Thursday, August 04, 2005
Day out at the museums
Woke up this morning, decided that I need to do something educational today. Not that I have not been doing work, its just that it would be such a waste to stay home and stare at the screen and the keyboard, when the sun is out and the weather is just so beautiful. So a visit to the museums is long overdue. I've always loved the atmosphere at the museum, the exhibits and the souvenier shops.
I was dropped off at the Nottinghill Gate tube station, bought an all day travel pass for two zones which cost about 4.70 GBP (do not convert!), well, it is more expensive than a sandwich. This is the first time that I have ventured into a tube station, on this visit to London, I have to brave myself and do it. Well, I bought the ticket and headed to the platform 1. Took the first train that came and realized that I was on district line not circle line, so hopped off at the next station, which was High Street Kensington. Waited for the circle line, after 10 minutes, then I overheard someone on the platform saying that there was a notice that said no circle line operating until .. whenever... ok, next best thing is to take the district line again and change at Earls Court station. So I hopped on the next train changed at Earls Court station and took another train, district line to South Kensington, wah that was really something, it took me 45 minutes to get to the Exhibition road.
From South Kensington, I took the tunnel to the museums. The first exit was the Natural History museum, the Biologist in me always like this museum. As soon as you enter the lobby after having your bags checked, you are greeted by the Brontosaurus, somehow the impact is no longer like it was the first time I saw it with a 6 year old kid (Sam), the Brontosaurus is celebrating its 100 years anniversary as an exhibit at the museum. I had fun watching the children and parents engaged with the exhibits and the information, learning from each other. An interesting photography exhibit "face to face" was on. The exhibit features close up photographs of primates (faces only), these primates are from the primate sanctuary in Camaroon. After 1 and half hour at the nat sc museum, I moved on to the Science Museum.
It has been quite tiring walking the distance from the tube station to the museum and walking around the exhibits. Well, I spent the next 30 mins at the science museum, I decided not to go to the IMax movies, the 3D movies and the ride. It would be more fun if I have kids with me. May be next time. After debating whether to go back or go somewhere else, so I can sit down, I made up my mind to walk across the road to the Victoria and Albert Museum and walked some more. This is a museum which exhibits historical things and life from Europe, Asia, South East Asia, etc. The exhibits are themed. I managed to do the fashion exhibition, China and Japan, and western Europe. By two o'clock I was too tired to see more or to walk further, since this museum has 5 floors of exhibits to see, I decided that I should come another time.
Left V&A museum through the tunnel and caught the next train to Nottinghill Gate from South Kensington station. From Nottinghill Gate, I took bus number 328 to Chippenham, and walked home. Arrived home about 3. 10 pm. It has been a fruitful day, I have managed to do something educational and worthwhile. It was nice to be able to get out and to feel brave about it. London now is not the same as the London I used to know 26 years ago. The police did not carry guns then, now they walk around with machineguns. They are everywhere, the security is tight. I should feel safe however, there is always doubts.
Till the next time.
RM
I was dropped off at the Nottinghill Gate tube station, bought an all day travel pass for two zones which cost about 4.70 GBP (do not convert!), well, it is more expensive than a sandwich. This is the first time that I have ventured into a tube station, on this visit to London, I have to brave myself and do it. Well, I bought the ticket and headed to the platform 1. Took the first train that came and realized that I was on district line not circle line, so hopped off at the next station, which was High Street Kensington. Waited for the circle line, after 10 minutes, then I overheard someone on the platform saying that there was a notice that said no circle line operating until .. whenever... ok, next best thing is to take the district line again and change at Earls Court station. So I hopped on the next train changed at Earls Court station and took another train, district line to South Kensington, wah that was really something, it took me 45 minutes to get to the Exhibition road.
From South Kensington, I took the tunnel to the museums. The first exit was the Natural History museum, the Biologist in me always like this museum. As soon as you enter the lobby after having your bags checked, you are greeted by the Brontosaurus, somehow the impact is no longer like it was the first time I saw it with a 6 year old kid (Sam), the Brontosaurus is celebrating its 100 years anniversary as an exhibit at the museum. I had fun watching the children and parents engaged with the exhibits and the information, learning from each other. An interesting photography exhibit "face to face" was on. The exhibit features close up photographs of primates (faces only), these primates are from the primate sanctuary in Camaroon. After 1 and half hour at the nat sc museum, I moved on to the Science Museum.
It has been quite tiring walking the distance from the tube station to the museum and walking around the exhibits. Well, I spent the next 30 mins at the science museum, I decided not to go to the IMax movies, the 3D movies and the ride. It would be more fun if I have kids with me. May be next time. After debating whether to go back or go somewhere else, so I can sit down, I made up my mind to walk across the road to the Victoria and Albert Museum and walked some more. This is a museum which exhibits historical things and life from Europe, Asia, South East Asia, etc. The exhibits are themed. I managed to do the fashion exhibition, China and Japan, and western Europe. By two o'clock I was too tired to see more or to walk further, since this museum has 5 floors of exhibits to see, I decided that I should come another time.
Left V&A museum through the tunnel and caught the next train to Nottinghill Gate from South Kensington station. From Nottinghill Gate, I took bus number 328 to Chippenham, and walked home. Arrived home about 3. 10 pm. It has been a fruitful day, I have managed to do something educational and worthwhile. It was nice to be able to get out and to feel brave about it. London now is not the same as the London I used to know 26 years ago. The police did not carry guns then, now they walk around with machineguns. They are everywhere, the security is tight. I should feel safe however, there is always doubts.
Till the next time.
RM
# posted by Maznah @ 12:42 AM 
