Never did I imagine that I would be spending my day at a zoo. A zoo I assumed is only for the kids. I can only remember going to the zoo as a kid...or going with a kid. I've happen to visit  Netherlands for  a brief period as I am accompanying my husband who has been posted here briefly for a project.So like every Friday I was excited to know how would we spend our weekend....I asked him and when he suggested the Rotterdam Zoo...I was surprised. Its not a place I would love to hangout,and that too when you are on vacation with your husband ( and to be clear we don't have kids),.I anyways checked out the website and needless to say I was impressed. I then wanted to see it for myself. Some major highlights did make it different: 1.Systematic layout: We reached there at around 10:30 in the morning and I was really surprised to see few people there.I thought that this was a world famous zoo,how come there is no crowd. We entered the zoo which confused me a little because what I saw was something like an amusement park.There was a cafeteria inside and there was recreation ground for kids. The whole land is covered by bamboo trees and the markings for you to find your route is very precise..At every turn you will get directions,you can navigate yourself through.There are restaurants inside the zoo for people who spend the whole day and there are restrooms at every indoor display. Furthermore,I noticed a very systematic description of the animals there.All you need to know about the animal or view in front was well descried.There was no crowding because the land area is huge and more importantly,there was no tour guide.The animals are kept in spacious habitats created for them and are not caged.The big animals like the elephants,bears,hyenas,leopards,tigers are all given their space there are glass walls for the visitors to see.There is an extra electric fencing given .And the variety of animals is superb.From the tropical to the arctic,you name it and the reserves are made. 2.Exotic collection of animals and maintainence: Like the Butterfly culture.There is an indoor garden created where you stand and butterflies just fly around you.Its extremely beautiful.They have even kept the culture process open for everyone to view all the stages from how an egg is laid to how a cocoon is formed and the butterfly bursts free.Similarly there are indoor hubs created to view the desert animal life that display exotic venomous creatures. Even the tigers were kept in their spacious dens,wherein one could watch all their activities.Even animals like hyenas,crocodiles and alligators were ensured to be with their young ones.There are complete and huge tanks created for animals like seals,polar bears,crocodiles so everyone can see their activities below water as well. The major highlight is the Oceanium.Its beautifully created and the moment you enter,you feel you are under the sea.There are a wide range of collections from the smallest fish possible to the vicious sharks.And everything is so thoughtfully done.There is no place where you can say you are lost or you need someone o tell you about what you are seeing.There are inbuilt labs that work constantly to culture the animals from the very first stage. Learning and Education: Someone asked one of the workers there,why do they spend so much time,they're just animals.He said "they are not just animals ,but they are a form of life and more importantly a part of education,we have to nurture and care for them so others can not only marvel but also learn".I can literally say here that every cent was worth it.Children were given special tours and there were games at every animals abode.There were games like Try and recall what you have seen,jumble words,puzzles about the animals in front.Everything was well planned..Even the meal times of the animals were specified,so in case the animals were eating,there was a special balcony for you to watch them inside. 3.Sense of Responsibility: Everything you see makes you realize that the world is full of different forms of life,sadly some of the species which we see to day may not be there for our future generations.The statistics are also mentioned along with the behavioral characteristics of the animal so that one can make out that these species are no longer in abundance.If we don't learn to care and respect their existence,they would be in history books only for our future generations. There was not one moment where one would get bored.Apart from this this is a great spot to relax.People can sit near the lakes created and feed birds there or sit in the Oceanium to relax and enjoy the aquatic world all around you.It took us the whole day to go around the zoo..I really was awestruck by the Creators magnificence,which made me appreciate life in all.I also appreciate the effort the workers put in here to make it a worthwhile memory.It was an extraordinary experience and a must see if you happen to be in Netherlands.If you have the time you can visit the website below to view it for yourself. http://www.diergaardeblijdorp.nl/