Belgium Day 1: Bruges

For the long weekend in London, Smee and I decided to go to Brussels via the Eurostar. It's always difficult to wake up at 5am, hence our train ride was uneventful as we napped the entire time. Once we reached our hotel, we napped again. Too tired, we were. Once we woke from our slumber we headed off to the quaint town of Bruges, about 50 mins train ride from Brussels.

Yeah, me with a map again. I love maps.

Bruges is a lovely bit of space on the Belgium map. It's appeal lies in the medieval architecture that remains unspoilt and unaffected by the modernisation of surrounding cities. Cobblestone streets have never felt so befitting. It made me want to don a medieval wimple.

Bruges City Centre. For some reason, this tiny town had a lot of well-dressed people.

No trip is complete without a food diary of sorts. What do Belgians eat? Frites (hot chippies) - they're everywhere! Smee and I were starving and the smell of waffles was making me cry in utter joy.

Smee counting our Euro-funds.

Waiting in line at the Frite trailer.

Ordering the Frites Speciale.

Waiting patiently for the Fritties.

Ta-dah! Frites Speciale - chippies with onions, tomato sauce and mayo.

Can not wait to dig in.

Photo posing time.


Europeans are so doggy-friendly.

That's one grey horse.

More pics of us in the other part of the city centre.

Bruges is also known as "Venice of the North" because the entire city is encircled by a moat and branching canals snake their way through the town.

Watching all those other tourists gleefully making their way into boats sold us on the idea.

Smee buying our Bootexcursies tickets.

A few photos from the canal cruise.

Off the boat and now in front of the church that contains a relic from The Crusades.

Begging for chocolate

Tin Tin's dog, Snowy also begging for chocolate.

After spending about 3 hours in Bruges (plenty of time) we made our way back to Brussels for dinner.

Escargots from a street stall. Or so we thought - the sign also had 'sea snails' written on it. We suspect that they were welks rather than snails. They still were yummy.

Rue de Bouchers. The heart of eating in Brussels.

We settled at Chez Leon, a Belgian institution which came recommended in all the guide books for it's reliability and genuine chow.

Erm, yes, I took a photo of the Chez Leon napkin.

Smee and his Belgian or more specifically Brugge-ian beer.

Traditional Belgian Carbonnade a la Flamande (Beef and Beer Stew). Very Medieval looking, very yummy. Mmm mmm mmm. Check out my frites!!! So crisp on the outside and so soft on the inside. Just how I like them.

Mmmmmm the first bite to a satisfying dinner.

Moules, moules, moules.

Smee showed the mussels who was boss.