Stingray bay was a place full of an odd excitement that I didn’t share.

Young families were there with their children, and lifted them up to lean over into a pool where live stingrays were swimming around and a nurse shark. I didn’t find the nurse shark in there, but the whole experience kind of gave me the willies.

There was a lifeguard type of a person with a microphone who was coaching people regarding how to “pet” them.

People were encouraged to pet the stingrays, and the stingrays apparently like to be petted.

One lady said “go ahead! They’re soft!”

And I thought to myself, no thanks, I’m here to take in the sights, not pet the wildlife.

I found it to be a very strange place, the idea in itself rubbed against the grain, although I don’t know why.

We should strive to understand creatures like this, but I don’t think it’s right to teach people that they are totally harmless and can be stroked like a pet domestic dog.

They were gliding gracefully by, flying through the water like water borne birds - they were strikingly beautiful; but although I’d washed my arms up to my elbows, I wasn’t interested in touching them, and neither was my husband.