As the year began, the looming milestone of turning 30 stirred a quiet turmoil within me. It wasn’t about feeling old – age is just a number, after all. What troubled me was the nagging sense of lacking tangible achievements, a feeling amplified by external pressures. I came to realize that what defines my happiness and success might not align with societal expectations after a week of internal battles.
Still, I compiled a bucket list, a catalog of desires waiting to be fulfilled. Among them was a whimsical aspiration: swimming with otters. Delving into research, I was surprised to find a few places offering this experience. After weighing options, I settled on Nurtured by Nature in California.
Reflecting now, I’m immensely grateful for that decision. The experience was nothing short of perfection.
Excitement surged as I booked the trip, planning a weekend getaway to celebrate my 30th birthday. Time whisked by in a flurry of activities – hanging out with friends, achieving my P2 pilot’s status for paragliding – until suddenly, my husband and I found ourselves en route to California.
Road trips with him are always a delight, filled with indulgent snacks, fizzy drinks, and audiobooks. Sometimes, we engage in deep discussions spurred by an article he’s read. Arriving at a hotel on Friday night, we eagerly anticipated the final leg of our journey the next morning.
As Saturday dawned, nerves fluttered within me. The realization that I would soon swim with otters left me exhilarated yet anxious. Gathering in the parking lot, I braced myself for the day’s adventures, uncertain about the eclectic mix of individuals who would join our group.
To my relief, they were all kindred spirits – fellow animal lovers bound by a shared enthusiasm. Our day commenced with an educational encounter with creatures like Capyccino, the cucumber-loving capybara, and Chloe, the shy sloth. Each interaction was guided by Nurtured by Nature’s ethos of prioritizing the animals’ well-being.
Venturing outside, we encountered a menagerie of captivating creatures, from adult capybaras to bat-eared foxes. Yet, the anticipation for the grand finale loomed large.
After a brief interlude, we were given instructions on how the otter experience would go, and then excused to don our swimsuits, hastening to prepare for the main event. As we re-entered the “ottertorium” we walked into the pool one by one, my heart raced with anticipation. When the otters finally made their appearance, I was overcome with a mix of excitement and awe.
These Asian small-clawed otters, though initially shy, soon warmed up to us, their playful personalities shining through. Among them, Puppy and Hank the Tank stole my heart with their antics, as they gleefully swam around us, showering us with affection.
Throughout it all, my husband stood by my side, capturing precious moments on camera and ensuring that I savored every second of this dream come true. As I emerged from the water, exhilarated and brimming with joy, I knew that this was an experience I would cherish forever.
In the end, swimming with otters at Nurtured by Nature was not just a checkmark on my bucket list; it was a testament to the power of pursuing one’s passions and finding bliss in the most unexpected places. And as I bid farewell to the otters, I couldn’t help but echo the sentiment: Long live the otters!
