Having been to Florida every year since 1989 we decided that we needed to do something different, we had done all the parks several times over and although there was always something different every time you went we wanted to see more of what Florida had to offer. We decided to take a two day trip organised by International divers, to the keys. We set off early on the Thursday morning to the pick up point and set off down the US192 towards Miami as it was quite a long journey we stopped for breakfast on the way ( as you do in Florida ), when we finally reached the last leg of the journey onto the road that takes you into the first of the Keys the traffic had come to a halt. It seemed that as the weather had been exceptionally hot there and there had been some fires and they had to be put out before we were allowed to continue.
We finally arrived in Key Largo, a lovely little place and were booked into a very nice hotel. We all met up a little while later and were treated to a sumptuous bar-b-cue on the beach at the back of the hotel, the men played a bit of volley ball and then a few of us went to the little Tikki bar next door, had a few cocktails and watched the glorious sunset over the water , a perfect end to a perfect day, but the best was yet to come !
The next morning we had been spilt up into two groups and the first group boarded the coach to go to the Dolphin conservation centre in Key Largo, we were to swim with the Dolphins ! I have always admired these beautiful creatures but to actually get ‘ up close and personal ‘ was a personal ambition of mine and experience I would never forget as long as I live !
Firstly we had to listen to a talk by the trainers of things we must and must not do while in the water with the Dolphins then we were paired off and went with our trainer to the large enclosures. I must admit I felt very nervous and as I am not a strong swimmer wondered just how I would feel once I was actually in the water with them, we had life jackets on so that made me feel a bit better. We sat on the edge of the platform and waited, there were two Dolphins in each enclosure our’s were Fonzy and Sarah. We were told to slide into the water gently and quietly and keep our arms down by our side, the thing Dolphins are most afraid of is of us hurting their eyes ! They swam up to us and brushed against us, as if the were weighing us up, next we were given a float and told to hold it out in front of us and float the next minute one of the Dolphins had come up behind me and was pushing me forward by my feet, it was amazing ! they are not made to do anything here they will only interact with you if they want to and trust you, sometimes they just swim away. After being pulled round by their dorsal fins, holding a pole for them to jump over, shaking hands and getting a kiss we had to come out of the water, I could have stayed there all day.
It was the most amazing thing I have ever done and have gone back since for a second time which I must admit I enjoyed even more as I wasn’t so nervous the second time. I am now totally in love with these magnificent creatures even more than I was before, so much so that when we bought our holiday home in Orlando we had to have a Dolphin room, with bed linen , pictures, a lamp, clock and anything else that we could find with Dolphins on, we even have a clock / thermometor on the deck wall with Dolphins on.
So if you want an experience of a life time go to Key Largo and swim with the Dolphins you will never forget it !!