Aqwa

I'm sure several of you have read the title of this post and assumed that I am a terrible speller, but Aqwa is indeed the correct spelling for the aquarium here in Perth.  Matt and I headed back to Hillary's Boat Harbor where Aqwa is located for a day of air conditioned fun! Matt hadn't been for about 15 years (back when it was creatively called Underwater World), so it was fun and new for both of us. 

This place was so cool! Tons of exhibits, from aquarium tanks, to open pools, to touch pools, to outside pools, to an amazing tunnel aquarium.

WARNING: LOTS OF PICTURES!! 

I couldn't decide which ones to leave out.  Just be glad I only picked 30 out of the over 200 I took.

From the steps of the aquarium.  Hillary's Boat Harbor.

That blue sedan is Matt's car...I wish one of the boats was his!

She does exist! I associated many of the creatures here from their character in Finding Nemo

This may look like a clump of seaweed, but its a Sea Dragon! Similar to a sea horse, but with these awesome leafy bits.  If you're having a hard time seeing it, it is facing the camera.

In the tunnel aquarium.  It had a moving sidewalk, so you just stand there and it takes you around.

First shark sighting! These are Grey Nurse Sharks.  Scary looking, but supposedly harmless.  I guess they can't let Great Whites and other killer sharks play with the other fish.

Sharks were zooming past us everywhere.

I decided I'd just die of fright if I saw one of these things in the ocean.

These sharks were buddies.  I imagined they were having a meeting of the "Fish are Friends, Not Food" club.

Crush was taking a nap.

Mr. Ray cruising around.  They seemed to like the glass on their bellies, so they zoomed around us a lot.  These things are massive....this guy is about the size of a queen sized bed.

This fella gave me the creeps.

This turtle ain't scared of nothin!

Good shot of a ray's belly. Gills, Mouth, and Nose.

I hang with sharks!

Check out those teeth!

Kelsey in the tunnel!

There were lots of little fish too, but lets face it...they aren't as cool as the sharks, rays, and turtles. This group reminded me of the school of fish in Finding Nemo that all talk in one voice.

Their eyes are very cool looking. They always looked happy to see me.

Jelly Fish!

You can't really tell from this picture, but this sucker is huge!

This guy looks cool, but his spikes sting!

Matt just can't resist.

Found him!

Sea Horses

This sign should be in every airport in Australia.  Also, I love that the touch pool is in this section.

That is comforting.....

An innocent shell? Nope! I cone shell has an animal in it that lunges out when its prey gets close and gobbles it up nearly whole.

I'm so sad this picture is bad....baby turtle!

Doesn't seem so inviting anymore!

 Touching a ray! I touched if for about 2 seconds before it twitched...and I freaked out accordingly!

Over all, I loved this place!!  I've always had a healthy fear of the ocean and its creatures, so it is fun being able to see and learn about it when I know it can't kill me.