What to do in Vancouver: Experience the Jellyfish Invasion
Article by Top 30 Vancouver Mom Blogger Raj Thandhi, with help from Armaan Thandhi, sharing the scoop on what to do in Vancouver.
What to do in Vancouver for Photographers
Earlier this summer we had the chance to check out Vancouver Aquarium’s latest exhibition Jellyfish Invasion with some friends from Montreal. The kids had been looking forward to the aquarium for weeks (it was even on our summer bucket list), and were especially excited to see jellyfish because they recently learned that jellyfish poo through their mouths. I must say – clever marketing from the @VancouverAqua team.
I have to be honest, I’m not a sea creatures kind of person, but I was wowed! Like the advertising says – for something without a face they sure are photogenic – and kind of pretty, too. I put my camera in manual mode and set to work photographing some of the colourful and crazy jellyfish. It was one of my best photography adventures yet. If you also enjoy photography, you’ll definitely want to add this to your list of what to do in Vancouver.
Science Made Fun
The kids had such a good time, and so did the parents! We wandered from exhibit to exhibit in awe, and sometimes in disgust (some sea creatures are kind of gross), but still we took it all in. I loved watching all three kids – my friend’s three-year-old, and my five-year-old and nine-year-old – stare in amazement at the floor-to-ceiling tanks. It can be really hard to find an activity that entertains kids of all ages and is interesting to parents; the Jellyfish Invasion hits the target.
According to the aquarium website there are over 15 species of Jellyfish on display from all over the world, but it felt like there were a lot more! Maybe it’s because of all the information and interesting displays that are included in the exhibit. Personally I was most surprised at how graceful the jellyfish look, just floating effortlessly in their tanks. I certainly think the Jellyfish Invasion (and the rest of the aquarium and the dolphins) is worth adding to your list of what to do in Vancouver. Don’t take my word for it, though. Here’s what my nine-year old son had to say.
Armaan Shares His Thoughts
At the Aquarium, lots of jellyfish arrived, and it really was an invasion because most of the place had jellyfish exhibits. First were the moon jellies, and it sort of seems like they’re on the moon because it looks like they’re in zero gravity. They are tiny, but shiny purple. Then Mediterranean jellyfish don’t seem very European because they don’t have accents or moustaches. And one had plastic bags, which are similar to jellyfish, making some animals think its food. There were other things too, such as a 4D theatre and performances by penguins, dolphins and more. So, are you interested in coming to the Aquarium?
Seriously if you weren’t sold already, doesn’t the display of random information Armaan picked up make you want to rush out the aquarium? If you do decide to add this to your list of what to do in Vancouver, a couple of tips: plan to spend at least three hours there (it’s a bit pricey for a family of four so you want to soak it all up), definitely watch the dolphin show and take in a 4D Movie, and if you have time check out the penguins, too.
Vancouver Aquarium
www.vanaqua.org | Twitter | Facebook
Raj Thandhi is a mom, freelance writer, social (media) butterfly, and wanna-be movie star. She started Pink Chai Style in February 2011 to get out of a style slump; what resulted was a love affair with fashion, DIY’s and tea parties for one. These days you can find her sitting in front of her computer screen or sewing machine, or at the kitchen table covered in hot glue and sparkles.
