Swimming with dolphins has long been a favourite tourist attraction along Mexico’s Pacific Coast, but how about doing laps alongside big blubbery sea lions?
Just outside downtown Puerto Vallarta, you can literally get “nose to whiskers” with these friendly giants.
For around 75 bucks, Vallarta Adventures offers a rare chance to get up close and personal with several well-trained lions.
Sure, I’ll admit I was a bit intimidated — in fact downright worried — about splashing around in the same pool with a 1,500 pound hairy creature, but my new friend Cassandra the lion, soon put my mind at ease.
She swam right up, threw a welcoming flipper around my fragile neck, gave me a big hug and planted a big wet, fishy kiss on me.
OK, admittedly it was the most affection I’d had in a while, but I really could have lived without that overpowering tuna breath.
That aside, the whole experience really was downright fascinating. These mammals are darned intelligent, and love to frolick with humans in a fun, and thankfully, non-life-threatening way.
After swimming with, feeding and just hanging out with my new deep-sea friend, I was even ready for the grand finale.
Cassandra got a good head start and suddenly flew out of the water directly over my head, leaving me uncrushed, and a little sad it was all over.
It’s a highly recommended once in a lifetime experience.
Hey, when are you going to get kissed by a 1,500-pound monster named Cassandra again?
