April 4th

This was the day Amber had waited for. We were going to the Porpoise Pool where she was booked in to swim with dolphins. We were woken by Kate who had bee anxious to see what the Eater Bunny brought. They were both plensantly suprised. First up we managed to talk the kids into a early morning walk to the point where we had espyed a cairn of some point.

Across a wooden bridge and up along a windy ridge, and we came out on a grassy cliff. The sign appeared to be a survey marker adorned with ancient chains. In the wind, it was hard to keep upright and we kept our distance from the cliff edges. Back along a goat track which led to the beach, we stopped to skim rocks then arrived back at camp in time for delicious Easter pancakes cooked expertly by Terri.

We all jumped in one car and headed for the dolphin attraction for about 10.30. Amber had to check in at 10.45, so we wandered around seeing the various pools. There was less here to see than I had imagined, and the pools seemed awfully small for dolphins so I felt a little uneasy. The up side was, there was an almost endless opportunity for interaction during the day which we all enjoyed. From dolphin kisses and seal kisses to hand feeding opportunities, it was a wonderful place to connect with these amazing creatures.

Amber entered the pool with three other children at 11am. They met Bella the dolphin and stroked her tummy, fed her treats, brushed her teeth and even played ball. Amber was on the verge of squealing at every moment, and we were able to be only a few feet from her, watching the whole thing. Although the interaction was tame on an adult scale, Amber was absolutely estatic and it was a joy to watch.

Amber was on a high the rest of the day as watched the dolphin show, followed the baby dolphin around the pool and recieved numerous kisses. Although this attraction is old and a bit tired, the kids don't see this part, and it is well worth a visit.

We were all rather tired when we stopped at the Big Banana on the way back to camp. Perhaps it was this that gave us an impression which wasn't all together favourable. The attractions here certainly are varied... taboggan rides, ice-skating, walking trails, candy making demonstrations and the world's largest puzzle, to name a few...

Back home some of us hit the sack for a nana nap and Amber and I took to the beach. She played and I read my book... a beautiful stir-fry ended the day and it certainly was one we will remember for a long time!