Diva - Tina Turner’s Bob Mackie 1977 dress

This morning we put our bags into the hotel storage and set off for Kunsthal art gallery. We thought we’d get a metro but once again Chloe’s 4 year old guide book was out of date (we assume after Covid many things altered) as the route/colour of the metro lines had changed. So when we got to the stop we found we had to walk another 10 minutes to get a tram. It was pouring so we got soaked.

Once we got there we paid €18 to enter. We started with Diva which had been on at V & A and was now on tour.
DIVA took us into the universe of opera and music hall performers such as Marie Lloyd and Nelly Melba from the 19th century to the contemporary pop, soul, film, blues and rock culture of world-famous superstars. The exhibition celebrates the power and boundless creativity of iconic artists who paved the way for others. Through spectacular designer looks and costumes worn by people like Maria Callas, Josephine Baker, Marilyn Monroe, Tina Turner, Cher, Elton John, Prince, Dusty, Nina Simone, Annie Lennox, Rihanna, Björk, Lady Gaga, and Billie Eilish, we saw how these artists pushed boundaries with their performances and left a lasting impact on society, making a stand for future generations. Our headphones sensed where we were in the exhibition so that the music of that artist played while we viewed the appropriate display. We all loved it.

We had a break with bowl of soup in the cafe then decided to give the sex toy exhibition a miss in favour of the Adam Rouhana photos from Palestine. One of an old woman greating another was so moving.

We walked back to the hotel in the rain, being mercilessly splashed by cars as they drove at speed through the deep puddles. After retrieving our bags we changed our minds about climbing the 7 floors with them to Op Het Dak, the roof top cafe with its own garden which was near the station. We walked towards the station stopping off at Floor for a drink to escape the rain. They has sone really nice bubbly called Salentien from Mendoza. By the time we left I’d had 3 glasses. It was delicious.

We bought a sandwich in the station for the journey then had a wait in a holding area for the 7.28 pm train home. The journey was smooth and we arrived at 10 and were at Turnpike Lane by tube at 10.30. Then it was a quick 15 minutes dash to the house. We are all tired and poor Graham is working tomorrow.

It’s been such a good trip but as always, we need a holiday when we get home! If you like architecture, art and history I recommend Rotterdam.