On Oct. 20th, 2009, we visited the popular Dolphin Lodge in Serangan Island! Dolphin Lodge is in the pontoon on the sea, and 8 dolphins are living there. This is only one activity in Asia that swimming with dolphins for 40 min. I, Aiko, was really excited to meet with dolphins because I met many dolphins in Dolphin Watching the other day. But, I am wondering that how it goes to swim with dolphin in the pontoon? Might be scary?? We, Aiko & T-Manager, are ahead to Serangan Island♪
Ready to go to Pontoon!
We joined the first session on the day☆
Dolphin Lodge pick-up service is usually 9:00 to 9:15 am, however, today they had trouble to meet at pick-up place, so we were little bit late; left at 9:25 am.
We had accompanies tourists family from Japan. Let’s enjoy together!
Serangan Island is in place that driving through by-pass to Sanur, turn right ahead of Sanur, and across the bridge. The island really has nothing and not many tourists visit there. There is only “Turtle Island,” so it’s a quiet fishing village. In such a village, the building of Dolphin Lodge has loud color! It’s just in front of the beach.
The building site is well-cleaned and it has a garden. This semi-open space is reception and resting area. And, there are trampolines on the grass! I become happy-mood!!
Having welcome drink, mineral water, we play with games and trampoline while waiting other guests. I love this reggae music～♪
In each table, one instructor gives explanation, and we read notification paper and sign the form. If you have some anxious about your condition, ask the instructor in here!
Payment is accepted in here. Master Card and Visa Card are can be used! Changing clothes now! This building has shower (outside), dressing room, and WC.
The left picture is lady’s dressing room. It’s little bit small, which is separated by three spaces. If you want to change your cloth quickly, ready to wear the bathing suit beforehand. The right picture is men’s dressing room, same width as lady’s.
WC is flush toilet and tissues prepared. Put your belongings and valuables in this locker. You can check the key to reception.
By the pontoon living dolphins, we have to move by the speed-boat for a few min.
All of us wear the life-jackets and let’s go!
Yeah, I saw the big building over there～! Dolphins are living here!!We arrived at the pontoon, 10:25 am.
40 min. Healing Session♪
In pontoon, 8 dolphins are living. In the first session, one dolphin comes into each 4 areas, and guests also divided by 4 groups. 5 people maximum in one group, so you don’t need to worry that you couldn’t touch dolphin because of crowd.
Guests stand on this shallow step and touch dolphin. Beside the step, it looks deep so keep life-jacket on, for sure. The dolphin in Aiko’s group☆
18 year-old, male dolphin, named Pluto. He is BIG!
The step depth is about stomach-height. When the dolphin comes to closer, I feel real big body and beak, little bit scared. By guide of Pluto’s instructor, I touch slowly on his body and tooth.
I’m surprised that dolphin is such a friendly animal! He turns over himself and lets me touch his soft stomach and fins. Dolphin’s skin is really smooth and slippery!
I saw at Dolphin Watching, they were shining. It was because of their slippery skin☆ Everybody smiles when we hold such a cute dolphin!!
It’s good combination of Pluto and instructor. It’s nice carrying pose! I also try carrying. But, he is too heavy for me!
Play games with skillful, clever dolphin. If I drop a stone in the water, he goes into the water and picks it with his beak!
Then, instructor throws his sun-glasses!! Pluto did good job to find his sun-glasses.
Cute… so sweet Ｏ(≧▽≦)Ｏ！！！
He brings a basketball by his fins, rolls a ring on his nose, and jumps by sign… he is really skillful!!
After he shows his performance, the instructor gives pieces of fish. I asked, “He doesn’t eat fish swimming around him?” then instructor answered “He only eats nutritious tuna and sardine.” Wow, sumptuous meal.
The instructor checked about Pluto’s condition and massages his body time by time and also cared for guests.
By the way, after the jump performance, he can get three pieces of fish. If the instructor gives only one, he asks to give more by beak.
Cute ヽ(´▽｀)/
When I say good-bye, I hold him again, and he gives me kiss. Oh, I love you… I want to come to see him again!
With Happiness, Going back to Beach
We enjoyed enough time to touch dolphins for 40 min. Time fly away, but it was long enough. Other guests also look satisfied with the session.
We ride on the boat and go back to the beach.
Thank you and see ya～ ヾ(〃^∇^)ﾉ！！
We borrow towels at the office and take shower. Now, Bali is in rainy season, so it’s not cold using cold water. The water pressure is not strong enough, so it’s not good idea to wash your body or hair here!
Changing the clothes, have a break with drink. You can get one free drink from Cola, Fanta, Sprite, beer, AQUA, hot coffee, and hot tea. Beer, that’s the one☆
… Oh, no, I didn’t drink it.
Changing the clothes, have a break with drink. You can get one free drink from Cola, Fanta, Sprite, beer, AQUA, hot coffee, and hot tea. Beer, that’s the one☆
… Oh, no, I didn’t drink it.
I wanted to try the trampoline since I saw it!
11:50 am, all guests are ready to leave. Sampai jumpa～ (See you) (●´▽｀●)
As I wrote on the beginning of this report, I met big swarms of dolphin and excited the other day. I believed that “It’s better to see wild animals from apart!” so I wondered that how the dolphins in Dolphin Lodge… maybe, I’m scared nearby… do they really heal us?!
However, dolphins are very cute, especially, coming to closer☆ They are really friendly and I really wanted to hold tightly!! Even though, I didn’t have no interest to dolphin before, I fall in love with dolphins… I become so happy with holding the slippery body. It’s Dolphin-therapy!
I brought both normal camera and water-proof camera. I gave the normal camera to the staffs in pontoon, and brought the water-proof one with me into the water. I recommend bringing the water-proof camera to take close shots of picture.
In addition, the Dolphin Lodge place near from Nusa Dua (40 min.) and Kuta (40 min.) and the session doesn’t include meals. Therefore, you can go back to your hotel in a short time. If you apply to the session 1, you can go back to your hotel around noon, so you can enjoy another activity in the afternoon!
You should check the schedule, today’s session 1 suppose to finish and go back to the hotel between 11:30 to 12:00, however, we were back to Jimbaran around 12:20. You might think the schedule is not on-time, and consider your afternoon schedule.
Touching with dolphins, and impressed by them!!
※This report was written based on the information when the time of visiting. Course menu and schedule might be changed without notice. In addition, the report contains individual opinion and impression, however, these are not applied for all people. Please read it just for your reference. Thank you.