 |
| TRAVELS WITH MY DINOSAUR 05 June - 05 August 2003 |
| Friday 13th June The weather today has been superb, absolutely perfect. Natasha�s friend has been trying all week to arrange a free pass for the Dolphin Experience, but couldn�t quite secure one as all free staff passes have been booked out for the next six months. Tickets cost $145 for the full swim experience - a little out of my price range during this trip. Maybe next year. The Dolphin Experience - home to the famous Flipper - is located on Blue Lagoon Island, a relaxing thirty minutes by boat from Paradise Island ferry port. Tickets can be purchased to include lunch on the island, and this is the package I chose. The trip from PI to BLI reminded me vaguely of a dolphin excursion in the Canary Islands in 1994: lively island music - the eternal strains of �Hot Hot Hot� and �Yellow Bird�, expectant visitors straining for a ripple on the surface of the water that might indicate creatures just below the surface, children fidgeting and mothers vigorously rubbing sun cream their on their offspring�s hot faces, fathers scanning the horizon with the family camcorder, lovers sharing whispered conversations... We stopped at the Dolphin Experience first, where most of our passengers disembarked. Then on to the main island, where the boat docked in a sheltered cove with pristine turquoise waters and a blinding white sand beach. Ahead of the jetty, a neat wooden kiosk advertised the hire of snorkelling equipment for a couple of dollars, and beside it, a gift shop, restrooms and showers stood raised above the ground. Aside from the spacious open sided restaurant, and intimate beach bar, these were the only buildings in sight. Extensive coconut groves swept gracefully down to the water, and the walk from one side of the island to the other took only minutes. The two beaches were quite different in character however. In contrast to the smooth sandy beach looking towards the jetty, the other was rocky and difficult to negotiate with bare feet. Pink crabs scuttled in and out of the rocks, and colourful fish flitted through the water as I swam out a little from the beach. Visibility was astounding - Bahamian waters claim some of the best snorkelling and scuba diving in the world because of the clarity. Over lunch of BBQ chicken, rice, peas and corn cob, I chatted with a cruise ship passenger from Georgia. He was not drawn to the shopping and noise of Nassau, and had opted for time out - away from his party and the endless commotion of busy holiday makers. He chose a good place to hide away. I enjoyed my guava cake and rum punch whilst looking out towards the coral beach and placid waters beyond, the vista framed by two tall palm trees, and wondered when I would wake up from this delightful dream. A walk through the coconut grove was called for after lunch. The gently swaying palm fronds created a light, cooling breeze as I passed underneath - like servants fanning their masters of old. Sunlight danced on the ground ahead, and a lazy afternoon whispered serenely through the air. I found a hammock in a deserted spot on the beach, shaded by the trees to which it was tied. For a while I enjoyed the ice cold liquid of my mango daiquiri and contemplated the world from under the palms. Then I lay back and was gradually lulled to sleep by a heady mix of tropical island warmth, singing waters lapping the sands, and serenading birds. That was undoubtedly the best two hours' sleep I have experienced in several years. Back on the main beach, another boat party had arrived ,and more people milled around. I pottered around the gift shop for a while, and found a decent looking t-shirt to buy (I�ve been really picky about t-shirts here). There I met a young girl nearing the end of her Make A Wish trip - a gift from the Foundation which fulfilled her dream of swimming with dolphins. The whole family - Mum,. Dad and two sisters had accompanied her on this trip, one which her father told me would probably be her last. She was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma (liver cancer) two years ago, but surgery, chemotherapy and a transplant have not abated the progression of the disease, and the family recently made the heart-breaking decision to stop treatment and give their daughter every joy they can in the time she has left with them. Make A Wish is an amazing organisation. If you could have seen this little girl�s face - her smile was pure gold. So close to her last days, she was laughing and singing as her parents have not known in recent years. MAW gives seriously ill youngsters their life back, even for just a short time, and special moments that provide a lifetime of memories. As early evening approached, the boat slid quietly into sight, and I stepped aboard for the journey back to the crazy world of people and busyness. I knew Natasha would not be done at work however, and chose to stay on deck for the continuing trip out to Prince Charles Port and the mammoth floating hotels anchored there, at one of the world�s largest deep sea ports. Several ships per day arrive in Nassau, a major port of call on Bahamian and north Caribbean cruises, and the crowds which pour fourth can tripple the metropolitan population. Most come to shop along Bay Street for duty free fine cloths, alcohol, watches and jewellery, some to experience the daring, thrilling ride, spectacular aquarium and gambling paradise of Atlantis. Others seek the quieter, isolated corners such as Blue Lagoon Beach - where heaven meets the earth, time stands still and dreams are realised. Today was one of those dreams. |