COEX Aquarium, Seoul

Date Visited: 25th April 2014

Right after we done with the free traditional Korean costume experience, we proceeded to Coex Mall, the largest underground shopping center in Asia containing convention centers, exhibition halls and various malls in Gangnam area. But our main purpose is not for shopping but merely for Coex Aquarium which is housed within Coex Mall. It's time for under the sea again! 

#1: Coex Aquarium is housed within Coex Mall

Being recognised as one of the largest aquarium in South Korea, Coex Aquarium showcases more than 40,000 sea creatures from over 650 different species on display. Just like any other aquariums, Coex Aquarium features distinctive unique of theme areas in order for the visitors to view species of fish indigenous to the theme location. 

#2: Took photos before start the tour 

The uniqueness of Coex Aquarium is where it has been designed according to "Water Journey" theme. Upon entering into the museum, visitors were embarking on an adventures by following the water on its journey from the high Andean mountains, through the Amazon tropical rain forest to rivers, swamps, seashores and finally reach to the depths of the ocean.

#3: The map of COEX Aquarium [Source]

#4: Story of Korean Fish 

The tour starts off by displaying the uniqueness of Korea where the exhibit area is filled with different types of Korean fish. Slowly then we proceeded into the Garden of Korea, where it reminiscent the garden of Gong, the Korean Palace. This is where I found it's pretty fascinating where they were doing their best to promote the beauty and charming of Korea eventhough it's within the aquarium.    

#5: Garden of Korea 

#6: Look closely. Real fish display inside a painting 

We came upon an interesting and catchy exhibition by the named of "Fish Wonderland". It was literally blew our mind instantly where instead keeping the fish living in typical fish tank, these fish were swimming in a collection of eccentric fish tanks which one never though of, such as telephone booth, bath tub, toilet bowl, refrigerator, computer monitor and more. 

#7: Fish Wonderland where fish are keeping in a collection of eccentric fish tanks

#8: Besides fish and sea creatures, other local animals are also included in the exhibit such as birds, Egyptian Fruit bats, otters, Squirrel monkeys and more at the Amazonia World theme area.

#9: A special area for the Korean couple to display their love 

#10: Ocean Kingdom where visitors can view sharks, stingrays, sea turtles and more sea creatures swim in all directions

#11: Always my favourite part when comes to aquarium - watching jellyfish

#12: We ended our tour at the Happy Feet's playground

Fun fact of penguins: Do you know that the clear line on the chest indicate that it is adult penguin whereas without clear line is a young one. 

Is it worth to visit? If you are in tight schedule over your South Korea trip, probably you could just skip this tourist attraction cause it almost similar to the rest of the aquariums. But if you have little children with you, perhaps bring them along and I believe they will having more fun here than the adults. 

How To Get To Coex Aquarium
Samsung Station - Exit 5 or 6 connected to the Coex Mall. The aquarium is located at the end of the Ocean Walk section. It is next to Megabox Cinema on the Basement 1 arcade.
Admission Fee: 22,000 won for adult and 19,000 won
Opening Hours: 10:00 am to 8:00 pm

Japan (2013) Day 5: Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan

Date Visited: 14th October 2013

Osaka Aquarium, which also locally known as Kaiyukan is claimed to be one of the largest aquariums in the world. This is one of my travel wishlist I wish to do and see if I happen to revisit Osaka again, and now I had finally accomplished it [Check out my old post - Things To Do & See in Osaka]. Visiting any kind of zoos, aquariums, wildlife parks and anything that relate to animals is what I always passionate about. 

We went Shin-Osaka Visitors' Information Center which situated inside Shin-Osaka station (unfortunately closed since 31 March 2014) to purchase the Osaka Kaiyu Ticket. It's combination of Aquarium Kaiyukan admission and Osaka Subway One Day Pass which sold at 2,550 yen. In the case of purchase separately, the admission fee for Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan alone is 2,300 yen and Osaka Subway One Day Pass cost 600 yen, which indicates we save at least by 350 yen for a pax by purchasing the Osaka Kaiyu Ticket. 

#1: Osaka Kaiyu Ticket (combination of Aquarium Kaiyukan admission and Osaka Subway One Day Pass) = 2,550 yen per pax

#2: Greeted by lovely and friendly mascot

The nearest station is Osakako Station on the Chuo subway line. From the station, it requires 5-10 minutes walk to Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan. Out from the station, look for the huge Tempozan Ferris Wheel as Kaiyun located next to it.  

#3: View from Osakako Station and walk towards the huge Tempozan Ferris wheel 

#4: Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel 

#5: Overview of Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan - Such a beautiful decoration 

The tour started at 8th floor, that's the top floor and slowly making our way down through the exhibits in the spiral form. The main attraction is the largest central tank which houses thousands of sea creatures from the Pacific Ocean including whale shark, different kind of rays and more. 

#6: Whale shark 

#7: Stingray with smiling face 

#8: The happy feet are waiting to be fed

#9: Great Barrier Reef tank - One of the most colourful tanks I came across

#10: Tunnel tank

#11: The jellyfish exhibit - My favourite area 

#12: The fat ringed seal

My mom and I spent more than two hours ventured around Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan before we make a move to a shopping centre, tucked in between the aquarium and the Ferris wheel which consists a large food court, ranging from Japanese cuisines to Western meals. Then at night, my mom would like to return to Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade again for final shopping spree. Oh well, this area is well-known for cheap and delectable beauty and cosmetic products whereby local brands such as Shiseido and Hada Labo are selling utterly cheap here. 

As for our dinner, we stumbled upon a vending machine in a small alley selling scrumptious and affordable Japanese cuisines and hence, we decided to give them a try. Turned out, both of us love it and guess what, we found another outlet of this restaurant in Kansai International Airport and we had it for the second time on our last day, before leaving Japan. By the way, the name of this restaurant - Kamukura.

#13: First time learning how to use the vending machine to order food

#14: A set of meal (both ramen and don) cost 840 yen and gyoza as side dish for 200 yen

Sayonara Japan cause on the next day onward, we moved to the former capital of Japan...

How To Get To Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Nearest station is Osakako Station on the Chuo subway line. From the station, it requires 5-10 minutes walk to Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan. Out from the station, look for the huge Tempozan Ferris Wheel as Kaiyun located next to it.  

Admission Fee: 2,300 yen
Opening Hours: 10 am to 8 pm 

Next Post >>> Day 6: From Osaka to Kyoto [Arashiyama & Fushimi Inari Shrine]

Melbourne, Australia Day 6: Melbourne Aquarium

Date of Visit: 5th October 2012

Basically, there are two reasons why I choose to visit Melbourne Aquarium. First of all, it was because I love to visit any kind of zoos, aquariums, wildlife parks and anything that relate to animals. It's just simple as that. Then, the other reason was because I got another free admission ticket to visit the aquarium itself. Again, it was given when I bought the two full one day tour packages (Great Ocean Road and Phillips Island) from a local tour operator which recommended by my friend.

#1: Melbourne Aquarium is located in between Flinders Street and Kings Street

Actually, Melbourne Aquarium is just a short distance away from Flinders Street Station. But since I saw the free city circle tram was stopped right in front of Flinders Street Station, instantly hopped on to the tram without any second thought. To be frank, I not sure which station should I hop off but I was very confident that the tram will passed by the aquarium. Unfortunately, the tram didn't stop right exactly in front of the aquarium and it still required few minutes walk from where it stopped. Luckily it just required less than 3 minutes walk.

 #2: Part of the hall decoration anyway.

The Aquarium has a one-way self-guided tour, which is spread over four levels. Just like every other aquariums, Melbourne Aquarium comprises of four distinctive sections; Antarctica, Weird & Wonderful, River to Reef and Sharks Alive.

#3: Gentoo penguins, the world’s fastest underwater swimming bird

Right after got through the ticketing counter, the first section I came across was the Antarctica. This is where  the visitors get to see the penguins as they swim and play in their spectacular icy home. Oh man, this type of penguins were incredibly fat and chubby. Unlike the little one I saw in Phillips Island. In case you are filthy rich, you can embark on an amazing sub-Antarctic journey where you have the exclusive opportunity to sit among majestic King and cheeky Gentoo penguins which cost AUD$199 per person on the weekdays and AUD$290 on the weekends. It's was pretty expensive after doing the conversation.

That's the only thing to see in Antarctica area. Felt like being conned. Next, I proceeded to the next section which was Weird & Wonderful located at the same floor as Antarctica and moved to River to Reef at the first level. 

#4: Didn't take note the name of this fish. Anyone know the name of this fish?

#5: Spiky lionfish, a marine fish that are mainly red, brown and white and have a striped, zebra-like appearance

#6: Glass catfish or also known as ghost catfish. Except for the head, bones and internal organs, they were totally transparent.

#7: Wide array of unique marine creatures in Weird & Wonderful and River to Reef sections.

Last but not least, I ramped down to the Sharks Alive section, which was my favourite part in Melbourne Aquarium. Typically, most of the marine creatures here were huge and more fascinating compare to the rest.

#8: Jaws!

#9: Amazingly this stingray seems like it was smiling.

#10: Surrounded by sharks, stingrays, turtles and thousands of schooling fish in the 2.2 million litre Oceanarium.

#11: If you have a brave heart, experience the ultimate adrenaline rush of coming face-to-face with a shark, stingrays and more in Shark Dive Xtreme.

#12: The incredible underwater world - I just love to sit and stare these

Initially, I plan to spend roughly three hours but at the end, I rushed within one and half hour cause I promised to meet my friend in Flinders Street Station. Plus, I was overspend my time in Queen Victoria Market. That's indicates I'm bad in time management. Because of the rush, I was also missed out the fish feeding activities. At least another of my Melbourne's checklist has been successfully accomplished.

There's a cafe located on the first floor whereas the gift shop is located on the ground floor, besides the ticketing counter. 

Melbourne Aquarium's General Info

Address: Corner King Street & Flinders Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000

Opening hours: 9.30am – 6pm (last admission 5.00pm)

Admission Fees: AUD$33.50 for adult and AUD$19 for child (The ticket allows visitor to return within the same day upon leaving the place)

Another Adventurous Autumn Japan Trip 2013 (Sneak Peek)

There's once I posted #throwback photo of my Japan trip and I told my friend that I wish to go back again someday, I never thought after three years later, here I am again going back to the "Land of the Rising Sun".

I found out there is direct flight from Kota Kinabalu to Osaka via Malaysia Airlines. Hassle-free from transit to Kuala Lumpur and the airfare is really affordable, so I bought for my mommy as her this year birthday present. 

My initial plan was to do the same route like I did for my maiden trip; Osaka, Kyoto & Tokyo but at the end, I changed the plan which was just solely focus on Kansai area as it was one of my travel wishlist.

#1: Long haul flight with Malaysia Airlines to Kansai-Osaka

#2: After 3 years, I never thought I will seeing this signboard again.

#3: Dotonbori for second time just to take photo of this huge & colourful Glico running man in Osaka.

#4: Deer - the messengers of the gods in Nara Park. One of my travel wishlist accomplished.

#5: Whenever I travel, I always love to visit theme park. No exemption for this one as well - Universal Studio Japan.

#6: Himeji Castle - Although it is currently undergoing renovation, but this castle is regarded as the finest surviving example of prototypical Japanese castle architecture.

#7: I never seen a real cherry blossom aka sakura in my life but it's hard for me to believe that I able to see it eventhough it is autumn in Japan now.(It's so beautiful I'm gonna die)

#8: Another wishlist accomplished but Kobe seems like nothing for me.

#9: Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, one of the biggest aquariums in the world. Again, another wishlist accomplished. 

#10: Once I reach my most favourite city in Japan which is Kyoto, immediately I went Fushimi Inari Shine.

Although I went Japan twice but I still love to come back again and again. This beautiful and amazing country never fail to impress and amaze me in every single little thing - the local was so friendly and helpful, and when come to the foods, my goodness, my saliva almost dripped eventhough but just looking at the display model.

#11: Even Japanese manhole covers are individual masterpieces of the street art. Seriously so beautiful & decorative.

#12: What we had throughout our trip in Japan - ramen, sushi (inari & maki, my favourite), donburi and bento. Oishii!

#13: Even Japanese desserts were so detailed in each and every design - so refreshing kawaii!

If compare between Southeast Asia and East Asia countries, somehow I still prefer to travel the latter one - to Japan, Korea, Taiwan, etc. I would love to return back to Japan again and this time, my next aim would be Tokyo (for second visit) and Hokkaido! Sayonara!