Around the World

The Museum of English Rural Life, a University of Reading Museum, also known as the MERL, is a free museum. Once a private home and then housing university student accommodation, the MERL explores the history of rural farming and displays exhibits which trace the changes of the English countryside. It showcases tools, wagons and other equipment used by farmers and craftspeople of the past and the present. You will also get a peek into farming practices, food production processes, livestock, and more.  No advance booking is required to visit.

After visiting the Gulshan Mahal bungalow galleries , you move to the Modern Glass Galleries. Spread over four floors, it was a delightful interactive experience and incorporated everything about cinema as reflected in the famous words of a director on sets "Lights, camera, action!"  (and sound techniques too, of course). Hats off to the curator and the team who have put so much time and effort into setting up the galleries across the two spaces (the bungalow, and the new building) of the National Museum of Indian Cinema, Mumbai .

Gulshan Mahal is a 19th-century  bungalow that houses the first section of the NMIC Museum, Mumbai . The second is the Modern Glass Galleries in its own independent building, just adjacent to the bungalow. Architecturally Gulshan Mahal is a magnificent heritage structure and you can capture some superb images from various angles. Visitors can check out the interesting history of this bungalow at the entrance to it, on the display board on the right-hand wall.  There are 9 galleries here. I turned right from the main hall so as per my walkabout tour, I am mentioning the gallery numbers. 

NMIC Entrance Gate The National Museum of Indian Cinema, Mumbai is located within the Films Division complex at Cumballa Hill and is spread over two buildings, the Gulshan Mahal bungalow and the adjacent Modern Glass Galleries building. You are transported into the midst of Indian Cinema's incredible journey right from the time cinema was presented to an Indian audience by the Lumiѐre Brothers at Mumbai's Watson Hotel, to the modern-day use of technology.  Gulshan Mahal covers the early era of Indian cinema, the transition from silent to Talkie cinema, informative details on regional cinema, and how Indian Cinema evolved in the first half of the 20th Century. The Glass Galleries showcases cinema across India (4th floor), technological innovations in Indian Cinema (3rd floor), a Children's studio that includes activities for children (2nd floor), and a gallery dedicated to Gandhiji's influence on Indian Cinema (1st floor). More information on the individual galleries c...

There is a marvellous museum in Dundee, Scotland worth a visit for its design alone - the V&A Dundee. A branch of the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, the V&A Dundee not only exhibits artwork and product designs, but is also a cultural centre to host concerts and workshops. The majestic facade of the museum immediately grabs your attention as you approach it on the Riverside Esplanade. The museum has been designed by   Japanese architect K engo Kuma.   The distinctly layered precast concrete slabs on sloping walls represent Scotland's cliffs, and on stepping inside, the interiors will stun you even more. Best of all, this museum is open to everyone for free with no admission fee. There is a paid ticket only for specific scheduled events.

Dundee, Scotland is no ordinary city. Yes, it has the usual tourist attractions, including the marvellous V&A Dundee design museum , but a primary reason why we found it to be a delightful place is the street art and sculpture.  It is not surprising that Dundee received the prestigious UNESCO City of Design award in 2014 as a recognition of the city's contribution to global design.  As a pedestrian-friendly city, walking around is comfortable whether you wish to set out on a treasure hunt to locate the sculptures and statues that are around the city, or dine in charming cafes and pop into shops to take home a souvenir. Mind you, if you are not observant enough, the streetscape will result in a blink-and-miss walkabout! 

Yes, the San Francisco Japanese Tea Garden has a tea house with tea and fortune cookies. However, it is not a tea garden in the literal sense of the term, which is generally a more private space to host a tea ceremony. This spacious garden is a place of leisure ensconced within four gates inside the larger Golden Gate Park, where you can quietly stroll around and absorb the breathtakingly beautiful landscape . Each section of the 5-acre San Francisco Japanese Tea Garden harmoniously blends in with the others. Credit goes to  Japanese landscape architect Makoto Hagiwara for expanding this botanical marvel from a n  exhibit depicting a Japanese village at the 1894 California Midwinter International Exposition to the stunning masterpiece that it is today. Starting from the entrance gate and culminating with enjoyable refreshments at the tea house, there is much to take in as you stroll around the San Francisco Japanese Tea Garden.