Dolphin Spotlight Tour at Sea World Orlando

Dolphins seem to have as much interest in people as we do in them. From ancient times, these sleek mammals have been revered. Poseidon rode a dolphin propelled chariot; Aphrodite and Apollo considered them sacred; Hindu's call Ganga, the Ganges River Dolphin, a deity.

My husband and I refer to a favorite snapshot of my youngest daughter as the one with the dolphin smile. Laura's eyes sparkle, her mouth is open, almost laughing, yet she is too young to have developed that behavior. Every inch of her tiny being radiates bliss. And to me, a bottlenose dolphin's face brings the same delight and happiness.

I snapped this picture of a trainer and her slippery student during unrehearsed practice. The two-some paused for an intimate minute, a bond of love, a near embrace. I, too, know that feeling, an emotional connection between animal and human; I share it with my dog. We snuggle together on my bed; it's sheer contentment, lost in the moment.

A Dolphin Kiss

So, it was with great excitement that I celebrated New Year's Day by taking two of my grandchildren and their parents to Sea World Orlando. I wanted to share my love of aquatic life with them and subconsciously inject an appreciation of nature.

We enrolled in the Dolphin Spotlight Tour for an up-close encounter with the playful sea creatures. The session began with our guide teaching us about positive reinforcement training. Then, we watched the method in action as trainers worked with the animals between shows. (That was when I snapped my photo.)

Next we visited the hospital area. Sea World vets are called out to rescue animals, especially Florida manatees. They nurse back to health and hopefully release them into the wild. However, the dolphins and whales performing in the park were born on site.

Finally the time came for small group hands-on participation. Kelly, a dolphin-care expert, assisted my son, daughter-in-law, two grandchildren and me. She used a special whistle to call Hekili, a male, and his girlfriend, Griffin, poolside. She talked to them and, they talked back, a clicking throaty sound.

The dolphins radiated joy just like Laura's snapshot. They seemed to wiggle with glee, like a dog wagging his tail, panting and begging you to throw the ball. They acted like they couldn't wait to perform. We were able to touch them (they felt like rubber) and examine their bodies. The grandkids were totally involved, except, they didn't like feeding them fish, claiming it felt and smelled yucky.

We learned hand signals and gave them a try. Kyra, who is only four, got a bit frightened when Griffin jumped straight up to touch her Dad's outstretched palm. Kelly gently instructed him to lower his arm.

We hated to leave, our time gone so quickly. I felt envious of the staff's long-term relationship with their special friends. Our connection was fleeting, but priceless. We left realizing we just lived a Kodak moment.

Check out www.SeaWorld.com.

Look under the heading Exclusive Experiences- Educational Guided Tours.

St. Lucia: Small Island, Big Adventure

How many activities can one stuff into 5 days on an island only 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC? Well, I found enough on St Lucia to fill my plate, in fact there’s plenty more for super-sized appetites.

From Miami, connect directly to the Caribbean isle. All-inclusive resorts abound; my choice was Coconut Bay. You’ll arrive in time for a drink and a walk along the beach before dinner.

For starters, I decided to explore the island on an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV). Within a few minutes, I mastered the four-wheeled bike. I zoomed through grassy fields and up rocky ledges, peering at the Atlantic pounding the shore. I scooted onto sandy beaches where wild horses were grazing and then over to a banana plantation. Row after row of trees hung with bunches of green bananas. Having satisfied my taste buds, I returned my big-wheeled bouncing cycle.

For my entree, I spent the afternoon in one of the most glorious sites I’ve ever visited– Jalousie Beach. I snorkeled under the shadow of the pyramid-like Petite Piton, gazing up at its nearby twin, the Gros Piton. These famous mountains are St Lucia’s landmarks, rising like textbook drawings of volcanoes out of the sea. They blossom in lush foliage and are often shrouded in mist.

Scuba diving was an option, and St Lucia ranks with some of the world’s best. But the Caribbean shines so clear; you can see to great depths without the hassle of air tanks.

The next day I took the ultimate island challenge: a hike to the summit of Gros Piton, almost 3,000 feet. The trail of treacherous loose and moss covered rocks rises near vertical in places.  The UNESCO World Heritage site requires guides to safely lead groups through the climb.

View from my hike - halfway up the Gros Piton

Stop at the halfway point. The view is as gorgeous as I imagine the Garden of Eden. Light crystals bounce off the water like shards of glass. The Pitons, in sharp contrast to the turquoise water, shine in ebony beauty. The arduous hike took five to six hours roundtrip. I returned to my hotel exhausted and aching, but wearing an “I Conquered” tee shirt.

On day four, I chose to kayak. Aah, tranquility is silently gliding by the mangroves in a sleek shell. The sapphire lake permitted clear visibility of the colorful tropical fish. My group stopped at Scorpion Island, and fortunately, we didn’t encounter any venomous arachnids. I did find a spectacular conch shell with a radiating fuchsia interior.

Returning once more to Coconut Bay, I rocketed down the water slides in their CocoLand Water Park, coming up with a big grin. To completely relax, I floated twice around the man-made Lazy River until massage time. Indulgence? You bet, but necessary! The Kai Mer Spa enveloped me in jasmine scents as my body soaked in the therapeutically applied oil.

On the last day I squeezed in my dessert: a morning excursion to the Tree Tops Zipline. Letting loose my inner child, I gleefully traversed the rainforest canopy over majestic rivers and plunging ravines. To soar like a parrot was an exhilarating way to end my island extravaganza.

Ziplining through the rainforest

By afternoon I boarded a plane and returned to Jacksonville at nightfall.

Some travelers vacation to escape life; others seek to engage the physical, mental or spiritual challenges. The tiny island of St Lucia offers a lavish banquet to satisfy both hungers. Her natural wonders are a menu in themselves. And, for those who want soup to nuts adventure, she offers a bountiful buffet of eco-friendly options. Fly away and feast on St Lucia.

Beach Resort & Spa: www.coconutbayresortandspa.com
Tree Top Adventures: www.adventuretourstlucia.com
ATV & kayaking: www.islandatvtours.com

Do Leave Home and Travel in 2009

A while back, I hung a magazine ad in my office that read: "Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer."

I believe it's true, and the advertisement would still be posted had it not faded and crumpled off the wall.

Whether you choose to go to a local museum or take an international tour, travel opens our eyes, our hearts and minds. You gain an understanding of the past and an appreciation for different cultures. Perhaps you will connect with someone and create a lasting friendship or take on a new cause because you realize the urgent need.

The US dollar has strengthened and gas prices are at their lowest levels in four years. Yet, the Travel Industry Association predicts a 1.3 percent drop in 2009 leisure travel. If you can afford a vacation, 2009 will likely be a year of travel deals. Take advantage of this opportunity.

Last April, when I traveled in Italy, a euro cost about $1.60-$1.75. Currently a euro is valued at $1.36, meaning the dollar goes farther. (Universal Currency Converter: http://www.xe.com/ucc)

According to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, travel to Europe by Americans was down 4.8 percent in the first eight months of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. If prices fall and the dollar continues to gain, this may be the right time to plan a European trip.

The dollar is also doing better elsewhere. An Australian dollar costs just 67 cents in U.S. currency, down from nearly $1 this past summer, and Canadian dollars are worth just 80 (U.S.) cents now. Earlier in 2008, the Canadian dollar was worth more than a U.S. dollar.

If the recession is hitting you and your travel budget, look for free offerings. Most museums and some zoos open their doors a few hours every week. Visit the library to borrow guidebooks instead of buying them. Ask at the tourist information center for free walking tours; some are provided as printed handouts and others are guided.

Consider home exchange programs (www.homeexchange.com). If you are staying a few days or longer, investigate the possibility of renting an apartment. I almost did this in Rome (www.realrome.com) but decided too late. You must plan far ahead to snag the best locations and rates.
Vacation home rentals usually save over hotels or look for lodging with a kitchen or kitchenette because cooking in costs less. Use consumer reviewed websites like www.travelocity.com to get the honest scoop on what other travelers thought of their stays in bargain hotels.

In the past few years something called couch surfing has taken off. The website www.couchsurfing.com defines themselves as volunteer-based worldwide network connecting travelers with members of local communities, who offer free accommodation and/or advice. I worry about the safety issues, so have not participated and don't know anyone who has, but feel free to comment.

Drop down a notch, skip the taxi and try local restaurants or street food, i.e., the hot dog vendor. While I'm no longer up for youth hostels, my 2-star hotel in Rome was quite adequate for 5 days. Arthur Frommer (remember his book Europe on $5 a Day) recalled his best travel experiences happened when he spent the least. I recommend his current magazine: www.budgettravel.com.

A new slogan hanging on my wall reads: "There are places you leave. And places that never leave you." Get out there and travel in 2009.

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