A walk around the perimeter included the floating bridge, a path of consciousness and some of the most spectacular views of the Caribbean water I have ever seen. It is understandable that they should call it the birthplace of water. The brightly coloured and large fish were everywhere. I couldn’t take enough photos to do them justice.

The swim with the dolphins was scheduled for 12:15. Just enough time to get there.

We arrived and found out we should have been 15 minutes early. They let us in anyway.

We watched a movie and learned what they are doing for dolphins, what is happening with dolphins, and what not to do to dolphins. Then we put on life vests and went to the dolphins.

10 of us were in this huge lake with 2 dolphins. We got in onto a platform that left me in water up to my waist. We all got to say hi and meet the dolphins. We got to touch them as they went slowly past. They swam out and did some jumps.

We got into the water and the dolphins swam freely among us.

We had the opportunity to rub their backs and they’d even flip over for belly rubs like my dog at home. They seemed so happy.

We took turns swimming out to the middle of the water and the dolphins would come up and dance with us. Then we got to feed them and play with them freely again. Then we got to go out to the middle and kind of lay on the surface with our legs locked straight and our arms out in front. The dolphins came up from behind and shoved their noses into the soles of your feet and pushed. You came up in the water like a dolphin and moved like the figurehead maiden on the bowsprit of a ship. What a thrill.

Later the dolphins came up for a kiss and let us hold them. It was wonderful.

This was a moment I had only dreamed of. I was with the dolphins.

Once this dream had finished coming true, I went and found that even with our money pooled, we did not have enough for the pictures. It all worked out fine when they said they would send a guy back to the hotel with us for the rest of the money later that day when we were done playing.

Off we went to the top of the lazy river. Snorkel gear in hand we went in at the top and cruised slowly down the 1300 meter drift to the ocean. Great.

Once we were out of the water and surprisingly cold, we headed for the locker.

Picked up our friend and took the collectivo back to the hotel. We walked our escort through the hotel and watched him marvel at what he saw.

We all met before dinner again and then Japanese. Wow What a show.

The food was prepared in front of you on a sizzling hot stainless counter. The chef chopped and sliced and everything, right there, in front of you. He made the rice have a beating heart. He made the onions into a volcano, and he caught broccoli in his chef hat. He balanced a spinning egg on his spatula and flipped the spatula from top to bottom with the eggs still spinning. Then he flipped the spatula sideways and broke the egg open perfectly while the egg shell remained caught on the edge. I was amazed. I could cut my finger off with a spoon and this guy could make the food dance while wielding sharp instruments.

The guy at the table served first looked so much like Bill Clinton’s brother it wasn’t even funny. I took his picture.