I felt like a little kid. My body willing me to run toward the park. Between the line for tickets, and the security check at the entrance it took a little longer to get into the park than expected. Our goal was to see everything before we left. Why pay such a large amount of money and not do everything once, or several times?
When we first arrived I was a little worried about sitting in the "splash zones". I had this little battle with my inner child. I really wanted to get wet because how often to you get splashed by a whale? At the same time I just straighten my hair the evening before and I had this image of myself looking like a drown rat with curly hair and no gel to tame the frizz. So I just did it, at the first show I was a little disappointed. The little sea lions weren't enough to splash me....and the walrus didn't even get into the water!
I really can't blame the walrus for his unfortunate weight and the fact that he probably could do a flip if he wanted to. However, it was pretty funny to watch him to a couple sit-ups!
And the Sea Lions did find it in themselves to sing a little Christmas carol for me.
I've always wanted to pet a dolphin...or swim with one, but we'll save that part for later. I thought it was cute, because Paul was willing to do anything to get me the opportunity. When we got there for the first session the line was so long that we weren't going to get through in the hour slot they had available. Luckily we walked by toward the end and they were still allowing people to feed them. It was honestly one of the coolest things I have ever done! Paul and I walked around the rest of the day so proud that we had touched a dolphin.
I was a little sad that we didn't get any pictures of both of us together. This is the only one I was able to get of Paul after riding a few roller coasters. He looks real happy to get his picture in front of the penguins!
I am officially a roller coaster junkie! There was one roller coaster that was fairly similar to splash mountain at Disney. It made quite a large splash at the bottom and poor Paul was in one of the outside seats. He got soaked...and I laughed.
When it got dark and everyone went home I was still pushing him through the lines. I guess it's the adrenaline that gets me. I feel bad because he finally told me that he was cold. Wind and wet clothes...I should have thought about it for a second.
So I gave him my hoodie, and we went to see the Shamu show again!
Isn't it everyone's goal when they go to Sea World to see Shamu? After watching these girls ride and come out of the water on the tops of these large beasts, I was sure that in some other life I was meant to have a career at Sea World with Shamu at my side. If I could start all over again I'm pretty sure I would skip the pain of a music degree and swim with the killer whales. I think it would be the coolest profession in the world, even if I only got paid 6 dollars an hour.
So if you haven't been to Sea World in a while, you might want to take the opportunity to feel like a child again. It will be worth every penny! You might just find yourself wishing you were swimming with whales instead of sitting in an office or doing research.
