Age of Aquariams

Today we finally made it to the aquarium. One word: Wow.

(Ha, if only I could keep these blog entries to one word. I can't (obviously- it is me after all!), so I shall continue with many more words...)

The aquarium is one of Oita's main attractions, and I can definitely see why! It goes by the name of "Umitamago"- literally "Sea Egg" (I still don't know why!).

Now, I have been to aquariums in the past- but this was just something else! All the creatures were so breathtakingly fascinating... I could stare at each one for hours and not get bored.

We saw sharks, countless types of fish, eels, dolphins, walruses,  stingrays, jelly fish and more. I have got to say, the walruses, dolphins, eels and jellyfish were my favourites!

The selection of sea creatures was amazing, and the whole structure of the place was wonderful. It's designed so that it feels like you are underwater with the creatures. It really did feel like we were right beside them. We could see all the details of their bodies- every line, crevasse, fold and spot. It sounds stupid, but it made me appreciate how similar we are to them in many ways.

Just watching the jellyfish flounce from one area to another, or the tops of the eels fluttering so gracefully in the water, or the walruses perform perfect tricks like bowing, laughing, pretend fainting, it seemed almost unbelievable that they were real.

Take a look!

Amazing dolphin show.

Beautiful jellyfish

It's JAWS!

Never would I think sardines were so brilliant!

Only in Japan would they deck out the crab's house

I have no words to describe how incredible these eels were to look at!

Being brave and holding a sea slug!

Seals!

Wow, these eels were just mindblowing

I. can. hold. a. sea. slug. Yes, I can!

Ahh, get a room!

Kids admiring the view of countless sardines!

Is that you, Michael Jordon?

Walrus!

"Paint me like one of your French girls"

PENGUINS!!!

Trying my best to swim with the fishies.