In 2020 Iām answering a list of 52 journal questions. Read about it here.
Write about some of your favourite places
I’m going to talk about my two favourite places to spend time in the city (I’ve already talked about my other favourite (bush) place here). I love to spend time in both these places so much, I am a “friend” of both.
Arboretum
The National Arboretum Canberra is located just outside of the city centre. It has many forests of rare, endangered and symbolic trees from Australia and around the world. Plus it has an awesome kid (pod) playground, a stunning visitors centre with a high quality gift store (selling quality artworks and other locally produced things) and a cafe and restaurant.
The view from the arboretum is wonderful – looking out over Lake Burley Griffin to the city. Once the trees grow some more (it is only 6 years old – the result of mammoth bushfires clearing the area), it will be even better.
I love going here to catch up with friends, or to sit and work. It’s a beautiful spot.
Thennicke [CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)]
Kgbo [CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)]
National Gallery of Australia
The National Gallery of Australia is a huge building full of a broad array of artwork. It regularly has exhibitions – both free and ticketed – and many of them feature works from overseas. I still haven’t seen everything there is to see, because I spend so long wandering showrooms. I try and make all the exhibitions, even ones outside my normal area of interest because there is always something to learn, and usually I still find items I like.
Going to the NGA is something that is fun to do on your own or with a friend. When I am with a friend, we’ll usually stop at the NGA cafe for a cuppa. There’s also a gift shop which I enjoy looking at, although I’ve never bought anything.
The NGA is a fabulous spot to visit, just leave yourself heaps of time because you’ll need every minute.
Kathy Trelease [CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)]
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Batsv [CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)]
March 20, 2020 at 11:56 pm
Beautiful! All of our museums and galleries are currently shut down. Thank you AJ, for the virtual tour.
Deb
March 22, 2020 at 5:33 pm
Ours are still open, Deb, but I believe that will be changing over the next 48 hours (we find out in the morning).
March 21, 2020 at 12:38 am
Those both look like wonderful places. I hope to get there someday!
March 22, 2020 at 5:33 pm
I hope you do, Jenny. I’d love to show you (and have that cuppa š )
March 21, 2020 at 1:27 am
There’s still beauty in the world!
March 22, 2020 at 5:41 pm
There is, Jacqui, and I think at the moment it’s important to find it.
March 21, 2020 at 2:48 am
OMG both places look so beautiful! I wish I could see them! I know a lot of museums have virtual tours going on right now since everyone is at home and self-distancing, but I wish I wish I wish I could get to a museum or gallery… summer bucket lists! WOO
March 22, 2020 at 5:34 pm
One day you’ll have to come and visit so you can see them š But imagine if we didn’t have the internet during this crisis.
March 22, 2020 at 11:37 pm
oh YES! One day I will have to come see them! But only if you can promise to keep the dinner-plate sized spiders away from me and allow me to take a shower in sunscreen every day HAHA
Honestly a lot of people are saying how difficult social-distancing is. And yes, that’s totally true. It sucks! I’m used being around like a million voices at once and gettings hugs and interacts. I’m an extroverted introvert lol so while I LOVE my job to bits and bits and miss my students, this being home all the time is kind of ok. I have my laptop and my new TV (thank goodness I bought that a month ago!) and my phone. I have streaming services and real movies. I have real books and online things. We have SO MUCH to do in our homes. And yes, it totally sucks I haven’t seen my guy for over three weeks now but also kind of fine because that little “I dont think it’s gonna work” has turned into lots of time for reflection and I know it’s not lol or that someone else just popped up into my life again and I can’t see him? Yes SUCKS! But I can text any time I want, call to hear his voice, send stupid memes. Even though he’s still being stupid and going out with small groups of friends for like hikes and stuff. What a dork lol.
Like it’s so easy to stay connected and keep working and earning money. FROM MY BED and not in a naughty way!! People need to take this crisis as the blessing that it is. I keep seeing those images that are like “our grandparents were called to war, we are called to sit on the cough and watch netflix, let’s not screw this up” LIKE SERIOUSLY!
Okies, rant over. I’m sorry for using your comment section for that haha. Stay safe, healthy, and at home my friend! xoxo
March 26, 2020 at 12:28 pm
But dinner-sized spiders are provided free to every visitor š
Rant away…better to vent than to let it boil up inside. Besides, everyone needs to stay in touch in times like these. xx
March 21, 2020 at 12:28 pm
Oooh, both places look like they’re great to visit.
March 22, 2020 at 5:36 pm
They really are wonderful places, Liz (and if you ever get Down Under…)
March 26, 2020 at 1:35 pm
Eeeewwwwwww spiders š·
March 26, 2020 at 1:37 pm
š