Was out with the family last week to spend the day in Jakarta's Fantasy World (Our own definition of Disneyland or sorts) and also to see the wonders of the underwater creatures in the Sea World. It was more or less as I remembered seeing when I was a child. Though much much older now, still feel bit childlike in places like this. So we finally went to see this Dolphin and Beluga Whale show. The Dolphins came out first. Entertaining the audience with their ability to jump, count, greet, basically showing their intelligence since they're amongst the smartest animals there are. I love dolphins, have always do, cause unlike any other underwater species, mammal or not, I feel like their eyes shows some kind of emotion, their faces looks like their smiling to you. But then, after seeing Owen and NyunNyun, I found a new object of affection.
They came out after the dolphins. I never thought that whales could be so tiny (if you compare it with Orcas and other whales, yes, the Belugas are tiny, on 5m or 15 ft long and males weigh 1,360 kg as for females weigh 900 kg) and teachable. Okay, I saw Freewilly, but I thought it only happens in the movies! So after greeting to the crowd and doing some laps, the trainers offered if anyone would want to come to the arena and give the Belugas a big wet kiss. I naturally had to offered myself. And was lucky to get picked to come near these cute captives.
They told me to come up to NyunNyun first, and as I push my head above the water, she comes out of the water and touch my cheek with her slightly opened mouth. I was more nervous that scared, although I can see her big teeth as she kisses me, the emotion on her eyes assured me to embrace it. They have a more wider eyes than the dolphins, but similar kind of emotion. The kindest looking eyes, sometimes helpless, but still something that gives your heart reassurance just by looking at them. I touch the right side of her rostrum as she kisses me. The skin was very slippery yet soft. I would want to touched it longer but she slipped away already.
Then come Owen. Bad boy Owen. I love him too, but he was just naughty!! You'll see in the vid the reason why..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN1J2L3Rk_4
Thanks for a once in a lifetime experience NyunNyun and Owen. Hope I can see you again someday... Love you both!
Labels: Animals
