We spent the day at the Monterey Bay Aquarium — possibly the best aquarium in the world. Highlights from our day include feeding in the “Open Sea,” the Aquarium’s largest exhibit, “a place where tuna speed past, sardines swarm in huge, glittering schools, and sea turtles swim lazily across the 90-foot window.” Also swimming by were Scalloped hammerhead sharks, Ocean sunfish, and Pelagic stingrays. Absolutely spell-binding. And that was just one of many exhibits and programs. We also watched the feeding of South African penguins and the cutest Aquarium residents, the sea otters; we learned about the underwater research being done, and more. This place is incredible!
Because we stayed longer than we thought we would at the aquarium, our drive to San Simeon started later than we planned, and after starting off, we learned that Route 1 was closed and we’d have to drive east first to Salinas, then south rather than along the coast. And of course, we had torrential rain for part of the trip. We also had some problems with the hotel reservations we’d made, but eventually got it straightened out. A big shout out to Expedia for coming to our rescue. And Ben, for not responding to my grouchiness when plans goes awry.
What I learned today: 1. Sea otters swim upside down a lot, carry their babies on their tummies as they swim (sometimes using kelp to tie them on securely), and use a rock they place on their tummy to crack open clams for their dinner; and 2. Expedia offers the best service of any of the online hotel booking sites.
