Rosemary Parkinson, Freelance Writer
Guests help themselves to fine dining at Dolphin Cove. - ROSEMARIE PARKINSON PHOTOS
Dolphin Cove
Ocho Rios, St. Ann
Open: Daily 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Lunch: Noon to 3:30 p.m.
Cost: J$744 adults; J$372children under 10
Special functions by request
THESE DAYS I seem to be doing a lot of things I never thought I would do at my age. Getting older makes you more adventurous, I guess at least it seems to be making me.
To be honest I am glad for it because this is the time one starts forgetting yesterday, so having some extra adventures in your memory bank is not be a bad idea, eh?
I was 'kidnapped'. Yep. I was. Michelle Davis and Sophie Leahong (Hedo III) literally 'forced' me to drive to Ocho Rios few Sundays ago (and in my own car to boot) "for an adventure of a different kind," they insisted. I tried my best to resist, but there was no way I could fend off these attackers. I relented after a strenuous fight, I can assure you, and went along with the game. Next thing I knew, the car was parked. I was allowed to disembark and there we were at Dolphin Cove, Ocho Rios there for the day, I was told, there to swim with the dolphins, I was told.
Now, I have always loved
dolphins in the wild. However, I am not particular about bringing them into 'our' world, so I was not too amused. But, my 'kidnappers' were rather compelling and one has to be careful with these type of people.
And so it came to pass that I found myself sitting on a balcony overlooking the dolphin's pool, surrounded by the delightful Burrowes family (the owners) and being offered a drink by a smiling waiter. We were also to have lunch before my big adventure, I was told.
Lunch? "Now you talking," thought I. "This is the kind of kidnapping I like mi dears." I immediately settled myself into a reverie of other peaceful thoughts. I was safe.
The Dolphin Cove restaurant is natural simplicity at its best. The surrounding greenery provides not an inkling of the fact that we were a stone's throw from the main road that leads from Ochi to St. Ann's Bay. The view before me crystal clear waters, blue skies dotted with fluffy clouds was magnificent and, as I sat looking out to sea I felt gloriously at one with nature. I still was not sure if I really, really wanted to get gloriously closer than that, but life is about changes.
A DOLPHIN NAMED MISTY
Marilyn and Stafford Burrowes, along with their sons, began Dolphin Cove and the Half Moon Hotel in Montego Bay. They are staunch conservationists and show a love for mother-nature equal to none. In fact, while sipping away on my drink, I was privy to a story about fishermen finding a badly injured dolphin close to shore. Thinking that it might have 'escaped' from Dolphin Cove, they called Mrs. Burrowes who immediately sent for the animal. On its arrival, she fell madly in love with the wounded creature, adopted her and named her Misty.
"My husband always wanted a daughter," she said with that beautiful smile of hers and a twinkle in her eyes, "and his wish came true."
Misty has survived through unconditional love touching and caring. She was seen by the best of marine doctors (and others in the know) who proclaimed her totally 'un-saveable' because her injuries were too harsh and her infections deadly. Add that to the fact that she was used to the 'wild'.
Today, Misty is alive, well, and thriving in her new found home. She is the queen of the dolphin compound and the princess that the Burrowes have always wanted in their family. You think Mrs. B. is hoping a prince will come along and kiss Misty, turning her into a real bride? When you believe, all will come true. So who knows what the future might bring?
A LITTLE WICKEDNESS NOW AND THEN
Lunch was buffet, small but cosy, with choices, such as escoveitch fish, baked chicken in a half jerk seasoning and half barbecue sauce (according to Miss B). Jamaican pork stew was also a part of the mix. The accompaniments
included rice and peas, seasoned rice, steamed vegetables, pasta, tossed salad and cole slaw. These were all home-made Jamaican 'stylee' and were very tasty.
Desserts were (and are) not offered and that was fine by me because I had broken my diet and filled my plate. What can I tell you, a little wickedness every now and then hurts no one (but you).
This buffet was sweet like a Sunday lunch at home with the family and I shall endeavour to visit again without the kidnapping.
For those who might enjoy watching these amazing creatures play with their trainers, jumping out of the water just for the sheer joy of showing off their slick fine bodies you can do so without having to pay the fee for actually swimming with them. You can join the many who have already found their 'food' and relaxation niche here on the outskirts of Ocho Rios (west side). Believe me, you will. Once you leave that main road above, you will feel you are in another world, and you are
the dolphin world. I am told that Wednesdays are to be avoided because that's tour bus day and there is no peace to be had and hardly a chair to sit on. You are warned.
And, yes, I did buckle up and swam with the dolphins. Yes, I got a big kiss from Misty.
All right. All right. Hush. I got it because I whispered in her ear that I was going to make her famous in The Gleaner. There is no boundary to tactics when it comes to wishing a nice, wet, amorous kiss from a dolphin. He! He!
Walk good.
Rosemary Parkinson was last seen swimming out to sea with a handsome, shiny, drop dead gorgeous dolphin ? Her desire for Neptune to turn her into a beautiful 'dolphiness' is yet another one of her high hopes!
