day 2: just keep swimming.

Our dolphin trip was scheduled to leave the resort at 9:30am on Sunday, so we got up around 8am to wake up, shower and grab breakfast.  We took a little shuttle bus for the 6 mile trip to the ferry where our boat was departing, which gave us our first look at downtown Nassau, including the straw market and cruise ship terminals.  After checking in at the dock, we received wristbands for the trip and climbed aboard a double-decker boat.  It was a gorgeously sunny morning, and the 25 minute boat trip to Blue Lagoon Island was just the way to wake up for the day!

We arrived on the island around 10:30am and were immediately greeted by our trainers for our swim session.  We listed to a little presentation about dolphins and the island first, and then headed down to a floating dock for our program.  I was so excited I could hardly stand it-- I've always loved dolphins and I was beyond thrilled to have the opportunity for the swim!

Each participant was divided into groups of 10.  When you weren't in the water, you got to watch the other groups and enjoy the sun.  We were in the second group for our session, so we got to see what we'd be doing first, and then we hopped into the water to meet Salvatore, our dolphin friend for the day.




Our swim consisted of a few things: a dance, a kiss, a hug, a back and belly pet and a photo session.  Readers, it was seriously the coolest 30 minutes of my life.  I'm VERY glad we invested in a waterproof digital camera for the trip-- I was able to get some great candid pictures of us in the water!

Jeremy dancing with his new pal!

Dolphin kisses... fishy!

After our swim, we ventured around the island for a bit before lunch.  We visited with the sea lions, watched some baby dolphins being trained, played in the touch tank and took in some gorgeous island views.  By 1pm, we were starving, so we grabbed lunch and then laid on the beach and in hammocks while it digested. 

After we rested, we rented a water bike for 30 minutes and took a spun around the lagoon-- so fun!  

Pedal faster!

We ended our day on Blue Lagoon Island fulfilling one of Jeremy's country music lyric dreams...

I got my toes in the water, ass in the sand

Not a worry in the world, a cold beer (or, pina colada) in my hand

Life is good today, life is good today.

We headed back to Nassau around 4:30pm.  After arriving at the hotel, we went for a dip in the pool at sunset and then decided to try the Sheraton's Bimini Market for dinner.  We dined on the outdoor terrace and enjoyed the sea breeze and moonlight as we ate.  It was the most perfect first day of vacation I've ever had.