Please note: All material in the blog has a Seal of Approval!
Finally, after months of being back on the mainland, I finally had a chance to visit my favorite place in the city (and my second home), the Vancouver Aquarium!
We met my friend Catherine at an iconic symbol of the Vancouver Aquarium, an orca statue/fountain. So, to state the obvious... it's an aquarium, we saw fish, fish and more fish - - But then we saw an "extinct" fish, the coelacanth! (Please note the quotation marks, as this fish has been found off the coast of Indonesia.)
The Vancouver Aquarium is divided into sections based on aquatic habitat.
We started out by journeying to the Arctic exhibit, where we saw beluga's, and did some very important research... VERY IMPORTANT! We also passed by the dolphin tank, which houses three rescued Pacific White Sided Dolphins. (They move fast, and therefore take blurry pictures)
We then ventured into the "Treasures of the BC coast" exhibit, which houses eels, seastars, jellies, and of course (everyones favorite) the elusive Giant Pacific Octopus... who was not so elusive today!
We then made our way to see the dolphin show (have I mentioned they're fast) and if you don't beleive how fast they are... watch this!
(the little boy is so impressed with the dolphins... it was pretty adorable)
Afterwards we made our was to grab a quick bite, and then headed to the much warmer tropical exhibt, which houses large tropcial reef tanks with brightly colored fish, sharks, spiny urchins, and a very curious fresh water pufferfish. The Tropical gallery is also home to an indoor rainforest with parrots, frogs, camen, a sltoh or two, some turtles, and various other animals.
All and all, it was a fun day of frolicking with the oceans animals!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
The Octopus Visits Dinotown!
One fine summer day, the octopus and I parked the car and decided to take a scenic boat trip down the river.
As we paddled, we found ourselves surrounded by dense jungle. Up ahead, we saw something moving along the river bank, as we drew nearer, we realized it was a ginormous lizard! It was unlike anything we had ever seen. As we rounded the river bend, we found ourselves nearing a port. We docked our canoe, and ventured into a stone-age metropolis known as "Dinotown". (Y'know, you'd think that the Parks and Services department of Canada would put up sinage warning people about a river through time!.... oh! um... never mind)
We decided to tour around by climbing on the Dinotown Express, a train which takes us around the city! After becoming more familiar with our surroundings, we met some of the locals (they're real party animals).
Just outside of town, the Wandering Octopus discovered a giganic dinosaur skull! We woundered what kind of an animal it could have come from... we didn't have to wait long to find out! An Alosaurus came crashing out of the trees and chased us further into the jungle. Finally we were rescued by a friendly Stegosaurus, who scared away the prehistoric predator. Now, we were lost. Luckily enough, a very tall Brontosaurus told us which direction Dinotown was in. As we journed back we ran into a Styracosaurus (it's like a triceratops), a duckbilled dinosaur, and a guy who was a bit of a bone head (that's a dino joke)! As we reached a large clearing we could see Dinotown in the distance. We started to walk across the clearing, and heard a noise behind us! Turning quickly, we saw a Raptor running after us in pursuit! We took off, and were lucky enough to make it back into town before it caught up to us!
Once back in town we passed some time playing mini-golf, (apparently a popular activity in the Jurrasic Period), and then wrote on a cave wall, so that history would know we had been there!
We started to look for a way home. We priced out airline tickets (but with the prices today, neither of us could afford it). We aimlessly wandered around until we ran into the Wandering Octopus' great great great GREEEEEAT Grandfather! (it's amazing what you can do when you travel back in time). He suggested it would be easiest to just hail a taxi, so we did!
We arrived home exhausted just after dinner, exhasuted from out Prehistoric adventure!
As we paddled, we found ourselves surrounded by dense jungle. Up ahead, we saw something moving along the river bank, as we drew nearer, we realized it was a ginormous lizard! It was unlike anything we had ever seen. As we rounded the river bend, we found ourselves nearing a port. We docked our canoe, and ventured into a stone-age metropolis known as "Dinotown". (Y'know, you'd think that the Parks and Services department of Canada would put up sinage warning people about a river through time!.... oh! um... never mind)
We decided to tour around by climbing on the Dinotown Express, a train which takes us around the city! After becoming more familiar with our surroundings, we met some of the locals (they're real party animals).
Just outside of town, the Wandering Octopus discovered a giganic dinosaur skull! We woundered what kind of an animal it could have come from... we didn't have to wait long to find out! An Alosaurus came crashing out of the trees and chased us further into the jungle. Finally we were rescued by a friendly Stegosaurus, who scared away the prehistoric predator. Now, we were lost. Luckily enough, a very tall Brontosaurus told us which direction Dinotown was in. As we journed back we ran into a Styracosaurus (it's like a triceratops), a duckbilled dinosaur, and a guy who was a bit of a bone head (that's a dino joke)! As we reached a large clearing we could see Dinotown in the distance. We started to walk across the clearing, and heard a noise behind us! Turning quickly, we saw a Raptor running after us in pursuit! We took off, and were lucky enough to make it back into town before it caught up to us!
Once back in town we passed some time playing mini-golf, (apparently a popular activity in the Jurrasic Period), and then wrote on a cave wall, so that history would know we had been there!
We started to look for a way home. We priced out airline tickets (but with the prices today, neither of us could afford it). We aimlessly wandered around until we ran into the Wandering Octopus' great great great GREEEEEAT Grandfather! (it's amazing what you can do when you travel back in time). He suggested it would be easiest to just hail a taxi, so we did!
We arrived home exhausted just after dinner, exhasuted from out Prehistoric adventure!
Saturday, August 28, 2010
The Octopus on Facebook!
Hi all!
So I thank everyone who is friends with me on facebook and is finding the links to this blog that I post on my page... however... I beleive the time has come for the Car Cephalopod to get connected! That begin said, he now has his very own facebook page, which you can become a fan of! I'll make sure to send out blog updates from this page from now on!
To find this page, click on the link on the bottom right side of the screen (just above the "followers" heading).
I hope everyone that is reading and enjoying this blog will show their support, and hopefully get their friends interested in the escapades of this octopus!
Up next... figuring out Twitter (this could take a while)
Thanks for reading!
~The Wandering Octopus (and his chauffeur)
So I thank everyone who is friends with me on facebook and is finding the links to this blog that I post on my page... however... I beleive the time has come for the Car Cephalopod to get connected! That begin said, he now has his very own facebook page, which you can become a fan of! I'll make sure to send out blog updates from this page from now on!
To find this page, click on the link on the bottom right side of the screen (just above the "followers" heading).
I hope everyone that is reading and enjoying this blog will show their support, and hopefully get their friends interested in the escapades of this octopus!
Up next... figuring out Twitter (this could take a while)
Thanks for reading!
~The Wandering Octopus (and his chauffeur)
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
The Octopus and the Kiwi
Ok, so when I say "Kiwi"... I'm not referring to the fruit. I'm actually referring to the fact that this blog will not be in vain! I originally started this blog when I applied for the Masters Program at AUT in New Zealand, so that I could keep all my friends back home up to date with my life, while I was overseas.
Yesterday, I received my official letter of acceptance to AUT, meaning that in Feburary I will be getting on a plane and moving to a new country! I am so excited for this opportunity, and hope that as I embark on a new adventure in my life that you all will enjoy reading about it.
I promise to have a few more adventures in North America before february rolls around, but look forward to all that is in store for me and my sassy cephalopod!
NEW ZEALAND, HERE WE COME!!!
Monday, August 2, 2010
the Octopus goes to the wild west!
This weekend I went back up to central British Columbia for my sister's wedding. It was held on a horse ranch, so the octopus decided to don his ten gallon hat and get country!
We stayed at the AP guest ranch. The Wandering Octopus saw lots of horses, got some good riding lessons, chilled with the locals, operated heavy machinery, set up camp for the night, spent the night drinking instead, decided to wrassle a bear (not a good idea)... wrassled a bison instead, and then he rode off into the sunset in one of the old carrige things.
WOW! What an adventure! And we didn't even mention the Car Cephalopod being kidnapped and held for ransom!
We stayed at the AP guest ranch. The Wandering Octopus saw lots of horses, got some good riding lessons, chilled with the locals, operated heavy machinery, set up camp for the night, spent the night drinking instead, decided to wrassle a bear (not a good idea)... wrassled a bison instead, and then he rode off into the sunset in one of the old carrige things.
WOW! What an adventure! And we didn't even mention the Car Cephalopod being kidnapped and held for ransom!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Octopus in the news
So, since my life is currently boring, and I am not travelling anywhere exciting... the car cephalopod decided it was his duty to update all his readers on a wonderful celebrity cephalopod making headlines!
If you have NOT heard of Paul the Psychic Octopus, you need to hear about him!
Originally making his leap to stardome during the world cup, Paul predicted the correct outcome of all the soccer matches. He was born in England, but now resides in a Germany aquarium. He has been gifted with his own Spanish soccer jersey (the number 8 for his correct number of predictions... and the number of arms he has!)
Paul is now using his fame to bring attention other endagered species. He is the new spokes animal for "Earth, Sea, and Sky", which is working to set up a rescue station for endagered turtles on the Greek Isle of Zakynthos. (Paul even has an agent).
He will also be appearing on the Silver screen. "The Murder of Paul the Octopus" is set to be released in August... but unfortunately does not feature the psychic cephalopod. (A stunt octopus was used for any scenes including the character of "Paul".)
We hope to see more of Paul in the future!
If you have NOT heard of Paul the Psychic Octopus, you need to hear about him!
Originally making his leap to stardome during the world cup, Paul predicted the correct outcome of all the soccer matches. He was born in England, but now resides in a Germany aquarium. He has been gifted with his own Spanish soccer jersey (the number 8 for his correct number of predictions... and the number of arms he has!)
Paul is now using his fame to bring attention other endagered species. He is the new spokes animal for "Earth, Sea, and Sky", which is working to set up a rescue station for endagered turtles on the Greek Isle of Zakynthos. (Paul even has an agent).
He will also be appearing on the Silver screen. "The Murder of Paul the Octopus" is set to be released in August... but unfortunately does not feature the psychic cephalopod. (A stunt octopus was used for any scenes including the character of "Paul".)
We hope to see more of Paul in the future!
Sunday, July 11, 2010
It's my party, I'll bring a Ceph if I want to!
So, it was recently my birthday! (I'm 23). My family went out to a local pasta house called the "Old Speghetti Factory" for dinner. I had tortellini and it was delish! Of course, I felt obligated to share this wonderful day with my cephalopod companion (doning his brand new party hat!) A good time was had by all!
(yeah, this is me and my family. Arn't we a smiley bunch!))
We then went home for present opening, (which involved a mushy card from my parents), and cake eating.
My family got me an AWESOME octopus ice cream cake... however, if someone can please explain to me why he's holding a phone... please comment below!
(yeah, this is me and my family. Arn't we a smiley bunch!))
We then went home for present opening, (which involved a mushy card from my parents), and cake eating.
My family got me an AWESOME octopus ice cream cake... however, if someone can please explain to me why he's holding a phone... please comment below!
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