Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey, California, USA - 19 January 2015

5 reasons why I feel the Monterey Bay Aquarium is worth a visit*:

1. The non-profit aquarium is dedicated to ocean research, conservation, and exploration, specifically in Monterey Canyon

2. Mesmerizing, immersion-like underwater experience without the body suit, tank, and ocean elements

3. Live feeding sessions of sea otters, penguins, and more

4. Fun and informative audio visual programs in the auditorium

5. Fascinating underwater life exhibits: though skewed heavily towards different smacks of jellyfish, the aquarium also houses schools of sardines and mackerels, and predators like leopard, hammerhead, and great white sharks, among others; the kelp forest and open sea tanks were equally breath-taking

*despite its costly entrance fees of $39.95/adult, $34.95/student, $24.95/child

Above left: Kickin' it with Ed @ Monterey Bay; Above right: Schools of sardines

Above left: Schools of Pacific mackerels; Above right: Black sea nettle

Above right: Spotted comb jellies

Above left: Sea nettle jellies; Above right: Moon jellies

Above right: A sea otter

Above: Seahorses

Above left: Pipefish; Above right: Lionfish

Above right: Upside-down jellies

Above left: Spotted jellies

Above left: Crown jelly; Above right: Flame jellies

Above right: Chambered nautilus (a living fossil)

Above left: A cute little cuttlefish

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Missions of Alta California, U.S.A. ~ Updated Jan 14, 2015

Backed by Spain, the first mission in Upper California was founded in San Diego in 1769 by Friar Junipero Serra, a Franciscan priest, whose primary motivation was to convert Native Americans to Christianity. The missions were useful as a first step towards setting up Spanish military outposts and settlements in Alta California frontier territory that Spain (through the voyages of Christopher Columbus) had discovered over two centuries earlier. The missions introduced European crops and cattle into California and also attempted to educate the Native Americans. The 21st and final mission, Mission San Francisco Solano, in Sonoma was built in 1823 by Fr. Jose Altimira.

I have a personal mission to visit all 21 missions in Alta California in my lifetime. This post will follow my own trail of the California Missions, of which hitherto, I have visited only 9; I will add to this post as I visit new ones. My path begins at Old Mission Santa Barbara. (Click on any image for an enlarged view)

1. Old Mission Santa Barbara (10th mission in chronological age; 7th mission north of San Diego) - 2201 Laguna Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93105; founded by Fr. Fermin Lasuen on December 4, 1786.

Above right: Fray Junipero Serra (1713-1784) - Founder of the California Missions