Visiting the Florida Aquarium is a gorgeous journey that brings the ocean to downtown Tampa, Florida. The ocean is a wonder of the world enshrouded in mystery. The aquarium is built with this in mind. It is filled with beautiful construction, amazing wildlife, and nature exhibits. The senses are assaulted throughout the journey. Each visitor is greeted with oceanic smells, colorful reefs, wild sea creatures, and theme music for each exhibit seemingly ripped from an adventure film. Of course, each adventure has a beginning.
The journey within the Florida aquarium, begins with a journey to it. Parking is found a quarter mile away from the aquarium, where cruise ships are docked awaiting time to raise anchor and embark on their respective vacations. Walking toward the aquarium is a relaxing experience with the warm sun and the sweet smell of Tampa air to accompany. After a few minutes of walking each visitor approaches a glorious building with huge panes of glass that reflect the light, much like the sun off the ocean. After purchasing tickets and gaining entrance into the facility, one will find themselves in a wide open lobby the smell off the ocean invades the nose, the sound of water sloshing (being moved by powerful sea creatures), and the sight of visitors admiring the spectacle before them. The first exhibit in a visitor would come across at the Florida Aquarium is the Wetlands Trail, a short trip through the vast wildlife found in the marshlands. huge “alligator gars” and tiny “bluegill fish” (Richardson, 2010) jet though the water toward clear glass screens in front of the visitors who watch the creatures’ every incredible move. As one continues down through the exhibit, the visitor will find themselves face to face with” snapping turtles, largemouth bass, and roseate spoonbill birds” (Cohen, 2002). As each visitor follows the trail through the exhibit that uses natural light to highlight exhibits that look like were ripped straight from the Florida marshlands, the air was thick and humid, almost palpable. Small birds chirped, colorful flightless birds walked below pecking at the water at freshly dropped food. Around tanks filled with gargantuan alligators that could devour each visitor in one bite. The scenery changes around the visitor. …show more content…
The sounds of the rainforest are played through speakers, the deep hiss of a monstrous snakes that could stretch the length of the aquarium, and playful lemurs jumping from tree branch to tree branch. The visitor is introduced to the wild land of Madagascar. The country of Madagascar is home to wild looking creatures. “Over 80 percent of Madagascar’s plants and animals are endemic, which means they are found nowhere else on earth” (Ali & Huber, 2010). The visitor feels like they are visiting Madagascar, the air is warm and heavy, filled with the humidity of the jungle.
As the visitor continues walking, they come to huge tanks featuring beautiful vibrant coral. Violent reds, electric blues, and lime greens line the reefs kept inside the tanks. Soft, spineless, jellyfish jet across the tanks appearing as alien visitors from another planet. Reefs are home to diverse plant and animal life that can’t be found anywhere on dry land (Cohen, 2002). The floor below is shiny with puddles water being splashed around by tanks full of stingrays and fish the size of minivans. The
The journey within the Florida aquarium, begins with a journey to it. Parking is found a quarter mile away from the aquarium, where cruise ships are docked awaiting time to raise anchor and embark on their respective vacations. Walking toward the aquarium is a relaxing experience with the warm sun and the sweet smell of Tampa air to accompany. After a few minutes of walking each visitor approaches a glorious building with huge panes of glass that reflect the light, much like the sun off the ocean. After purchasing tickets and gaining entrance into the facility, one will find themselves in a wide open lobby the smell off the ocean invades the nose, the sound of water sloshing (being moved by powerful sea creatures), and the sight of visitors admiring the spectacle before them. The first exhibit in a visitor would come across at the Florida Aquarium is the Wetlands Trail, a short trip through the vast wildlife found in the marshlands. huge “alligator gars” and tiny “bluegill fish” (Richardson, 2010) jet though the water toward clear glass screens in front of the visitors who watch the creatures’ every incredible move. As one continues down through the exhibit, the visitor will find themselves face to face with” snapping turtles, largemouth bass, and roseate spoonbill birds” (Cohen, 2002). As each visitor follows the trail through the exhibit that uses natural light to highlight exhibits that look like were ripped straight from the Florida marshlands, the air was thick and humid, almost palpable. Small birds chirped, colorful flightless birds walked below pecking at the water at freshly dropped food. Around tanks filled with gargantuan alligators that could devour each visitor in one bite. The scenery changes around the visitor. …show more content…
The sounds of the rainforest are played through speakers, the deep hiss of a monstrous snakes that could stretch the length of the aquarium, and playful lemurs jumping from tree branch to tree branch. The visitor is introduced to the wild land of Madagascar. The country of Madagascar is home to wild looking creatures. “Over 80 percent of Madagascar’s plants and animals are endemic, which means they are found nowhere else on earth” (Ali & Huber, 2010). The visitor feels like they are visiting Madagascar, the air is warm and heavy, filled with the humidity of the jungle.
As the visitor continues walking, they come to huge tanks featuring beautiful vibrant coral. Violent reds, electric blues, and lime greens line the reefs kept inside the tanks. Soft, spineless, jellyfish jet across the tanks appearing as alien visitors from another planet. Reefs are home to diverse plant and animal life that can’t be found anywhere on dry land (Cohen, 2002). The floor below is shiny with puddles water being splashed around by tanks full of stingrays and fish the size of minivans. The