You know it's going to be a good day when you have a Starbucks coffee machine in your hotel room!
After getting warmed up with some jet fuel we headed out. First stop was the explore Castle Gravensteen.....it's cool!
Then we set off in search of the local train station. Sadly we missed the train by about 1 minute, but we didn't mind as it had started to rain a bit. We were prepared for it, but it's always better if you don't have to be out in it. The great news was that by the time the next train arrived, the rain had already passed.
A short 30 minute trip later and we arrived at the Bruge train station. A quick look at the horizon and we spotted a number of very large steeples and towers, so we knew which direction to head in.
My mother had spent some time in Bruges when she was younger and she often talked about it, so we had to put it on our to do list. We are both very glad that we did. It's a spectacular place. Surrounded and crossed by canals and history everywhere you look. I took tons of pictures today and can't post them all, but I will post enough to give you a feel of what it's like. If you get the chance, you should visit!
We stopped in to visit with the royals
Then we wandered some more, taking it all in
There are some old buildings here
And of course.....Belgian chocolate!
We wandered a bit more, taking in the sites
And then we went in search of some Belgium beer. Our dentist (Dr. Fraser) has been following our trips for a number of years now and when he heard we were going to Bruge he highly recommended a visit and tour at the Huisbrouwerij De Halve Maan (Half Moon Brewery). He was right!
We started our visit enjoying a Blond Zot on their patio, it was very tasty, well except for the bit that I spilled.......oh the humanity!
Then we went on a tour of the brewery. We saw the modern equipment, as well as the original equipment from when they opened in 1856. As part of the tour we learned that this is the only remaining brewery within old Bruges. At one time there were over over 160 of them. The tour also includes displays that were almost like being in a museum
At one point we ended up on the roof overlooking old Bruges
Then we ended the tour in their bar/restaurant and got to enjoy some more beer :-)
Then we set off to explore a bit more, in search of some other well known Belgium specialities. We found some Frites!
And of course, Belgian waffle with strawberries and whipped cream
A bit more exploring, and some goophing around
Then as we started to make our way back towards the train station, the swans came out to wish us farewell
Bruges is a place you must visit if you have a chance. A short train ride back to Ghent and another walk around old town. A chance to take in the last little bit of the scenery as the sun sets on Belgium
Tomorrow we hit the road again.....even the Autobahn, woohoo!
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