I never thought I would spend so much time in the water with a large mammal that can balance me on its nose. 
But, fortune would have it that the father of Benji's best friend in school is a corporate V.P. for the company that runs Dolphin Encounters. Our first adventure took place in Puerto Adventurus. We climbed into the dolphin pool and took turns streaking thorugh the water with the help of the well-trained dolphins.
After we had our fill, we then had a spiritual experience with the manatees. They are gigantic and ginger beasts that only care about chewing lettuce. We swam around them and stroked them and generally marvelled at how gentle they were.
Our next dolphin adventure was on Isla Mujeres. First, though, I must digress into a description of the
amazing lunch we had prior to our dolphin experience. After playing on Playa Norte for an hour, we jumped on a bus and traveled down the island to a restaurant reknown for its traditional wood fired, smoky Yucatan fish. It was amazing!
Then, a short taxi ride and we were at the gorgeous Isla Dolphin Adventure site. After playing in the pools, we got a tour of the animals. There were rays and sharks and acrobatic dolphins leaping 25 feet into the air. We got up close and person with a pair of dolphins and fed them while they practiced their tricks. We touched their tongues, felt their teeth, stroked their bellies, kissed them. (Sounds like some kind of teenage first date.)
Jordan, Holley and Mike are now in Napa and we miss them. They are wonderful biologists, storytellers, and generous friends.
