Brugge3: Last call

We’ve just returned from a couple nights in Brussels, which were nearly ruined by a stinky bogan running through our hotel reception reeking of cigarettes and alcohol screaming in her gravelly voice “Hawthorn won the Grand Final!!”  JB reckons she sounded like an Aussie Gollum. There were a couple of Aussies about, and I was going to initiate conversation before dreadlocks made me feel embarrassed to be Australian.  Anyway, Brussels is a lovely city, again very pretty like the rest of Belgium, that we have visited but just bigger.  We did the standard touristy things – Grand Place, St Michaels Cathedral, Military Museum – and then just spent the rest of our time walking and walking and walking throughout city streets.  This morning we had a moment with Brussels Grand Centraal Train Station but finally boarded the correct train to Brugge, which we discovered is overrun by tourists on weekends.  Or could be just the great weather that has everyone out and about.  Some pics:

JB loves "apple juice"!

 

Remaining parts of St Mick's Cathedral built in 1047

Organs inside St Mick's Cathedral

St Michael's Cathedral

Grand Place - 96m high

Municipal Offices Entrance

Friendly local

In the morning we’re off to collect our GPS maps that we’ve ordered from a local store.  When the guy assisting us found out we were from Australia he went on about how Crowded House is one of his favourite bands and he’s been to see them three times locally.  Also our stay in Brugge was made more pleasant by Cindy the concierge at our Hotel, who was incredibly welcoming and friendly.  So we’re sad to leave Brugge, it’s a been a fantastic place to visit.  We’ve done french fries, beers, chocolate and waffles as recommended but tomorrow it’s Amsterdam, here we come!     

Brugge2: Belgium

Was rather rushed typing up yesterday’s entry and given that internet access is so cheap here, we’re back for more. 

We climbed the Belfry yesterday arvo and for those of you who have watched In Bruges, yes, the line “youse f%$^#n elephants won’t get up there” holds true. 

83 metres to the top

Whilst I’m on In Bruges, we also spotted our first midget this morning.

No karate chop though

Now onto more touristy adventures.  We have spent a majority of today doing the museum thing.  We purchased a 5 x museum pass for $E15 and have just about used it all up.  First was the Belfry, then onto The Church of Our Lady and today we’ve done the Flemish Primitive artists at Groeningmuseum.  Also ducked in for a quick peek at the Cathedral of Saint Magdalene.  Lots of beautiful religious iconography.  Here’s a few pics.

From top of Belfry

Maarkt (top Belfry)

Madonna & Child (COL)

Church of Our Lady art

Brugge is full of beautiful canalways that make the city a very picturesque and pretty place to meander through.  We’ve walked approx 20 kms in the past couple of days exploring all the little cobbled streets. 

Where's the kayak?

 

Couple of locals(!)

JB & I pose for a shot

Best pizza in the world

In his office

 The weather has been lovely, averaging around 18 – 20 degrees, we’re eating real well (full buffet breakfast, french fries, chocolates galore!) and we’re just about to head off now for a beer and waffles!  Apparently must-eats in Belgium.  Tomorrow we head to Brussells for a few days so we’ll log in when we do.  Until then, over and out.

Brugge: Belgium

Well, we find ourselves in beautiful Brugge. 

 

We arrived here yesterday by bus, after an express overnight stop in Paris.  We had pre-booked our accommodation to be close by our bus pick up point (we had to be there, next day, 8am Paris time) and have to say it was pretty ordinary.  The area was the 18th district (arrondisement) of Paris which has quite a strong Hindi (mavri) population, as we discovered.  We had caught a local bus from Charles de Gaulle airport to Gare de Nord and one of the first things we saw as we alighted was a one-legged Indian lady begging for money.  Stump and all exposed.  Welcome to Paris!  Anyway we made our way to our hotel and after being in transit for over 25hours, literally had showers and were asleep by 6pm.  Awake again early in the morning, we checked out and strolled up by the Seine to arrive at our Busabout pick up point just in time. 

Driving through the outskirts of Brugge yesterday the first thing we really noticed was the steep roof pitch of all the homes.  It’s pretty much farming district, and these little triangled homes are littered throughout the countryside.  Pulling up in Brugge we lugged our backpacks through the Maarkt (main square) to our accommodation where we dumped our bags, grabbed our maps and started exploring.  It was really our first afternoonof sightseeing.  Belgium is apparently famous for inventing the french fry so we couldn’t resist indulging for a couple of euros.  My mum had said that when we were broke and got hungry we should eat potatos (fae patates) so we’ve already achieved that objective!  JB has already been into the chocolate:

Hmm, looks good...

 

New meaning for a chocolate

Today we’ve been to the information bureau and bought a 5 museum pass which we’re going to test out this afternoon at the Belfry.  Until next time, au revoir!

Europe08: Today is the Day!

Good fortune just smiled on JB and I as we walked through to our departure gate and a bloke asked us if we wanted the remaining 15 minutes of his internet usage.  We looked at each other and simultaneously thought “why the hell not!”.  So nothing to report, but just wanted to pass on one last hurrah…  we’re sure to be paged any moment now, so write to you from Brugge…bon voyage!

Europe08: 4 days to go

The eve of our trip is nigh.  To think that this time next week JB’ll be cosseting Belgian chocolate whilst I knock back a beer or three (that’s life with a teetotaller!!) just seems unreal. 

We’re receiving lots of welcome advice from others who have undertaken similar; must try seafood in Spain; bike ride in Brugge; DK travel guides are the best and Neuschwanstein Castle near Munich is an absolute must.    

So we’ll arrive in Paris before we Busabout on to Brugge, Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Vienna and Munich and return to Paris again.  Next time I write, will be from one of the above.

4 days to go.          

Europe08: 1 & 1/2 weeks to go.

Well, listening to Red Symons’ breakfast progam this morning I was disappointed to learn that on the eve of our once-in-a-lifetime European trip, the world is about to end.  How disappointing. 

All these months of discussing, researching and planning and we won’t even realise our dream.  Just when pretty much everything is done.   Farewell drinks?  Drunk.   Travel vaccinations? Injected.  O/s bank accounts? Established. First nights of accomoodation? Booked. 

I’ve just wasted the last six months saving, restricting and putting off everything enjoyable so that Europe could be one big indulgence.  O well. 

11 days to go.