Sunday, October 18, 2009

Day 11 - Monterey Bay Aquarium


Our first full day at Monterey did not start out well. We were greeted with a deluge of unseasonal downpour. Determined not to waste the day, we braved the weather to spend the day at the Aquarium.

More tips: Always pack a light raincoat or poncho in case of rain!

My family agrees with me that the Monterey Bay Aquarium is better than other aquariums we have been to. First of all, the layout of the exhibit is not confusing. It has a central foyer where everything is connected; there's no snaking around to get to something. Navigating from one exhibit to another (even from first to second floor) is a breeze. Second, the displays are uncluttered with brief yet powerful descriptions. The display background is mostly a solid blue hue such that your attention is focused on the sea creature itself with no backdrop distractions. Thirdly, less is more. There is less to see avoiding information overload.

What sets it apart is the Aquarium's message of environmental awareness. Their shows, videos and live feedings always talk about saving the ocean. It's evident that they do 'walk the talk'. The Aquarium is a conservation and research facility spearheaded by scientists from Stanford University.

A must-see for the children if you ever visit Monterey.


No comments:

Post a Comment