Vacation - Underwater Grill

Back to blogging... and still covering our vacation in March!

Have you ever eaten dinner surrounded by a shark tank?

We had the awesome opportunity while in Orlando to eat at the Sharks Underwater Grill!  (It's an exclusive restaurant located inside Sea World.)  We weren't sure what to expect when we made the reservations and I must admit it was an experience of a lifetime.  It's not a large restaurant and the way the tables are arranged on 3 different levels everyone can view the sharks & large fish swimming around in the massive tank the entire meal.  There was something serene & very relaxing about it - made me understand why people actually enjoy fish tanks (and ponds).  I was little concerned our 4 yr old might be afraid but luckily we sat in the middle of the restaurant just far enough away from the aquarium she could admire them with ease.  Besides the incredible close up view of unique beasts the food was good, really good.  But to be honest I wasn't there for the food alone, so it was an added plus.  The servers also knew quite a lot about the animals which I found important, and trust me a 4 yr old can come up with a lot of questions!

Other fun things about the evening/restaurant...
- at one point a shark crept up behind one of the servers, looking like it was ready to attack, probably happens often!
- the way the sharks slowly swim up to the glass makes you wonder if they can see you but I doubt it, and seeing them up so close shows just how truly frightening they are
- you can watch people viewing the aquarium through the thick glass because the tunnel at the end of Shark Encounter uses the same tank as the restaurant
- the bar is also a fish tank, how cool!  And of course there are many other tanks in and around the restaurant, with everything from neon tetras to sting rays!

The lighting wasn't optimal for our cameras, and actually our movies turned out much better, but I can at least give you an idea of our incredible evening!

 

 

Bye! Dag! Adios! Namaste!

:) Danica

Whale Debate

SeaWorld is again receiving a lot of negative attention due to the release of a documentary titled, Blackfish.  (Here's a link to the article on CNN if you're interested.)  Have I seen Blackfish yet, no... do I plan on it, yes.

After reading this article and thinking back to previous debates about SeaWorld and their captive killer whales, I started wondering how other people felt about this topic.  Do you think what Sea World does as far as keeping these creatures captive is wrong?  Do you think having the orcas perform is cruel?  Have you ever been to SeaWorld?

Now for my opinion (and yes, it might be a little bias because I grew up in Florida, not so far from from Orlando)... I have high regards for SeaWorld.  I think what they do there is amazing.  I have such great memories from my childhood of watching the performances and being able to come so close to a creature in my lifetime I would most likely never see or interact with in nature.  (Seeing the trainers dive deep in the tanks and then be shot through the air on the orcas nose was breathtaking and magical.)  I think SeaWorld is the cream of the crop, I have attended other oceanariums and so far, nowhere compares.  They have the money and knowledge to do great research and care for the animals as needed, and I think it is very unfair that they are being scrutinized as cruel or immoral.

 

I am capable of seeing all sides of the debate.  By nature these animals should be free.  And yes, trainers have died in the water (our hearts go out to their families).  But look at science and its history, sacrifices have to be made in order to learn and discover.  I admit, I struggle at zoos, it is hard seeing the animals confined, but I know they are being treated well and it's for a good cause.  I have learned so much by attending zoos and ocenariums, and I know the money I spend while at the parks goes back to the animals, and not only the ones on display. 

I think when SeaWorld sees an issue they make an adjustment.  Did you know they no longer allow the trainers to perform with the orcas since 2010?  But back to the actual debate... its not about the trainers or the money raised, its about the killer whales being confined.  Would the debate end if they stopped with the orcas and focused on other sea life... I doubt it, I think the focus would then just shift to another creature.  What's your opinion?