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Reflections of a reluctant Sea World Visitor

Son of a Sailor

Son of a Sailor

Keeping in mind this blog discusses travel as well as sailboats and cruising, we make it a habit to visit new and interesting places on a regular basis if we can.  In January we visited the Maritime Museum of San Diego and in early February we visited Sea World, San Diego.  I went because my 5-year old daughter really, really wanted to go and I was pressured into it.  I’m not a big fan of Sea World, thus I was the reluctant visitor.

I don’t care what your animal politics are, whether you’ve seen Blackfish or whether you just don’t like going to large amusement parks,,,,I’m not going to get into that.  But for me,,,I’ve been a bit down on going to Sea World since Anheuser-Busch and the Clydesdales pulled out, their prices went up, the shows I remember as a kid are now gone permanently, and I just don’t really like lots of people around me in amusement park settings.   To be honest (since it’s my blog) I’m not a huge fan of seeing large mammals in very small cages for my entertainment,,,but this has changed since I was a kid, I used to love that.

This trip changed my mind about Sea World.  The day was a complete blur of chasing kids between tanks of live animals they could actually touch and trying to find them in the various age specific play areas.  Although still not at the top of my list of places to go, I will no longer try to not go,,,,cause the times they are a-changing and so is Sea World.  The company finally seems to realize that there’s potential for profit by showing off the science they do and getting children to interact with species that most are afraid of,,,like sharks and rays.  This took most of the time we spent at Sea World,,,,cause theres alot of places for kids and adults to actually touch live sharks, rays, enenemies, sea sponges and other slimy things in shallow water ponds and massive tide pools.  This was the money-maker on the trip and the reason I would go back.  I have a strong draw to places where my kids can learn the intrinsic value of animal species and where animals will be respected and de-mystified.   Take a look at our pictures below,,,,and decide for yourself:

End of Shark Alley, where Sharks and Fish are all around you in a glass walk-way. My daughter didn't appreciate the photogenic moment.
End of Shark Alley, where Sharks and Fish are all around you in a glass walk-way. My daughter didn’t appreciate the photogenic moment.
This was one of their favorites. The rays would come right up to your hands and allow you to scratch their heads and feed them, much like a dog or a cat. They are taken out of the pools every two weeks to get the stingers on their tails clipped so they won't injure guests.
This was one of their favorites. The rays would come right up to your hands and allow you to scratch their heads and feed them, much like a dog or a cat. They are taken out of the pools every two weeks to get the stingers on their tails clipped so they won’t injure guests.
I love Famingo's, so colorful and full of life, this was a very large area for them and you could view them on either side.
I love Famingo’s, so colorful and full of life, this was a very large area for them and you could view them on either side.
Great exhibit where kids can touch the Sea Urchin's between pokey parts and they will get their fingers squeezed. This is quite an affirmation of life to a young child who isn't expecting it. These creatures can be eaten and the exhibit explains that there are now areas of the world where they are disappearing from.
Great exhibit where kids can touch the Sea Urchin’s between pokey parts and they will get their fingers squeezed. This is quite an affirmation of life to a young child who isn’t expecting it. These creatures can be eaten and the exhibit explains that there are now areas of the world where they are disappearing from.
Yep, there are numerous large tide pools full of these small sharks where you or your kid can actually pet, touch and experience what a shark feels like in the water. It's a great way to introduce young kids to this animal and perhaps encourage kids to respect and protect them.
Yep, there are numerous large tide pools full of these small sharks where you can actually pet, touch and experience what a shark feels like in the water. It’s a great way to introduce young kids to this animal and perhaps encourage kids to respect and protect them.

 

We’re a bit loud and irreverent sometimes, but we have some great adventures as a family.  If you like us,,,please consider following us!

via Daily Prompt: Blur

4 Responses

  1. That looks like an amazing place. We’re in the Midwest, far from oceans. Bet it was fun to see all those sharks up close.

    Reply

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