Wow, an early morning this morning. We set our alarm for 6:00am as we had requested our breakfast be delivered at 6:30am. Our breakfast arrived right on time and good and hot as well as being all
there..
We arrived right on time at the pier,8:00am, and we could see 2 other ships already in port but not at the same pier as we were. The reason we were up so early is because we had an excurision
booked and it was for 9:00am and we were to meet on the pier at 8:30am.
We did the Dolphin Encounter and Stingray City excursion through HAL. It was a great day and so much fun.
First we were bused to Dolphin Cove and ther were only about a dozen or so on our small bus; but there were a lot of excursions scheduled so there were many more busses. We had a short walk through the palm trees
and other woodland growth on a very well defined and groomed path. Half way along the path we had a delightful surprise. We came around a corner and there was a guy and about 8 Parrot's sitting on branches and one on his hand. We all got to hold a parrot
for a few minutes and talk to it and their trainer. Not one of the bird's were tied. Also on the ground were a number of chicken's and rooster's walking around.
After the bird petting we
continued on to the Cove and waited for a few minutes and then we boarded a Catamaran to take us to "Stingray City". It was a very pleasant ride out to sea where we came to a reef and the pilot dropped anchor, along with about 10 other boats that were there,
and we all got into the water. What a surprise as the water was only a little past our waist's; but about 100 feet further was very deep water and we had gotten here by deep water.
I remember
when we had taken an outrigger excurision in Costa Rico and had put ashore we were swimming but had to be careful and not lift our feet when walking as there may have been some stingrays. We did see a few there but nothing like at Stingray City"
as the locals called it. There were stingrays everywhere. You could hardly move without one bumping into you. We were also told to just shuffle our feet on the sand and not step as we could step on one, that's when you get stung.
Our boat crew got in the water with us and after a while they had everyone youch and kiss one if we wished. It was funny watching the rest of the passengers, some were scared, some just a bit timid and others not bothered at all. I
think the funniest was a youn man, probably about 16 or 17, and he was petified and didn't want to have anything to do with them.
To me, when I touched and rubbed my hand over it's back it felt
just like handling a wet mushroom. Very soft and smooth. We all had our photo's taken by the crew and you had to buy them. By the time we were able to get up to the head of the line to view the video we were already back in port. So, we have to go on
line and order them when we get home. Susan has all the information so I'll just have to wait and see when she get's it. Then I will post a couple of photos. In the mean time I do have a couple that i had taken from the boat into the water of them swimming
past. Thank's to my Granddaughter I got to do this. I would not likely have ever thought of it myself; so thank you Nicole for wanting us to do this tour.
After we arrived back from our "Stingray
Enconter' we then waited a few minutes and proceeded over to the Dolphin Pen where we swam with them. Like the Stingray excurrision we could not take any photos but could purchase the video later. It was also awesome swimming with these gentel creatures.
We petted them, held them in our arm's , swam with them towing us through the water and even gave them a kiss on their cheek. It was a kissey kind of day with the fish and bird's. I hope to be able to post dolphin pictures here at a later date.
Until then enjoy the birds.
After dinner this evening we went to the Showroom at Sea and as we went in everybody was given ear plugs, a pot, (or cover, pan, etc.) and a drum stick. No one could
wait till yhe show started; they all (we) started "banging" on our pots right away. No rhyme or reason; or tune, at all.
This evening's program was "Recycled Percussion", they area Las
Vegas headliner and stars of America's Got Talent. They brought their unique, high energy show exclusively to Holland America Line and in particular the Nieuw Amsterdam. I don't believe they had one traditional instrument, the stage was loaded with all
kinds of pots, pans, oil drums, tin cans, etc.; but they could sure produce music with what they had. It was a very interactive performance with the audience and we sure needed those ear plugs. What a fun and unique show. Thanks for a great time; I enjoyed
it although the next day i heard that some did not like it at all. Oh well, you can't please everyone no matter how hard you try; I think some people just like to complain about anything and every thing. We had fun.
Nicole was going to do the pub crawl that was held but after our busy day and another long day tomorrow she decided against it. Tomorrow we tour ruins. So a cup of tea on our deck and an early night.