So Lisbon Oceanarium (Oceanário de Lisboa) was on my agenda during my last trip to the city.

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What is Lisbon Oceanarium?
The Oceanarium was build as part of the World Expo in 1998 to celebrate “The Oceans, a Heritage for the Future’. Lisbon has a very special cultural relationship with the sea, having built it’s reputation upon the Discoveries. The Oceanarium is dedicated to educating the public about the ocean and its conservation. Essentially it is a giant aquarium filled with an extraordinary amount of sea life. One of its most famous occupants is a sunfish. I can honestly say I have never seen anything like it! Sunfish are notoriously difficult to keep so its good health shows how well the aquarium is run and the creatures within it looked after.

The building is created around a thousand square meter tank that runs up the centre of the main floors of the Oceanarium. Around this are four more aquariums with different habitats (North Atlantic, Antarctic, Temperate Pacific and Tropical Ocean). These Four zones are actually separated from the main aquarium by acrylic but are made to appear as though everything is swimming together to show the interrelated life in the ocean and it’s connection to all life. Around the building are smaller Aquariums housing for example starfish and amphibians. Make sure you check out the Temperate Pacific zone as this is home to two Alaskan Sea Otters called Eusébio and Amália. They are incredibly cute.

Really there is so much to see here that you could quite easily spend a whole day investigating all the different areas. Photography is allowed but you must not under any circumstances use a flash as this can disturb the animals. There are plenty of seats so you can rest your feet and take in the view. The building is accessible to wheelchair users. In many ways, the Oceanarium is a very restful place. Sounds of the ocean play as you move through the darkened observation rooms. The graceful movements of bizarre creatures, the startling colours of vibrant undersea life evoke such a sense of peace. I found it inspiring. Seeing creatures that live under the sea reminds me of how beautiful and extraordinary our planet is and how much we need to take care of it.
As an enterprise dedicated to education, the Oceanarium runs different events and experiences. Guided tours are available including a backstage tour so you can get to see behind the scenes. An audio guide can be picked up upon entering for 2.50 Euros. A variety of events happen throughout the year. You can find these listed on the main website.

How to get to Lisbon Oceanarium
If you don’t want to take the metro, the following bus numbers will take you to Oriente: -  5, 10, 19, 21, 28, 50, 68, 81, 82, 85.

Lisbon Oceanarium is situated in Parque das Nações, the popular ultra modern area which housed the World Expo in 1998. Parque das Nações is served by the Oriente metro station situated at the end of the red line (linha vermelho). To get on the red line, catch the metro on the blue line (linha azul) at Baixa-Chiado or Restauadores and change at São Sebastian.

When you come out of the metro station (make sure you look up to see the fabulous ‘crown’ of the Oriente station!), cross the road and walk straight through the Vasco de Gama shopping centre. It will bring you out to an extraordinary spiky sculpture and onto the promenade area. Turn right onto Alameda Dos Oceanos. Walk all the way down the promenade until you reach the roundabout at the end. To your left you’ll see a blue wall with a fountain. The pedestrianised walkway beside this is Passeio de Ulisses. Walk down here and this will take you straight to the Oceanarium on the river front. Just head for the cable cars which are right outside the Oceanarium. Whilst you are there, I definitely recommend a trip on the cable car. You’ll have a terrific view of the elegant, futuristic architecture of Parque das Nações and the fabulous Vasco de Gama Bridge.

How Much Does it Cost?
The current entry ticket is 12 Euros. Three’s and under go free. Four – Twelve year old are 6 Euros and over Sixty Six is 6.50 Euros. There are also family tickets available for 29 Euros (2 adults, 2 children under 12). Tickets are purchased at the main entrance.

When is it Open?
Daily
During the summer months from 10am – 8pm (last entry 7pm)
During the Winter months from 10am – 7pm (last entry 6pm)
The Oceanarium is also one of the few places open on Christmas Day and New Years day.

For further details and lots more information visit the official website (available in both Portuguese and English)

http://www.oceanario.pt/
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If you are in Lisbon at the moment then why not check out an intriguing art exhibition.

Presented by Gallery at Krypton, ‘Drawing in Space’ features the wire sculpture work of David Oliveira.

David Oliveira was born in Lisbon in 1980. He gained a degree in sculpture from the Faculty of Fine Arts at Lisbon University and since 2005 has been exhibiting his work both individually and collectively with other artists.

Oliveira’s work has featured in Arte Lisboa – a national art fair which brings together works from contemporary and modern art galleries.

Exploring the idea of line and space, Oliveira plays on optical illusion. Two dimensions become three dimensional works of wire art. His pieces evoke a sense of character just like a sketch. Fashioned only in line, the viewer fills in the space to see the character beyond.

I find his work captivating.

The exhibition ‘Desenhar no Espaço’ (Drawing in Space) runs from the 12th January until the 11th march, Gallery at Krypton on Rua da Junqueira 354, 1300-340 LISBOA. It is open Monday to Friday from 9.30am until 1pm and 2.30pm until 6pm. Entry is free.

Check out the artist’s blog to see some examples of his work or the video below.

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Like any other major city, Lisbon will be putting out the party flags. The main celebrations this year will be held on the newly renovated Praça do Comércio. There will be music supplied by Portuguese group A Fúria do Açúcar. Another popular band Xutos e Pontapés will perform after the pyrotechnics. A firework spectaculor over the river will take place at midnight to ring in 2011.

The event kicks off at 10pm so get your dancing shoes ready.

Wishing you a beautiful 2011.
Love Lily