Nassau Bahamas-"Live in the moment"-Part 3

Our third Nassau day was looking to be just as nice as the previous couple.  Sunny and not too hot.  Most of the time we were there the temperatures ranged 72-78.  This is pretty typical with light breezes most afternoon.

The family on the tour boat with the Paradise Island Bridge in the background

Today Tom went off to search for birds with the local expert, and I joined the family on an excursion to Blue Lagoon Island, of Brooke Shields fame.  This was a bucket list day for Laura and the kids.
Swimming with the dolphins was the main event!

A dolphin shows off as we disembark

The lagoon is quite lovely, although small.  We were on the 4th or 5th boatload, and the beaches and activity areas were hopping!  Our major compliant about Nassau was the constant suck on your wallet!  It seemed like a vacuum was attached to your pocket when you stepped off the plane.  Taxi?  $40 to the hotel with just carryon luggage. Do you have an extra bag or people? $5-15 for each item respectively. Need an extra stop?  $20.00 please.  Even our tickets on this trip to Blue Lagoon were not the 'real' price.  Laura had been assured that the fee per person included everything.  Not so much.  If the kids wanted to play on the inflatable toys in the lagoon - $15/ per kid.  Want an umbrella to sit under - $25, please.  A chair or chaise to sit on ?  $20 per chair unless you went way down the beach, around the corner, then they were free.

Lefty and Hayden working on their tans on free chaise lounges!

 Unfortunately, there wasn't much lagoon left in this area. And the other side of the island, while a short walk away, was windy and not conducive for kids to play in the surf.
Anyway, enough about that.

Meet one of the performers.  This is Bella.

One of the performers.  Most of the dolphins at Blue Lagoon were bred here.

As I said, the main reason for this trip was to swim with the dolphins.  Carl and I watched and photographed the other four in the water.  I've swam with dolphins before, and it was fun to be up above watching their expressions and reactions!

 Who remembers watching Flipper as a kid? I wonder how many kids my age grew up to be marine biologists or naturalist because of thinking how cool it would be to interact with dolphins after watching that show?

As instructed by the trainer, they all slid into the water for the family portrait,  then each one got

a kiss on the cheek,

a kiss on the lips - Ewww! fish breath!

A hug- awwww,

and a dance.

The big attraction was a three week old baby.  It was getting training from it's mother.

The dolphins said goodby with flips and tail walking. We walked the island for a bit, finding the perfect palm tree for climbing and posing.

Another fun day was had by all!