DAY IN THE PARK

  

Lily Pond

Late February we enjoyed a warm, sunny day in Balboa Park. The visit began with an interesting exhibit at the NAT featuring the growing of cacao in rainforests and processing of cacao seeds to manufacture cocoa & chocolate candy,   Even the exhibit room had a chocolate fragrance.  The elite Mayans and Aztecs made a frothy drink from chocolate and chili.  The Europeans took the cacao to a new level  with hot chocolate and confections. There was a small candy shop next to the exhibit where we selected a chocolate bar with cinnamon and chili which was a delicious combination!

California Tower

Open cacao seed                       

Part of the insect collection    Another exhibit was Dr. Entomo’s Palace of Exotic Wonders with some unusual live bugs along with a display of mounted local insects

      There was also an excellent collection of black and white photos inspired by  the work of Ansel Adams by several photographers on the uppermost level with good lighting from the opaque ceiling.

Japanese Garden Entry

It was a perfect day for lunch on the terrace of the Japanese Pavilion Cafe before strolling through the Japanese Friendship Garden with the first blooms of the cherry trees.  The  garden is an expression of the ties between the people of San Diego and Yokohama.

First blooms of cherry tree

San Diego Museum of Art

Flying apsaras-angel like

  The San Diego Art museum has a newly refurbished Art of East Asia gallery

With objects from China, Japan and Korea with religious icons to every day life utensils .Hands on elements have been added to touch ceramics, metal pieces etc.

The teak floors and brighter lighting are new added features.

  

  The last museum visit for the day was at the Museum of Photographic Arts. The current exhibit features a large collection of photographs by Jessica Lange who had a career as a fine art photographer alongside her work as an actress showing a moody mystery from regional and international cultures.