In Reply to: Ann, yes, you are right, in Sth Aust posted by gillb on Saturday, 17. March 2007 at 15:37 Bali Time:
Hi again Gill,
yes I have done it a few times, some during the day when we saw quite a few and the best was sunrise when you go out with the little fishing boats before dawn and watch the sunrise over the mountains while the dolphins swim around the boat.
the boats are the little pradas and you are sitting quite close to the water.
the boats are quite safe altho they dont look it and the fishermen very competent, we paid about 25000 each but I gave the guy extra, it was so magical I felt I was robbing him not giving more !
all you need do is go to the dolphin statue and ask and someone will take you and your daughter out.
it is a far better way than swimming in a pool with trapped animals who cannot escape and whose keeper thinks they are "lazy" when they dont interact.
imagine how dreadful their lives must be, never to swim in the open ocean, trapped and forced to interact no matter what.
if you want more info about why the "swim" is not a good idea, just google "dolphin swim" and read the evidence for your self.
do not support the Melka in going for a swim, all they are interested in is the money they can make, not the ethics of performing animals forced to exist in such conditions.
the option of interacting in the dolphins natural environment is so achievable and so lovely, I hope you do it and see for yourself....
cheers,
Ann