Out of Africa ...

One rainy afternoon between Christmas and New Year, we took the little one to the museum. She had been wanting to go to the zoo for weeks, but with the weather we've been having that was not an option. Let's be honest, this mama's idea of fun is not walking around a deserted zoo in the pouring rain just because someone wants to see the elephants.

So we went to the Royal Museum of Central Africa in Tervuren (close to Brussels). All the way up to the museum, the little one was telling us we were going to see the elephant and I just played along (what kind of example am I putting out there, lying to your only child). I figured that I wasn't completely twisting the truth as they have an elephant too. Just ignore the fact he hasn't been alive for a very long time LOL

I've been wanting to visit this museum for ages and so glad we did. The museum will close this year for a much needed renovation, but visiting is like stepping back into time. The whole set-up of the museum is so 1960's, but that's the half the charm of your visit.

Of course I made some pics: 

The building, an old colonnial palace, is just majestic.

This is my new fav pic. Someone was in complete awe to get so close to the giraffe :-)

This temporary exhibition uses the old material of the museum in a completely new setup. It gives the museum a different feel. It closes in 2013 for three years for a complete renovation. While it will lose some of its charm, it will be even more impressive, looking like this.

Normally I don't like African masks, as they give me the creeps,
but this huge one was just  awesome.

The building in a complete view. It's surrounded by a huge park,
which will probably be much more beautiful in summer.

Next museum on our list: the Museum of Natural Sciences, which has one of the largest dinosaur galleries in Europe. Jurassic Park, here we come! 

There are a few more to come: La Piscine in Roubaix, an Art Museum in an old Art Deco swimming pool, In Flanders Fields about the First World War and lots more when we head to Spain in the beginning of June (tell you more about that next week). 

Have a great weekend! 

love, 

mama x