Labor day weekend and we had no plans for several reasons. No car, no energy after the endless shopping trips, need for relaxation at home, more shopping. However, our neighbors had already made a plan and invited us to join them. And we did :)
The plan was simple-start on Sunday morning and head to Monterey Bay Aquarium, then the beach and finally end the day watching the fireworks at Great America. But the only thing that we did manage to do was the Aquarium.
For starters we started from home more than an hour later than decided (expected due to kids and 4 families involved in the plan). Next, the freeway was jam packed and it seemed everyone was heading out to Monterey beach. The journey that was supposed to take an hour and a half took three hours.
The Aquarium has two floors and is huge-the biggest I've ever seen. The 'Jellies Experience' was one of my favorite exhibits. It displayed a wide variety of jelly fishes and they were gorgeous to look at. They looked almost surreal. I could stand there looking at it for hours.
Another fascinating one was the 'Secret lives of sea-horses.' With heads like horses, tails like monkeys and pouches like kangaroos, these tiny fishes are such interesting creatures. Their ability to change colors, the male fish giving birth to young ones and the mating dance are all so intriguing.
The giant Pacific Octopus is a sight to behold. It is gigantic in size and one of the main attractions of the aquarium.
The 'Open Sea' is yet another awe-inducing exhibit. The different types, shapes, sizes and colors of fishes underwater can be seen in the open sea.
There was also a touch pool where volunteers would explain the different the creatures and visitors were allowed to touch the fishes. This one was the favorite of all kids.
Overall it was a very educative and fun visit. The place, however was very crowded and noisy due to kids.
It took us about 3 hours to tour the entire place. After which, we headed out to the Monterey downtown. We bought a fridge magnet and got ourselves a hot chocolate. It was already six and we skipped the rest of the plan and came straight back home.
What: Monterey Bay Aquarium
Where: 888 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA
Hours: 10 am-6 pm (check website for holidays & specials)
Admission fee: $34.95
The plan was simple-start on Sunday morning and head to Monterey Bay Aquarium, then the beach and finally end the day watching the fireworks at Great America. But the only thing that we did manage to do was the Aquarium.
For starters we started from home more than an hour later than decided (expected due to kids and 4 families involved in the plan). Next, the freeway was jam packed and it seemed everyone was heading out to Monterey beach. The journey that was supposed to take an hour and a half took three hours.
The Aquarium has two floors and is huge-the biggest I've ever seen. The 'Jellies Experience' was one of my favorite exhibits. It displayed a wide variety of jelly fishes and they were gorgeous to look at. They looked almost surreal. I could stand there looking at it for hours. |
| Jelly fish |
 |
| Sea Dragon |
 |
The 'Open Sea' is yet another awe-inducing exhibit. The different types, shapes, sizes and colors of fishes underwater can be seen in the open sea.
 |
| Anchovies |
Overall it was a very educative and fun visit. The place, however was very crowded and noisy due to kids.
It took us about 3 hours to tour the entire place. After which, we headed out to the Monterey downtown. We bought a fridge magnet and got ourselves a hot chocolate. It was already six and we skipped the rest of the plan and came straight back home.
What: Monterey Bay Aquarium
Where: 888 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA
Hours: 10 am-6 pm (check website for holidays & specials)
Admission fee: $34.95
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