The London Aquarium
Your eyes are wide open, staring at the lagoon in front of you. You know it is lurking in there. Manta rays have come in and out of view, feeding, frolicking, and floating away with just a flick of their massive span. A pair of sea turtles, like prehistoric hold-outs, swim past with the unhurried pace of creatures more than a century old. A rainbow-colored school of tiny fish makes acrobatic twists and turns right in front of you, like a single sea serpent knit from a thousand shimmering parts. But still you wait for the master of the deep realm. Suddenly it comes into view, and razor-like teeth flash as it moves straight toward you, dorsal fin parting the water. The monstrous shark is huge, and you are frozen is awed silence. It has spotted you, and moves ever closer. In that heart-pounding moment you are thankful you are not waist deep in the secluded lagoon of a Pacific island.
You are in the heart of London, at the famed London Aquarium. You and your children are spending a superb afternoon taking in the wonders of the world’s deep waters. Sea horses, jellyfish, and even freshwater otters have delighted the whole family. The fascination you see in your kids warms your heart – you made a great decision to book the getaway at one of the London hotels nearby and bring them to see some of nature’s true masterpieces. If you decide to stay in a hotel, London has some of the finest, and they are waiting with cosy amenities, great food, and true hospitality.
If you’ve never been to this magnificent aquarium, now might be the right time to consider it. The summer crowds have subsided a bit, and special attractions continue to be added regularly. Even if you have visited in the past, you won’t know the place your next time through. A 5 million pound refurbishment was completed in April, 2009, and the venue re-opened to rave reviews from marine experts and enthusiastic fans. Enjoy 14 themed zones in all. Walk beneath a tropical ocean, travel submarine-style to the bottom of the Atlantic, and end the experience traversing a glass walk way over shark infested waters just below your feet. The daily schedule is filled with fascinating feedings, excellent educational opportunities, and terrific talks from experts.
If the weather is fair, stop off at the London Eye for a ride overlooking the south bank of the Thames. If the weather is rainy and miserable, spend the whole day at the Aquarium for a better kind of wet! It is close to many excellent London hotels for any budget, so come to town and stay a night or two. Tickets to the London Aquarium may be purchased in combination with other attractions in the neighbourhood, including the Eye and Madame Tussauds. Most any hotel London features is currently offering great rates on excellent accommodations. The wonders of the deep are waiting. Avoid the rain. Get totally submerged!
Roo Sadegi is a travel writer based in London’s East End, although he spends much of his time travelling around Europe’s travel hotspots.
This article first appeared on EzineArticles.com
