Today we treated ourselves to an outing at the local aquarium.
We arrived just in time for the first of four "shows" featuring various aquatic and avian creatures...and the obligatory iguana.
Our first show was colorful local birds, parrots and macaws. They flew low overhead and were even more beautiful than their pictures. The staff had developed amusing exercises with the birds, and handled them very calmly despite an audience of screaming school children.
And what's a bird show without some audience involvement?
Then we moved next door to the raptor demonstration. These fierce birds are downright scary up close, and if that weren't enough, the show had an intro featuring very large snakes. We came away impressed with the ferocity that nature has to offer!
It took us a bit to find the "diving" show ... it was in one of the large tanks inside the main building. A lithe young man "danced" with nurse sharks and whirled with a variety of salt-water fishes. It was a bit surprising how casually the critters accepted his attentions. Also in the interior was an exhibition on the rescue services provided here at the aquarium, and some history of the fishing industry in the area.
The final show involved the sea lions, first a feisty youngster and then an old bull easily twice the kid's size. They both were athletic and amusing, and in this instance, the announcer fluidly moved between Spanish and English narration, so we were able to catch some of the information provided.
A pair of snowy egrets decorated the area.
Of course, some families sat in the very first row and got utterly drenched (there was a large sign promising that result, so presumably they weren't surprised!). Many folks lined up for kisses from the stars afterward.
We ambled around the remaining exhibits; the grounds include a good-sized lake inside a bird sanctuary and a variety of small animals to view. From time to time we asked the phone to explain some nuance or another (we now know entirely too much about the differences between skates and rays, for instance).
Eventually we got back to the bus and on our way home again, enjoying the giant Carnaval decor along the Malacon as we went north.
Towel origami was on overload today ... bed, bath and beyond!
Dinner plans included Red Chili pork, for which we had substituted chicken, the remainder of the cactus salad, and some "plain old potatoes."
Having had plenty of sunshine and fresh air, and yet another beautiful sunset that deepened as the day ended, we were again early to bed.
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