When I was in 1st grade we studied marine biology in my gifted class. I became obsessed about Monterey Bay Aquarium. I would log onto their website and watch the live cams for hours. I always loved marine life but this was a goal to get to Monterey and see the animals. We arrived in the afternoon and the aquarium was closed but we wandered about on Cannery Row enjoying the sights.
We saw the Pacific Ocean and even went out for lava cake late at night. YUMMY!
In the morning we walked from he hotel towards the aquarium and got there a bit early. We wandered past and down the walking trail and saw harbor seals running and playing on the beach.
There were lots of little pups as this is the time when they are not quite weened from mamas milk.
We got to the aquarium at 10am and started to explore. Mom was over chatting with some of the volunteers about the webcams I so love. Somehow she talked to the right person and we got to go on a free private tour of the jellyfish store closet. It was huge, we only got to go in a bit but it was awesome. We got to see how ig the tanks really are, not just what you see framed out on the other side.
We saw jellyfish species not on display for the public to see.
We saw the moon jelly fish tank where they have thousands of baby moon jellies.
When we finished we walked in the public area and checked out the tanks from the front.
I loved the recycled plastic creations.
I enjoyed the overlooks on the Pacific Ocean and looking out into the water.
We got to see the feeding at the Open Ocean display. The tuna were HUGE!
  
More jellies!
The touch tanks were better than anything I have seen before. I made pals with all the mine women docents. I think most kids touch and run and we stayed and talked and asked questions.
The aquarium was everything I wanted and more. I did go through that let down of looking forward to something for so long and it finally being done. Tired, exhausted but HAPPY!