Was that your mind I just heard being blown? Are you going to drop everything and go on a sharkation right now? Yes. You are. Put those doubts from your mind! Chuck Norris, Will Smith, Jack Bauer, and Princess Leia applaud your decision.
But how to leave the tedious mundanity of everyday life and what exactly is a sharkation? Let me paint you a picture.
Georgia Aquarium
Your sharkation begins in Georgia. The Georgia Aquarium is one of few aquariums where adults are allowed to sleepover while sharks swim overhead-- without being accompanied by a kid. Although, kids can also spend the night, if they dare.
This is where you will stay. Because, really, how many people can say they slept with sharks? You can. After your sharkation, that is.
Orlando Florida
The real destination is Orlando. It's far away from Georgia, so consider stopping by a few other places like Tybee Island and Jacksonville Florida along the way. I would suggest visiting Jacksonville's friendship fountain. Contemplate all the beloved sharks in your life.
The reason for visiting Orlando is not to see Universal Studios or any of the other less sharky and therefore much less classy attractions. You will resist the temptation to site see and head straight to SeaWorld. Just kidding, you might as well see all the other cool sites while you're there. Still. Keep your eye on the goal. Your main mission is threefold.
1) You will swim with sharks.
2) You will feed sharks.
3) You will eat at a shark themed restaurant.
It's true. SeaWorld goes so far as to let its visitors swim with sharks, feed them, and even eat with them. Discovery Cove in SeaWorld provides snorkeling adventures where you can swim with, not only sharks, but all kinds of marine life! Ignore them, they are pathetic. Find the sharks and follow them closely. It won't annoy them at all. They are used to paparazzi.
Be warned, it may be prudent to feed the sharks first...you know, so they won't be hungry. The sharks will be so happy that you became their friends they will want to dine with you. Eat at Shark's Underwater Grill where an aquarium full of sharks takes up an entire wall next to your table. This very well may be the highlight of your sharkation.
Tampa Florida
When you get to Tampa, you are going to make an important stop at the Florida Aquarium for Shark Week. This is where it gets real. There is a possibility there will be shark themed doughnuts. So learn about shark conservation while you eat treats shaped like sharks...why does that seem wrong?
Make sure you go during the right time of the year. Because-- shark con! That's why. Yes, shark con is a thing. It's in Tampa. It is awesome. But it needs to be more awesome. That is where you come in. Unlike comic con, it doesn't seem like most people dress in costumes. But you're not most people. Dress up as a shark, or wear a shark hat to start a new trend. How dedicated to sharks are you? As dedicated as this dog?
Photo compliments of Petful on Flickr |
Sharkation Complete
Once you have traveled to all of these destinations, you can officially say you have been on a sharkation. Yay! Will you ever be doubted again? Don't count on it.