Today was more of a natural and environmental exploring to see the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, California.

We drove 2 hours south to Monterey. We drove into Monterey and found a parking space. We walked through the Cannery Row Company. During the 1930s’ it was famous for being the center of the fishing industry. After a while, almost all the fishes have gone and there was almost nothing left, so they closed down the Cannery Row Company. During the time, it was known for its hardcore area and tough jobs. Because of the Cannery Row Company in Monterey, California, it influenced the rest of the United States to become interested in seafood and having seafood markets. So, now there are local souvenir shops and some museum as well as the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

After exploring around, we entered the Monterey Bay Aquarium. We explored around seeing different wildlife of California. We saw the sea otters. They were so adorable floating on their backs in the water, looking like they were praying. Before watching the feeding the otters we decided to grab some lunch and ate outside. It was such a gorgeous and warm day. After lunch we went straight back to see the otter feeding. It was extremely short, but watching them – they were just so adorable. The employees gave the otters scallops and had to give each a certain amount of eating. Even if they didn’t behave, they still have to finish the whole can.

After the short otter feeding, we went into groups on our own to explore the aquarium. Angelina, Kangni and I went outside to catch a show about how not to pollute the ocean and how it would affect the otters. The characters were singing and it was so cute.

The morning wasn’t bad, but when the afternoon came, the real adventure begun. We drove on the way to Big Sur and stopped by the beach on the Carmel Highlands that was filled with rocks. Angelina, Darren and Anne went on climbing on the rocks while Kangni and I tried to catch up leaving Nancy and Mike behind. The both of us helped each other since we both had a balance that was horrible. We both looked like frogs, hopping from rock to rock. We reached our goal at the top and walked back down. It wasn’t as bad walking down as it was walking uphill. It was so much fun and made me miss my home a little. On the way down, Kangni fell into the water face forward and I was laughing so hard that I almost fell myself but caught my balance. She was wet from the knees to the waistband of her jeans. Afterwards we all got a hilarious moment group pictures while we were holding onto each other to keep our balance from laughing so hard and the muscles aching.

We all hopped back in the van and drove on the way to the Big Sur. Some view that was. It was to die for! It was so gorgeous. We got out a couple of times to take pictures then continued the whole way up. On the way up, after passing the beach on the famous highway one that lead to southern California, we entered the woods. I could smell the famous scent of summer; the Pine trees. Looking around, I was tempted to camp there for the night. This will be my first summer without going camping and it feels a little strange. It’s nice being in the wild once more to get a peace of mind and that’s how I felt flowing through that highway filled with the smell of gasoline and Pine trees.

We just drifted and dozed off on our way back to CSDF. It has been a long day and a long amazing week. It feels funny that only a couple of days remain.

I can’t wait for tomorrow – the real thing I’ve been waiting for; the Alcatraz Prison and Fishman’s Wharf! The girls get to do the investigation! YAY!