One fish, two fish, see fish, eat fish

Accidental portrait with jellies | Photo by Todd Berman

Eighteen years on Long Island and I never stopped by the road-side attraction, The Big Duck. Four years in Manhattan and I never set foot on the observation deck of the Empire State Building. When Todd and I were in India in 2004, we almost didn't go to the Taj Mahal.

Even though we've lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for eleven years and one of our best friends works at MBARI, Todd and I have never wandered through the otherworldly exhibits at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Enough of that.

If we're going to travel the world, Todd and I have to suck it up and march along with the crowd, even if only for one site, one museum, one tour.

The main attraction at Vivolo's Chowder House | Photo by Lauren Girardin

Todd and I had a chance to spend a night in Monterey so I could say goodbye to the members of Full Circle Fund, a nonprofit that employed me until last week. The next day, we overcame the odd procrastination that makes locals like us avoid many touristy destinations and headed to the aquarium.

Before we saw the aquarium's fish, we wanted to get a seafood meal. Instead of enduring one of the mall-like Cannery Row options, we hit Vivolo's Chowder House, where the chowder was clammy, the crab salad sandwich was crabby, and the staff was on a first-name basis with all the other diners.

Ted Danson likes the aquarium | Photo by Lauren Girardin

Then, on to the aquarium. We guesstimated it would take two hours at most to wander amongst otters, neon anemones, splendid garden eels, sea nettles and sunfish.

Four hours later, we shuffled out of the aquarium, star-struck and a little damp with one less do to do on our To Do list.

Anemone | Photo by Lauren Girardin

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Tracy Wright Jul 25, 2008 | Hey you guys! I'm so glad you saw the aquarium. I've been here three years and it's still one of my favorite "museums" to visit... never tire of it except for on really crowded days. I was in Greece the day you were here... just got back. Happy to hear of your explorations... Love, T Reply | Quote

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