Brian and I took a long weekend to Belgium 2 weekends ago, going from Brussels to Ghent to Bruges. I have a lot of photos to share as Ghent and Bruges are the most adorable towns that make you feel like you're walking though a storybook.
 |
| In Ghent |
Our trip was planned around the Ghent Jazz Festival, where a band we've been wanting to see for years, was headlining,
Rodrigo y Gabriella. Their show was incredible. We didn't know before we moved to Ireland, but after they left Mexico, they moved to Dublin and played on Grafton Street and street corners before they made it big. We'll definitely see them again next time they play in Dublin.
 |
| Rodrigo y Gabriela |
We arrived in Belgium and stayed the first night in Brussels. Brian thought French would be spoken in Belgium, I thought Dutch. Turns out, we were both right. Everything in Brussels was French (menus, signs, how people greeted you) but in Ghent and Bruges, it was Dutch. Everyone speaks both French and Dutch, as well as English, and probably something else. As always, I am so embarrassed that I only speak one language. I need to change that.
We did a little sightseeing in Brussels, and had our first Belgium chocolates, waffles and beers!
 |
| Sampling some Belgium Chocolate |
 |
| Brian in Grand Place square |
 |
| Enjoying delicious Belgium beers at Grand Place Square |
 |
| The famous Manneken Pis - he is so small you can barely see him |
 |
We rented the city bikes for a short ride though the city
to find a place for dinner - success, we found the perfect place, Fin De Siecle |
The next morning, we took the train to Ghent. When we arrived, Ghent was setting up for a 10 day festival that transforms and shuts down the city for the whole 10 days. They were setting up stages, barges in the canals, lights, tents, etc. It was pretty crazy.
 |
| We took a nice boat tour on the canal |
 |
| Brian on the boat, under a willow tree |
After a boat tour of Ghent, we decided to take the tour of the Gravensteen Castle which hosts a few museums as well as a castle tour.
 |
| Biggest sword ever & Brian on the throne |
 |
| View through the window of the Gravensteen Castle |
 |
| At the Ghent Jazz Festival |
 |
| Delicious Belgium beer at the show |
 |
| A great shot Brian took of Rodrigo y Gabriella |
Ghent had a great cafe culture, loads of cute coffee houses and an adorable center. We had a great time walking around, gawking at the views, and imagining what life in Ghent would be like.
 |
| From one of the many bridges in Ghent |
 |
| Other side of the bridge in the photo above |
 |
Brian was completely amused by the public urinals in Belgium.
I caught him in the act!
|
The next day we were back on the train. Next up: 2 days in Bruges.
Comments
Post a Comment