Saturday, June 30, 2012

The Metropolitan Museum of Art


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What
  • Museum of Arts

The MET stands majestically on the streets of New York, spanning multiple blocks. As soon as we entered the museum, we grabbed a museum map, purchased the tickets, clipped the Met pin and started with the Greek and Roman art section on the first floor. Then we went on to explore all the other wings on the first floor until we were dog tired. Although everything was interesting, we specifically enjoyed the Egyptian and European culture wings.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The museum looks top notch, the exhibits are well organized with information cards next to each exhibit and rooms are marked for easy navigation. Docents are available in every nook and corner to answer any of your questions. The museum is so prodigious that it is humanly impossible to explore the entire museum in a single day. I wish we could have spent at least 2 days here to explore the museum in its absoluteness.

Marble Statue

The cafes inside the museum are high-priced; however the good thing is that one can enter/exit the museum multiple times on the same day with the Met pin. There are numerous food stands just outside serving hot dogs, kabobs, drinks etc. at a very reasonable price (cash only).

At the fag-end of the day we walked out of the museum with an information overload of the world history and got us thinking about how the world would be a few centuries from now.

Statue of a woman

I highly recommend this place for people who have a profound interest in world history. Even if you are not, still reserve a day of your trip because you will enjoy it.

Tips
  • Mark off each room that you have visited on the map, because it is easy to lose track of the rooms that you have already seen
  • Unlimited entry/exit into the museum on the same day as long as you have the Met pin safe with you
  • Plan to visit the MET on Fridays or Saturdays when the museum is open until 9.00pm; on other days the museum closes by 5.30pm

More Info
  • Admission is on an honor basis; recommended is $25/adult
  • Audio tours available for $7/adult
  • Museum map available for free
  • Restrooms, café, gift shops and water fountains inside the museum
  • No food and drinks permitted
  • Camera allowed; no flash photography or video

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Sunday, June 10, 2012

Filoli


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What
  • ~700 acres estate built by Mr. and Mrs. William Bowers Bourn II in early 1900s
  • Gardens

More Info
  • $15/person admission fee
  • Free parking
  • Free map at Visitor Center
  • Restrooms inside Visitor Center
  • Café and Gift shop next to the Visitor Center
  • Self-guided and docent led tours available
  • No food or water allowed inside
  • Plan to spend at least two and a half hours
  • Gardens are not well-shaded

One of my colleagues recommended visiting the Filoli and we grabbed the opportunity to go here on a warm Sunday afternoon. After a 45minutes drive from San Jose, the GPS did not take us to the exact spot, but the sign posts on the Canada Road came to our rescue. We drove a couple of miles past the spot where the GPS pointed to and soon we reached the huge parking lot of Filoli.

When we purchased the tickets at the Visitor Center, the ticket attendant shared a map with us and briefly explained the things to see. We started with a 10-15 movie clip inside a small room at the Visitor Center that enlightened us about the history of Filoli. The automated video repeats itself and one has the flexibility to walk in and walk out any time.

In 1906, after the San Francisco earthquake, among the several affluent families that moved to the countryside were Mr. and Mrs. William Bower Bourn II. They constructed this ~700 acres estate and lived here between 1917 and 1936. It was then sold to Mr. and Mrs. William Roth in 1937 who lived here for almost 4 decades before donating it to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Apparently, Fi-lo-li means Fight, Love and Live!

The House Entrance

With the map in our hands, we went to the opulent House where the families lived. All the rooms in the first floor are open to the visitors and the map has a lot of information about the interior architecture in each room. 


Dining Room inside the house

As we went to the Foyer and Cloak Room, Ship Room, Kitchen, Pantry, Dining Room, Drawing Room, Reception Room, Library, Holding Room, Study Room, Trophy Room and the grandiose Ballroom, the intricacy of the designs and expensive furniture threw me in awe. A docent is seated in every room to answer any questions that visitors might have. The second floor is not open to public. The House looked like a mini version of the Hearst Castle in San Simeon.
Grandiose Ball Room

Living Room

We exited the House and walked on the well-maintained path in the gardens to see different kinds of flowers. The huge garden also features a swimming pool, which was shimmering in the sunlight. As we were walking through the Cutting Garden, we heard a high-pitched, piercing scream and peeked through the gardens to see the magnificent National Bird of India. Only among the animals can males be more beautiful than females!

National Bird of India

Swimming Pool

After exploring the gardens, we spent some time in the cute gift shop that sold a variety of goods before returning to the car. The Filoli is open only during limited hours and plan to spend at least two and a half hours here. The garden is not well-shaded and it gets scorching during summer; be prepared for it. Apart from that, it is definitely a nice place to leisurely spend a couple of hours.

Flowers in the garden


Roses in the garden

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