San Diego SeaWorld
Trip Start
Dec 09, 2007
1
39
48
Trip End
Jan 14, 2008
San Diego,
California,
United States
Thursday, January 3, 2008
San Diego SeaWorld was fabulous. Not as big as the SeaWorld on the Gold Coast though. The Gold Coast has it's new Dolphin Cove which probably enables them to do a bigger and better dolphin show and the shark exhibit and area to touch stingrays etc is better in Queensland but besides that there is so much more to experience at San Diego. We went to the Sea Lion show when we first got there but it was full so we couldn't see it. We went to a Sea Lion and Seal viewing area and found that they allow you to feed them. You buy a tray of fish and off you go. It was awesome, to have them reaching up and begging you for their little bit of fish and then taking it was incredible. The reminded us of bull terriers, similar look and one of them sounded just like our Mary when we make her say please.
After that we went to see the Shamu show. They had 4 killer whales in the show and we decided to view it from the back row for 2 reasons, 1 was that we could stand and have an unrestricted view and 2 was that we wouldn't get wet. The show and stunts were amazing, got lots of pics and video. Much better than the dolphin shows that we have seen, both types of shows are great but to see the huge whales leaping through the air, following commands and soaking the audience was great.
We then went to see the dolphin show and the sea lion show which was the funniest one we've seen to date. The family did have lunch at some stage amongst all of that and we did have a look at some other exhibits.
Not only do they allow you to feed the sea lions and seals but they also let you get up close and personal to the dolphins. Again you need to buy some fish and off you go. Unlike the sea lions though, the dolphins have some manners and don't go at one another for a bit off fish. Another thing that was different was that we were allowed to pat the dolphins. You weren't even allowed just to throw the fish in, you had to pat the dolphins first and then give them the fish. They come right up to you and sing away while they are waiting, it was great. They are smooth and rubbery and almost have an oedematous feel to them, a bit spongy. Afterwards they just look at you, studying us the same way that we were studying them.
We went back to see another Shamu show. Shamu was still in the 2nd show but they used different trainers and different killer whales so the show was different than the first one. Can't believe how big the whales are and to see the trainers in the water with them, guess we'll never get to know what that feels like.
Anyway, will see if I can get a few pics on, if not it will be another day before I load them.
We are off to Indio tomorrow to see a dog show, got a bit to travel but can't miss that and it won't cost us to get in! One thing that annoys me here is you pay to go to a theme park then they slug you for the parking, anything from $10-20, rip off.
USA Woolfes
