Ocean Expo Park

Since rain was in the forecast, one day we headed up to Ocean Expo Park (of which Churaumi Aquarium is a part of) and Pizza in the Sky for lunch before our adventure. It was overcast but not raining which made for the perfect day!

Introduced my parents to Japanese pizza (not really that weird but often has corn on it :) and enjoyed the gorgeous view!

 After lunch we headed over to the park. We had been to only a very small part of this before and the little bit more that we saw did not disappoint! It is an enormous park with so much to do (and much of it being free!)

 We have wanted to go to the aquarium since we got here, but decided to wait until Rowan could enjoy and somewhat appreciate it too. We got year passes and hope to make the most of them! At the entrance is this fun starfish pool where they have several different kinds and you are able to feel them all.

 This is the third largest aquarium in the world, with Atlanta and Dubai being the only larger ones.

 Cuddlefish...don't think I really knew what they looked like; however, we find cuddlefish bones at the beach all the time so it was pretty cool to see one in real life!

 So many fun tanks and fish to see

 Whale sharks!

 This guy was my favorite...the Japanese Big Eye (very appropriately named :)

 After the aquarium, we walked through the manatees and turtle areas and then enjoyed the free dolphin show, which was REALLY good...and I loved having the ocean as a back drop. We enjoyed some ice cream and sitting down for a little break in our day.

And finally we headed over to Tropical Dream Center, where we had been before and LOVED. We thought my parents would enjoy all the flowers (especially the millions of orchids)...and they did!

Rowan; however, was only interested in the rocks that lined the flower beds. He picked them up, ate them and threw them. He is obsessed with rocks.

 Framed family photo :)

 Love these boys

We rounded the day out with burgers at Captain Kangaroo after watching a beautiful sunset on the East China Sea as we drove down the coast. Loved having my parents here...their company was amazing and we had a little mini staycation.