After eating, the girls expended some energy at the Discovery Centre, which had a play area with slides, smaller aquariums and the “research submarine.” The girls loved exploring this and got their own special view of the Dangerous Lagoon from inside this submarine. I was too shy to crawl under, but it would have been so cool!
The girls got to touch Bamboo sharks, Horseshoe crabs and Cownose rays at the touch tanks (Shoreline Gallery). It was a wonderful experience for them to be able to touch and feel these creatures. At this gallery as well, you can find the majestic Sea Horses and, hubby’s favourite, the Weedy Sea Dragon.
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| Bamboo sharks |
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| Horseshoe crabs |
As I mentioned, my favourite exhibit, right up there with the Dangerous Lagoon, was the Planet Jellies exhibit. The jellyfish habitats were so mesmerizing with backlit and colour changing displays. It was simply spellbinding. I wanted to just be able to sit down and stare at it-- definitely psychedelic! I loved that they had displays as well of the different life-cycles of the jellyfish. They actually had specific tanks for the baby polyps and full grown medusas!
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| Jellyfish exhibit @ Ripley's Aquarium of Canada |
Before heading to the end of the exhibits, we passed by the Life Support Systems where we were able to get a behind-the-scenes look into how the Aquarium waters were maintained. It showed the colourful tanks and pipes along with stats on water quality and conditions.
As with other attractions, you can guess what you can find at the end—the gift shop! Selling anything aquatic from glass figurines to stuffed mermaids, the girls had a frenzied time figuring out what they can get for a souvenir. They also have a make-your-own stuffed animal section so the kids can have more than wonderful memories to take home.
The birthday girl chose a shark tooth fossil necklace which she was quite eager to take to Show and Tell in school. By the time we got out, there was a huge line up for ticket purchase, going about a block long to the Convention Centre. I don’t think I would have the patience if I didn’t have tickets and had to line up. Little did these people know that when they do finally get to go inside, it was going to be even more packed! It could have been because it was the last weekend of March break or maybe because it was new, but it was full! I didn’t want to feel like sardines in a can (would rather feel like a Great White, you know)! I wouldn’t visit again, though, until after the dust settles, whenever that may be. But for sure we are going to go back. It was one of the best aquariums we’ve seen, after all!
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