from hibiscus fiber are a popular island craft.

            This island was lush with foliage, and the large heart-shaped elephant ear leaf of the taro plant was everywhere. Coffee, pineapple, breadfruit, papaya, mango, guava, and oranges are also grown . Cows, goats, chickens, and wild pigs grazed everywhere, but there are no dogs on the island. Fish is the main protein source of the island diet. A boat with supplies arrives once a month. Nearly everything, except fruit and vegetables, needs to be imported.

Life is ruled by the island council. Each of the seven villages has one representative to the council. All the land belongs to the people and the government must lease the land for their buildings. The total island population is 2500.

Tourism is a major source of income. The island’s two hotels and seven guest houses are able to accommodate the island’s 1000  annual visitors. Tourism is in its infancy and the yet unspoiled island paradise is what Hawaii was in the 40s and 50s before its tourism explosion.

There are some public cemeteries, but there is no law prohibiting one from burying relatives in their yard and many do. Yard graves and memorials were a fairly common sight.

There are four primary schools on the island but for higher education one must go to Rarotonga.

Small boats took many of us out to the sand bars to snorkel the reef. The numerous fish could be seen with the naked eye as the water was so clear. Venturing into the deep holes revealed an underwater spectacle. I swam among the fish until I got chilled and then reluctantly got out of the water to warm up again in the tropical sun.

I was really taken with Aitutaki and certainly could spend a wonderful peaceful restful vacation there.

GRIZEDALE NATIONAL FOREST

A UNIQUE HIKE

            In England we did many great hikes, one that stands out in my mind was through the sculpture of the Grizedale National Forest. Enroute we were told, “In the 10^th century peaceful Vikings came to this area. Many married the villagers. Monks from 1150-1539 dominated this area. In 1539 Henry VIII destroyed the monastery and sold the property to landowners.”

Scotch pine is the only native coniferous tree in the area and the English oak the only native deciduous tree.  In the 17^th century the larch tree was introduced for its aroma and medicinal uses.

Our guide continued, “In 1936 one could purchase parcels of 1500-2000 acres. During World War II women tended the farms when the men went off to war. The Forest Commission was formed after the war ended. Soon after, lodgepole pines were planted on the high area.

“In 1960 English representatives went to the United States to study the park system and brought back many ideas to England.  Grizedale was one of the first forests in England opened to the public. In the mid 1970s sculptures were allowed and encouraged. They can be made of wood, stone, or metal.  There even is a special sculpture map of the park.”

The hike started out with us climbing 500 feet straight up a rocky eroded path, but the view when one reached the top was magnificent! We viewed many sculptures hiking that day. Some were really neat, some conventional, and some pretty weird. It made the hike interesting—sort of like a treasure hunt. It was a fun afternoon.

            In England people live and farm in the parks. While hiking, during our visit, we opened many a gate to continue on our way.

During a lecture we learned that today there are many pressures on the National Parks. One of the most urgent and biggest problems is the impact of tourism. The area needs tourist income, but how to control the impact of many people using and enjoying the landscape. Then there is the need for tourist facilities and control of building and type of structures, all of which impact the growth. The need of the residents is always  present. Modern farming methods and commercial forestry are also needs.

Erosion is a constant problem, often caused by people straying off paths destroying vegetation. Repair of paths is a constant man-power and financial problem.     Leveling walk-ways, providing disabled access, identifying drainage problems, replanting and protecting such from sheep and deer are other problems facing the area. It might be said that the area has been loved to death. Trying to find a quiet balance is a challenge.

LOWITZ, POLAND

POLISH COUNTRYSIDE

            It is always nice to get out of the city and ride through the countryside. When in Poland we stopped at the Bernardine Monastery where the nuns had prepared and served us lunch.

            The nuns basically run a soup kitchen serving lunch to several poor people every day. They were expecting us and I must say it was one of the most memorial meals I’ve ever had. The vegetable soup was delicious and the bread was hot out of the oven. It was not elegant dining but it was a delightful time. The nuns were friendly and gracious and it was a pleasure to add to their coffers. When we left, the nuns standing on the front stoop, serenaded us with their lovely voices.

            When we arrived at the Lowicz Castle ruins musicians and dancers were waiting for us. Dressed in native costume they performed songs and dances specially for us. This was a real native performance, not some commercial affair.

Lowicz is a small native Polish village. The spokesman for the group explained, “I bought these ruins a few years ago and built this building on the grounds. My wife and I live here. Eventually, I want to restore part of the castle.”

            They were most gracious people and invited us into their home. I don’t know much about the history of the castle but it looked like he had an ambitious restoration project before him.

            Inside the home the man’s wife and a girl maybe 11 or 12 years old were doing some paper cutting. We all stood gaping in amazement at the intricate designs they were creating with sheep-shearing shears! The designs were beautiful and the shears were so big. I couldn’t imagine the patience it would take to accomplish such a fine art.

            We asked if the designs were for sale and were stunned when they said they ranged from 6-10 zoltys which translated into $2-3. We learned that this craft is unique to only this part of the country. I treasure my paper cutting and have it hanging in my living room.

As we were leaving, the fellow climbed a small hill to give us a cannon salute from his real live cannon. What a nice tribute!

CROSSING TO LABRADOR

                                                      A FOGGY CROSSING    

            We had to line up for the 10:00AM ferry crossing from Newfoundland to Labrador an hour ahead of time. The MS Apollo is a large ferry and at first we wondered why it was coming into the pier bow first. Suddenly the bow of the ship started to open and I remarked, “The whale is opening its mouth!”

After the bus was parked in the ferry’s bowels, a crew member met us to escort us up the stairs to the lounge. The 90-minute crossing of the Strait of Belle Isle was smooth but it was so foggy and misty that you could hardly see the water from the top viewing lounge. The radar kept rotating and the fog horn blew on a regular schedule. There was no hope of seeing an iceberg and we just hoped we didn’t hit one! The average annual rainfall in this area is 35-40 inches.

            Normally this time of year there are several icebergs floating down stream. I found it disappointing  not to have better visibility but also pretty disconcerting not knowing what was out there in the cold water.

            However, all went well and we disembarked at noon in Labrador. An interesting area which I’ll detail another day. Incidentally during our time in Labrador we saw one iceberg. All the locals said we were too late that they had all passed much earlier than normal.

SWIM WITH DOLPHIN

SNORKELING HIGHLIGHTS and PETA

            If you read about my prescription mask months ago, you may recall that I’m claustrophobic so I do not scuba.

            In Belize we worked on the dolphin project part of each day and were told, “The snorkeling is great here in the lagoon. There are 46 species of hard coral growing in Belize plus many varieties of soft corals and sponges. We will snorkel around so you can see different places. The marshes and lagoons are just full of diverse marine life.”

            I have to start by saying that I’m no expert but I have snorkeled in may places around the world, including the Great Barrier Reef twice, and the very best has been in Belize.

We did snorkel every day, always in a different location. Sometimes the water was pretty deep, other times over a reef it seemed shallow enough to drag your belly over it if you didn’t suck that tummy in. The snorkeling was always great. One day I hung suspended staring at a barracuda. We both just stayed still and looked each other in the eye. Eventually I backed off and swam away.

The water was warm and crystal clear. Each day I thought the snorkeling could never be as good as the day before.  But it was!

At Lighthouse Reef it was like swimming in an aquarium!  Every kind of coral must grow here. I saw all kinds I had never seen before. What a thrill to just stay suspended over the reef and watch all the activity. This is positively the best snorkeling I’ve ever done.

 This might be a good time to relate one of my favorite adventures.

Peta is a female bottlenose dolphin who lives among the atolls of Belize. She used to be called Peter until he was discovered to be a she.

            At Lighthouse Cay we all swam around for about an hour over the reef in the aquarium-like clear warm water, but although Peta is known to hang out here she was nowhere in sight.

            We were all actually back on the boat when our researcher yelled, “Peta! There she is. She came to see us after all.”

Before anyone got back in the water we were told, “Peta loves to play. Because too much splashing and kicking is a signal to her to play, move in the water slowly. She is big and she could create a dangerous situation if she gets excited. You may enter the water 3-4 at a time and swim around with her for a bit, then when those get out of the water another 3-4 can go in.”

While I was in the water Peta headed for her favorite spot—the anchor. I watched her nose around in the sand and eat her find of fish. Then she came back to the surface and swam close to give me a friendly nudge as she circled by. I swam around the boat several times with Peta within an arm’s reach, but I never tried to touch  or harass her in any way.  What a thrill!

No one knows for sure where she goes or what Peta does at night, or even if she socializes with other dolphins. She is always seen alone and she obviously likes to socialize with humans.

In fact she got between a so-so swimmer and the ladder blocking the swimmer’s exit from the water as if saying, ‘stay a bit longer and play’. When the swimmer began to panic the researcher jumped in the water to divert Peta’s attention so the swimmer could get aboard the boat.

Swimming with Peta was the highlight of an absolutely fabulous exciting day!

BEST LAID PLANS

AN INTERESTING INVITATION

          I was close to 65 when I had a phone call from a roommate I’d bunked with in Belize. She was about five years older than I, and she wanted to go down to the Sea of Cortez.

            After the general niceties of a call from someone you’ve only known briefly, she said, “How would you like to go to the Sea of Cortez? My usual travel buddy thinks roughing it is room service at one of the big hotels. I don’t know anyone who would be willing to sleep in a pup tent on the beach.”

            Had I told her I was an old Girl Scout? Of course since we’d met doing a dolphin project on  an isolated atoll in Belize might have given her a hint that  I’m pretty open to any adventure, so I responded, “Well, tell me about it.”

            She did and when all was said and done, I told her, “That really sounds like fun. I do have one condition though.”

            “What’s that?”

            "I want to come home on the Copper Canyon Railroad instead of flying home.”

            “I’ve never done that so sure, I agree to that. You want to take care of those

reservations and I’ll take care of the trip? Then we can settle up.”

            The day I was to meet her in the L A airport, a fellow on my plane decided to have a heart attack. We had been in the air less than an hour. The pilot informed us we had to circle in order to dump fuel so we could land safely. An ambulance was waiting on the tarmac for the patient, who incidentally did ok, when we landed. Then we had to refuel so I was delayed and our lunch plans in LA went out the window.

            I had told my friend on the phone before leaving, “I’ll be wearing a maroon jogging suit.”

 So as I hustled to my LA departure gate at least a dozen people said, “Oh you must be W----. She’s at the gate.”

            She had waited at my arrival gate as long as possible, then she informed people along the route to keep an eye peeled for me.  Many did. I arrived at the gate minutes before they were to let my seat go. We were happy to see each other and we had a wonderful informative carefree time camping on a lovely uninhabited island. Lots to tell in other posts.

            We made seven trips together before she sadly died. She was a trooper!

A HOT CITY MARKET

                            A Little Claustrophobic For Me

            When my son and I were in Nairobi, Kenya, it was suggested that we might like to visit the local city market, which was within easy walking distance of our hotel. After receiving directions we took off and had no difficulty finding it.

            There were hundreds of small stalls within a huge fenced area. The aisles/paths between the rows of stalls were about three feet wide and the whole area was mobbed with people.

           Moving about was a slow process. The closeness and numbers of people made it stifling hot inside and the aroma can be best described as the worst case of BO you have ever experienced and then multiplied fifty times. It was overwhelming.

          Prices started very high and then one was expected to play the barter game; a game I do not enjoy. So after seeing what it was all about and getting a good taste of the crafts available I said to my son, “There are too many people smoking here for me. Besides the odor, I see this as a real fire trap if anything should catch fire. Have you seen any exit other than the entrance where we came in?”

          Agreeing, he answered, “I’ve seen enough. I’m ready to go anytime.”

          So we left. When we got outside the fence where we could breath again my son checked his backpack which was pretty well loaded  with camera gear.

            He groaned, “Son of a gun, someone cut my pack. That’s a razor cut. Nice and clean. You know I was pretty uncomfortable in there so I just kept moving about and that is probably what saved me. If I’d been still for a minute they would have gotten this expensive lens.”

I expressed my concern and then told him, “I think we can sew and repair that slit in your pack. The important thing is they didn’t take anything. You were smart to keep moving.”

I know there are many people out there who love this kind of experience; it’s just not for me. My son had worked hard to buy his camera equipment and we were to go on safari the following day. He was lucky to still have what he needed to take the wonderful pictures documenting a fabulous trip.

         

Midway 's WW II History

                                                More  Midway History

During WW II there were 29 BPY sea planes able to carry a 4000 pound bomb load stationed at Midway. These planes, able to fly only 100 miles per hour, were very slow. Before the days of advanced radar it was decided to load these planes with 4000 pounds of fuel instead of bombs and use them as reconnaissance planes. This way they could fly 2700 miles in 27 hours. Generally they flew a 7 mile radius around the atoll. Since Japanese carriers needed to be within 100 miles of their target this strategy gave the US early warning and advantage of any attack

In March 1942,the Halsey-Doolittle raid bombed Tokyo, which made the Japanese determined to wipe out US carriers. The Battle of Midway took place June 4-6, 1942. Most of the battle took place 100 miles from Midway, but the atoll was bombed again. Both the rebuilt hospital and hanger were again hit. The half of the hanger destroyed was never rebuilt and the hospital for the duration of the war was underground.

The US sank four Japanese air craft carriers plus numerous other ships. Shore artillery hit and damaged two Japanese ships and several aircraft at the atoll. The Battle of Midway lasted three days with the Japanese outnumbering  US forces  4 to 1.  The first Japanese naval defeat in 300 years   was the pivotal turning point of the war in the Pacific. From that point on the Japanese were on the defensive instead of the offensive.

One gun remains

The US lost 307 men, but the Japanese lost 3500 men. We lost the carrier Hornet but the enemy lost a total of 28 ships and 108 planes. Of the 112 American planes sent into battle 40 were lost. 26 ancient WW I planes left Midway, flew over low flying Japanese planes with a good success rate. However, only ten of those planes returned to the island and only two of those were ever able to fly again.

The US had broken the Japanese code and were pretty sure ‘AF’ meant Midway. We sent a false message about a broken water system. When an intercepted Japanese message stated to bring water, the US suspicions were confirmed. Thus the US knew when the Battle of Midway would take place and were off their estimate by only five miles and five minutes!

During the Korean War Midway played an important role as a defensive outpost in the Distant Early Warning (DEW) System, and was a port of call and air traffic center during the Vietnam war.

It was hard to imagine the 1200 acre island supporting 3500 people for three decades!

On Eastern Island we saw what was once a Boy Scout camp/retreat that now has returned to its natural state. On Sand Island the enlisted barracks have been torn down. Only the Bravo and Charlie BOQs remain. Termites ate and destroyed both the chapel and the Cannon school. The Officer in Charge house remains and the Senior Officer housing now houses island staff. By its very nature a golf course is not very bird friendly so is now gone. Most of the operational structures remain.

Memorial to the Gooney Bird

In 1969 President Nixon met secretly with Vietnam’s President Thieu here in the original Officer-in- Charge house. In 1978 the air station became a Naval Air Facility and dependents started to leave.  In 1985 a Pan Am 747 China Clipper II visited Midway to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the first China Clipper flight.

 There are 43 designated historical sites/buildings on Midway. Visitors need to remember that Midway is a refuge and not a resort. A resort puts the needs of its people first and a refuge puts the needs of wildlife first and the needs of people second.

That’s the history of Midway in a nutshell. More about the island and our experience there another day.

SOME MIDWAY ISLAND HISTORY

Three  Great Weeks on Midway Island 

      
           I went to Midway island to help on a couple of research projects and to be a travel companion with a friend. Much to my surprise it turned out to be a fantastic three weeks.   Several foreign nationals have lived on Midway for years. The Thais keep the water system running and the Sri Lankans are the mechanics and carpenters.

            Midway Atoll is 1250 miles northwest of Honolulu, just north of the Tropic of Cancer and east of the International Dateline. The atoll is part of the Hawaiian archipelago but is not part of the state. It consists of three low coral and sand islands with a total land mass of 1600 acres. In 1988 the atoll was designated Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and is now managed by the U S Fish and Wildlife Service.

            The Service has strict guidelines which include a required briefing when you learn all visitors are to stay on paved walkways/ roads and designated trails, and some areas are strictly off limits. The air facility operationally closed in 1993. In 1996 President Clinton gave US Fish and Wildlife jurisdiction of Midway. At the time of my visit, Oceanic Society Expeditions was the exclusive tour operator for Midway working closely with USFWS to realize goals of protecting and preserving fish, wildlife, and historic resources. Several research projects have been conducted at the atoll.

The BOQ our hotel for three weeks

            Not long after my visit (just before the turn of the century) Midway was shut down to tourist because of damage to the ecosystem. Now visitation is possible on a very limited basis through a handful of eco- friendly tour companies.

            All infrastructure is on Sand Island which is 1.8 miles long and 1.2 miles at its widest point.  Besides housing, there is a gym, weight room, basketball court, billiards, bowling, tennis courts, library, carpenter shop, transportation shop, and other necessary maintenance buildings, and a new modern medical facility.

            Eastern Island has no structures left except the overgrown runway. Accessible only by boat (we used a WWII era landing craft) to visit.  Visitation to that island is limited to small guided groups.. Spit Island is tiny, has no significant history and is strictly a bird refuge. The few vehicles on Sand Island are for work and maintenance only. We did have golf cart transport available to us for classes, but generally we walked or rode a bike. This was not a hardship!

            A fun tidbit: The last Easter and New Years services/celebrations in the world occur on Midway. If one crossed the International Date Line, 140 miles away, he could attend the first celebrations, then fly back to Midway and attend the last ones.

The tallest point on the island is the 165 foot water tower. All fresh water is obtained by catchment, stored in three huge tanks, sent through two treatment systems, and then pumped through a system to all faucets.  In the era of 3000 residents on Midway water had to be barged in. Today water is not a problem; there is plenty and water pressure is good.

            Midway was the first off-shore island to be annexed by the US in 1867 under the Guano Act. Since there are no bird rookeries on Midway the collection of guano would have been a tedious, nearly impossible task. However, history would prove this to be a most strategic move.          

In January 1903, in response to complaints of Japanese squatters and poachers, President Teddy Roosevelt placed the atoll under the control of the Navy. That spring the Commercial Pacific Cable Company arrived on the island. After the Navy removed the squatters and poachers they appointed the Cable Company  the island custodians. On July 4, 1903, from this station, President Teddy Roosevelt sent the first around-the-world cable which took nine minutes to complete.

            Pan Am set up a base for its Clipper Seaplane Service on Sand Island in 1935. Midway was a regular fuel stop for Pan Am’s Trans-Pacific route which included Honolulu, Wake Island, Guam, and Manila. This operation, including a hotel and restaurant was short lived—only 1935-1941. The US Naval Air Station Midway was commissioned in August 1941.

Many people do not realize that on December 7, 1941 in addition to the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Midway was also shelled. The hospital was demolished as well as half of the hanger. One fuel tank was hit and smoldered for days, but it served as a beacon for returning US pilots. The communication center took a shell wounding the operator and  temporarily knocking out the whole system.  Lt. George Cannon sustained a crushed pelvis but refused to leave his duty station until communications were restored. Then he was bodily removed by his men, but he later died, having bled to death. He was the first Medal of Honor recipient of World War II.

There is much more to tell about this fantastic visit, but this enough for today.

AND STING RAYS TOO

                                                Swimming With Sting Rays

            When I first mentioned swimming with the sting rays in the Bahamas, my granddaughter wrinkled up her nose---until she saw the slick colored brochure in the hotel travel office. She questioned, “Wasn’t it a sting ray that killed Steve Irwin?”

            The agent responded, “Oh that was such a terrible freak accident. But as you can read here for safety all these rays have had their stinging barb removed.”

Feeding the rays

A couple of days later we took the local jitney (small bus) down town. After enjoying a delightful lunch on the waterfront restaurant, we wandered over to the catamaran docked behind the straw market which would take us to Blackbeard Island.

It was about a half hour ride on a gorgeous warm sunny day. Sandals Resorts own half of this island, but the other half is the ray sanctuary. This lagoon contained some flat rocks and when you stepped off you suddenly sank another 6-8 inches.

            There were about 30 rays and some of them were huge. They swam all around often brushing my legs. Rays generally are gentle creatures. When it came time to feed and hold them, I told my granddaughter, “I’m going to get out of the water and go up on the deck to take pictures. I do not trust my footing in the water with a camera.”

            For the feeding those in the water formed two rows so the rays had a path to swim through. Those who wanted to feed were given several pieces of squid.

            My granddaughter exclaimed, “Grandma, they just sucked the squid out of my hand. It was such fun!”

            Afterward a few people wanted to hold an animal. Some were more successful than others, and my granddaughter was one of those who managed to grasp one but it was really big to lift far out of the water.

            Bordering  the sanctuary is a gorgeous powdery white sandy beach  for swimming. It was a delightful afternoon.

SWIMMING WITH DOLPHINS

                   
                A Fun Swim

One of the reasons my granddaughter chose a trip to The Bahamas  for her graduation present was because she wanted to swim with dolphins in the wild. After arrival I made sure that swim was booked for the next day.

It was a 25 minute boat ride to a private island dolphin sanctuary. On arrival a safety and dolphin briefing was mandatory with the emphasis on safety. The sanctuary maintains a pod of 28 animals, and later on the floating dock the trainers told us how they train them. We swam with two females which they said are easier to train. A life jacket was mandatory for everyone getting in the water. Mine was a bit too big and although the straps were tight it wanted to float up around my ears.

In the water we were instructed to form a straight line about 20-feet away from the dock. As the  dolphins swam by  we could stroke and pet them being careful to stay away from their heads.

            After that we worked in pairs. We all received a dolphin kiss. For a hug we were instructed to open our arms wide and let the dolphin come to us. Once the dolphin put his dorsal fins around us we could gently hug her back.

            At one point the dolphin brought each of us food which we took and submerged to prevent the persistent sea gulls from snatching  on a quick dive. Then the dolphins returned to the trainers and on command returned to us to be  fed. It was remarkable how gentle they were.

            To dance we gently tapped the water with our hands which was their signal. The dolphins approached, stood on their flukes so we could take her dorsal fins and dance.

Being pushed by the dolphins

            For the ride we were instructed to float on our stomachs and flex our feet downward. The dolphins approached, nosed up to our feet and swam like crazy across the lagoon to a white flag mounted on the far rocks. They swim so fast that one is propelled out of the water from thighs up. Even though my glasses were strapped to my head, I decided this was a bit more activity than I wanted to indulge in, so I let the young one take a second turn.

            What a fun afternoon! We were both a bit disappointed that we couldn’t freely swim around the lagoon with the dolphins. The crystal clear turquoise water was warm. This experience was a bit different than when I swam with Peta, a wild dolphin in Belize.

            The afternoon was pricy which as a tourist one expects, but I did object to having over an hour to shop in the small gift shop as there was nothing else to do.There were only eight of us swimming with the dolphins so we were not in the water as long as we would have been if there had been 20 of us. We could have better used that hour back in Nassau.