A Romantic Journey from Los Angeles to Bali-🏖

I visited the J. Paul Getty Museum today, and even after returning, my mood still feels wrapped in that gentle, airy white. Riding the tram up the hill, the sounds of the city slowly faded beneath me, as if filtered through a soft sieve.

From the terrace of the main pavilion, I saw the real Irises for the first time. It was different from what I’d imagined—the paint was thickly layered, and Van Gogh’s restlessness and longing seemed to spill from every brushstroke. But when I turned around, Los Angeles lay wide and quiet beneath the floor-to-ceiling glass, so calm and vast. It struck me then that art might be exactly that: a thin, taut line strung between intense emotion and enduring nature.

My favorite corner was the Central Garden. Water flowed softly down the stone steps, and hydrangeas bloomed like clouds fading from one hue into another. An elderly couple sat quietly on a bench, saying nothing, just watching the water move. It reminded me of what you once said—that the most precious moments in travel are often the aimless pauses. In that instant, it felt as if you were right there beside me.

At the bookstore, I flipped through a book about light and shadow in architecture and bought a postcard. I wrote something in pencil on the back, but in the end, I didn’t send it. Some feelings are meant to stay where they were born, like seeds tucked into the soil where they belong.

By the time I rode the tram back down at dusk, the city lights were beginning to glow. A familiar piano piece played through my earphones, and the wind brushed my hair across my face. For a few seconds, I couldn’t tell whether I was a visitor or just another brief, breathing part of this city.

Permanent exhibitions are free to visit, though you’ll need to reserve a timed-entry pass on the official website. Parking costs about $20 per vehicle, with a reduced rate of $15 after 3 PM.

💡 Did you know?

J. Paul Getty, the founder, was nicknamed the "billionaire beggar" for his frugal lifestyle, yet he established what became the world’s wealthiest art endowment. The museum operates through the Getty Trust, with assets around $7 billion, and doesn’t rely on government funding. The Getty Villa was originally his private residence and was converted into a museum in 1974.Read more