Weymouth

I have been meaning to venture to Weymouth for quite some time now... (It was on my list!) But the weather never seems to cooperative (pouring rain and/or high winds) on our open days during the week! However, it all worked out and Margie, Hailey and I took a little day trip to Weymouth. Hailey was in really good spirits! It was a 45min. journey and Weymouth is actually at the end of the line. Literally. Ha, can't miss that stop. The track just stops and the train parks right in front of the station (and if the brakes weren't working for some reason it would plow into the building). 

It was a little windy but no rain (which was good enough for me!). It looked like a deserted beach town. I imagine in the summer that place is hopping! There didn't look like a whole lot of restaurants or stores (but maybe we missed the Main Street or something?)

After some walking (25min. walk if we didn't stray), a little confusion and some aimless wandering to try and find the SeaLife Adventure Park, we located it! Surprisingly, they accepted our half price admission coupons from ASDA (I noticed while in line that they were supposed to expire a few weeks ago). Yah!

It turns out it is right next to SandWorld (our other attraction option). Each ticket comes with a ticket to the Jurassic Tower (on the other side of town) but unfortunately it was closed on Tuesday's and Wednesdays in the off season (the hours of operation did not reflect this of course). Oh well!

We were both actually impressed, it was nicer than we thought it would be. And due to the season, the place was a ghost town, we had the whole place to ourselves practically! Really handy to have a full open view of the tanks etc. at all of the exhibits! The employees at each station were very knowledgable as well!

Hailey was marvelling at the hundreds of "Nemo fish":

Watching the sea otters scurry about and  jump up. Margie was freaked out by them and thought they looked like rats that might make an escape over the wall. They do seem like crafty little buggers. 

We got to see the seal feeding time up above and watch one of them play with and throw her fish into the air. Then we saw them from down below gliding around on their backs through the water. Such a weird little fascinating tail/flipper/feet things they have going on:

Then on to the Turtle Sanctuary:

For a nation with no native turtles (was surprised by this factoid), they had quite the extensive turtle collection. Ones I had never heard of or knew existed like some of these below:

Armoured Turtle that dates back to Prehistoric Times or even before the dinosaurs! The guy said they can't give this guy turtle roommates or he'll kill them with his spikes and eat them! Quite the bad ass turtle!

Next we have these long necked turtles. Quite awkward little creatures. Apparently their neck functions differently and instead of bending it up and down like you would expect, they do this awkward side bend to move their neck or retract into its shell.

This guy is a soft shelled turtle (who knew?):

I didn't get a picture but there was a big snapping turtle. That thing scared me. Apparently they don't have insurance to cover him. When they have to clean his aquarium they have to shut the place down and it takes 6people. If he gets loose, they say to just let him go and stay out of his way. They will just chomp down into a shin and not let go. They take out a huge chunk and their advanced stomach acids can take care of it.

Hailey is pretty excited about the Penguins:

Check out these Sea Dragons. These have to be one of the coolest creatures ever:

Then Hailey got to feel some starfish and sea anemones. 

Last, the Rays and sharks!

I think this Ray looks like it is smiling on the bottom!