Wednesday 14 September 2011

Phuket Aquarium.

We know Phuket is famous for beaches, spas and good seafood. How many of us have been to the Aquarium in Phuket? I decided to visit the Aquarium on my last trip there. I booked a taxi for a round trip from Patong Beach. It cost me 900 Baht and the journey, one way, took about 40 minutes.

I paid 100 Baht to gain entrance. I thought it was pretty reasonable; in fact, it was really inexpensive compared to Singapore's Underwater World. Later, I found out that the locals pay 20 Baht only. If only I had spoken some Thai, I could have passed off as a local!

The main entrance:


Exhibits at the main entrance (including skeletons of a dugong and a small whale):


I had to show my entrance ticket to this guy to get into the Aquarium proper:


Oh yes, there was a touch pool too. Nothing dangerous. Full of sea cucumbers and starfish:


OK, I forgot the name of this shrimp. I know it is not a Mantis Shrimp or a Boxer Shrimp. Harlequin Shrimp? No. Anyone knows?


Piranha! First time I got to see a few of this up close. I didn't know they had gold flakes on their bodies. Menacing looking creatures:


Beautiful but poisonous Lion Fish:


Cute Hermit Crab:


The travellator was not working but it was a short walk through this walk through aquarium compared to the  one in Singapore's Underwater World.


This was the highlight of the visit! A turtle hatchery. I have never seen a turtle hatchery in real life. This was located outside the Aquarium and I had to take a long walk to see it. Most visitors didn't bother to take the walk. There were many of these pools, each pool was home to turtles of the same age from weeks old to months old. I think the Thais are doing a good thing for Nature here:


Souvenir shop. Singaporean me must do a bit of shopping to feel complete after an educational trip: