Seaworld in San Diego

Now, usually when I visit a foreign city I like to just meander around, people watch etc.  But occasionally you'll have a crew that are organised and have a day out planned.  On this particular trip to San Diego the whispers around the aircraft on the way over was a trip to 'Seaworld', you know, the infamous Seaworld where the whale killed someone a few years ago?  Of course, I was game.

So, after flashing our crew IDs for a discount entry pass (those IDs are like gold dust sometimes!) we entered the park.  I'll take you on a little photo tour...

First, the polar bear enclosure.  There is nothing I wanted more than to be snuggled by this big fluffy bear.  If I'd have gone in there it probably wouldn't have been a 'snuggle' in the end but, tempting nonetheless.

Just chillin'.  What a show off.

Ah yes, the seal show.  Very entertaining and certainly impressive, when you get over the fact that the poor things spend their entire lives, day in, day out, performing for noisy tourists in exchange for little treats tossed by their overly enthusiastic trainers.  Despite their intelligence (well, the ability to respond to operant conditioning and thus perform the way they do) I only hope they don't have the capacity for such abstract thought that they wonder about life outside their enclosure in the wild, and resent their gilded prison.  Really, it's no wonder that whale attacked its trainer a few years ago.  Still, this is all rather deep and existential for a fun day out at a family park, I'm sure the seals and whales are very happy in their cosy little enclosure and think nothing of it.  And the show is very good.

The great SHAMU came next, and again, very impressive stunts.  I did capture a few videos but unfortunately I can't upload them here.  I'm sure there are many on YouTube.

Word of advice: If you are wearing jeans, white clothing or any fabric not water friendly, NEVER sit in the Soak Zone.  Unless you actually want a second shower that day.

I didn't think we'd get this wet...

So, after a good soaking at the whale show, I was grumpily squelching around, walking like Bruce Wayne in an attempt to dry out my jean-clad legs.  It felt utterly horrible so we caught a taxi home.  Next time, I would  of course dress more appropriately.  All in all, I would check out Seaworld if you have a free day in San Diego and fancy some wet hair and squelchy jeans :P, but in all honesty, good family fun.