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In September, Richard's friend Elmer (who owns a pet store) gave us tickets to the National Aquarium in Baltimore. So we grabbed Ramana’s friend Taylor and went to pier 3 of Baltimore’s inner harbor. We met Elmer and his wife, Robin at the Chart House restaurant for a great lunch. The kids had a great time coloring and when the food came we all feasted. |
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After lunch we made our way to the Aquarium. We got there just in time to see the Dolphin show. There were several Dolphins performing tricks to demonstrate how they learn, communicate and travel. There were instructions on how the animals live in the wild and relate to each other. We were seated in the front row of seats that were marked "SPLASH ZONE". The kids hoped and hoped that they would get wet. But sadly the water went everywhere but our way. Elmer told the kids that if they raised their hands they could be in the show. Ramana held her hand up the whole show. |
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After the show we started making our way through the Aquarium. You start viewing Exhibits as you continually go UP the 5 floors of displays. At the top there is a Rain Forest world full of birds, lizards, trees and ponds of fish. Boy was it hot in there. After the rain forest you start the decent on the inside of a circular tank where the fish swim around you. This is the coolest thing. This is the Atlantic coral reef tank where fish of all kinds are swimming in all directions. There was the biggest lobster we had ever seen. After going down 3 levels in this tank you enter the final tank. The SHARK tank. The kids loved this place. Man eating fish all over the place. We stayed in this tank the longest, looking at all the sites. The saw nose shark was a favorite. |
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After the Aquarium we took a water taxi to the Fleet Pier and then a shuttle van to "Little Italy". There we had dinner at a upscale Italian restaurant. The boat ride back to the Inner Harbor was cold but the city lights over the water was worth it. We started back to DC at 9:30pm (Joyce did all the driving). We got home around 11:30 and everyone was beat. It was a great day. |
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The three kids |
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We got there a little earlier then Elmer and Robin so we look around. The red painted mouth of the Submarine Museum was the best start to the picture taking. |
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There was a Seal exhibit outside the Aquarium so we spent some time watching them swim around. The bathrooms were close by for an added bonus. |
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This anchor was over 100 years old and the kids found it the ideal jungle gym. |
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Tristin, Ramana and Taylor pose by the water with the Aquarium in the background. The picture taker (Richard) got it a bit cockeyed. |
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The kids waiting for the Dolphin show to start. Someone told the kids that if they raised their hands they would be picked to be part of the show. |
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Robin and Elmer waiting for the Dolphin show to start. Elmer did his best to tease the kids. Ramana is still raising her hand to be a volunteer. (see previous photo) |
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These blue tubs were filled with water and air bubbles were rising up. If you put your ear on them you could hear the weirdest noises. |
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There were skeletons of many sea creatures hanging from the ceilings. This seagull has feathers on the end of the wings that caught the girls’ eyes. |
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This Pacific Reef display had some of the most colorful fish we had ever seen. |
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The kids get to touch a small starfish and other sea things. |
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Joyce joins in. |
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There was also a tropical rain forest section with all kinds of animals. There is a red bird somewhere in this tree. |
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The big green iguana on the brown leaf was a big hit with the kids. But the camera is not real happy with it. |
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Two parrots hanging around the exit. |
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Standing in front of one window of the Shark tank. This was a great place to hang around and watch what went by. |
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Watch out! SHARK |
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This Saw Nose Shark kept coming by to see Ramana. |
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Tristin Liked this guy. |
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A Spotted Ray fish glides by. |
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Looking down at the Sting Ray tank. |
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