Monterey Bay Aquarium

People go to the Monterey Bay Aquarium for kelp forest, for sea otters, for interactive touch pools where a nice aquarist approached and asked me, "Have you ever felt the armpit of a pink starfish? It's very soft." No, no I hadn't. Yes, yes it is. I was there for sea otters and was disappointed that the exhibit is under renovation until the spring. I did, however, get lucky on the observation deck and see - in the wild! - a sea otter pup nursing on its mother and also a raft of sea otters hanging out. And that was totally worth it. Also worth it: Jellies. I haven't been to as many aquariums as I have zoos, but The Open Sea section has by far the best jellies exhibit I've ever seen. And there was a special, somewhat psychedelic exhibit called "The Jellies Experience" which went into greater depth about these super-cool looking creatures. And had crazy funky music. And dancing jellies. I could watch jellies all day.

Sea nettle jelly.

This guy is super tiny.

These guys are kinda tiny.

Bioluminescence is cool.

This guy was holographic.

Moon jellies

These Blubber Jellies dance. And they come in different colors.

Dancing Blubber Jellies. You need to have the sound on for the full effect. Now, tell me that doesn't just make you happy.