Monterey Bay Aquarium

Today we finally had a lie in (until 9am, if that counts) and then after a late breakfast (pancakes, French toast and eggs Benedict) we visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which is supposed to be one of the best in the world. It definitely lived up to our expectations. From the tank with giant kelp swaying gently in an artificial current, through the huge assortment of anemones to the touch pools and the kids scuba diving in the rock pools, it was quite an experience. Afterwards we walked up and down Cannery Row, the old sardine packing area written about by John Steinbeck (another one to read when we get home...)

In the evening we had dinner at the Koto Japanese restaurant. No frills decor but they did have a real live Japanese chef. For the first time ever we thought that the quality of the ingredients might merit ordering sashimi and we were not disappointed! I had never really understood how important freshness is until we tasted the tuna and the salmon, which just melted in the mouth. The latter probably better than anything we ever had in Sweden! The chef was a jolly type who had been in the US since the 1970s and who threatened to assault his assistant with a daikon radish if he didn't behave.

Monterey is quite a lot colder than LA. Difficult to tell but it's probably only in the low 20s. Wish I'd brought more socks. Apart from Cannery Row and Fisherman's Wharf downtown Monterey is not particularly interesting.