The plan was to visit the Army and Military History Museum first, followed by the Natural History Museum.
We took the Metro...again, stop at Merode station and walk to the Army and Military History Museum which is at the Cinquantenaire Park (Ben said its the 50th Anniversary Park), created in 1880.
 |
| The Triumphal Arch |
The ticket for the museum differed from one day to the other. There's even a day when it's free to enter the museum. It looked like a hangar on the inside and it's huge.
Benjamin and I want ga-ga over the aircrafts and ship models in the hangar. 15 minutes after entering the place and had a bit of walking here and there, I got a message from Madam that she is at the cafe, inside the museum.
Typical of her...and Faith too.
 |
| Mi-24 Hind, Russian build hell. Made famous in Rambo 3 |
 |
| F-16, Fighting Falcon and the Caravelle jet airliner belonged to SABENA |
 |
| SAR Heli, Sikorsky S-61, Sea King. |
A short note about madam's dad. He was an officer in the Royal Malaysian Air Force (retired), a Major. He flew this particular helicopter which is called Nuri (a type of bird). He flew with the 7th Sqn (I think) back in the 70's till early 90's.
I remembered the first time I set foot at Madam's place and met her dad. It was an interview rather than casual chit chat. He asked about my parents, my siblings, my studies and my grades.... But madam was really a sly fox. She hide her hard headedness until the time we went steady...She's so like her father.
Abeg..., if in office...Madam is being difficult...the army part in her DNA is doing a march past, OK.... it has to be her way or her way...
 |
| tail gun of a bomber |
 |
| Faith in a jet simulator |
 |
| Torpedo at the maritime section |
The second floor of the museum houses unique aircrafts from WW1, dirigible (Zeppelin) and I saw a Junkers JU-52 and some models and early concept of aircraft and helicopters.
The Napoleonic Era museum was extensive but we only spent a while over there. Just browse thru the display... looking at the canons, muskets and various uniforms. Some belonged to the member of the Royal Family. The souvenir centre was great with books, miniature models, t shirts, army patch and badge. Unfortunately, we were rushing to the next museum .... It's Fay's favorite btw. My main concern is not to tire the kids. We even missed (purposely miss the Autoworld museum that was showcasing the Vespa at that time)
 |
| Display in the Napoleonic Era |
Took the bus, and since busses here equipped with voice info, the moment we reach our destination...it was easy to navigate around town.
 |
| ops..this one was taken after the visit to the Natural History Museum |
The dinosaur, Iguanodon that greeted us at the entrance of the museum was awesome. Fay immediately went for it and climbed the tail of the wooden statue. The missing paint on the tail, a testament of many visitors to this museum. We bought the ticket as soon we arrived (it was late afternoon) and had to stow our bags at the locker.
If there's 12 galleries in an art museum or any museum (like the huge Albert and Victoria Museum in London), I will visit them all. But since its 2 museum in a day and with Madam and the children on tow, I had to pick and choose which one should we go. Since Fay had expressed she wants to see the fossils, naturally the dinos is top on the list.
 |
| amber with mosquito and other insects in them |
Smack in the middle of the main gallery, there stood no less than 6 (I guess) complete fossils of Iguanodons on display. It was in spanking big glass display, two-storey height. It was amazing how they displayed it. The girls as usual, disappeared leaving me with Ben.
 |
| showed how the fossils were found... |
There's also other exhibition as well. It was about the other 'human' species, homo erectus, homo neanderthalensis etc. A replica of 'Lucy' was also on display too. Some were just skull, or part of it and voila...a different specie altogether.
 |
| a rock specimen from the moon |
The children love the souvenir shop. What I didn't know, Ben was looking a suitable present for parent that for the past year had helped us to drive him back to and fro soccer/football practise. Madam told me while we were on our way back to the apartment.
 |
| paella |
We head for one of the restaurant not far from the Grand-Place square had paella for the first time and a potful of clams. Of course after some question to the chef about the ingredients..it was OK. The food and atmosphere was great. It was cosy and the restaurant had a fireplace that bring warmth to the whole setting altogether.
I strolled around the area of the apartment and after awhile was back home again...to tell Madam, there's PRIMARK!
No comments:
Post a Comment