big picture little things

MARCH 2008…

I thought the Osaka Aquarium, also known as the Kaiyukan, deserved a piece on its own with all the fantastic pictures I took. I’m not an expert on ocean life, so honestly, all aquariums look more or less the same to me – aka a place to see fish. But I still like to visit aquariums sometimes, for I can see a different side of Mother Earth that I don’t usually get to experience since I can’t swim, much less snorkel or scuba dive.

The Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan building that reminds me of a whale’s tail.

And the Tempozan Ferris Wheel and Harbour Village next to it.

Conceptualised around the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Osaka Aquarium comprises over ten themed areas such as Japan Forest, Antarctica, Tasman Sea, Great Barrier Reef, Pacific Ocean and more. In addition to creatures that live in the water, it also showcases creatures that live near the water.

An iguana lurking around the tree roots.

The water line that separates those that walk and those that swim.

King penguins here on a visit from Antarctica.

But ocean life is what visitors come here for and there are 27 tanks in total to satisfy them. The aquarium’s main draw – the 9 m deep tank that’s home to a couple of whale sharks, mantra rays and countless fish.

The whale shark swimming around the main tank with its cute little calf.

Then, there are the things you can’t get close to even if you’re a scuba diving master. So, what better way to see them than safely behind the glass walls of an aquarium.

Jellyfish – Pretty to watch, dangerous to get close to.

The Japanese Sea Nettle pulsing through the water like a dancer with ribbons.

Sea anemones looking as pretty as flowers to lure their prey in.

After seeing fishes big and small, I always like to settle down to my favourite spot in the aquarium – the main tank. This is the largest tank typically with the sharks, mantra rays and schools of small fishes swimming endlessly around. I love to just sit in front of it and track the fishes’ movements as they go round and round. It’s like watching an ocean-themed movie or moving desktop wallpaper – very mesmerising and very therapeutic. But the time passed all too fast and soon it was time for me to peel myself away from the ocean and back to reality. Till next time, my fishy friends!