USA 2009: Day 15 - Sat 09 May

Downtown Monterey
We headed off early for the Monterey Bay Aquarium, to try and avoid the Saturday queues.
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Interesting old buildings and cars
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Cute sea otter
The sea otters were our favouite aquarium exhibit.
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Having a wash and brush up after breakfast
We had just missed feeding time, but they were very active and cleaning themselves.
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Sooooo cute
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Amazing jellyfish exhibit
.. and before you ask, no it's not upside down.
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Spot the seahorse
They had just opened a new seahorse exhibition. They come in all shapes and sizes. This one looked more like a floating plant than an animal.
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The dance of Luv
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The consequence of the dance!
Not even sure a mum could love these little buggers. In fact in the seahorse world, it's the male that gives birth!
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Look out below!
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The amazing kelp forest exhibit
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The long beaked californian stilt bird ..
OK, we don't really know what it's called.
After the aquarium we headed off for the 17 mile scenic drive. We weren't very impressed with the first part, but once we reached the coast it was more interesting.
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The large yellow hooded odd-bod...

OK, it's Peter looking cool on the beach!

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Elaine, too much of a wuss to paddle
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"Hey everybody" ...
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"Let's go disco"
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"Wanna dance?"
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"Hey, I saw him first sister"
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Seal Rock
About a hundred yards off shore was Seal Rock, covered with Californian seal lions.
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Elaine introducing Elmo as a stuffed bird looks on :)
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Play nice now...
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The Lone Cyprus
Apparently an iconic tree...have you had enough trees yet?
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Elaine and the tree!

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The Hogs Breath Inn
After the drive, we went to Carmel for tea at the Hogs Breath Inn, the place owned by Clint Eastwood. Lovely atmosphere, with an open fire. "Go ahead ... make my crab cakes".
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