Marineland France - 28th October 2004

Oh how it rained. We got to MLF at 11:40 and I ran to the orca stadium and just caught the end of the show. When the show finished Wiki, Inouk and Sharkan were left in the show pool. I ran down to see them and got out my stuffed orca. I waved it at Wiki and she splashed me!! Wiki, Inouk and Sharkan were then moved into the side pool and I watched them for a while. Kim, Freya and Valentin were in the show pool and I watches their training session. When their training session was over they just lapped the pool. I asked a trainer if Sharkan was pregnant and they said "No, Sharkan isn't pregnant"... So no little orca on the way.

It rained and rained so me and my mum went to see the Sharks. We then went to see the Penguins, Seals and Sea Lions and then went to take shelter in the new dolphin stadium. It's quite good. When the rain got a bit lighter me and my mum went and had lunch. After lunch I went back to the orcas and Wiki, Inouk and Sharkan were in the back pool. I watched them for a while and Inouk started spy hopping near me, and I say his little eye looking at me :)! We then went to the dolphin show, and while I stood my the pool taking photos this guy in a mask came right up to me and scared the crap out of me XD!! I took a seat and watched the show. The Dolphins were good, but then this Sea Lion came on, and a lady hidden some where was talking, as if it was the Sea Lion talking. I didn't understand any of it, so I didn't think very much of it.

After the Dolphin show we went to the aquarium and museums. We came back to the orca stadium and watched Freya, Kim and Valentin lap the show pool until the 4:00pm pirate and orca show started. After the show, the trainers threw 2 barrels and 2 targets into the water and Freya and Valentin were playing with them! Freya was so cute! A bit later we went to the gift shop and I bought Dolphin and Orca PJ's and a dolphin poster (I thought I'd picked up the orca poster, but I picked up the dolphin poster and didn't find out until I got back home =P) and then we got something to eat. We went back to the orcas and Inouk was in the show pool with Valentin and Freya. I saw Inouk at the glass and ran, but I wasn't quick enough and he went. I then very patiently waited for 1 whole hour for Inouk to return to the glass and he did, and this time I was quick enough! I love that little cutie! He interacted with me 5 times! He nodded his head, waved his pecs and stuck his tongue out as I waved my stuffed orca at him! Val even came past and stopped for a few seconds!!!! Probably because he was wondering what Inouk was doing :). At 7:00pm we watched the special Halloween show at the orca stadium, but we had to leave at 7:20pm to catch our train.



*Overall the day was good apart from the non stop rain through out the day, but it was great because Wiki splashed me, I interacting with Inouk and had a brief interaction with Val!!

Pics here: http://good-times.webshots.com/album/562607924VoHBmt

Beluga Encounter - Mystic Aquarium - 19th August 2004

Place: Mystic Aquarium
Date: 19th August 2004
Species: Beluga
Main Cetacean Name: Inuk
Other Cetacean Name: -
Trainer: Justin
Time in pool: 20 minutes

At 2:30 it was time for my Beluga Encounter! Our trainer, Justin, took the six of us to a room. We put our waders on, but mine was too small >.<. We then talked about Belugas, Cetaceans and stuff, and finally we went in the water at 3:05.
Our Beluga was Inuk, he is such a sweetie! A few weeks before, during an encounter, someone fell on the poor guy and he got totally spooked out, but he did an awesome job with us!
We got in the water with him and then gave him a rub down and then gave him a pat on the tongue. We then got to stroke his teeth, they were quite blunt. We then got to choose if we wanted to be splashed or feel him suck your hand. I wanted to be splashed, but Justin made me do the other thing. I clenched my fist, put it by Inuk's mouth, and then he sucked my fingers in his mouth! I didn't expect it at all, it felt so funny! We then got to look inside of his mouth and watched him swallow some fish, and then Justin made him sing. He sounded so cute! We then got to have a pose photo with Inuk, got to wiggle his rails and touch his fluke. After 20 mins in the water we got out. It was such an awesome experience!!!

Whale Watching - Boston - 16th August 2004

Place: Boston, America
Date: 16th August 2004
Boat name: -
Boat type: Two decks
How many people it carries: -
Company name: -
Trip length: -
Successful or Unsucessful: Successful
Who was on trip: Me, Mum, Dave
Wildlife seen: Humpback Whales, Seabirds

We set off, and the boat was travelling super fast. I was on the top deck, wit the wind blowing in my face. We were travelling pretty fast for a long time, until we slowed down and came across 2 Humpback Whales! It was a mom and her 3-5 month old calf! The mother was called Istar and it was her 12th calf. We watched them for a long time, and the boat people showed us how you could see their white flippers underwater.

Pics here: http://good-times.webshots.com/album/562801012KPqiSY

MarineLand Canada - 14th August 2004

I got to the park at 10:20 and met Kristine. We went to FC, and watched Kiska and her 6 day old calf. We then went to Kandu and Hudson, and watched the petting session. We then went back to the under water viewing area and watched Kiska, her calf and Nootka do the show from under water. We went back to Hud and Du and watched them for a while. We then went to the Belugas, and once again they didn't interact. After the Belugas, we went to see the Bears. Those Bears are so cute!!! Me and Kristine went back to FC to see if Britt was there but she wasn't. We decided to get some lunch and just as we were heading out of FC, we bumped into Britt and her mom. Because me and Kristine were hungry, we agreed to meet up in the line for tickets to pet the orcas.
When we had eaten, Kristine and I met Britt and her mom in the line. Britt showed us some adorable photos of Shouka!! I was so jealous Kristine and Britt got to meet her!
While we were queuing up, Kiska had leapt out of the water to try and catch a seagull!! I never saw it, but we heard a loud splash and a seagull squeaking.
After we got our tickets we queued up for about 25 minutes. Me, Kristine and Britt chose to pet Kandu. I pet Kandu, and fed him 1 fish and then he swam away to the gate. The trainer had to get him back by slapping a target on the water. When he came back I fed him 2 more fish and then pet him.
After the petting session, Britt and her parents went and got some lunch, and agreed to meet at the Belugas. We still had a lot of time before we had to meet them, so we went to the FC under water viewing area and watched the orcas. We headed off the the Belugas, and Britt and her family weren't there. We stayed at AC for ages and Britt and her family still hadn't turned up. I thought they may have come early, whilst we were at FC, waited and left. So we left AC to go to FC, and met Britt and her family on the way. We split up again, as Britt and her family wanted to go to the Belugas, and me and Kristine wanted to see the Orcas. We went to Hud and Du, and interacted with Huddy.

Later we watched Nootka perform. We hung around the orcas for most of the day, watched Nootka's show 2 more times, and watch Kiska being fed, 2 times.
Kristine and I made friends with a guy who worked there, Dan. I asked Dan when they would name the calf, and he said they would normally name it around birth, but they are going to do a poll.
When Kristine left, Britt and my family headed for Dragon Mountain. Britt didn't ride it but I did. It's so cool!! We left the park at 9:03pm.

Pics here: http://good-times.webshots.com/album/562605610VRGNJf

MarineLand Canada - 13th August 2004

I got to Marineland at 9:30, and because I had some time before Kristine turned up, I went in the park. At the time, I didn't know Kiska had given birth, and I went to FC. AND I SAW THE CALF!!! The calf is soooooooooooooooooooo adorable! She is 5 days old!! She reminds me of Skyla.
When it was 10:00 I went to the park entrance to wait for Kristine. Kristine turned up at 10:20, and she yelled at me, "Kiska's had her calf!", and I said "I know" and showed her some of the photos I took, and then we went to FC. We watched the calf and Kiska lap for a while and then looked at Nootka. It's so depressing watching her floating at the surface alone. I feel so sorry for her, that all her calves have passed away, and her only living calf, is Splash, but she can't see him. We went to see Hudson and Kandu (who were in the back pool, whilst Nootka was in the old orca tank by her self). Kandu was in his "special spot" as I call it, by the gate, and Hudson was lapping and sometimes stopping to "talk" to Nootka.
Later Kristine and I did the orca petting session and we got to pet Kandu!!!! Kandu is so big, but such a sweetie!!! We then went to Artic Cove to see the Belugas. They were so funny! They'd blow these "rings" and then suck them up. Unfortunately they wouldn't interact. And their new habitat is really nice. I still can't believe 20 Belugas were all squashed together in on of the FC tanks! We went back to the orcas, but it started to rain so we then went to the aquarium and watched the show, and when it finished saw the dolphins, at the under water viewing area. They wouldn't interact either.
A little later we went back to the orcas and we interacted with Hudson. I waved my stuffed orca, and then he would imitate it!! Then Hudson spy hopped and touched my stuffed orca with the end of his nose!!!! He is such a cutie!! Kristine then took out some photos of orcas (e.g Algonquin, Neocia, Splash, Shouka)
Kristine later got tickets for the next petting session, and while she was doing that Kandu came over and interacted with me for a brief second!! Kristine came back and we petted Hudson.
Later we went to the under water viewing area and watched Kiska and her calf. Man, her calf is cute! We then watched Nootka do a show. I guess her show is the most exercise she does in a day. Apart from her shows all she ever does is float at the surface... the poor girl.
We hung around the orcas for a while and then went back to the Belugas. I petted and fed Denise. Denise is so pretty! We then went back to the orcas and at 7:15, me and Kristine left the park.

Pics here: http://good-times.webshots.com/album/562577756skpHnz

Marineland France - 20th February 2004

We arrived at the park at 10:20 and I went to the seals and sea lions, because yesterday they were draining their pool, and I wanted to see if they were still draining it. I then went to the orcas and I watched Valentin and Inouk practise their tricks. I watched the show, and stood by the slide, so I could watch them slide out on it. When the show had finished Freya, Sharkane and Wiki were doing laps, until Freya then went back the side pool. Wiki and Sharkane continue laps, whilst I watched from the glass, until a trainer came to collect the fish buckets, and Wiki and Sharkane came right to the glass! I waved my stuffed orca in front of the glass and then Wiki stuck her tongue out!! She was so cute! The trainer then left and Wiki stayed a little longer, but then she went off to Sharkane. I then left the park at 1:00.

Pics here: http://good-times.webshots.com/album/562540240QGNdnt

Marineland France - 17th February 2004

We arrived at MLF at 10:30 and I went straight to the orcas. Wiki was in the show pool, Kim was in the back pool, Inouk was in the med pool, Valentin and Freya were in the side pool and Sharkane was in the middle pool. I waited at the stadium until the show started and watched Wiki practise her tricks. Then when the show started, I videoed it, whilst my dad took pictures. We then went to the restaurant by the pools and I watched Freya and Val do laps in the back pool, once I'd finished, my lunch. We went to the Sharks, who were so cool! Then we headed to the penguins, Seals, Sea lions and Dolphins. My mum and dad watched the Dolphin Show, whilst I went back to the orcas. I went to the back pool, and watched Sharkane and Wiki do laps, for a few hours. I started whistling and all the orcas started whistling too!! Wiki was so cute, when she was getting on the slide, and sometimes slipping off! Then I went to the 4:15 show, and this time my dad filmed and I took the pictures. After the show I went to the Jellyfish and aquarium, and then left the park at 5:20.

Pics here: http://good-times.webshots.com/album/562540231FjTjhM

MarineLand Canada - 15th August 2003

We arrived at 10:30 and I went over to Neocia's tank and I met Kristine (the creator of SOTO). Neocia was just lazing about in the show pool. We talked until the guards let us in. We rushed up the steps and got seats at the slide out. Kristine went down to see Neocia and I waited for more people to come in and I asked 2 ladies to save our seats then I joined her. Neo wasn't really in her interacting mood though. She then went back into her tank and me and Kristine went back to our seats. Then she came back out and I brought down my stuffed orca this time. She sought of looked at it but nothing else. Then when the show was about to start we sat down. It was very good I thought. When It was over we went back down to the glass but Neocia wasn't interested. Then we went to the FC under water viewing, but Kiska and Nootka weren't doing much. We then got in line to touch the Beluga's! I went first! We got a Beluga called Charmin! She was so sweet but quite fat! Then we went over to Kiska and Nootka and watched them for a bit. Then we went over to Hudson and Kandu who were in a separate pool because the girls are pregnant. Then we went to the Orca petting session! We touched Kiska!! She is the first Orca I've evr tocuhed!!! Then we went to the FC under water viewing. We interacted with Kiska and the Beluga's for a bit. While we where watching Kiska and Nootka, Nootka suddenly started to act weird. She looked like as if she was about to give birth! She was swim around the pool very fast and going around and around! Me and Kristine really thought she was going into labour! Then we went to the tank with Kandu and Hudson. Hudson was just doing laps and Kandu was laying immobile but then Kandu was going crazy! He was spy hopping and splashing about like mad! And when he opened his mouth, and blood seemed to come out! The trainer called for someone to check on Kandu. She thought that Kandu may have bit his tongue! Then we did another Orca petting session but with Hudson! He is so sweet! Then we went to the under water viewing (again) and watched and interacted with them for a bit then went to the show and got the same seats. It was a little bit different. Then we went down to the glass and Neocia was interacting with us! I got great piccies! Then We went to another orca petting session and touched Nootka! Then I had to leave :(. But it was a great day that I will never forget!

Pics here: http://good-times.webshots.com/album/562541084EtBkum

Orca Watching - Canada - 9th August 2003

Place: Victoria, Vancouver Island, Canada
Date: 9th August 2003
Boat name: Super Cat
Boat type: Two decks
How many people it carries: -
Company name: -
Trip length : 3 hours
Successful or Unsucessful: Successful
Who was on trip: Me, Mum, Dave, Mark, Anne, Sally, Jaime, Aunt Marjory
Wildlife seen: Orcas, Northern Elephant Seals, Seal Lions (Northern or Steller's), Harbour Seals

We didn’t see anything apart from Orcas and Seals (I really wanted to see Gray Whales though ). Well… We boarded the boat (Super cat) and I was on front deck! 10 minutes after we were moving the boat went so fast I nearly fell over! Then we reached the area’s where the Orcas had been sighted! We stopped a little further away and watched them surfacing! We saw J and K pod! Slowly they started approaching us! Then an Orca came within 2 meters of us!!!!! But my bloody camera ran out of battery >:(. When they were moving away I saw one spy hop! After they had moved quite far away we went after them but got ahead so they would come to us. Then in the distance I saw one breach :-D!!!!!!!! Then one was lob tailing! They were hunting! Then they came really close to us and were breaching, lob tailing, spy hopping and surfacing right in front of us! When they moved away we went to the Seals (and Sea lions)! We saw Harbour Seals, Steller’s Sea lion or Northern Sea lion and Northern Elephant Seals!!!!! Then we zoomed up to try and catch up with the Orcas! We got ahead and saw the odd on spy hop, lob tail and breach. Then the big one =D… Some of the pod came 1 meter away from the boat XD!!!!!!!!! They were surfacing, spy hopping and going under the boat! It was magical!! We followed them until we had to go into the Harbour . I will never forget it!

A lot more happened but I mean c’mon how am I supposed to remember a 3-hour trip?! =P

Pics here: http://good-times.webshots.com/album/562801093teVMTn

Dolphin Watching - Wales - 30th May 2003

Place: New Quay, Wales
Date: 30th May 2003
Boat name: Ermol 5
Boat type: Smallish, low to the ocean
How many people it carries: -
Company name: -
Trip length : -
Successful or Unsucessful: Successful
Who was on trip: Me, Mum, Dave
Wildlife seen: Bottlenose Dolphins, Gray Seals, Harbour Porpoise?, Seabirds

At 9:30 am we went down to the beach and saw some Bottlenose Dolphins! It was soooooo amazing! Even though they were far away I saw Dolphins in the wild for the first time in my life! At 10:30 we went to the boat (Ermol 5) and just after 5 minutes we saw some Dolphins! They disappeared for a while but then we saw some more and I saw a mother and calf! Then we sailed round for ages not seeing anything except seabirds. Someone told me we were really lucky to see dolphins because there weren't any yesterday(29/05/03)! When we started to go back we saw loads! Then when they went I looked behind the boat and saw a Gray Seal poking its head out the water! Then we saw a few more Dolphins and I caught a rare glimpse of a Harbour Porpoise!!! When the trip ended my Mum saw a Dolphin follow us into the Harbour! I climbed some rocks and was really close! It stayed for 30 minutes and I used a whole film on it! Then I went back to the beach and saw more Dolphins that were closer this time and I also saw two mothers and calves! Then I took a wonder to the Harbour and saw a mother and calf there ( I wanted to take a picture but my film had ended ) Then my dad went to some rock pools and I stayed on the beach hoping to see more dolphins but didn't. Then my dad came back and said he saw a whole school of 10 Dolphins feeding! I was really jealous!

Pics here: http://good-times.webshots.com/album/562800625dKfvyt