The Rijksmuseum

Posted on by ghotiindustries

This was what I wanted to do for my birthday. On the three month anniversary of us arriving in Amsterdam we finally went to the Rijksmuseum.

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I have stood amongst, and seen paintings by Vermeer.

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Knowing from one of the art blogs I read that the “Woman in Blue Reading a Letter” has recently been restored made it even more meaningful.

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The power in the pieces moves me, and I like watching how other patrons react to them.

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Rembrandt’s The Night Watch dominates the room it imposes over with such completeness that people are awed into silence.

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Being able to stand in the presence of such amazing works really changes you, and grows your appreciation for both the effort and skill that goes into it’s creation, and the detail with which the era has been captured by the artist(s).

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Of course there are other masterpieces like this Winter Landscape with Skaters which also show details and insight into daily life,

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and which also show the Dutch sense of humour to perfection! (Do click on that link above, there is a LOT to see in this painting!)

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I can’t wait to go back after the massive renovations are completed! You will be seeing more of the Rijksmuseum! *grins*

More photos?

Posted on by ghotiindustries

It seems odd to say it, but as much as I wanted to do a whole second post with pictures from the last Jurassic Lounge when I went back over them, they didn’t excite me.

Well, this one did. His names is Oscar.

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And maybe this one. I love the colour!

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And well … this is amusing. Museum staff obviously have a sense of humour!

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PUKECKO! (and echidna butt)

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So instead of posting more pictures from that night, I thought I’d just show you how I re-engineered that fudge recipe to be white chocolate and cranberries.

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Basically I did everything the same, but substituted white chocolate for dark, and switched out the coffee for a handful of chopped up dried cranberries. Looks good, tastes like it needed to be cooked a little longer.

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I think this is my new go-to/all-purpose fudge recipe! It’s so easily modifiable!

Also, have some proof that I do learn from my mistakes!

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Perfection!

Jurassic Lounge

Posted on by ghotiindustries

Just like so many other people, we went to the final Jurassic Lounge of 2011. Those of you with keen eyesight and memories will remember that we went to the first one way back in February.

Though I must say, going by the volume of people that turned up, I think they’d be silly not to run it again! I don’t think I’ve ever seen the museum so full! Sections of it when there’s a specific exhibition on yes, but the was packed all night! HOORAY for the Australian Museum!

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Just for a change of pace from our usual route through the museum (beginning down and heading up), with tickets purchased and complimentary drinks acquired, we headed on up to the Dinosaur exhibit. I was determined this time to work my way down through the Museum for a change!

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As much as I really got into wandering around the Museum with the glass of wine in my hand, it did somewhat inhibit picture taking when you need both hands to be steady because of the low light! But I managed to work around it! *smiles *

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Scores of people!

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You might remember Ripley from the February post linked to above …

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It really is amazing the art that can be created on the wall with a projector and some dirty glass dishes!

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*tries not to make a Monty Python reference *

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For those in the know, this was originally where Himself and I were planning on holding our Wedding Reception. In the Bone Room! Is that not a spectacular idea?!? Dinner amongst the bones!!!

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At this Jurassic Lounge though, the bone room was the karaoke room.

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I have a few more photos that I would like to share with you from this trip, but those can wait for now. Hi-Ho Silver, AWAY!

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Until next time, keep adventuring!

Jurassic Lounge

Posted on by ghotiindustries

What a night! We went to the opening of the Australian Museum’s Jurassic Lounge last night, and I can assure you that we’ll be going back!

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At 5.30 on Tuesdays for the month of February, the Museum becomes an over 18’s venue. For the price of admission you get in to all the regular exhibits, plus the wildlife photographer of the year, and a drink!

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Some of the regular exhibits aren’t in a way that you’d normally view them though! The Bone Room was a silent dance party! (Think of a room full of people dancing in time to the same beat but you can’t hear what they’re dancing to until you put on the head phones that they are all wearing.)

We arrived about 7pm (owing to working hours) and the queue to get in was out the front door, though moving at a good pace. We decided to pay the extra $15 upon admission for wine & cheese and participate in the talk “Vampires through history” that was on. A very good decision on our part!

There were performances,

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The ability to play with exhibits,

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The whole Museum was open to you for exploration!

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There was so much to see and do, and interact with, I’m just going to have to go again while it’s still on, and I recommend you do the same!

Have fun exploring! 😀