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Europe Part IV (Belgium- Brussels)
written on 21 Nov 2012 @ Wednesday, November 21, 2012 ✈
After Paris was to head to Brussels. I wasn't quite sure what to expect of Brussels as it's not one of the big hit in terms of tourist attractions in Europe. But anyway, I like to explore so anywhere is fine. We planned the route so as to be able to go up to Finland, where Michelle stayed for her 6 months internship. We will be visiting her house and see what Finland is about. Brussels, here we come!  
Train to Brussels. Hotel in Brussels is Crowne Plaza Le Palace.
  
Always love hotels with bathtub. Can soak and relax whenever we come back and if my tired body allows me to soak in it instead of sleep. Ha!
 
It was relatively early so we had time to take a walk near where we're staying.
The grass is greener over the other pasture. In the literal sense. Aren't the flowers blooming so beautifully? Singapore just can't have these on the streets.
 
We took a train down to somewhere. Sorry, I don't remember what's the name anymore. Lol... And this time, I took photos of the train stations. Brussels ain't as bad as Paris. If you were to ask me, I would say it's 10 times better.
 
But hey, you don't really see this type of conditions in Singapore's train station.
Back on the streets....
 
The shops close pretty early too. Like 7 or 7.30pm.
We decided to have fast food at Quick. We ate alfresco style and hey, there's a glacier van out there!
 
Mich and I bought the Magic Box set. I bought it coz there's a bunny.
Tadah!! The Raving Rabbids!!!!
   
Brussels is less touristy, more peaceful. May be a good place to retire if you like Europe.
Back to the hotel, we sported this gigantic mirror. Just had to take a photo of it.
There's also a Grab & Go mini bar. Awesome!!!!
And then it was time to hit the sacks to prepare for an early morning, as we'll be travelling to Brugge.
Next morning, upon arrival in Brugge. We're at Brugge as dear's mum's cousin stays there. Lovely to have someone to play host and also as guides to show us around, bringing us to nice place to buy chocolates and have lunch.
This is Brugge.
 
Along the roads, you see houses. Those with a monument is protected. Nothing to be changed of the place as they want to keep the historical side of it. I think is good. Plus it looks lovely.
Auntie Daisy and Pearl, her daughter (you'll see them later) explained to us about the houses with the steps. For the olden times, it the more steps there are on the roof means the richer you are.
 
Built in 1723.
  Town of Brugge. The weather is pretty cooling, nice to walk around without perspiring.  
I love all these retro tins and boxes!!!
Visited a cathedral.
Artist doing up the work, or should I say, maintaining it. There are fewer and fewer of such people already... I hope that people who are talented enough can help to maintain the works so that such awesome architectures stay.
If only Singapore can build these type of cathedrals. I really like the traditional looking ones with wooden chairs. Some churches are way too hip for me.
         
This is Pearl, our guide of the day. She makes a really god guide, probably because her father is a tour guide in profession.
The Chocolate Line, according to PEarl and Auntie Daisy, serves the best chocolate in Brugge and also the priciest.
They did buy quite alot of chocolates to bring back to Singapore. For my family, we're not chocolate lovers, so I only bought a few bars.
This display is made using chocolates. So amazing right? As the season changes, their display will change.
  
Walking further down, this caught my eye! Haha! Ladies, do you agree with me??
They have a number of artsy flags hanging around. I'm not too sure why but I thought it's interesting.
 
Horse carriage!!!!!!! I wanna take a ride! Always wanted to experience what's it like. Although sometimes I feel that the horse is pretty pitiful, having to pull the humans and the carriage which is rather heavy.
  
This shop opens all year round, selling Christmas things. So pretty! Omg. I just wanna buy everything. Lol... And you know my love for Christmas right? This is the perfect shop!
 
There's a marketplace and we were quite lucky to experience this part as they don't open daily. Only mid week and weekend I think.
 
More Christmas shops!
 
At the marketplace, this stall sells the freshest fish and prawns ever. Auntie Daisy and Pearl highly recommended us to get this to eat.
  
We bought it and then we wanted to find a place to eat. And wow, this is picturesque! Totally looking like a post card.
 
Raw fish.
  
I'm alot less adventurous in terms of food especially when I'm overseas as I'm afraid of food poisoning. I'm not saying the food isn't fresh, just that I may not be used to it. I do take sashimi in Singapore. It's just that if one were to be down with food poisoning, itinerary might change and when you're travelling in a group, you won't want to delay other people and make people worry for you. Also, hotels and trains are booked already so any changes means forgoing quite abit of money. Worse is to have a tummy ache and vomit right So some things I rather pass than to take. I did take a bite of the raw fish though. It's really fresh, juicy and extremely tasty!!!
The prawn is nice too!
 
After that delicious raw bites we had, we walked abit more of the town and soon settled in for lunch.
This is probably the best lunch I had in Europe!
  
Uncle ordered a pot of mussels!! Can he finish them???
 
Oh yes, he did!! Lol! With quite alot of people's help. Hahaha!
Desserts for me is tiramisu and dear had creme brulee.
  
This is Auntie Daisy! Thank you Auntie Daisy and Pearl for showing us around Brugge. Brugge is indeed sooooo lovely!
 
Decor in the restaurant.
After that, we wanted to head back to Brussels. Mich had tummyache, not sure was it the food in the morning or what. We wanted to go back earlier so that she can go to a Smurf Museum but we had to miss a train's session as she really had to go to the toilet.
Fortunately we had Auntie Daisy and Pearl with us, and that they told us it was ok to go into Pizza Hut's toilet even though you're not a customer there. Otherwise, there didn't seem to be any public toilets around.
So by the time we reach back Brussels, the Smurf Museum had closed. All of us went back to the hotel to rest and then we took a walk out and have our dinner and quickly back to hotel as Mich wasn't that well.
You see, that's why I watch what I eat when I'm overseas. Even Singapore actually, but I'm more lax here. Sometimes dear thinks I'm overly careful. But all because I have a weak stomach. :/
End of day :)
The following day came and it's our last day in Belgium. Early morning we had our usual breakfast in the hotel, after which we had some time to roam the streets.
 
Saying goodbye to the beautiful mirror. Lol! I'm just kidding. Took some photos again at the mirror.
 
I did abit of shopping here I think and we just had to eat a belgian waffle before we go.
  
I'm normally not a fan of chocolate but I have to say the chocolate waffle is super delectable! Yummy!
And then we head back to our hotel to get our luggages and off to Amsterdam we go!
All in all, I love Belgium the most for this Europe trip. It's not about the shopping actually. It's more of the place itself, the people and the feel of it all.
Amsterdam shall be the next post, if I don't digress on other things happening in my life!! :P
Xoxo!
Labels: belgian waffle, belgium, brugge, chanel, chocolates, Crowne Plaza Le Palace, fast food, monument, passage du nord, quick, raving rabbids, sint-salvatorskathedraal 0 comment[s] | back to top |
