Dolphin Quest
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Dolphin Quest is an international organization dedicated to studying dolphins and educating people about these amazing animals. They maintain a dolphin pool at the Waikoloa Hilton. They have about 12 dolphins here now, including several newborns... One of the dolphins had given birth 2 days before and the baby was swimming all around right next to Ma. |
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As soon as MJ learned she could get in the water with Dolphins, she was psyched! Bad news is, everyone wants to do it and spaces are limited, so you have to get into the daily lottery... or you can just show up and try to snarf a stand-by slot. We showed up Monday morning and 9AM and just got lucky! So, here's MJ lining up for Dolphin Quest...! |
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...and they hit the beach. MJ (second in line) is certainly ready for this...! (lifejackets are mandatory because they don't have time to check if people can swim...) |
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The real "hands-on" activity happens in this pen off to the left. They bring a half-dozen folks in at a time and people get to touch and hold the dolphins. The dolphins love it 'cuz they get fish-food snacks...! |
| First they get the group used to the dolphin- he comes up and lets everyone pet him... |  |
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This one was a real ham. He did several fly-bys so folks could touch him... |
| ...then did it inverted, splashing everyone with his tail... |  |
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MJ does seem to be enjoying herself. (click here for enlargement) |
| but it gets better...!
These guys also make money by posing "honey-shots" with the
patrons. So, here's MJ holding the dolphin... |
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...and kissing him... |
| and here's what the photographer was seeing... (click for enlargement) |  |
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and this.... |
| ...and this... (click for enlargement) |  |