Gilbert - Lots of Dinosaurs (part 2)

 

We already saw lots of dinosaurs at Naturalis, but then we came to one of their coolest exhibits:

A T-Rex!

This T-Rex is named Trix.

It's because it's a female T-Rex, and as T-Rexes are the kings of the dinosaurs this female T-Rex is named after the former queen of the Netherlands: Beatrix. And Trix is also close to T-Rex of course.

Isn't she cool!

Trix was in lots of fights and even had an infection near her nose, and you can see some of the damage that has done on the fossil. Still sge probably reached an impressive age for a T-Rex, judging by the size of her.

Next we went to another really cool dino exhibit about Triceratopses..

This animated Triceratops was at the entry to the exhibit.

And a Triceratops kid.

A Triceratops herd!

This herd was found all together at the same place. They probably got caught in a flood and ended up buried beneath clay and sand.

There were fun moving decorations placed around the herd.

And there was this cool construction where you could look at Triceratops bones and try to find where the Triceratops got hurt.

I had to try of course

Steering the light to a place I think is a wound.

And...

I found a spot where the Triceratops was bit by a T-Rex!

It was both fun and interesting.

Next: yes, more Triceratopses. 

Gilbert - Lots of Dinosaurs (part 1)

 

Last week we went on a trip!

My owner had an appointment in Leiden, but we went a day early because she didn't want to travel for six hours in one day!

We took 4 trains to get to Leiden, and after 3 hours we arrived. It was early in the afternoon, so lots of time to do something fun! 

We went to Naturalis.

Naturalis is a Natural History museum.

I spotted a really cute statue of a sleeping dinosaur beast.

There were T-Rexes at the giftshop!

And Dodos!

But we hadn't come just for the giftshop, so time to actually go into the museum.

We tried to visit an exhibit about life in general, but there was a class of high school students running around there, shouting and screaming, so we decided to skip this exhibit and go straight to the awesome stuff.

Dinosaurs!

There was a large exhibit with dinosaur fossils.

Just look at this big guy!

Stegosaur

There were texts and pictures to tell you more about the dinosaurs.

This told you how the Stegosaur probably used its spikes and plates. 

Some kind of Fishosaur

I was amazed by how big most dinosaurs were.

This is a Mosasaur.

The first Mosasaur fossils were discovered in a limestone quarry at Maastricht in the Netherlands in 1764 near the river Maas. It's called after that river. Isn't that cool?!

I wouldn't want to swim near these guys.

This is an attempt at recreating a dinosaur as it might have looked.

It looked very realistic in my opinion.

Next: More Dinosaurs of course!

Sullivan - Mail and Books

 

I got Beanie Mail!

Another Bus Bingo win. We really need to make my owner post the little souvenir Gilbert got Beanie over 6 month ago!

I got some really cool 2nd-hand books!

Two of them were Fairyloot editions. 

(Fairyloot is a surprise subscription box with a special edition of a book and book related goodies. Seems like someone didn't like their surprise.)

I had this book on my wish list!

Isn't this edition gorgeous?!

This is the naked hardcover, it also has blue edges.

And the dust jacket has an illustration on the inside as well!

Another book that I've been pondering to get.

The end pages look really cool and intriguing.

I'm so happy with these books. Both of these Fairyloot editions have an autograph as well. I'll have to investigate if they're digital or real.

Gilbert - An Icy Trip part 3

 

Just a couple more ice sculptures and then for something different!

The Wizard of Oz

Newton.

Loki's punishment.

As you have seen, the ice sculpture festival was awesome!

It was also very very cold, even colder than outside, and we have wintery weather at the moment. So we went in search for a very late lunch.

We went to Kampen.

It is on the way back to Groningen anyway, depending on the route you take.

That's the city tower of Kampen in the background btw.

This is The Old Town Hall.

It's a museum these days, but until 2001 it was still used as town hall.

Next to the old town hall was the old post office. 

It had been turned into a restaurant, se we had something to eat there.

It was a nice sunny afternoon.

I spotted these pigs in a shop window.

One of the many churches in Kampen.

We didn't have time to walk to my owner's favorite church though.

On the way back to the car we spotted one of the city gates in the distance.

We might visit Kampen with Diana again when we have more time.

We drove back to Groningen, and had something warm to drink at home before:

Going to the Sushi Mall!

I had very yummy sushi.

A pear salad.

And a really yummy dessert.

(we will not speak of some of the things my owner ordered)

Next Diana brought us home before driving back to Germany.

We had an awesome day!