The Maui Ocean Center has definitely been a highlight of the trip so far. I mean, SHARKS. And RAYS, which are far cooler than I ever realized. But that’s just a teaser–you’ll have to wait for another entry to see those photos.

When you walk into the center, you see a shallow-water zone with various tropical fish, including these funky- (and disconcertingly human-) looking unicorn fish:

I also wanted photos of the “lellow” fish for my nephew, not so much because he likes yellow or fish but because I love hearing him say “lellow.”

There are such amazing varieties of fish.

This one is called a frog fish:

Seriously. How cool and bizarre are these?!

I couldn’t find the name of this one–maybe some kind of gar?

Here’s a seahorse:

And an octopus, which I thought about just after I ordered octopus sushi tonight, which made me think, for about the millionth time, that I should become a vegetarian. Except I really don’t like vegetables.

I believe this is a scorpionfish, but I think it should be called a gargoyle fish instead. How cool is it?!

More to follow…