DOLPHIN
RETREATS:
1) Where are your retreats conducted?
We do all of our dolphin retreats, Mastering Joy Level I, in our
beautiful home in Captain Cook on the Big Island of Hawaii. We
have two guest bedrooms, so the first four people to register
will stay in our home the whole time; those who register after
that will be housed for sleeping only at the Manago Hotel around
the corner from us. This will be only at sleep times and the rest
of the time they will be here in our home with the group for meals,
meetings, etc.
2)
Do I have to be a good swimmer or have snorkel experience to take
part in the dolphin retreats?
No, not at all. We have worked with thousands of people from all
over the world....many who have never snorkeled or know how to
swim. Doug is the expert with beginners and knows how to teach
snorkeling and makes sure that people feel comfortable in the
ocean and have fabulous experiences with the dolphins. On the
first day, we always take the group to a shallow bay to learn
how to snorkel, make sure the gear is working properly and become
comfortable. We have swim supports to hold onto if needed. Doug
is 100% successful in creating safety and comfort in the ocean.
3)
What about food restrictions and allergies?
We do our best to make sure that all participants' dietary needs
are taken care of. We always have you fill out and sign a waiver
with your dietary restrictions so that we know what to expect.
Most of the delicious, gourmet food prepared for the retreats
is organic and we only serve chicken and fish dishes (if you are
a vegetarian we will provide vegetarian alternatives for you.)
If you have very special needs, we can take you to a health food
store so that you can purchase extras for yourself.
4)
What meals are included in the cost of the retreat?
We provide five dinners (one including an authentic Hawaiian Luau
with entertainment). One of the dinners is at a local wonderful
Thai restaurant so you can choose anything on the menu. All the
breakfasts are provided as well as four lunches while we are on
the boats. On the "free day", Wednesday, you will need
to pay for your own lunch and dinner. If you are taking the optional
volcano tour, there will be opportunities for getting your meals
on the road. If you go to town for the afternoon, many like to
stay in town for dinner.
5)
Do you have cats or dogs?
No, we do not have any pets so if you have animal allergies, you
will be safe here.
6)
Can we touch or pet the dolphins on the swims?
Since the dolphins that we swim with are wild and free, we do
not try to touch them. This is good dolphin etiquette. We keep
our hands to our sides and just kick gently and evenly and match
their energy as we swim along with them. The magic of being right
in the middle of the pod is so extraordinary, and their sonar
can reach us even from five miles away, we do not need to actually
touch them to receive all the benefits of the dolphin energy.
7)
How many people can you take in your retreats?
We can take up to about ten participants, but really do not like
to limit the numbers. Our average number of participants is about
six to eight for each retreat. We enjoy small groups where we
can really bond as a family. The captain of the boat that we charter
needs at least four people in order to take the boat out. He usually
has that number, but if we only had two in our retreat and there
was one day that the boat did not go out, we would do a shore
swim on that day if we cannot find another boat (this is very
rare.)
8)
What is the average age of participants and are there singles
and couples?
Our retreats are open to anyone from the age of about 10 to ???
We have had children join our retreats with their parents who
are open to meditation and are comfortable in a group of adults.
We also have had people in their eighties. We may have one or
two couples and some singles as well. Many times we will have
single women come alone and we provide a roommate for them. It
always is perfect and we all get along beautifully.
9)
My spouse is not really on a spiritual path like I am. Will he/she
feel comfortable?
We have had many couples attend our retreats over these twelve
years and it is especially wonderful when one of the spouses is
just opening up spiritually! We provide such a loving and safe
space for everyone that our groups are open to all who are drawn
to come and join us. We have lots of fun and laughs and no one
feels pressured to believe anything other than what is true for
them. People always have the choice to join the gatherings or
not (in the past, most everyone has chosen to join.... and they
have the best time of all!) We have seen so many transformations
occur......especially for those who have been closed.
10)
If I come alone, will I feel comfortable?
We have been conducting these life changing retreats monthly for
over twelve years and, other than one instance, have never had
a participant who wasn't totally satisfied with the whole experience.
We provide a very loving and safe environment where each person
is honored and respected. We become a "family" very
early in the week and have lots of fun in the process.
11)
What about inexpensive airline flights?
Here are web sites that often offer great prices for flights and
specials. Also, check your local Sunday newspaper's travel section.
www.mobissimo.com
www.orbitz.com
www.travelocity.com
www.expedia.com
www.cheaptickets.com
Also try for specials: Hawaiian Airline, Alaskan Airline, United
Airline, Aloha Airline, American Airline
12)
What is the best time of year to swim with dolphins?
The dolphins are plentiful all times of the year. In January,
the ocean can be rough so we do not conduct our retreats then
(only at the end of January at times). In February and March,
the humpback whales are here so it is especially exciting as we
see many whales as well! We cannot legally swim with the whales
here in the US but often the whales will come right up to our
boats. It is spectacular. The weather is perfect and hot most
daytimes year-round (75 to 85 degrees) and then in the winter
cools down a bit at night (you might only need a sweater at night.)
