Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Let's Meet at The Getty Villa

Yes, I had the day off from Kindergarten yesterday! So I took a trip down Highway 1 through Malibu to meet up with Sara and Ellen for a blogging, walking, photo taking visit to Getty Villa.



Getty Villa is a private (not government) owned museum funded by the Getty Foundation (compliments of J. Paul Getty). The Villa is a replica of a first century Roman country house, the Villa dei Papiri. The museum highlights Getty's collection of Greek and Roman antiquities.



The architectural details are stunning. I spent a lot of my time looking up at the dental decorations and the ornate columns.






I also walked around with my head down, admiring the many different mosaics on the floors. Like this one...





This ancient floor mosaic featuring a head of Medusa, snakes and all, hangs on a wall in the museum.






The courtyards and gardens were masterpieces.






After taking a quick tour through several galleries and pedometer-counting walk through the gardens, we ate lunch in the Getty Cafe. Don't our lunches look delicious?



There was so much to see that I am going to have to wait until another post to show you the gardens and a few of the museum pieces that I particularly liked.

But I have to ask you, "How would you like to live in a place where you woke up every morning and looked out on this view of the Pacific Ocean?"


13 comments:

Marg said...

You can give me the ocean anytime. We are probably at least 11/2 hours from the ocean, but it's so cold.
It sure if fun spending time with friends in quaint little places.
Nice pictures.

Jane said...

I'd love to live there I miss the sea, I once lived 5 minute walk away and i loved it. Your visit to the Getty museum looks fascinating. Just my sort of place. I also loved your post of your visit to the gardens. The roses look beautiful. Jane x

ellen b. said...

Beautiful Willow.
I loved your perspective and your artistic photos! Fun experiences wrapped around God's beauty and goodness to us...

Heather said...

WOW... that's breathtaking. All of it. Just amazing eye candy.

Anonymous said...

What a view. It reminds me a little of being at Hearst Castle and looking out over glorious sceneries. I really like your ups and downs shots :-)

Barbara said...

Was waiting to see this post and love seeing the pic of the 3 of you. Interesting to see how different your post is to Sara's you both brought yur own special touch to it.
That view certainly would be one to dream for.

Mama Mia said...

Looks like a fantastic little trip! Glad you got to hang out with friends :o)

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

It's great to see your photos....I was looking up and down and all around too, but it looks like we captured different things, except that capital! I look forward to seeing your views of the gardens and museum pieces....it's quite interesting to see the Getty through your and Ellen's eyes as well as my own.

Elizabeth said...

Isn't the mosaic of Medusa almost psychedelic?
I lived in LA in 1976 but never got to the Getty. It looks wonderful.
The bloggers lunch looks delicious.
I had lunch today with a friend of Merisi's from Vienna.
How the blogosphere brings us all together.

Brian said...

Dear Willow, thank you for taking me round the Getty Villa with your friends Sara and Ellen between you you have given me a great day out as well, really amazing photo's love the use of light and shapes.

Kind regards
Brian

Flower said...

With a view like that I would hide out!! It is really beautiful and the little trip has shown me something I wouldn't otherwise see! Was the pool warm? :))
Thanks!

Islandsparrow said...

Beautiful pictures! How lovely to have a day like that.

Caroline said...

I take students on a field trip to the Getty Center every year, but hadn't been to the Getty Villa until this Christmas. It is incredible. Even in the winter time, the gardens were wonderful. I guess that's because Malibu doesn't exactly have "winter."