RWS Staycation 2013 - Day 1: S.E.A. Aquarium

Both Lilian and I felt deprived of a good holiday, but we were not confident in bring both boys on an overseas one yet. So we decided to go for a staycation, just to test water and see how the boys react. Plus I really want to bring the boys to visit the newly opened S.E.A. Aquarium.

The S.E.A. Aquarium shares the same building as The Maritime Experiential Museum, so you actually need to enter the museum and walk all the way to the end before you reach the aquarium entrance at B1. The museum does have some interesting exhibits like the full-sized replica of the bow of Admiral Zheng He’s treasure ship (Bao Chuan) Marvel, and the many stories the various exhibits tell.

We were pretty excited about the aquarium. There was a big display on the left of the entrance with what look like a submerged shipwreck to wow us.

As you walk through the clear tunnel, take a moment to look around as there are many different fishes of all colours, shapes and patterns swimming and dancing around. There is also a puppeteer who would engage visitors with different fish puppets to give you more information about the various fishes and encourage you to look for them.

Next up is a glass floor where you can look down to see those fishes that loves swimming close to the seabed. Our curious Lucas think nothing about walking or even jumping on that glass floor just to gain a closer look of what is underneath.

There are a number of huge tanks with countless colour fishes that are so pretty to see. Look at the height of this tank. Venture further in and you would be amazed by the super gigantic tank...

Behold, the Open Ocean zone. I have only seen this sort of display previous in photos or on television. To be able to see this sight in person is awesome. We spent like a good 20 mins just here watching the graceful manta rays glide through the water.

That manta ray you see in the middle of the previous photo is the "star" of this zone. It glides around the tank with a school of small fishes in front all the time. No other manta rays in the tank had that.

Maybe something for this school of rays to inspire to be. Don't you agree they look like they are flying?

Here's a video of the Open Ocean zone.

The following are the close-up shots of the various marine life. I love the colours and the mesmerising movement of the jellyfish.
This is probably the one attraction that I would consider an annual pass. If you haven't been there yet, you are missing something awesome.

Continue to Day 2 USS adventures.