Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Our Trip to The South CAROLINA AQUARIUM In Charleston, SC



Here is a our trip last August to the South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston, South Carolina. I called it the Charleston Aquarium, which many people do here, but it is not it's proper name. Above, little squirt and I , and dad, are about to go in. My son is hoping to see some sharks and alligators. Me , not so much, but since it was about 95 degrees outside that day, the coolness of the Aquarium was very attractive.

As soon as we go in, YUCK and Yikes ! This nice man is walking about with a Python or Boa Constrictor ( I am not good at identifying reptiles),  on his neck. I did  not like my son touching it, but the man assured me it was ok ( hmm?), and my son was fascinated.
Thank goodness Mrs. Wash-Your-hands-everywhere saw there were sanitizers all over the place, as reptiles are carriers of all kinds of yuchiness, salmonella, and other bad diseases .
See what a struggle it was for me to be here, ridiculous I know, I'm such a trooper.
American Bald Eagle, being rather regal. They have lots of open cages, open for us to be able to see ,  all around this place. Turtles, fish, crocodiles, owls, snakes galore , alligators, and more.
This guy was HUGE, talons were about 10 ins. long.
They have these giant tanks around the aquarium, and do shows or talks during the day. I can't recall if they were every hour, I think they were every two hours. At the bottom of this I am going to give you their chart with more info. They like to include children's questions/quizes, and it is very crowded during these times.
My husband watching the diver in the tank, who has a microphone and talks to the audience.
Son getting a closer look. Such a variety of fish , beautiful colors swimming about.
Then we go look at an alligator show, and the guy comes out and lets you touch the baby alligator. My son is quite pleased with this. I just think ( and look around), Where is the nearest hand sanitizer !!?
A twirling sea otter. I'll just show you some pictures of what we saw...
Big tanks, ceiling to floor in every room.
Here is the same man who walks around with snakes around his neck, working at the horseshoe crab and stingray area. He is a volunteer here, and says he loves coming in to work here and teach all the people about all the sea creatures.
Alright this is just nuts, insanity. More nice employees, walking around with snakes ( aka germy snakes), for innocent bystanders to stroke. Look at my husband, you would think he is stroking a baby's face.
YUCK !
You see what a act of bravery it was for me to go here. I think I'm starting to feel sick.
In-frigging-sanity !
I had to take a break from all the reptiles, smells and sights, and we went outside to their lovely observation patio. You can see all the way to the new suspension bridge over there.
They went to go look at the ship with a big viewer. Really a great place to see the water around Charleston, the ships, the bridge.



And me thrilled to be looking at no snakes ! Took out my yucky picture and have replaced it with my buddy and a giant bronze frog out there on the large viewing deck. Even though I looked like the frog in the picture I took out .
By the way, tip for coming to Charleston:
 You need to drink lots of water in Charleston, all during the day, as the humidity is draining. Don't forget! 
Let me show you what else is out here on their back room/areas of the aquarium.
Now these are some good pictures ! An egret and or seagull out in their back area.
 I would definitely go back to the aquarium, the gift shop is very nice, employees there are nice, and it was a cool respite from the heat of Charleston. It is not cheap to go here, 20. per person, aquarium alone and kids are 12.50 ( for just the basic tour). But our Zoo membership got us a big discount here, and possibly you have some reciprocal zoo or museum that may work here. They also have some online discounts on their site,so check it out.
Plus we wore out a 10 year old for awhile. Here he is back at the hotel, lounging on an old jostling board.
Next post will be some very pretty pictures of gardens I saw walking around Charleston one morning.

Take good care out there !
Gina

Oh ! I wanted to tell many of you bloggers to eliminate the word verification for your readers to comment, it takes forever, is very difficult, and you could easily just do blog owner approval and skip it for your readers. It seems to have gotten worse than ever to try to leave a comment. You can go to your comments or settings in your blog dashboard to change it.


Tickets


Value Pass
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(12-61)
Seniors
(62+)
Child
(2-11)
Toddler
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$24.95$23.95$17.95FREE
Value Pass
Adults
(12-61)
Seniors
(62+)
Child
(2-11)
Toddler
(0-1)
$24.95$23.95$17.95FREE
Aquarium Only
Adults
(12-61)
Seniors
(62+)
Child
(2-11)
Toddler
(0-1)
$19.95$18.95$12.95FREE
Adults (12-61)$19.95
Seniors (62+)$18.95
Child (2-11)$12.95
Toddler (0-1)FREE
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Hours of Operation

March - August
Open Daily 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
(Building closes at 6 p.m.)
September - February
Open Daily 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
(Building closes at 5 p.m.)

Closed Thanksgiving Day, Dec 25, and
half day Dec 24 (open 9 a.m -12 p.m.)

Maps and Directions

Aquarium Wharf MapConveniently located in downtown Charleston at Aquarium Wharf.
Address:
100 Aquarium Wharf
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 720-1990 Click here for Maps and Directions Click here

Hours

March - August
Open Daily 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
(Building closes at 6 p.m.)

September - February
Open Daily 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
(Building closes at 5 p.m.)

Closed Thanksgiving Day, Dec 25, and half day Dec 24 (open 9 a.m.-12 p.m.)


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Your Aquarium tickets can be redeemed for $1 off each admission at Fort Sumter and Patriots Point.
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Monday, February 20, 2012

CHARLESTON South Carolina City Walking About Pictures


I am very behind showing you some more pictures of Charleston, South Carolina, as these were all taken LAST August 2011. I think we went down for a late Anniversary trip for my husband and I...or I used that as an excuse to go...I can't remember. I do know it was a nice trip, very hot, probably mid to high 90's at that time and knowing Charleston about 150 % humidity. I will probably do this in three posts, so it is not too long, first one random city pictures( all downtown historic areas), and two our trip to the Charleston Aquarium, and three more lovely garden shots. Yes, that is probably it.
The picture below is us stopping for a late lunch at Mt. Pleasant, right outside ( 1 1/2 miles) of Charleston. I wanted to go there and sit outside and have a lunch. The air conditioning was full blast inside, felt like 60 degrees, brrrr, so we ended up out here looking at the boats.
You see my son and I are posing , while my husband is busy discussing some problem with a fellow co-worker. I could not get him to smile or pose for us, and he rarely does this...talk on the phone in restaurants...so I decided to not show the picture of him chatting for so long.
Still cute as a pickle.
Ok, let me show you some downtown random shots I took, one early morning walking around Charleston. I think this is a combination of two  mornings I walked. In the early mornings, I guess it was 8 AM or so,  you see  people walking to work, always dressed very chic, men and women. You also see many contractors/repairmen , and some delivery trucks. A few joggers and walkers, not much. It is much quieter than late afternoon or evening, and the sun shines down softly and gives me some nice reflections to show you.
Lots of large crape myrtles on the sidewalks.
No one out and about yet, especially if you walk early on Sunday mornings, I have been out there at 7 AM, trying to escape the heat of the later day, and it is so peaceful. This is down Church St.
Always have to remember to watch your step here, sidewalks are narrow in many areas, and uneven.
There is the French Hugenot church to the left. We went to a wedding there the December before this trip. So many old churches in Charleston, and it is very pleasant to hear the ringing bells at the hour, the gongs and sometimes music. As if it is floating on air .
Charleston is also know as the Holy City here, because of all the churches.
Look up in the trees, I was trying to show the dappling sunlight. Dappling sunlight is such a treasure.
Wedding dresses on King St. Every shop was closed this early in the morning.
Fluffy.
Trash Herbie-Curbie. Lucky duck if you have one of these it means you live in Charleston !!!!!
My starting point usually, St. Philips on Church St. The clock up there says 8:30, so I guess I started later or I took this on the way back from my walk.
Here is the Historic Charleston Foundation , SC shop, I believe it is on E. Bay St. It is all reproductions, but approved by them, items, furniture,books, etc. to sell. I provided a link to their online store.
Inside wares.
Outside wares. It is pretty pricey, and I like the old antique furniture and items when I can find them, instead of new repros. But still nice.
Part of the famous Rainbow Row. You have to go across the street to try to take a decent picture of all of them.
Heading down towards the Battery, see no one is around much still. In the Spring and Summer, it will be very crowded, lots of tourists.
Peaceful.
Holy moly I need to go back and show you some city shots I forgot.

Old orignal Art Deco drugstore sign on King St. I remember passing a beautiful young woman with super high heels on, and was amazed at how she could wear them, or when she will realize she can't wear them all her life. Yes I was very envious , but wouldn't trade my tennis shoes for them walking around Charleston.
This led into a church , I did not go in, I was running late. Here was the placard outside it, I really like it.
On King St.

Geo  C. Birlant , antique store that also sells the famous Charleston park bench.
Can you see it behind all this STUFF !!?? Someone needs to tell them to move all the additional items out of the way , to see  this !And yes, if they had been open I would have gone in and told them that. Not that they care, but someone needs to stand up for viewing these benches properly. Moi.
This was last August, maybe they have displayed it better, I'll let you know soon.
Goodies inside Birlant on King St. An expensive location to buy antiques in Charleston. King St. is the most expensive street to buy most items( clothing, antiques, etc.) in Charleston, but worth a walk through there.
I loved this statue, wish I could trade places with her and watch Charleston all day, but I was realllly running late now.

Lots more antique stores on this ( King) street. Bring lots of money and enjoy yourself.
Still no one much around, as I head back to our hotel. We have somewhere to go !
But then I spy him, a Charleston city bike-cop/police officer making his rounds. I was trying to get his picture, but he was moving fast, and I did not want him to think I was stalking him.
Which I was doing for a block at least.
Whew, caught him at stop light. Love a man in uniform, and they are out and about working hard in Charleston. Still running late, we are going to the Charleston Aquarium, that will be my next post, then more gardens in the following one.
take care,
Gina