Brussels, Belgium

June 4th

Yet another train ride. I am heading from Brugge to Brussels and then from Brussels to Paris later in the day. I couldn't decide between Brugge or Brussels to visit in Belgium, but I heard good things about them both. So I made room for two cities. It was a little rushed and I didn't get to do everything I would have liked to, but that is all the more reason to come back if I like it.

The train departed at 9:58a or 10:58a, I could take either depending on how much time I wanted in Brugge. I decided to take the 10:58a train and arrive at Noon since I would already have limited time in Brussels. The train I booked from Brussels Zuid to Paris left at 4:13p and that should allow me sufficient amount of time to get a feel of the city. When I arrived I looked for the drop luggage. I followed signs, but they kept taking me in circles.

There was an information booking center, but the line seemed a little long and I should be able to find it on my own. Then I went to a lower level and came out of the station and couldn't find how to get back in ( I ended up across the street). Started getting a little frustrated as I had to pee, the backpack was making me sweat, and I felt like I was loosing time.

While outside of the Station I figured I better start enjoying some of the city. I went back in the station and the line for the tourist information was 10x longer now. Ok I am going to find a toilet. 

After going to the bathroom I felt like my head was clear and I could think straight. I go find the luggage spot, put my bag in, and hit the town. I don't have a map of Brussels, but I saw that there were many guides along the way, so I opted into not getting one.

The Grand Plaza was pretty close to the train station and I thought it would be best to go there first. On the walk I passed many shops, a market, and a church. Brussels sights seemed to be pretty condensed.

There were little food places with Belgium Waffels, Crepes, and Fries. If I stayed a couple days here I would definitely put on a few pounds.

Little market in a plaza, I looked at the stuff, but typical things that you could get anywhere.This is an indoor shopping area with some restaurants.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Making my way to the Grand Plaza

The Grand Plaza was really spectacular. The architecture of the buildings was gorgeous.

The plaza was full of vendors selling flowers, paintings, and many restaurants to eat at. It seemed like a pretty standard layout of a European plaza.

The Grand Plaza, isn't it Grand!

I made way through the streets towards the Manneken Pis. There were many quirky buildings, one has a comic stip painted on the side as Brussels is know for the Comics.

Pretty goofy and super touristy.

Made it to the Manneken Pis, he is so tiny and such a big deal. There was a huge crowd of people just viewing the fountain and taking tons of photos.

I heard of a couple of bars to go check out since they have about 400-600 beers on tap, but after just being in Brugge and experiencing it I had the feeling that I already know what I was in store for. Also I wanted to see what else I could squeeze in while just walking around, so I headed towards the Palace of Justice and found Godiva Chocolates!

Brussels was surprisingly hilly and very congested with restaurants all lined up and down the streets. The odd thing was that they all had the same type of cuisine on the menu.

The church and courtyard were right across the street from one another. Very peaceful and was able to hear some people just playing guitar under a tree.

Palace of Justice, further than it looks.

There were so many restaurants and cafes in Brussels, I started to wonder how they all stayed in business. One street had the same prices and menus. Do they buy in bulk and share the profits? Mussels and linguni were the set menu.

The trek to the Royal Palace

The Garden of the Royal Palace

Had to start heading for the train since I was only at Brussels Central and needed to get to Zuid (South) Station. There were trains that came every 15 mins, but couldn't risk missing the train to Paris.

I missed some important things like going into the Palace of Justice, the Cinquantenaire triumphal arch, and the Atomium in Heysel Park. Another day would have been perfect to see all. Also there is a brewery tour that is supposed to be superb but it was so outside the city I wouldn't have made it back - Cantillon brewery. Next time...on my way to Paris!

Brugge, Belgium

June 3rd

On my way to Brugge from Amsterdam. Caught the 11:40a train and it is about 3 hours til arrival. There is one change in Antwerpen. I departed the 1st train and headed to my platform - really nice trainstation. The only problem was that they canceled the train that I needed.

It is a Wednesday afternoon and they cancel the train. Kind of odd. So I went down to ask what is the best connection at the booking desk. The man was very nice and he told me that there would be another transfer and only six mins to catch the later of the two trains, he thought it was best that I try for the one leaving earlier. Again looking out for me!

So I head back to the same platform that I was at originally. The train is posted on the platform this time so all should be good. Wait 10 minutes and they make another announcement in Dutch. Then the posted sign disappears, yep looks like there is a problem - 15 minute delay. I go to the departure board to see where the other connection is. Two girls are talking in Dutch, I ask them if there is a better route. Said they are going to Gents and that there are tons of connections from Gents to Brugge. They will help me.

We go to two different trains and they all have problems. We hop on one finally and it takes me to the next train stop (5 mins) and we have to change here. Then they look across the platform and say that the train there will take me directly into Brugge. I said goodbye and walk over. Guess what still delayed 10 mins there too. Should have just waited instead of run all over the place. At least I met some nice Belgium girls.

I finally arrived!! I exit the train station and quickly search for my hostel, since I lost 2 hours with the train delays. I find the hostel right away according to the directions from HostelWorld, so helpful. The walk to the hostel was really nice and gave me a glimpse of what was to come. Lybeer (the hostel) is so charming and the receptionist had lots of positive energy, I start to have a good vibe about the evening. 

The directions to the hostel were just an immediate right, left, and head straight down and you are basically there. Takes 5 minutes if you know where you are headed.

Entering my room there were 3 people in there out of 10. I said Hi, but they were all pretty quite. The guy above my bunk said hi, my name is Michael. After I drop my bag off I headed for the streets. 

The sun was out til about 9p, so I figured if I hurried up I can see the majority of the buildings and sites, go to the hostel and hang out with some people.

There was a really awsome candy store and I was about to take a picture, but figured I would see it tomorrow. Always a mistake.

On the map I was given there were some bits on the history of Brugge. In 1892 came a popular book "Bruges la Morte" which describes the city as a dark, poor, and ugly place. All the tourism that Brugge receives this has proven to not be the case.

The other thing that I noticed is there is much competition between the Belgium cities. The girls that helped me on the train asked why I was going to Brugge, Gent was a much nicer city to visit and has fewer tourist.

The map also had some tips as to fit in like a local...don't take pictures in the Market Square! Oops.

Since all museums and places of business were closed, the walk went by pretty quickly. I would have liked to have one full day here.

Brugge is so so small compared to Amsterdam, and is known as "The Venice of the North".

Pretty canals, yes more canals....

I am sitting on the bridge, can you see me?

This was kind of out of the ordinary, lined up on the streets all the car models were American make.

Listed on the map was a sheep farm. I had to check it out. Wow Sheep...haha

Cute little garden, the picture really does it no justice.

Broken glass bottles on the top of the wall. To keep birds away or people?

So I had to walk back to this bridge after the sheep farm. Took a quick snap and continued my journey to the windmills! I didn't go to the windmill in Amsterdam, so luckily there were some here.

After zigzagging through streets the windmill road runs along Handelsdok

Brugge is full of churches, parks, canals, and beer.

Some more shots of the windmills! I actually think they are kind of ugly.

I think of countryside with this image.

Started getting hungry at this point (windmills will do that to you). Went to find a nice place to eat and relax.

The area I was in didn't have a wide selection, so I thought it would be best to park somewhere closer to the Markt Square and hostel. On the way there was a little store shop to buy beer. Super cheap so I picked up 3 favorites. Walked along Hoogstraat and passed another hostel that looked very touristy, Charlie Rockets.

Reach the square and there are two kiosk stands. I go to the first one and see Bitter ballen on the menu (Joris said I had to have them) I go up to the window and the guy asks what do I want. Two people next to me already ordered. I said I was told to try the Bitterballen and do they recommend anything else. Got some weird fried sausage. Then the man told me that there is a local bar that I should go to down the road.

Yum it was quite good. The food wasn't bad either!

Back to the hostel I went. In the common/bar area there were some people on the computers and then two people sititng at a table. They were talking a little but nothing major. I sat down and just started talking to them. The one guy was writing in a journal and put it aside. I took out one of the beers from my purse and he said you can't bring beer in. I said when the receptionist tells me that then I will buy from the bar.

Brandon or Brendon was the his name, I saw him right when I checked in to the hostel as well. He was Australian and working in Italy for the past 4 months at a bar. Now just traveling. I told him about Gents and he was going the next day. 

There were a group people out last night, I heard one guy got stinkin drunk and they haven't seen him yet. About 10 mins later a guy is talking to us and I go oh you must be Tom. Yup it was him. I think I creeped him out.

I made this guy pose like this, thought it was so funny. He didn't want to put the cigi in his mouth.

Oh and his shirt said the Prague bar crawl. Uh yea, Felix and I saw these people on the pub crawl when we were there and made fun of them. He actually has a shirt and wears it. Oh he is Canadian not American. Highlight,  was able to play a some darts, its been so long!

Everyone was ready to go out. There was about 6 of us, they wanted to checkout a bar with 400 beers, the one the guy told me about only has 300. We first went to mine (very small) and the amount of people grew 2x. Then we went to the other one, just as small. They close at midnight and it was already 11p so Brendan said we can go (since I initially said thats what I was doing tonight) and we can meet up with everyone right after.

Great little alley way to get to it. View from the upstairs

We sat down next to the bar, now that the upstairs was closed. They looked kind of annoyed that we came in. Asked if they were still serving.

They said yes but closing early tonight. Very good, but now that they were closing early had to drink a bit fast and that wasn't too pleasant. We went and met up with everyone else, they were in a bar with really loud music. Most people were sitting outside. I didn't need anymore to drink and the weather was nice so sat outside. Had great conversations with everyone. We all went back to the hostel and called it a night.

June 4th

Woke up pretty early and there was supposed to be breakfast included. Debated about showering, was an ensuite, but the floor from the bathroom was soaked. Someone obviously didn't know how to close a shower door.

The plaza with all the prime shopping.

Just went walking in the opposite direction from yesterday.

There were a few parks this way that seemed worth me checking out.

The backroad into town...

                                            Minnewater Park                                            

  

Lake and garden right near the trainstation.

Had to go catch the train to Brussels!!