The beginning of the year usually starts off well for us as our wedding anniversary falls on the second day. We planned something a little more special this year. Phil had a free hotel night to use, so we thought we’d use it for our 16-year anniversary and booked a night at East Hotel (4.5/5) with in-room Nespresso machines and spa baths. The kids had an overnight stay with their grandparents and we had 20 hours to ourselves.
We had tickets to the James Turrell (5/5) exhibit at the National Gallery of Australia for the afternoon. Phil and I got to experience the Perceptual Cell. I think we both agreed that it was one of the most surreal things we’ve ever experienced. It’s nothing like anything we’ve seen before. I was a bit nervous and excited once we arrived. Only one person at a time is allowed in the cell. From the photos I’d seen days before, it looked like going into a completely enclosed MRI machine. It wasn’t far off. There were women with lab coats running the cell which was in the middle of a room. They asked questions about our health and we signed a waiver and took off our shoes. Phil went first, so I asked the guy who had just finished what it was like. He said it was awesome and to go for the hard version. When Phil came out, he seemed pretty happy, although he said his eyes teared up a lot because they’re so sensitive.
So I did the hard version too. I went up the steps, lied down on the bed and put the headphones on. The bed slid into the sphere and the light show began. Within the first few minutes I wanted to laugh, it was just so cool and extraordinary. The flashing lights made me see amazing colours and patterns. At one point it was so intense that I wasn’t sure if I closed and opened my eyes and they were having trouble adjusting or if I was going blind. So I lifted up my hand to check that I could still see it. Turns out Phil did the same. It was like a dream and when the colour went back to the calming blue and then the white, I didn’t want it to end just yet.
After having our eyes and minds blown, it was on to our stomachs. We went to dinner. At 6pm. You could tell we hardly go out for a nice dinner since we were the only ones in the restaurant. Well, it was also the first day they re-opened for the year and Canberra tends to be quiet in January. The food at Temporada (4/5) was delicious – another challenge for our senses. We had yummy oysters, scrumptious prawn and squid tortellini with peas and the most tender wagyu. Dessert was poached peach, doughnut and lemon verbena ice cream. The flavours were delightful. The service was also pleasant and we had nice chats with our waitress and the chef.
The night was still early so then we decided to catch a movie. We saw St. Vincent (3/5). Movie was ok. The story was good but a bit slow and predictable. It was a good time for relaxing our senses for a couple of hours. Nightcap was biscotti and peach gelato at Via Dolce (4/5) and breakfast the next morning was at Ox Eatery (3.5/5).
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