Adventures of Suzy Homemaker: I think I saw that on Shark Week once...

A short break from home related adventures - to my Peru adventures!

When I first read the proposed agenda for my recent Peru trip, the last day of activities included "Swimming with the Seals".

My first thoughts - umm, I don't think so. I have seen Shark Week before, and as we all know, seals are a shark's favorite food. So, in no way am I planning on joining the seals as a swimming buffet for sharks. (As much as I would love to have my own TV show- making a guest appearance on Shark Week - as the meal - is NOT one of them.)

So then I re-read the agenda as we finalize it and realize that it is "Swimming with the SEA LIONS" - which I don't remember any guest appearances by them on Shark Week - so we are good.

Fast forward. Peru - last scheduled day on our agenda. I have pictured a Disney or Cancun like bay area where, in a controlled environment, where I would be in the same area as A (read 1, one) sea lion.

Below is what I see 2 hours into our boat ride:

Yup - that is right - an island with 8,000 sea lions! I don't know how to begin to describe everything - but one predominate feeling - fear over the temperature of the water. For those of you that failed geography - Peru is bordered by the Pacific Ocean - and in September, they are just coming out of winter. I asked one of the shipmates the temperature of the water - "oh, not freezing, maybe 16-18 degrees".

Oh, not freezing - great. But, how often are you in Peru by an island of 8,000 sea lions? So we squeeze into wet suits. (For anyone who has not had the pleasure of visiting Peru - I look like a giant compared to them. I specifically ask for "grande" size wet suit - they laughed and gave me an XL.)

The water will knock the breathe out of you. Once I went numb - or into shock - not sure what happened - I slowly swam out to the sea lions. They were wild - and swam away if you made quick movements. The "life guard" (I am unsure of what qualified this guy for the title) - had me float and then pushed me into the masses of sea lions.

This encounter is probably the most incredible thing I have ever done. As I floated there - they stared back at me - barking, nudging my feet, swimming under me - jumping right by me.... it was amazing and overwhelming.