2006-Nov. 5---Maui Ocean Center:

I've been missing the water and my fishie friends!  So we decided to go check out the aquarium.  This fabulous facility is in Maalaea, at the south end of Maui’s central valley, about 30 minutes drive from the main tourist areas of west or south Maui. 

Neat mosaic like artwork at the aquarium.

 Love this quilt block!

 Thought it was cute how they added Nemo to their artwork.

 The Maui Ocean Center is a large modern aquarium with numerous indoor and outdoor exhibits of a wide variety of fish and sea life.

 Really a nicely done aquarium.

 Not cheap, but this is Hawaii!

 Parrotfish

 another kind of parrotfish

 would love to be able to take pictures like this while snorkeling---above and below water level.

 unicorn fish

 triggerfish (also the state fish)

 close up of a unicorn fish

 blue stripe snapper.

 shrimp

 filefish

 trumpet fish

 puffer

 cleaning station

 Would love to see one of these guys in the wild!

 frog fish

 scary to think about!

 the marina

 back to the aquarium---lots of outdoor space

 even has pretty flowers on the grounds.

 jellyfish display.

 a school of jacks

 I was surprised to see the fish weren't concerned that there were sharks swimming with them. 

 I was also surprised to see the people going in to feed the fish---and the sharks would actually go and hide.

 the walk through tunnel is really cool.

Spent the evening hanging out at the pool.  At least I did get enjoy being in some water today, not just looking at it.