Aqua Bella: The Dolphins Show - Dolfinarium, Netherlands

The visit to the famous Dutch Dofinarium in the city of Harderwijk was great fun. We had driven from Groningen where we were staying with my school days friend Tariq Hashmi and were really excited and looking forward to see the dolphins - something we had seen in the movies so far.

However, upon arrival we were informed that the dolphin show is already in progress and would be repeated at least 2-3 three hours later. Instead we could see the walrus and seals show. We did not know that of this surprise as like dolphins, we had not seen mighty walrus or the seals before. So we first went to see the Walrus Show - I have already written post on it, followed by the seals show. And then it was time to move on to the big dome shaped indoor pool for the Aqua Bella - or the Dolphin Show.

My son posing with his mother outside the big domed indoor pool for the dolphins show

 My sons readying for the dolphin show

The show began with an awesome slide show and clips about Netherlands with dramatic sound effect, as can be seen in the photos above and below before the show began.

It was as surprise that a dolphin came so close to us and was allowed to be patted by a young boy before she swam back for an awe inspiring show of almost an hour long. See some of their feats in the video at the end of the post. 

After the magnificent show was over, we had a photo session as did all the tourists inside the dome to mark our presence in the Dolfinarium - something that is a life time meomry.

 

Now it is time to watch the video of the spectacular show by the dolphins of Dolfinarium:

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The Walrus Show - Dolfinarium, Netherlands

In one of my previous posts, I talked of my visit to the Dolfinarium, Netherlands - the Largest Marine Mammal Park in Europe. Well that was just the introduction to this unique marine mammal park, as there is much more to it when one enters the park. There are vast water ponds housing seals, dolphins and walruses. Not only the display, but there are daily shows by each mammal that one can never forget later in life.

Although we were straightaway interested in seeing the dolphins show first, but it was already in progress and the walrus show was just about to begin. So we also queued up behind the already long queue to enter the walrus arena.

Scroll down for a short video clip of the show

My family posing before joining the queue for the walrus show

We are seen enjoying the show (above and below)

Once inside the arena, there was already a large crowd of spectators occupying the long wooden benches waiting for the show to begin. We too got a place on the farther end - though it would have better had we got a place in the centre of the sitting area to watch the show right in front of us.

No sooner the arena was almost jam packed the show unveiled. And it was so interesting to watch giant walrus mammals performing mind blowing feats of physical activity that one could resist appreciating their trainers to train these giant animals perform great feats of physical activity.

Herein under are some of the photos that I took during the show:

I do not know how many of you do sit ups, but watching doing sit ups by these tons heavy walrus was really awesome and worth applauding.

  

 And after sit ups, the push ups by walrus was another mind blowing feat as can be seen above

Beside taking photos, I also managed to take a few video shots that I have put together to show you the live coverage of the the walrus show. Some of the photos above will be augmented when you see the video clip, I have already shared on YouTube, as seen below:

People moving away after the show

But that was not the end. There is a huge lift that can take you in the basement from where you can see the huge walruses swimming by from the big green glass windows. Here are some of the shots:

This kid found it amusing to watch the walrus from very close quarters - almost face to face. And perhaps the walrus also enjoyed it too and stayed there for quite sometime till the kid moved away.

This brings me to the end of this wonderful show - something I had never seen before, except in movies. But this is not the end of wonders of the Dolfinarium. There are still two more shows remaining: The seal and dolphins show. I will share these separately in my subsequent posts.

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Dolfinarium, Netherlands – The largest marine mammal park in Europe

Sometime back, I shared a post ‘Oceanographic Park, Valencia - the largest Aquarium in Europe.’ The aquarium is not only huge and the biggest in Europe, but also houses all kind of marine life in a manner that it looks as if one is really under the sea watching what wonderful world lays under the blue sea.

Although, during my Schengen travelogue we could not go to Spain, but we sure did go to a place though much smaller in size but is the most visited and largest sea animal park in Europe.

On our third day in the Netherlands, my friend suggested that we must see the dolphins in action for fun. I thought the show as right there in Groningen. But I was told that the place called Dolfinarium is located in the city of Harderwijk, almost close to Amsterdam. Well that meant a drive of almost an hour and a half to cover the distance of 143.8 kilometers via A28 highway.

So early morning we left by road and were there by 11 AM. But before we could spot the Dolfinarium, I spotted the lone windmill, of which I have already talked about in one of my earlier posts.

Thereafter we went to the Dolfinarium - bought the tickets and went into the huge area which houses dolphins, seals and walruses. Each day a number of shows are arranged separately for the walruses, seals and the dolphins. Although we were late, but we managed to see all three shows and enjoyed the day.

A brief history of the Dolfinarium: The work on the concept started in 1955 by two brothers Frits den Herder and Coen. The venue was opened to public in 1965 and has since then become a great tourist attraction for all those visiting Netherlands. City of Harderwijk where Dolfinarium is located is an hour's drive from Amsterdam. Approximately 800,000 visitors come here annually.

Visit to such places is incomplete if hots are not taken as my family below pose at the Dolfinarium to make it a memorable tour of our Schengen travelogue.

I will cover the shows for each mammal separately with the photos taken and videos made.

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