Here fishy fishy fishy...

Fishy wanna kiss??
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Monterey Bay aquarium is full of fishes. Lots of fishes. All swimming around and around in glass enclosures. [Oh and otters, penguins, frogs and snakes.. weird combo i know but awesome.] The perspex between us and the underwater world acts as a magnifying glass, showing the hordes (and i do mean hordes) of tourists and local visitors the mysteries of the deep, including (but not limited too, electric jellyfish. Very very wicked!

The complex itself is massive, sprawling along the sea shore of the famous Monterey Bay. The aquarium is housed in the abandoned factories of the Monterey sardine canerary which, once upon a time, long long ago, was world renowned for placing the 'sardine' on plates across the globe. Due to overfishing of the local sardine population in the 1930s and 1940s schools of sardines became rare and then non-existant. Today the sardine population has only just started to return en mass. No doubt destined to be over-fished once more.

Shark-fin soup eaters - educate yourselves!

Pingu the penguin.
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Given this location, it is not surprising that the aquarium is dedicated to the education of all visitors about the awesomeness and fragility of the oceans and seas that cover 70% of the earth's surface. Of course, most visitors miss the point as they stare for hours into fish tanks marveling at something soon to be extinct due to human activity. But as long as they left with a stuffed otter most seemed unperturbed.

The entry fee is rather pricey, $30 for adults (which equated to $50AU) however the price is on par (and/or cheaper) with every other sanctuary/theme park/entry fee in the California state (and Australia). In addition, the fee goes towards the maintenance of the aquarium and the ongoing education of ignorant shark-fin soup eaters and of course; the protection of endangered species in the Monterey Bay area and around the world. Its nice to put back :D!

Purty pink starfishes
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The aquarium is extremely interactive. Numerous touch tanks provide the visitor with the opportunity to touch our friendlier sea creatures including the freakish 'decorator crab' and bright orange and red sea cucumbers which just screamed; 'I'M DANGEROUS!' - apparently a bluff though my lips do feel kinda numb... just kidding mum. Aside from touch tanks shows throughout the day educate and amuse, and a plethora of interactive, educational displays provide a fun and enjoyable experience for children and adults alike. I give it five starfish for excellence of adventure!