Highs and Lows at SeaWorld Part 1
Manatee Rescue
Our day at SeaWorld started with a behind the scenes tour of the manatee rescue and rehabilitation area. Steve our host has worked at SeaWorld for 33 years and was hugely passionate and knowledgable about the animals. SeaWorld is Florida’s no.1 rescuer for manatees, they’ve had 17 rescues so far this year and 10 releases. The whole program is funded by SeaWorld which surprised me somewhat. Steve and his team are doing a great job and it was wonderful to see the good work that was going on behind the scenes.
Manta
I chickened out of Manta at the last second and will probably live to regret it, fortunately the other bloggers did it and reported back that it was amazing and the best coaster they’d ever been on!
Wild Arctic
This is the bit where I have to tactfully say that it wasn’t good, although that wasn’t very tactful so I’ll tell you how it is. Basically there are penguins and a polar bear in indoor enclosures (that are conditioned to mimic their natural habitat) that made for some uncomfortable viewing for some of us. Don’t get me wrong the animals looked well cared for (and all the animal handlers and trainers are true professionals that really care and bond with the animals in their charge), it just wasn’t very ‘wild’.
However, I did get to stroke King Midas, a King penguin and it was amazing! Check out how close we were to him, it was surreal to be that close to a penguin, obviously you wouldn’t be able to experience without facilities like ‘Wild Arctic’ so I guess that’s where the ‘highs and lows’ come in.
Shamu’s Happy Harbor
Shamu’s Happy Harbor is the kid section of SeaWorld and comprises kiddy rides, a paddling area and the most humongous climbing frame I’ve ever seen. Loved this, and could totally picture Erin spending a happy hour here. Check out this short and poorly shot video, although worth watching until the end to see Englishmum imitating a monkey 
Maybe that’s why she pretends she doesn’t like them? x
I have absolutely NO idea.
Liz is right. What a freak.
I think she was casually trying to air dry the sweat from her armpits!
Erm, I only know that because I’ve done the same!
AH, the memories. Last time we were there my youngest (a toddler then) sneaked a drink from the tide pool basin and ended up puking the rest of the vacation. It was gastly (my British word for the day
Trips to the ER and her throwing up blood and dehydrated. Terrified me and ruined the trip.
The moral of the story? The star fish may be pretty but don’t share their drinking water.
If I Could Escape – Very honest admission. Is that what you were up to EM?
Michelle – Not good
Moral most definitely noted – we’re hoping to take Erin in the next couple of years.