We spent four days and nights in Canberra.
Saturday, we met up with friends, George and Mirielle for a beautiful lunch and lots of catching up. Mirielle was one of Judy's tuckshop mums from back in Holy Spirit days in the 90's.
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Sunday, we had a booking at the National Museum to see the Pompeii Exhibition. Prior to that, we took a drive up Mt Ainsley to catch a bird's eye view of the capital. The entire city was covered in a blanket of fog.
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| Telstra Tower - the only feature of Canberra visible above the fog |
We got to visit Pompeii a decade ago and this was an immersive experience in all things Pompeii including a 3D CGI simulation of the eruption of Mt Vesuvius. Also lots of artifacts that have been unearthed over the past several hundred years and still to this day. Really enjoyed it.
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| Gold and Emerald necklace valued at $1.7M |
A few other exhibits on display at the museum...
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| Iconic Australian - FJ Holden |
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| Muttaburrasaurus |
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| One of many Architectural images I got of the Museum |
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| This beautiful thing is an Italian Custard Scroll - a treat from the Museum Cafe |
Then, we spent a couple of hours at Parliament House...
Then to the War Memorial. We've visited the memorial a few times previously. Here I wanted to see the fruits of the AIPP's Reflections Project. At the end of the WW2 pavilion, you exit through a screen slideshow of the 6500 veterans' portraits I, and 400+ photographers Australia wide captured for the project. The portraits scroll through on about an 18 hour cycle. If you visit the memorial and you have somebody you wish to see, you can request at the front desk and they will put the specific image up for you.
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| One of my portraits |
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| From one of my encounters with three Townsville veterans |
The Lone pine tree in the front gardens of the memorial has a link to our extended family. Lesley is our daughter-in-law's mum. Lesley asked us if we could locate the tree. The story on the plaque tells of a young Australian soldier sending some pine cones back to his mum in honour of his brother who was killed in the battle. The said soldier was Benjamin Smith - Lesley's grandfather.
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| Lone Pine Tree |
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| Eternal Flame |
Then we checked out the National Portrait Gallery - near on closing time...
Before we left town, we met up with George and Mirielle again for dinner at the Kingston Hotel.
Left on Tuesday having had a lovely time delving into some art, culture, history and friendly catchups.
