Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Up Close and Personal



























One of the highlights was visiting Ripley's Aquarium. It was a first visit for Chris and the kids to an aquarium and we were awed. There is numerous stations, many of them interactive, highlighting both local and tropical sea life. The sting ray exhibit when asked is what my kids share as being their favorite part of the trip.
This exhibit began for us at ground level, at which you get to see the different types of rays swim around. From this angle they look almost like kites floating in the wind. They were truly beautiful. It was so interesting to see the different types of rays, some spotted, some dark, light, shark shaped, diamond shape, large and small. As we came around the large tank we found a shallow area where you are invited to sit and feel the rays. WOW! we stuck our hands in and they glided past, allowing us to feel their slimy (a coating for safety) skin. They would sometimes splash a fin as they glided along.
On our second visit (one was no where near enough) later on in the day a diver was in the area feeding them. As see walked close to the edge large numbers followed her allowing you to really see and feel them up close.

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