After our first encounter with the Orcas, we both decided that it would be too good an opportunity to miss if we didn't "Dine with Shamu". Arriving at the park around 5, we took in the Arctic area before making our way to dinner.
Around 60 guests had lined up (all pre-paid) ready to enter - all hopeful they would be sitting on the edge of the pool to take in the Orcas up close. Reading the many warning signs on entry concerned us a little - "24 hours splash zone" & "Whales free time area" - with the trainers reiterating the point - you could be soaked at any given time......As we were seated (front row - SCORE!!!) we headed to the buffet, provided with a wonderful meal - and a couple of beers!!!
The show started after we had seated. Shamu was not on show - but instead was replaced with Ulycees - the biggest Orca at Sea World San Diego - weighing in at over 10,000 pounds! Each trainer spoke about training the whales, interacting etc and answered all our questions, then began demonstrating some of the "acrobatic stunts" that the whale can do.
Noises, cries, jumps, dives, turns etc soon followed - a spectacular event witnessed first hand. We didn't get drenched, however, the whale playfully jumped around the pool, causing enormous splashes (anything that weighs 10,000 pounds can cause a serious splash!) and thrilling the crowd.
After the 60 minute dinner / performance - we made our way to the nightly performance, we again took in the wonderful 30 minute show, more appreciative of the work and training that each whale takes in on a daily basis.
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