Today was the day to visit the California Academy of Sciences building in Golden Gate Park. After breakfast, I jumped on the number 5 streetcar to take me on a half hour journey to the park. What a talkative bus driver. Maybe they just don't have enough friendly folk to talk to, or maybe it's just me, but sheesh.
Golden Gate Park is three miles long and a half mile wide and because it is so vast I got the idea of renting a bicycle into my head. I guess it would be better than a segway?!?! So it begins, I got on the bike. I can't remember the last time I was on one, early teens maybe? Well good news, I didn't bail off it! I did ride it from one end of the park to the other, right out to the ocean too. And up more stupid hills.....rental guy said they were "gradual inclines". I rode from 8th Avenue to the ocean and back in 2 hours. I did see quite a bit, however the bike wasn't allowed in any of the park which required admission, so there goes the idea of visiting the botanical garden.
I (and Charlie) passed some sleepy bison, took photos of two old Dutch style windmills, saw surfers take on some Pacific Ocean waves, and said hi to three police on horseback - no they weren't looking for me. If I didn't have my ipod in however, I may have had more of a warning of their approach and could have snapped a pic. That was just about all that was notable for me, although I could see how it would take hours to meander through all the trails.
The return for the bike rental was right by the California Academy of Sciences building. Upon entry, I must have looked like a pretty important person. Must have been all the wind swept hair from being on the bike. There seemed to be a problem with my tour booking, but they offered me another tour time, and gave me a second as a discount. These tours come with some advantages.. Mostly a pretty cool badge you can wave at people, but more importantly, all lines are bypassed, discounts on everything, and I was first into any rooms or areas to pick seating, etc.
I started by taking a look at 15 members of an African penguin colony and then took a Planetarium visit, sort of like an IMAX theatre, but more rounded screen. Of course there were plenty of fish to see, and a Ray Feeding Schedule to attend to.
After lunch my Behind the Scenes tour of the Academy was to commence.
Me and a family of four ventured out onto the living roof. Incredibly cool, eco friendly, LEED certified and self sustaining. The roof is 2.5 acres and is all native California plants.
We then proceeded into the specimen room. Neato and gross at the same time. Jars of fish in alcohol, sitting there waiting for examination. The oldest one I found in the particular section we were in was collected in 1944. We then ventured into the "Gem Room" that had all sorts of precious gems, including diamond, amethyst, jade, silver, copper, gold, etc. Finally into the project lab where we were introduced to two girls working there. One just completed her Masters, in some kind of fishy degree, and was discovering some species not yet identified. She claims she has discovered 50 new species of some sea slug. I'll take her word for it. The other girl was still working on completing a bachelors, she focused mainly on mammals and at the time was gluing teeth into the skeleton of a seal that would be going on display. It really is a working sciences building, employing 400 people currently.
Upon conclusion of the Academy tour, I proceeded to the Aquarium tour, where it was just me joining the head tourmaster. How privileged! First we visited the "swamp" where I was introduced to Claude, an 18 year old albino alligator. He didn't say much. I was then taken down to the Aquarium which was way cool, and I got to touch some coral and learn how it grows. I was then led to the back, closed door secret stuff. The engineers at HGC would love this part of the tour! I learned all about the filtration of the reef tanks, the recipe of making proper salt water, and the pumps required to keep it all running smoothly. Also visited the areas of how they care of each of the animals living under the roof, with the exception of the humans. I've now discovered my newest favorite animal, the Sea Dragon....it's a Sea Horse, but it's a Dragon.
They have a Leafy and Weedy version. So delicate and oh so pretty. They haven't yet figured out how to get them to procreate in captivity and they come at a hefty price of roughly $7,000 per individual. Not cheap!
After the tour I was on my own to explore the rainforest - lots of butterflies, the remaining fish tanks (over 100 of them), and collections of animals in stuffed form. The reindeer exhibit was real though, and they made a big fuss about having the two reindeer for viewing. There was even fake snow falling...which people went crazy over. I hear the real stuff is falling in Ontario, Canada.
After seeing everything that was to be seen (no kidding, the staff had learned my name) I jumped on a bus back for the hotel. I had a nice last meal before I depart for Beijing tomorrow. This week has wrapped up SO quickly.
I plan to make one more blog before signing off until who knows when so all the best to everyone and talk to you all soon!
JA
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