Museums – Page 3 – Snapping The Globe

Honey, I Shrunk the Netherlands!

What if I told you that I saw all of the Netherlands’ major cities in one day?

You wouldn’t believe me…

Well, it’s true…or almost.

For years, I have seen ads for Madurodam in the Hague, the capital city of the province of South Holland, and I always thought that it would be an interesting place to visit. With no other plans for the day, it was time…

Although it was quite cool outside, the sun was out and I was in the mood for an adventure. Heading out early to the train station, I was soon on my way to the Hague and Madurodam.

After arriving at Den Hague Central Station, it was a short wait for Tram 9, which would take me to Madurodam.

Jumping off of the tram at my designated stop, I stopped to admire the modern architecture while approaching the building. Purchasing my ticket, I walked from the lobby into the miniature park…wow…the Netherlands in 1:25 scale!

Opened in 1952, the park is named for George Maduro, a Jewish law student from Curaçao. After fighting the Nazi occupations forces as a member of the Dutch resistance, he died at Dachau concentration camp and was the only person of Antillean descent to be awarded the Knight 4th-class of the Military Order of William. After World War II, his parents donated the necessary capital to build the park in honor of their only son and a replica of his birthplace in Curaçao was added to the park in his honor.

Madurodam, visited by millions of people each year, is the perfect place to experience everything that makes Holland so unique. Divided into three themes, Water, As A Friend and An Enemy, Historical Cities and The Netherlands As An Inspiration For the World, the park showcases canal houses, tulip fields, a cheese market, a wooden shoe factory, windmills, the Peace Palace and the Delta Works…all in miniature.

As I walked through the park, I must admit, my first impression was that I was visiting an attraction probably best enjoyed by the younger set. Had I traveled all this way by mistake? Once I arrived at the Schiphol Airport exhibit with its moving airplanes, (even Delta’s) however, I was enthralled.

Having traveled throughout the Netherlands, I have seen much of its beauty and many of its municipalities. As I moved to the rear of the property with reproductions of many of the Netherlands’ cities, I developed a game to check out each city exhibit before reading the accompanying signs and identify it by its buildings and landmarks. As an avid photographer, I especially enjoyed positioning my camera to get the best shots of these tiny cities…with the results, in some cases, you have no idea that you are looking at a photo of a model, so detailed are the displays.

When obtaining your tickets upon entry, a chip card accompanies your purchase. At many of the exhibits, there are informative aspects…swipes of the card trigger bridges, factories, fires on oil tankers, televisions stands showing brief video footage, in-depth information, light shows and my favorite…playing DJ at the concert venue!

There are two restaurants on the property, a cool playground for children, and an extra large scale display of the Netherlands’ most widely identifiable object…the tulip. Here, you can sit among these giant tulips for countless photo opportunities.

Another attraction, explains the beginning of the Netherlands in 1572. Hof van Nederland (Dutch Court) is located at the rear of the property and unlike the small-scale displays, is life sized. The best part of the entire park, however, is that the entirety of the net proceeds from the park go towards various charities in the Netherlands!

One should always remember that while it is absolutely a wonder to visit the landmarks of this fabulous country, you can never forget what makes it truly special…its people. While touring Madurodam, pay close attention to the tiny people in each of the displays showing the real life of the Dutch. The “residents” of Madurodam have become a bit more diverse over the years, depicting those who have migrated from other countries. My favorite tidbit of information pertaining to these residents is that they reflect the changing environment. In the winter, they wear sweaters and coats and in summer, t-shirts!

So, go to the Hague…release your inner child and see all of the things that make the Netherlands famous…the Rijksmuseum, the Binnenhof, Schiphol, the Port of Rotterdam, traditional Dutch canal houses, tulip fields and windmills. It’s the best way to see the country…especially if you are limited with your time!

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Madurodam

https://madurodam.nl/en/
Address: George Maduroplein 1, 2584 RZ Den Haag, The Netherlands
Hours: Jan 9-Feb 24, 1100-1700, Feb 25-Mar 5, 1000-1700, Mar 6-Mar 22, 1100-1700, Mar 23- Sep 3, 0900-2000, Sep 4-Oct 31, 0900-1700, Nov 1-Dec 23, 1100-1700, Dec 24-Jan 7, 1100-2000
Admission: Day ticket, €16.50 (Online, €14.50), Children (ages 0-3), free,
Getting There: Tram 9 from Den Haag Centraal Station towards Scheveningen Noorderstrand, stop Madurodam. Tram 9 from Hollands Spoor Station towards Scheveningen Noorderstrand, stop Madurodam. Bus 22 from Scheveningen beach towards Duinzigt, stop Plesmanweg or by Tram 9 towards Vrederust, stop Madurodam.
Scheveningen beach: by bus 22 towards Duinzigt, stop Plesmanweg or by tram 9 towards Vrederust, stop Madurodam

The Hiding Place

Amsterdam has the Anne Frank House. Haarlem has the Corrie Ten Boom Museum.

During World War II, many Jews knew of a hiding place in Haarlem…19 Barteljorisstraat, the site of the Ten Boom family’s watchmaking business. With the comings and goings of the business’ many customers, it was the perfect hiding place since it did not arouse suspicion.

Corrie, the youngest of the four Ten Boom children, the first female licensed as a watchmaker in Holland and a devout Christian, realized the horrors that were coming to pass in the Netherlands and decided that she and her family had the opportunity to help those in need.

Arriving in Haarlem, I made my way to the Corrie Ten Boom museum near the Grote Markt. Standing in the alley, I watched the tour guides arrive and enter the museum and other tourists approach and wait patiently behind me in line. As the clock on nearby St. Bavo’s church chimed the top of the hour, we were escorted into the museum and up the stairs into the Ten Boom’s former living room.

I knew that this was an important museum. I knew that Jews had hidden here in this home, but among those in my group, I was the only person who had not read Corrie’s book, “The Hiding Place” nor did I really know the story behind it.

Our tour guide narrated a tale for half an hour, detailing Corrie’s childhood, the impending Holocaust and how the family came to assist those in need. We moved into Corrie’s bedroom and observed the secret room behind the false wall which served to hide as many as seven people at a time, including Jews and members of the Dutch underground. Additional refugees would stay with the Ten Booms for a few hours or a few days until another “safe house” could be located for them.

Corrie, the ringleader of the underground network, spent much of her time searching for those in need and for those who would take them in and care for them. It is estimated that approximately 800 lives were saved by the Ten Boom family and their friends.

As we moved throughout the rooms of the museum, we were witness to many photographs and personal items and learned that the family, were eventually betrayed by an informant. As a result of the betrayal, the entire family was arrested and imprisoned, in Scheveningen Prison and Ravensbruck concentration camp. Sadly, Corrie was the only survivor of the experience. After a clerical error resulted in her release, Corrie returned to the Netherlands and decided to continue the ministry that she and her sister Betsy started while in the concentration camp.

Setting up a rehabilitation center in Bloemendaal for concentration camp survivors and the jobless Dutch who had previously collaborated with the Germans, she continued to assist those in need. Returning to Germany in 1946, she then traveled the world as a public speaker, appearing in more than 60 countries, wrote many books and finally emigrated to Placentia, California before her death at 91 years of age.

The museum, which has been refurbished to appear as it did in the 1940’s, was probably the most humbling and inspiring places I have ever visited. Though quite small and only open on certain days, it was certainly worth the 15 minute train ride from Amsterdam Central Station, the 15 minute walk from Haarlem Central Station and will be worth the $6.99 purchase price of the Kindle book “The Hiding Place” so that I can learn more about this fascinating woman.

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Corrie Ten Boom Museum

https://www.corrietenboom.com/en/the-museum
Address: Barteljorisstraat 19, 2011 RA Haarlem, Holland
Hours: April 1 through October 31, Tuesday through Saturday. English tours at 1000, 1130, 1330 and 1500. Tours in Dutch at 1030, 1200, 1400 and 1530.
Hours: November 1 through March 30, Tuesday through Saturday. English tours at 1100, 1230, 1430. Tours in Dutch at 1130, 1300 and 1500.
Admission: free, donations accepted at the end of the tour.
How To Get There: From Amsterdam, take the train (15 minutes) from Amsterdam Centraal Station to Haarlem Central Station. From From Haarlem Central Station, it is a 10-15 minute walk. Leave the station by the door marked with the word “Centrum”. Turn right out of the station. Walk straight to Kruisweg Street. Turn left and head to the Grote Markt. Continue on this street until you reach the museum’s address. Wait in the alley at the entrance door until the tour guide allows the group to enter. The museum asks that no one wait in the adjacent Ten Boom Jewelry store.

What’s That Smell?

Love museums but sensitive to strong odors?

Read no further. This is not the museum for you!

There are a multitude of museums to choose from when visiting Paris…The Louvre, Musée D’Orsay, Rodin Museum, Galeries Nationale du Grand Palais, Petite Palais…the list goes on. But what do you do when you’ve been to them all? What if you are looking for a museum that offers something more unique than sculpture or paintings?

The Musée des Égouts de Paris (The Paris Sewer Museum) is a museum near the Pont D’Alma (Alma Bridge), on Paris’ Left Bank, that concentrates on the history of the city’s sewage and water treatment from its initial development in the 14th century.

Having been my second visit to this unique, walk through history, I was excited to take my son…after all, what teenaged boy wouldn’t think that going underground in Paris is cool? (and besides…the catacombs were closed!)

Heavy rains had fallen the night before and when we arrived at the ticket kiosk, a few minutes before the scheduled opening, we found the window half drawn and a sign stating that the museum was closed due to flooding. A worker sweeping water away from the structure, spoke with me in French and with the little bit of the language that I understand, I gathered that maybe it would be open later in the day.

As we stood there, trying to figure out an alternative plan, we watched many people arrive, read the sign and walk away, thus proving what a popular attraction it actually is.

Deciding on a boat ride down the Seine, we were on our return when I noticed that we were approaching the Pont D’Alma bridge. Taking to the top deck, I watched for the Musée des Égouts’ kiosk…the window was open and there was a small line!

Making our way back to the kiosk and purchasing our tickets, we were soon descending the stairs to the museum.

The first thing that you notice when entering the museum is the strong smell. Of course, there are billions of gallons of water, filled with raw sewage, rushing through here each minute, so of course it is to be expected. Breathing shallowly, I tried not to think about it and enjoyed learning about the workings of the sewer system and just overall being someplace where most people don’t ever get to go!

The museum showcases equipment used throughout the system and highlights the history of how running water came to be so long ago in Paris. All signage is in both French and English and the 500 meter path is easy to follow and decently lit.

At the end of the self-guided tour, there is a small gift shop (in the event your need a stuffed rat, to remind you of your visit) and restrooms.

For the Paris visitor who has seen it all, the Musee des Egouts is a wonderful way to get a different perspective of the city. And…for the first time visitor, squeeze it in between your visit to the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower…it takes less than an hour and is something interesting that you can tell your friends at home about!

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Musée des Égouts de Paris

http://www.egouts.tenebres.eu/visite.php
Address: Pont de l’Alma, place de la R�sistance, face au 93 quai d’Orsay.
75007 Paris
Hours: May 1 until September 30, 1100-1700, October 1 until April 30, 1100-1600
Admission: Adults, €4.20, Children (ages 6-16 years), €3.40, Children (under 6), free
Getting There: Metro, Line 9, Alma-Marceau station. RER train, Line C, Pont de L’Alma station. Bus, lines 63 and 80 at Alma-Marceau stop.

Empire State of Mind

Gosh! I work in New York City. I’ve spent lots of time in New York City! What have I not done while in the city?

Sometimes it’s hard to think of things to do. My son and I were in this exact predicament…we couldn’t think of a thing while in New York for an overnight visit!

What to do? Pull out your phone and Google Things To Do in New York City.

Statue of Liberty…yes, done.

High Line…yes, done.

Museum of Natural History…yes, done.

Empire State Building…NO! Not done!

With dinner plans in place for later in the evening, we opted to make the best use of our time. Calling Lyft, we were quickly on our way to the iconic art deco building on the east side.

Having heard tales of long lines, I was prepared for a bit of a wait, however, being four o’clock on a winter’s afternoon, it was not busy at all. Making our way through the maze of roped off areas and security to the ticket counter, we soon had tickets in hand and were on our way to the elevator and the long ride to the top.

Deciding to purchase tickets for both the Top and Main Deck, we ascended to the 80th floor and the Dare to Dream Exhibit, which chronicles the Empire State Building’s history, engineering and construction.

An engineering marvel, the Empire State Building, 1,250 feet high, surpassed the Chrysler Building as the tallest building in the world. Completed on May 1, 1931, it was built in only one year and 45 days.

Original documents, period photographs, architectural sketches, construction notes and photos walk visitors through the creation of the iconic skyscraper. It is here where you get your first glimpses of Manhattan from a bird’s eye view through the large windows that line this floor.

Taking the elevator, once again, we reached the 86th floor Observatory. When people imagine visiting the Empire State Building, this is what they think of…the wrap-around deck that gives 360 degree open-air views of the Big Apple.

Very windy and cold, we zipped up our jackets and donned our gloves so that we could enjoy the views of Central Park, the Hudson and East Rivers, the Brooklyn Bridge, Times Square, the Statue of Liberty and everything in between and beyond. Because it was nearing sunset, we had amazing views of the changing sky to the west.

Finally, we boarded the elevator for the 102nd floor and the Top Deck. Instead of a manually operated elevator, this one shows the altitude rise instead of counting floors and we were soon at our destination. In short time, we were exiting onto this topmost floor, where sadly, nothing was much different than the 86th floor.

Same views, just a little higher.

When we had purchased out tickets, we had assumed that “the higher, the better”. Though warmer and protected, I must admit, we were a little disappointed. A very claustrophobic and small area, the windows were a bit higher up and a bit dirty. Honestly, I would have preferred to return to the 86th floor to enjoy the final moments of the sunset.

After a few pictures, to capture the fact that we paid an extra twenty dollars to visit the topmost floor, we were soon on our way, back to the bottom.

An impressive building, I would say that it is a must-see while in New York. That being said, skip the 102nd floor and spend your time on the Main Deck Observatory. After all, Hollywood has filmed many movies (An Affair to Remember, When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, to name a few) up here. There’s a reason for that!

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Empire State Building

http://www.esbnyc.com/
Address: 17-25 W 29th St, New York, NY 10001, USA
Hours: 0800-0200, daily
Admission: Standard Pass Main Deck, includes Dare to Dream Exhibit (80th floor), Observation Deck (86th floor, indoor and outdoor), Adult, $34, Child, $27, Senior, $31. Standard Pass Top and Main Deck, also includes 102nd floor observatory (indoor), Adult, $54, Child $47, Senior, $51. VIP Passes also available to skip the lines.

Taking It To the Bank

One night, while checking the recordings on my DVR, I noticed a title, Banksy Does New York. Hmmm…spinoff of Debbie Does Dallas?

Discovering that my children were the culprits, they were questioned…who the heck was Banksy?

A world renowned contemporary artist, Banksy got his start spraying graffiti on the streets of Bristol, England. Using a distinctive stenciling technique and dark humor, he has developed a cult-like following throughout the world. His pieces, pop up randomly, sell for thousands of dollars and are amassed by well-known art collectors.

But who is Banksy? Is he young or old? Is he Caucasian or of African or Chinese descent? He is short? Is he tall?

Truth is…no one really knows. Despite his popularity, Banksy has managed to remain anonymous.

Watching Banksy Does New York with my children, I was fascinated. People scrutinize the internet in order to find his pieces, located on walls, streets, bridges and self-built prop pieces in cities throughout the world, before they are removed or defaced. Some are just quick stencils on the sides of buildings. Some have moving parts or actually move through the city, but most have strong political and social statements and almost all are quite humorous.

Imagine my delight to find that Banksy’s exhibit, Laugh Now, was being held at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Amsterdam while I was visiting. No following websites or searching the streets to see a real authentic Banksy! It was across town at MOCO for the price of admission.

Arriving at the museum, tickets in hand, we managed to avoid the lines that formed later in the day, thus proving what a major draw Banksy is. The museum, located inside Villa Alsberg, a townhouse dating back to 1904, is the perfect yang to Banksy’s ying..the old meets the new.

The displays were split between the upper and lower floors of the museum, and was combined with an exhibit on Salvador Dali on the basement floor. Starting on the top floor, first stopping to admire his piece, Forgive Us For Our Trespassing on the staircase landing, we made our way through each of the themed rooms, Anti-capitalism, Laugh Now, Weaponry, There Is Always Hope and CCTV highlighting some of his classics like Laugh Now and Girl with Balloon.

The entrance floor showcased some rescued pieces from the rubble of demolished buildings and other sculptural pieces (Rat-With-Umbrella, Cardinal Sin) as well as one of his famous Mona Lisa pieces and a huge canvas of the famous painting Beanfield which has not been displayed anywhere since 2009.

Finally, moving on to the basement level, we encountered a final, large-scale Banksy…

…as well as a small room with a film documenting his work around the world.

The Salvadore Dali exhibit was also very interesting with many paintings and his famous Mae West Lips Sofa, designed in 1937 and inspired by the lips of actress Mae West. A large-scale melting clock is also on display…a tribute to his most famous painting, The Persistence of Memory.

A gift shop is also located on the lower lever of MOCO selling t-shirts, books and other Banksy and Dali memorabilia.

If taking to the streets in search of a real Banksy is not in the cards for you, make sure to check out one of his exhibitions throughout the world. Definitely worth seeking if you are a fan of graffiti art (like I am) and much easier than scouring the internet and walking through back alleys! But, if the hunt is for you and you are in the Los Angeles or London, try and find some pieces still on the streets.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=206833562822512571407.00049d25df7020948a997 http://blog.saatchigallery.com/finding-banksy-london

Let me know if you find any!

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Banksy Exhibition at the Amsterdam Museum of Contemporary Art

https://www.mocomuseum.com/banksy-amsterdam
Address: Museumplein, Honthorststraat 20, 1071 Amsterdam
Hours: 1000-1800, daily through March 29, 2017
Admission: Adults, 12.50€, Students, 10€, Under 16, 7.50€
Getting There: The Moco Museum is situated on the Museumplein, opposite of the Rijksmuseum and next to the Van Gogh Museum. From Amsterdam Central Station, take Tram 2 (direction Nieuw Sloten), Tram 5 (direction Amstelveen Binnenhof), stop Van Baerlestraat, Bus 170 (direction Uithoorn, Amstelplein) or Bus 172 (direction Kudelstaart), stops Hobbemastraat or Museumplein. From train station Amsterdam Amstel, take Tram 12 (direction Station Sloterdijk), stop Van Baerlestraat. From train station Amsterdam Zuid WTC, take Tram 5 (direction Centraal Station), stop Van Baerlestraat
About the Artist: http://www.banksy.co.uk/

Camera Obscura

Camera obscura is the natural optical phenomenon that occurs when an image of a scene at the other side of a screen is projected through a small hole in that screen as a reversed and inverted image on a surface opposite to the opening.

In Edinburgh, it is the name of one of the most entertaining museums I have ever been to!

Camera Obscura is a museum encompassing five floors of optical experiences.

Working our way from the bottom of the building to the top, we first experienced the Magic Gallery. Here, we made our way through a mirror maze and then into the giant spinning kaleidoscope. I must admit, walking through a spinning, lighted tunnel was extremely difficult but fascinating. Although the surface your feet is touching does not move, only the tunnel around you, your mind is tricked to the point that you think that you are spinning. Being that I am subject to vertigo, I almost fell to the ground when I walked into the tunnel. I had to close my eyes and feel my way to the end holding the handrail. My son on the other hand, went back five times!

camera-obscura-and-world-of-illusions — The kaleidescope tunnel.

Other floors explore Electricity, Moving Pictures, Optical Illusions and Moving Light and Lenses. There are so many things to do here, boredom would never be an issue and it is an amazing place to bring children. Not wanting to ruin a visit for anyone, I won’t describe many things as I feel that you should be surprised by all there is to do and see. However, here were a couple of our favorite things.

From this pictures, can you believe that my son actually towers over me?

The rooftop Camera Obscura show utilizes a Victorian rooftop chamber and giant periscope which projects live moving images of Edinburgh onto a viewing table. Because we had visited during the evening hours we could not experience the full extent of how the camera works as in the daytime and we were offered a discount on our tickets and an invitation to return the next day. When we arrived on the rooftop, however, one of the very friendly employees asked us to duck into the chamber to try and see what we could. Because the Christmas market was being held just off of Princes street, there actually was quite a bit of light. Though it wasn’t like seeing the city during the day, it did give us an understanding as to how the camera operates. Amazing that such a simple array of mirrors, lenses and light can capture so much and at such a great distance.

Camera Obscura is a fun way to spend a few hours in Edinburgh and should not be missed. You won’t be sorry!

Camera Obscura

http://www.camera-obscura.co.uk/
Address: 549 Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2ND, UK
Hours: July-August, 0900-2100, September-October, 0930-1930, November-March, 1000-1800, April-June, 0930-1900, Closed December 25
Admission: Adults, £15.00, Students (with ID) £13.00, Senior, £13.00, Children 5-15, £9.00, Children under 5 years, free

Not This Girl’s Best Friend!

Diamonds are forever…unless you have a small museum and don’t have the adequate security to display them! What’s the tagline then? Replicas are forever?

So what do you do on an Amsterdam layover when you need your diamond fix? Go to the Diamond Museum. Only you find that there are no diamonds?

Located in the Museumplein, across from the Rijksmuseum, the museum was created by Coster Diamonds, a large Amsterdam based diamond polishing and trading firm.

Starting with a short educational film, offered in both English and Dutch, the museum takes you through information and exhibits detailing the geologic creation of diamonds and the history of human affection of diamonds.

Not a very large museum, it is filled with replicas of famous jewels, some old equipment used in processing diamonds, information on the history of the diamond industry in Amsterdam and the diamond influence on fashion, entertainment and everyday life.

Although much of the museum was devoted to displays, it was interesting to learn about the history of the diamond industry. My favorite part of the museum, however, was the space devoted to stories detailing famous jewel heists. Another fascinating part was the exhibit on historical crowns decorated with diamonds. The crowns were well displayed, colorful and a highlight of the mediocrity of the gallery.

Athough my Museumkaart was expired and I had to pay the full price of admission, the museum was good to occupy an hour of time, especially since the weather was not optimum. But, if you are looking for an outstanding way to kill more time and see real works of art, walk across to the Museumplein and the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum or the Stedelijk Museum.

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The Diamantmuseum Amsterdam

http://www.diamantmuseumamsterdam.nl/
Address: Paulus Potterstraat 8 1071 CZ Amsterdam
Hours: 0900-1700, daily
Admission: Adults, 10€, 65+/students, 7,50€, Children, 13-18, 7,50€, Children, 0-12, free, Museumkaart holders, free, I Amsterdam card holders, free
Getting There: Take Trams, 2, 5 or 12 or Bus 145, 170, 172, 174 and 197 |

Hanoi, Having a Look…

Three forty-five a.m. My eyes pop wide open.

Having been to Asia before, it was no surprise to wake up this early. It had happened quite frequently when I was in Thailand a couple of years ago. The trick was to make use of my time…update Facebook, edit pictures, write blog posts, call home.

The Ha Long Bay cruise, was still weighing heavily on my mind. Still not sure what to do, I called a friend who had done Ha Long Bay as a day trip and asked her for her opinion. She assured me that since there was so much that I wanted to do and see in Hanoi, I would definitely benefit from doing a day trip and that I would not miss out on anything. Yes, it would be a day trip (albeit a long, tiring one) and it would be a much cheaper option, helping to resolve that deficit I was now in thanks to my expensive visa!

Feeling good about my decision, I finally dressed for the day and headed downstairs for breakfast. After some fruit, sticky rice and an omelet, I enlisted the front desk’s help to finalize my booking for my Ha Long Bay trip the next day. Finally, it was all set.

Glad to have the Ha Long Bay dilemma resolved, I gathered my belongings, marched out of the hotel into the congested streets and made my way toward the western part of the city. My plan was to venture northwest of the Old Quarter and begin my exploration at the Ho Tay or West Lake.

Making my way westward along a street behind my hotel, I still marveled at the hoards of motorbikes passing by and admired the locals making deals on their daily produce. Soon, I came to a few stalls that contained piles of some sort of grilled animal. Behind two of these, I noticed women wielding cleavers and cutting the animals into pieces. After taking a closer look, I stopped in my tracks. Were these dogs? Already attracting negative attention as a foreigner with a camera swinging freely around her neck, I didn’t dare lift it to take a picture. I stopped in my tracks, pretended to search for something in my bag, while trying to get a better look. A few negative glances deterred my curiosity, so I walked across the street to another stall with a lady who did not appear so menacing. As sweetly as I could, I inquired as to what kind of animal it was. Not as welcoming as I thought, she proceeded to yell at me to go away, further making me think that these were indeed dogs.

I am sure that I am not the first westerner to walk down this street early in the morning and witness this ritual and I am sure that there have been many animal rights activists willing to give the Vietnamese people a piece of their mind. I decided to keep walking or possibly find myself in a situation that I was not willing to welcome, however, I did find out later that dog is still considered a delicacy in Vietnam. Typically, Vietnamese eat dog meat at the end of the lunar month to get rid of bad luck. Dog is also the go-to dish for drinking parties, family reunions and special occasions. It is said to increase a man’s virility and help provide medicinal cures. Although I vowed at that moment to avoid beef, lest I be served something I was not comfortable with, I was also told that because it is more costly than beef, chances of that happening were extremely rare. Still, I decided that I would be consuming chicken, pork and seafood during my stay.

After my early morning shock and struggling to put it out of my mind, I continued my walk along the streets covered with beautiful old trees and lush greenery. I marveled at the monuments, buildings and churches that I passed and soon, I arrived at my first destination, the Quán Thánh Temple.

The Quán Thánh Temple, formerly known as the Trấn Vũ Temple, is a Taoist temple dating back to the 11th century. One of the four Sacred Temples of the capital, it is a leading tourist attraction in the city. Known for its principle gate and giant banyan tree shading the large yard, it is one of the oldest temples in Hanoi. The shrine contains a famous bronze statue of Trấn Vũ, Deity of the North in Taoism, and in the courtyard, a brick oven which people use to burn fake money believing it will be sent to their ancestors. Finding it very peaceful, I enjoyed my walk around its gardens.

Leaving Quán Thánh, I headed north along Thanh Nién Road which crosses between Ho Tay (West Lake) and Truc Bach Lake. Many may know Truc Bach Lake as the location in which Senator and former presidential candidate, John McCain, landed during the Vietnam War after being shot down.

Trấn Quốc Pagoda lies just off of Thanh Nién Road on a small island near the southeastern shore of Ho Tay and is the oldest Buddhist temple in Hanoi, constructed in the sixth century. A favorite sightseeing location of kings and lords of Vietnam, it lured these nobles because of its tranquility, serenity and stunning scenery.

Walking along the palm tree lined bridge connecting the pagoda’s island to the mainland, the view of the red pagoda against the green water of Ho Tay is spectacular. The front yellow gates are impressive with its massive wooden doors. Immediately to the left of the entrance, is one of the main parts of the Trấn Quốc Temple as it holds important monk’s ashes of whom have resided at the Trấn Quốc Pagoda for centuries. The monumental stupa, red in color, which symbolizes luck and prosperity and visible from afar, was erected in 1998 and is comprised of 11 floors each displaying a vaulted window holding a statue of Amitabha made from gemstone. The top of the stupa offers a nine-story lotus, also from gemstone.

The Trấn Quốc is also known for its priceless antiques, dating back hundreds of years. The worshiping statues in the front house are meticulously engraved and polished by skillful craftsmen. The most outstanding of the bunch is “Thích ca thập niết bàn”, which has been assessed as the most beautiful statue of Vietnam.

If you can visit this remarkable pagoda at the end of the day, it is renowned for its sunset views.

After my visit to the Trấn Quốc Pagoda was complete, I made my way back from the way I had come, passing the Quán Thánh Temple and headed toward the Presidential Palace.

The Presidential Palace, built between 1900-1906 for the French Governor-General of Indochina by August Henri Vildieu, incorporates Italian Renaissance design and lush landscaping throughout the premises. Although you cannot enter the actual palace, currently used for government meetings, you can see it from a relatively close distance. There are many other items of interest on the grounds including a traditional Vietnamese house on stilts, the house where President Ho Chi Minh lived and worked from 1954 to 1958, a garage of Ho Chi Minh’s cars and a grand carp pond.

Leaving the Presidential Palace, I set out to visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum located nearby in Ba Dinh Square. Although the attraction is closed from September through November each year for renovation and is the time when Ho Chi Minh’s body is sent to Russia for re-embalming, you can get a great view of the building from the area where Ho Chi Minh, Chairman of the Communist Party of Vietnam (1951-1969) read the Declaration of Independence on September 2, 1945, establishing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

Near Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and Ho Chi Minh’s Museum lies the One Pillar Pagoda or Chùa Một Cột. This pagoda dates back to 1049 when Emperor Ly Thai Tong had it constructed as a way to express his gratitude to the young peasant girl he married, bearing him a son and heir. The pagoda was built to resemble a lotus blossom and is built of wood on a single stone pillar. The pagoda was destroyed by the French in 1954, but was rebuilt by the new government.

Although my guide book stated that an entrance fee was required, I wandered freely through the pagoda and the adjacent area. This location has many vendors for decently priced souvenirs, snacks and drinks and is a great place to take a break for a short time before continuing on.

My next stop in this fascinating city was the Temple of Literature. This temple is one of many in the city dedicated to Confucius but is also the site of Vietnam’s first university, established in 1706. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect here, but was not disappointed.

Entering through the imposing tiered gateway I was greeted with formal gardens before reaching the Khue Van pavilion and a beautiful fish pond known as the Well of Heavenly Clarity. The area encompassed by the temple is quite large and their are many displays of traditional Vietnamese architecture as well as a low-slung pagoda and numerous statues of Confucius and his disciples. The temple honors Vietnam’s finest scholars and those of literary accomplishment.

As I departed from the Temple of Literature, many school girls were arriving wearing Ao Dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) hoping to take pictures in front of and around the Temple of Literature and seemingly celebrating a success (possibly graduation). It was a sight to behold with the many colors and with their beautiful figures.

Taking a few minutes to grab some lunch at a nearby cafe, I discovered that France is not the only place to get great bread. Though France departed Vietnam in 1954, after one hundred years of colonial rule, they left behind the expertise of unbelievable baking! If you’ve ever had a good ham and cheese baguette in Paris, you’re sure to find one equally appetizing or better in Vietnam!

With aching feet and the clock fast approaching the five o’clock hour, I realized that my final stop in Hanoi, that day, was going to be the Thang Long Royal Citadel.

As I entered the area near the Citadel, I found that an exhibition was taking place in conjunction with the 62nd anniversary of Hanoi Liberation Day. Walking through the grounds, there were many exhibits and colorful displays. The tunnels on the Đoan Môn gate were blocked due the exhibition, but I was able to enter the complex through an adjacent gate. After paying my admission, I was able to climb to the top of the gate and walk throughout the structure. From the top, I had amazing views of the festivities below. This gate is the remaining relic of the ancient Forbidden City.

Walking throughout the UNESCO Heritage site (since 2010), it is easy to see why this complex is a source of great pride to the people of Hanoi and the Vietnamese people. The grounds are lush, green and extensive, although many of the original buildings were destroyed by the French.

15th century stone dragons can be found decorating the steps to what was once Kinh Thien Palace. You can also visit Hau Lau (Black Tower) and Cua Bac (Northern Gate) at the back of the complex as well as the Princess Tower and the Military Operation Bunker.

From the front of the grounds, you see the Flag Tower of Hanoi which is frequently used as a symbol of the city. Built in 1812, during the Nguyen Dynasty, the tower, was spared from destruction during the French colonial rule as it was used as a military post. I inquired as to visiting the tower but was told that it was not open to the public. After my visit, however, I discovered that although most people consider it a part of the Citadel, it is actually part of the Military History Museum. Perhaps I was told that it was not open that day or perhaps I was mistakenly told that it was not open to the public…the language barrier may have contributed to not being able to visit this landmark.

Realizing that the day was drawing to a close, I decided that it was time to head back to my little hotel room in the Old Quarter for a shower and dinner. Exhausted, I was dreading the long walk. After being approached by a motorcyclist and offered a ride to my hotel, I decided to take him up on his bid. Shortly after taking my seat behind him, however, I wondered what I had gotten myself into! Turning his motorbike around and heading into traffic until he was able to get to the street that he wanted, I wondered if he actually knew how to navigate the streets. We continued on…many motorbikes immediately to our left and right and the occasional bus, inches from my shoulder. He made quick work of driving back to the Old Quarter and was soon depositing me at the door of the hotel.

After my harrowing journey, it was time to relax, have a calming drink, eat a delicious dinner and ready myself for my long day to Ha Long Bay the next morning! Reflecting on my day’s adventures, I was amazed that I had braved the streets of Hanoi, even on the back of a motorbike, and seen so many beautiful and inspiring things, however, I realized that I had seen only half of what the city had to offer. There was so much more still to explore. Glad that I had decided on the one day cruise to Ha Long Bay, I was now free to explore the rest of Hanoi’s treasures on my return.

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Quán Thánh Temple

Address: Ngã 3 giao cắt và, Thanh Niên, Quán Thánh, Ba Đình, Hanoi, Vietnam
Admission, 10,000 Dong (about 50 cents U.S.)
Opening Hours: 0500-1900

Trấn Quốc Pagoda

Thanh Niên, Trúc Bạch, Ba Đình, Hà Nội, Vietnam
Admission, free
Opening Hours: dawn til dusk

Presidential Palace

http://vpctn.gov.vn/Pages/trangchu.aspx
Address: No 1 Hoang Hoa Tham street (Red Gate), Ba Dinh District, Hanoi 10000, Vietnam
Admission: 40,000 Dong (about U.S. $1.80)
Opening Hours: 0700-1700

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

https://www.vietnamonline.com/attraction/ho-chi-minh-mausoleum.html
Address: Ba Dinh Square, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Admission: free
Opening Hours: Summer Hours, 0730-1030, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 0730-1100, Saturday and Sunday. Winter Hours, 0800-1100, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 0800-1130, Saturday and Sunday. Closed September 4 through November 4.
Modest Dress required

One Pillar Pagoda (Chùa Một Cột)

http://www.vietnamtourism.com/index.php/tourism/items/241
Address: Chùa Một Cột, Đội Cấn, Ba Đình, Hà Nội, Vietnam
Admission: 25,000 Vietnamese Dong (about $1.12)
Opening Hours: 0600-1800, daily

Temple of Literature

http://vanmieu.gov.vn/
Address: Quoc Tu Giam Street, Hanoi, Vietnam, VN
Admission: 10,000 Vietnamese Dong (about U.S. 45 cents)
Opening Hours: 0830-1130 and 1330-1630

Thang Long Royal Citadel

http://www.hoangthanhthanglong.vn/
Address: Quán Thánh, Ba Đình, Hanoi, Vietnam
Admission: 30,000 Vietnamese Dong (about U.S. $1.34)
Opening Hours: 0830-1130 and 1400-1700

Flag Tower of Hanoi

https://www.vietnamonline.com/attraction/hanoi-flag-tower.html
Address: Lê Hồng Phong, Điện Biên, Ba Đình, Hà Nội, Vietnam
Admission: 10,000 Vietnamese Dong (about U.S. 45 cents) Admission to Military Museum, 30,000 (about U.S. $1.34)
Opening Hours: 0800-1130 and 1400-1600 Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

The Yoda Guy

St. Maarten, a place of sand, sun, culinary delights…and Yoda?

One of the most unique tourist attractions on St. Maarten…or any island…has to be the Yoda Guy Movie Exhibit, located on Front Street in Philipsburg. A welcome respite from the usual touristy shops in the cruise ship port, the Yoda Guy Movie Exhibit is a small non-profit museum concentrating on movie memorabilia and history. After telling my husband and sons about the museum, there was no turning back…being huge Star Wars fans, they demanded that we visit while spending the morning in Philipsburg.

Nick Maley, an international artist and movie effects make-up wizard, known for his key contribution to the development of Yoda and other Star Wars characters, opened the unique museum in 2011. The museum houses Nick’s private collection of movie relics, duplicates and collectibles, including artifacts and life-size figures. The exhibits focus on the individuals and techniques that brought to life Yoda, Darth Vader, Chewbacca, the Terminator, Alien, Highlander and Superman, Harry and the Hendersons among others.

Our favorite pieces were the facial molds taken from various movie sets. So many familiar faces are on display.

There are many screens throughout the museum playing video of Nick recalling his part in making the many classic films that he was part of. There are also some new pieces from Planet of the Apes that are being prepared for the exhibit.

After making our way through the museum, we encountered Nick, in the memorabilia and art gallery part of the store. A kind and gracious man, he chatted with us for a while, answered our questions and even showed my boys how the museum’s Yoda was operated when it was on the movie set.

When taking a break from the the usual Caribbean island experiences, make your way down to this small, but amazing museum. A truly unique experience, the Yoda Guy Movie Exhibit should not be missed!

Check out more pictures on Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

The Yoda Guy Movie Exhibit

http://netdwellers.com/mz/planetp/home.html#_=_
Address: Planet Paradise, 19a Front Street, Philipsburg, St Maarten,
Hours: Monday-Saturday, 0930-1700
Admission: $10 per person

Art in Accra

Walking up Barnes Road in Accra, I was seeking out the National Museum of Ghana.

Not sure which corner it was located at the intersection of Barnes and Liberia Roads, I sought the assistance of a local Ghanaian man. Pointing me to the northwest corner of the block, he showed me the building that I should go to.

Walking up to the building, I noticed that the man had directed me to the Museum of Science and Technology. Not sure what to do, I decided to enter the building so that I could ask for more directions.

The gentleman seated at the door, was very welcoming but informed me that the National Museum of Ghana was presently closed for much needed repairs. He did let me know that the Museum of Science and Technology was hosting an art exhibit entitled “Cornfields in Accra” and that I was welcome to walk around, check it out and then give them my opinion.

With nothing else on my agenda, I decided Why not?
Having been an Interior Architecture student in college, I am no stranger to art projects and exhibits, but walking around the ground floor, I was a bit confused. The only piece that seemed like an art piece was the seashell sculpture in the center of the room which rose up from the floor into the open area on the second floor. Every other piece seemed to be piles of things…hats, old electronics and a record player continually playing the same sound bite over and over. There was a series of three paintings on the wall that were interesting, but I was not sure how these all related to each other or a theme.

Scanning the brochure that had been handed to me when I entered the building, I learned that the exhibit was entitled Cornfields in Accra, based on the title from Ghanaian writer Ama Ata Aidoo’s poem. Cornfields in Accra is the sequel to The Gown Must Go To Town, the exhibition from last year. The exhibition showcases work by a choice selection of artists from the 2016 graduation class, as well as guest artists comprising alumni, teaching assistants and collaborating exhibitors from the engineering and life sciences departments of the University.

Further scanning the brochure, I learned a bit more.

“The works span contemporary art and allied practices which anticipate emergent formats, ideas and configurations of emancipated futures. The artists are not only concerned with human life but also contemplate other possibilities where animals, plants, machines, quanta and micro-organisms become potential platforms and media for reflection, engagement and interaction. This exhibition also honors the memory of Goddy Leye (1965-2011), a Cameroonian conceptual artist whose interventionist practice was very influential for the development of video/media, art film, installation and community-oriented work”.

“Okay.” I thought, “Maybe this will make sense when I get to the second floor.”

Walking up on of the corner staircases to the second floor, I eagerly glanced around the vast space at the different displays. Sadly, it seemed to be a bit more of the same…lots more piles of things and some hanging displays. It seemed as though everyone was given a particular item and was told to “run with it”.

Balloons dressed with panties…

Razor blades…

Weave hair…

Egg crates…

Foam…

VCR tapes…

Animal bones and horns…

There were two displays that caught my eye, however. There were masks made of aluminum and paper and a display of wooden masks on another wall. With these, I at least understood the craftsmanship involved.

The only redeeming factor of some of these displays was that I was able to get some interesting photographs.

It was extremely hot within the building and after forty-five minutes, I was quite anxious to make my way back to my hotel and the wonderful infinity pool waiting for me.

After signing the guest book with my comments on the exhibition, I was finally free to exit and begin my return. Although, I didn’t quite understand the exhibition, I am glad that I was able to see something different in Accra. It’s not often that I am able to experience any kind of exhibition, much less those in a foreign city, but, I could see the pride in the eyes of the people running the show. They were anxious to share their work and the work of others. If giving up a short bit of my day helped out the local students, then definitely, I was happy that I accidentally stumbled upon this exhibit.

Check out more pictures on Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

Museum of Science and Technology

http://www.ghanamuseums.org/science-tech-museum.php
Address: Liberia Road, Accra
Hours: 0900-1630, daily
Admission: Cornfields in Accra exhibit, free. Regular exhibits, adult foreigners, GH¢ 10.00, Ghanaian adults GH¢ 2.00, Ghanaian students GH¢ .20-1.00, foreign children GH¢ 2.00