Hey everyone! Last week I had the chance to join a bunch of my fellow bloggers at the Vancouver Aquarium to tour the new expansion that is now complete and sample some delicious Ocean Wise canapes from the new Executive Chef. I have to say that the Aquarium is a whole new place inside, I barely recognized it! I used to take C as a babe and we knew that place inside and out. We went earlier this year to meet with a friend and we were super surprised to not only not be able to meet at the whale statue where everyone meets (see above, its return to the front of the Aqarium) but a whole other temporary entrance plus all the stuff that was getting done inside. Well this time I tell you it is complete and it is amazing! "The new sustainable, state-of-the-art building will almost double the existing gallery space and dramatically enhance visitors’ enjoyment in exploring, learning and connecting with over 50,000 aquatic creatures." The Aquarium has so much to be proud of and this expansion project is just one to name a few, with the wonderful research and care of animals that they do at the top of my list. When I mentioned to C that it was a whole new place and of course, the super cool story of how the octopus used to escape at night and eat the fishes in other tanks, it was on the top of his list to go back and check it out. My mom comes in from Ontario next week and I can't think of a better way to spend the afternoon, all of us together.
Things that got me excited during the tour: indoor seating and eating area; water bottle filling stations with a counter that shows how many bottles are being saved (LOVE!); the new bat area; the delicious food - the Halibut Poppers with house tartar sauce was sustainable fish heaven in my mouth (all the more reason to book an event!) and of course, the personalized tour where we got the inside scoop on the expansion and the little, yet amazing details that went into this project from the water wall outside, the landfill that was saved, and the colour refelctions of the building made to resemble the scales of a fish. There is SO much room and potential for corporate and other events now. I look forward to the possibilities in the large, teaching space that is decorated with photographs, captured by the aquarium staff themselves. One of my absolute favourite, final, personal touches.
But of course, you don't need to take my word for it, go visit yourself! I assure you it will be a whole new tourist attraction to those that have already been a million times before.
XO. Suzanne
