We "Target" to Monterey

31st July (California / Los Angeles Time)

10am

Time to check out and be on our way! We've been really blessed. We managed to get a suite at Sandpiper's Lodge. We stayed ina suite with 2 bedrooms and of course 3 beds. Each room has its own TV. We have free wireless. All at the cost of USD135. =)Breakfast is provided some more!

Fang Han and myself looking at the map over breakfast.It's a posed picture la.. I've been so blessed that i really didn't have to bother about directions. We just needed our end destination address and the help of the faithful GPS system. =PSights along the way to Monterey! Wondered why I could take such nice shots?Cos I'm sitting in front!! Nice pictures from the window also because Fang Han helped wipe the windscreen and windows of the car during one of the Petrol (the americans call it Gas) Top-Up time. Or did I turn down the window to take the photos?..hmm.. can't remember =pThe journey's quite long. So it helped to have signs like these along Highway 101 to let us know where we could stop to top-up the car fuel tank, have some food or rest (have a toilet break).

Fang Han and Sylvia went for lunch while I stepped into Target for some shopping. It's like our Giant, except, much bigger.

We left that place (goodness.. we don't even know where we stopped!) quite late, nearly 4pm, i think.

5.30pm

So when we finally reached Monterey, it's almost 5.30pm.We asked the carpark attendant what time does the Aquarium close. He said it's weekday, so it closes at 6pm. Uh oh.. are we too late?

We finally reached the place. But Ticket sales close at 5.30pm. Oh no, there's no way we can go in? So sad! We've come so far..

Then the guard at the re-entrance door saw us and asked "Are you coming back tomorrow?" Sylvia replied with a little dismay in her face "No, we are leaving today". After a slight pause, he turn to us and said "Ok, there's only the 3 of you right? Come in here. You have only about 15 fifteens minutes. You'll have to leave when it's closing time." We entered. Sylvia was still looking for the ticketing booth when we realised that we have entered for free!! Sylvia's immediate reaction upon that realization was "hey, we got in for free leh.. RUN!!!"

So here we are quickly, zipping in and out of everything we could see in the aquarium. Ooh, see the schools of anchovies swimming in schools above us.

What a grand welcome into the world of JellyFish. Because of the limited time, we couldn't stop to wow at everything. But getting up close and personal with the jellyfish was really exciting. These are not pictures. These are the real things! See the jellyfish bobbing up and down.We saw various sharks and other big fishes lurking in this really biq aquarium. Here's catching the stingray and a unique fish which looks like a big fishhead.We saw otters too. But the otters were just too active. and playful, too fast for the camera. =pA view from the outside of the aquarium. See the sea-lions lazing on the rocks?
It was a great tour around the Aquarium. So glad it wasn't a wasted trip! Now enjoying the scenary around Monterey.
And more of the beach. =)


We decided to settle here for dinner.

I'm eyeing the Alaskan crab for dinner.And yes we did have the Alaskan crab, together with salmon, "normal crab", mussels and clams, scallops and oh yes prawns as well.
You know, we were so excited when the food arrived that we forgot to both give thanks for the food (forgive us Lord=p) or take photos of it.

Great food once again at great prices. USD 88 (not forgetting that we saved USD75 on the admission to the aquarium).

10.30pm
Reached Ian and Lisa's home. Felt so sorry that we reached so late. I missed them so much and we almost could talk non stop into the night. Cousin and wife, thanks for your hospitality and also making up the other room for Fang Han too. =)