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| Ready to Collect Nematodes |
When he learned we were visiting Okinawa, our nematologist friend Rob said the manatee at the Okinawa Churaumi* Aquarium had interesting lesions with unusual nematodes. Too bad he didn’t have a sample to look at under his microscope. All it took was a scraping of the lesion with a credit card. I could do that. How hard could that be? Turns out the difficult part would be getting permits to do so. Ah well, his Japanese colleague will have to come to the island, but I am ready if need be.
*Chura = beautiful or graceful; umi = ocean
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| Who Knew? |
I also learned that Lost in Translation is more than a film. I have enjoyed several signs in English with odd words or misuse of tenses, but this is my favorite so far. The amazing thing is that I even bothered to read the sign. We saw often manatees from our dock on the New River, so I’ve become blasé about any manatee facts.
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| Ringside Viewing |
The aquarium was extraordinary. In addition to the usual coral reefs and other environs, it boasts the world’s largest tank. Mary knew to get a ringside table where we could watch the fish swim by while eating taco rice balls, corn soup, and melon ice cream float. The whale sharks made the huge manta rays seem small.
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| Deep Sea Coral Crab |
I especially liked the deep sea exhibits that are only possible because scientists have figured how to create the pressure the fish and other animals from those depths need. Giant isopods, soft corals that look like anemones on tall stalks, first ever on display Japanese large eyes (red fish with large eyes), and other bottom dwellers are all new to me.
We finished our day in the event hall with a LEGO whale shark.
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| Pieces For Peace LEGO Project |
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