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Monday 8 February 2010

Cruise - Tortola - #3..

This is the sight that greeted us as the ship was docking in Tortola.


it was raining!


Pouring down in fact.

I didn't care though because today I was about to fulfil one of my dreams.

We had breakfast at 7 a.m. and by 8 a.m. the ship had docked and we were allowed to disembark.  I had to meet for the trip I'd booked on the dockside at 8.50 a.m., so I kissed MWM farewell saying 'see you at lunchtime' and walked down the gangplank.  MWM went up onto deck 14 to wave me off.




MWM didn't want to share my adventure as it involved water - he doesn't swim, so he was quite happy for me to go without him whilst he read his book.   My adventure was just a short bus ride away and I sat next to a lovely lady called Pushpa, who was just as excited as I was.

We arrived at our destination and were given instructions on what would be happening, then we were given a life jacket before being led to the water, where we entered in single file waiting to be introduced to 'Galileo'.

Have you guessed yet?

Galileo is a dolphin!

Here's a short video of me fulfilling my dream of swimming with a dolphin.



I cried each time I touched Galileo, he was just so beautiful, his skin was velvety to the touch and he talked to us.   We were in the water with him for over an hour and it was the most magical time, I could have stayed there forever, unfortunately our time was up and we had to return to the ship.

MWM was waiting for me when I got back and I told him all about it during lunch, unfortunately he had to wait until we got home to see what I'd experienced.    MWM copied and edited the DVD I'd bought to what you see above.

After lunch we took the umbrella from our suite and took a walk into Road Town (the port at Tortola).  It was such a grey day that we didn't take any photos - besides I'd had my excitement for the day.   At least the rain was warm.

By the time we got back onboard it was time for the general knowledge quiz in Connexions where we scored 130/200, which wasn't bad considering there were only two of us and the other teams were all teams of 4 and 6.

We set sail around 5 p.m. and the ship was rockin'n'rollin let me tell you.  It was funny watching people at dinner (including us) starting off with a full bowl of soup only to find most of it on the tray by the time we got to our table!

That night's show was an Abba tribute, which was excellent - everyone joined in singing, then we watched the comedian at Connexions.     We retired to our cabin to sleep and looked forward to our next stop on the cruise.   The rockin'n'rollin didn't bother us and I think I dreamed of dolphins!

PS Did I mention that the ship's captain, Charlie Carr, was born in Wigan, Lancashire, about 20 miles from where I live?

Join me next time for St. Maarten.

45 comments:

Elaine Denning said...

Wow! That must have been an incredible experience. I've never been in the water with a dolphin but I've seen a few shows and even they have brought me to tears. You lucky girl!

Dumdad said...

What an utterly wonderful experience. I've always wanted to do exactly that; I love water and should as I'm a Cancer the crab. And you have a great DVD to relive these magical moments again and again. My "envy meter" keeps rising!

PS Can I ask a question that you don't have to answer (of course). Was it expensive to swim with the dolphin?

secret agent woman said...

Isn't the water there amazing? Sounds like a great experience with the dolphin.

Akelamalu said...

It was an incredible experience Laney. I've seen dolphin shows which have brought tears to my eyes but this experience was on a different level altogether!

You have to do it Dumdad! It cost £95 then $35 for the DVD but I'd have paid double for the pleasure believe me. :)

Oh the water is just such a beautiful colour SAW and so clear. My dolphin experience will live with me forever. :)

Nessa said...

Oh, you lucky duck. I always wanted to swim with a dolphin. How fantastic for you.

Dark

Valerie said...

Swimming with dolphons is my ambition unrealised. How wonderful for you... I think I too would have had tears in my eyes.

CrAzY Working Mom said...

Oh my! You're so lucky. Simply amazing. :) It has always been a dream for me to swim with dolphins as well. I'm so glad you got to fulfill yours.

Thanks for sharing it with us.

Dumdad said...

Akela,

Thanks for letting me know - I'd say that was well worth the price. In fact, what you experienced was priceless really.

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

wonderful!!! magical!!! i am so happy for you that you got to do this!

i have not been on the carnival victory but have been on the bigger ones. i would like the victory though!

smiles, bee
xoxoxoxoxoxo

MarmiteToasty said...

smiling from ear to ear for you.... it and you look amazing.... priceless..

x

CG said...

What a wonderful experience; I would LOVE to that. I got quite choked up watching the video - very moving!!

buffalodick said...

How fun! My wife tried to do that once in Florida, but the place was having some kind of kid's day event...

Akelamalu said...

I do consider myself very lucky Nessa. I hope you get the chance to do it too.

It's amazing just how many people have the dream of swimming with dolphins isn't it Valerie?

I hope you get to fulfil your wish too CWM x

You're right Dumdad it was priceless.

Thanks Bee. I'm posting a photo of the Carnival Victory on my next instalment. :)

Aw cheers Marmie xx

Practially all the people in the water were choked up CG, it is a very moving experience.

Oh what a shame your wife didn't get to do it Buff. I hope she gets another chance at it.

Linda said...

That had to be one of the best experiences of your life to be able to fulfill a dream like that! And being in the water, the rain didn't matter at all, did it??

Ron said...

clap...clap...clap!!!

OMG, the video of you with the dolphin was faaaaaaaaabulous!!!!

I can't believe you got to KISS him too!

Oh, man...I would have cried too. In fact, I got all emotional just watching YOU. Dolphins are the most lovable creatures, aren't they?

BRAVA, m'dear!

I SOOOOOOOOOO enjoyed this post!

Thanks for sharing!

X

Akelamalu said...

Oh it was Linda! What rain? (wink)

I just knew you'd love it Ron. :)

Anonymous said...

I loved that video of you swimming with the dolphin. How cool is that. I have never done than and would love to. What an experience of a life time. :) Thanks for sharing. This cruise was so cool :)

Anonymous said...

I absolutely love dolphins and am fortunate enough to live in a place where they swim regularly. Amazing animals :0)

lady macleod said...

I love the butterfly. I took a ride over from The Zen of Motherhood for a visit which I have quite enjoyed.

What a wonderful dream and how brilliant that you were able to fulfill it in such grand fashion. I wish more of the human population would make their dreams come true - wouldn't it be a grand ole world then?

Mike Minzes said...

Hope the trip is going well!

TBM said...

You always go on the most awesome holidays, Akelamalu! Your dolphin video nearly had me in tears too. What a special experience. XO

Daryl said...

What a wonderful experience ..

aims said...

Oh my! I've always wanted to do that. The dolphin would be able to see my gills and we would swim off into the wild blue yonder together - I'm just positive that would happen.

I'm so happy you got such a wonderful experience. Envious too I must admit but only a little because you deserve to have an experience like that!

Akelamalu said...

Glad you enjoyed the video Thom and I hope you get to make your own one day. x

You live where dolphins swim Eternally Distracted?
Do you want to adopt me please?

Welcome Lady Mcleod, you are so right - if only more people could make their dreams come true it would be a wonderful world indeed. :)

The trip is well and truly over Realliveman we got back on the 28th January!

I have been very lucky to holiday in some amazing places JAPRA. Glad you enjoyed the video m'dear. x

It certainly was Daryl :)

You would so have loved it Aims. I hope you get to do it one day. x

quilly said...

I know that must have been a super and thrilling experience. How very lucky for you.

Spiky Zora Jones said...

I remember being on the port side of the ship and dolphins swimming along side...what an incredible sight. YOu had a wonderful cabin honey.

St. Maartin...what a nice island thought I loved St. Thomas so much more. Funny how different the Dutch side looks compared to the French side. It was fun there...

later sweetie. I can't wait to hear about your St. Maartin visit.
xxx

G-Man said...

I've heard that dolphins can get a little 'frisky'...

Akelamalu said...

It was, thankyou Quilly.

We experienced dolphins swimming alongside the speedboat taking us from our Maldive island to the airport on Male at the Millenium Spiky - it was just magical! We didn't go to St Thomas and only saw the Dutch side of St Maarten.

Akelamalu said...

Galileo was the perfect gentleman G-man ;)

Unknown said...

What delightful experience you had. I could feel the energy pass from the dolphin to you and from you to the dolphin. Your bond of universal friendship and love is another example that we are all one.

Slamdunk said...

Wow, congrats on the dolphin encounter. That must have been unreal.

A Lady's Life said...

I loved this!!
I love Dolphins!
I think they are one of Gods most treasured mammals.
So gifted and so friendly to people.
:)

Cloudia said...

How Wonderful!!

Funny, I posted something about swimming with dolphins today too.

Love cruising with you


Aloha, Friend!


Comfort Spiral

Anonymous said...

What an incredible experience! I want to do this too ... seriously! I suspect my sister would enjoy it too. I can't wait to share your wonderful post with her. Kudos to MWM for editing your DVD so we could enjoy these excerpts. Thanks for sharing.
Hugs and blessings,

cheshire wife said...

What a pity the weather wasn't better.

maryt/theteach said...

Akalamalu, it has always been my wish to swim with a dolphin! Lucky you! I watched the whole video! :)

Susan at Stony River said...

What an amazing thing! Galileo's so beautiful, and I wonder what he was saying? Wow -- just WOW!

Γ.Ι.Δ.Α. said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Unknown said...

I am awed! Can anything surpass swimming with Galileo?

Akelamalu said...

The energy was truly amazing Dave, totally what I expected and thrilling!

It was Slamdunk! Welcome and thanks for commenting.

Oh yes, I so agree with everything you say about dolphins A Lady's Life :)

Aha, great minds think alike Cloudia!

You must do it Happily retired, fulfil your dream!

As we were in the water the weather really didn't matter Cheshire Wife.

Teach I hope you get to fulfil your wish someday it is the most wondeful experience.

That's exactly what I said 'WOW', well that was when I wasn't too choked up with emotion Susan!

No, I don't think it can Nick. :)

Travis Cody said...

Fantastic! I couldn't have done that...I don't swim and water makes me nervous. But I would have sat on the shore and watched.

nitebyrd said...

What an amazing experience! Looks like the dolphin had a good sense of humor!

Nishant said...

Isn't the water there amazing? Sounds like a great experience with the dolphin.

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Julia Phillips Smith said...

Like Dave, I could see the exchange between you and the dolphin. He was really feeling your vibe. He rose up in the water so he could get a good look at you.

Wow. I am SO happy for you, that you got to do this magical thing you've always dreamed about!

Akelamalu said...

MWM doesn't swim either Trav so he didn't come with me but he enjoyed seeing the DVD.

The dolphin was smiling all the time Nitebyrd!

Oh Julia it was just amazing, so emotional for me to fulfill my dream. :)