Sliding Sideways Across the Globe

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The wind had picked up in Osaka. A cold breeze swept across the landscape. A low howl moaned through the hole in the window; the gap left by the air conditioner's exhaust.

K and I wore layers; shirts, jumpers, jackets and coats, hands hidden in gloves, heads swallowed in beanies. We were heading to the bay area where the wind would be wild and vicious as it ran across the water. Today we needed an indoor trip, some protection from the elements.

We huddle through the crowds and hopped from train to train out to Kaiyukan, one of the worlds largest aquariums. We swiftly made our way from the station to the giant red blue building stopping only to watch a juggler perform his skill; flaming torches dancing through the air for our amusement.

Osaka Aquarium

We pay the 2000yen entry fee and proceed into the building. A corridor presents itself. The walls and roof are glass, fish swim above and beside us as; sharks and rays paces the walls.

Sharks and fish

The exhibits line the outside walls; an otter enclosure, dolphins diving up and down, penguins crowd around a handler throwing out petite fish ...

... jelly fish appear to glow ...

... large spider crabs standing 60cms tall in a barren lunar landscape; eerie and silent ...

... a large tank contains hundreds of fish swimming around and around and around in a hypnotic silver parade ...

... and as we spiral into the depths of the building, a single gigantic tank forms the core. Schools of fish spin around. Sharks patrol the edges. Sting rays glide, manta rays fly. A whale shark over 4 meters long gracefully circles the tank like a star, it long body shimmers in the flashes of camera and phones