I recently had friends visiting from Toronto, Canada with their four-year-old. On their final day here, February 22, we planned to take both kids (mine included) to Dolphin Cove. We called ahead, got the rates, the times of operation, etc.

On Sunday we left Kingston with plenty time to make it to the cove. Unfortunately, we drove through the town of Ocho Rios instead of through Chalky Hill, and we hit a traffic nightmare upon arriving at the intersection of Milford Road. We were unable to move, hemmed in by another line and could not turn around.

Bitterly disappointed

We did not know what was causing the jam and only later found out that two cranes were being used to fix an overpass, and that single lane of traffic was passing though a small dirt road at the bauxite pier. It took us 90 minutes to get from that intersection to Dolphin Cove - a normal drive of five to seven minutes.

Needless to say, when we got there, with two kids too young to swim with the dolphins, and found out that the last 'meet and greet' of the dolphins which they had talked about all the way there in the car was over. We were bitterly disappointed.

I mentioned to one of the young ladies there (Sherefa Brown) that we were caught in the traffic, and had come from Kingston with the kids. Before I could even ask her to see what she could do for me, she picked up the phone, made a few calls and arranged an extra "meet and greet" session so that the kids would not be disappointed. I cannot tell you what that meant to us.

Wonderful staff

Furthermore, all of the staff were completely wonderful to us, even though we ended up being the very last ones in the park as we purchased our video and photos and they locked up as we walked out. They remained pleasant and relaxed and wished us a safe journey though they clearly were there later than usual just to accommodate us, and were trying to finish work and head home. The look on my daughter's face when she touched those dolphins and got to feed them is something I will remember all my life, and that joy was given to us by the wonderful staff of Dolphin Cove.

Big Up to all the staff who worked that day and made our trip the wonderful experience that it was!! We thank you, and my friends have returned to Toronto telling everyone how wonderful their trip was!

We are etc.,

GRATEFUL PARENTS

Kingston 8