The Getty Villa: Malibu

Finally, another item scratched off of...

"CHRIS AND CHERYL'S EPIC LIST OF THINGS TO DO IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA"!

Sorry for the "over-the-top" excitement, but this one was tough to accomplish. It had to be during the week, to avoid crazy amounts of people - plus midday, because it closes at 4pm. So, thanks to some travel plans that fell through, a Monday that was already requested off, and some clever patient rescheduling - they still think it was their idea, we found some time. We RSVP'd two tickets online, which are FREE, got dressed, and headed up to Malibu. The weather was perfect and I even got to drive a stretch of Highway 1 with the windows rolled down - Cheryl must really love me. Parking was $15, but hey - someone's got to pay the electric bill.

And let the fun begin!

Jean Paul Getty was an American Industrialist in the early to mid 1900's whose motto for life and formula for success explained his life perfectly: 1) Rise Early 2) Work Hard 3) Strike Oil. With all that money he became an avid art collector of the Greek, Roman, and Etruscan era and thus, the Getty Museum and Villa were born. Enough said.

There are 2 Major things to appreciate at the Getty Villa:
1) Art and 2) Architecture

If you've ever wondered why their faces and arms were always busted up, it's because statues that fall or are damaged during their long life always lose the limbs that are the most susceptible: Hands, arms, legs, even heads. All depending on how elaborate the statue.

Right across the street from the Pacific.

Here is some of the gorgeous architecture I was talking about.

Anything unique about this statue? Right, it's completely intact. Not exactly. Using some fancy technology, old images, and some really talented art restorers - her entire left arm and cloth was restored. Under each piece of art there is an image that shows what was original and what was restored.

Here is Herakles (Hercules) with the pelt of a lion. It is said that this marble sculpture was what moved J. Paul Getty to build his Roman-inspired villa .

Pure gold, pounded out thin, and weaved into a wreath - A Caesar would wear something like this during his reign.

The main entrance into the villa with the typical Atrium to allow rainwater to be collected in the cistern below and store for later usage. Pretty clever huh?!

Here is a shot of the cistern/indoor pond that collected the water. It is now a wishing well. Darn tourists. :)

We had a great time and I learned a bunch of interesting stuff, thanks to my trusty "tour guide" headset. Best 5 bucks I've spent in a while.