Blogs from Brugge, Saint-Raphael, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France, Europe - page 20

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From sweaty to sweaters! We left Tanzania where it was so hot and humid that we were sweating constantly, and arrived in northern Europe where it's still early spring --- our clothing is barely cutting it here. In Amsterdam we managed to secure a hostel for one night, but the city (SOOO beautiful) was fully booked for the following night. We secretly believe that Amsterdam is the Vegas of Europe, with its red light district and cannabis cafes --- combined with Easter vacations for the continentals, the place was crawling with european tourists. It was wonderful just walking around the city, though, with all its canals, old buildings and bicycles EVERYWHERE. With more time (and a place to stay), it would be a wonderful city to explore. Alas, we checked all kinds of hostels and hotels, ... read more
Antwerp Station
Belgium is a choco-holic's dream
Nick found his second home


I went to my first professional soccer/football game in Brugge this weekend with Krzys, Patricia, and Petrus. Petrus is from Brugge, and he hooked us up with some cheap student tickets. Thanks Petrus! I had a great time. I don't really have time to write about it, so just check out the pictures.... read more
Got My Ticket!
Club Brugge Fans
Football!


Bruges is famous for its canals, beer and chocolate - and we've just spent the weekend finding out why. It's a beautiful little place where Alison, Lib and I spent a morning being toured around by boat with a guide pointing out well-preserved buildings from the 12th century in 4 different languages (I wish I'd paid more attention in Mrs MacGregor's French class); then hit some of its famous breweries (they make around 400 types of beer here, so even I found something I liked in the cherry and raspberry flavoured beer!); and, of course, gorged ourselves on the most delicious chocolates in the world. We also tried the homebrewed Geneva (like gin, but 38% alcohol) which again appealed to me because it also came in chocolate and vanilla (Bruges is my kind of town) and ... read more
but I only had one beer officer...
canals
early morning nip


Well, on the weekend just passed, me and my friend Amy went to Brugge, Belguim. It is such a beautiful city!! Everywhere there are cobblestone roads and horse drawn carriages, and as there is everywhere in Europe, Churches!! Well the Belgians are know for there beer and chocolates and let me tell you, they do them sooooo well!! We got there on the Friday nite, late cos we got the wrong train from Brussels, easy mistake after a few vinos on the Eurostar, and most of the restaurants where closed, so we did what any good aussie does and got on the piss! Found an irish bar that sold really cheap Belgian Beer in pints, not recommended! The beer in Belguim can range anything from 6 to 12.5 percent. Well after two pints we thought it ... read more
Brugge
Brugge
Brugge

Europe » France » Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur » Saint-Raphael » Brugge January 23rd 2006

'Belgium'...well, maybe it's 'Girl All the Bad Guys Want', but nothing ruins a song's appeal like too much Grammy praise and radio overplay...except maybe if it's being performed by Nickelback. Those guys are no-talent-ass-clowns. In any event, let's go with Belgium, since that's where this is all leading anyways. As options are limited for a weekend trip, medieval city hopping next door in Belgium seemed like a good idea. A three hour train ride on Friday night got Eugene, Bec, Shruti, Lesley, and I to the hometown of Spurs guard Tony Parker and supposedly the ever quotable Dr. Evil. Vegetarian sensibilities among the girls and the fact that Belgians aren't predisposed to post-sunset economic activity limited our choices and caused us to pick fast food for the first evening's fare. If you think McDonald's is crap, ... read more
Customer dis-service
There's a line...
That's a keeper

Europe » France » Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur » Saint-Raphael » Brugge January 18th 2006

The last night in Paris was an amazing cultural experience as well. However, not a french experience...a German one. We met a 30 year old German dude who is finishing up his last year getting a PhD in neurology. We talked for 3 hours about social issues and politics. It was amazing to hear his account of the reunification, etc. Also, it was fun to talk about the differences in perspectives of history (esp. WWII). Although, it doesn't seem that the Germans try to ignore or skew the past. Regardless of the details (which I could write a book about, but do not have time to here) it was an amazing conversation. Then we set off for Brugge (Bruges). It is a very small historic town. It rivaled Paris in the 14th century but its harbor ... read more
The market
The market #3
Town center


OK. So I've been in Belgium for 24 hours now, what to do next? Hop a train to Brugge. Brugge is a very old Medieval city, with lots of great buildings, streets, towers, and markets. I don't really feel like writing about it right now (honestly, I'm posting this blog about a month after I visited the city) so I'll just show you the photos. You may be wondering about the ice festival. Yes, that was my idea. I found it on the internet before I left the U.S., and I had to go. I know, I know, it's kind of hokey, but I've never seen an ice sculpure festival before. Personally, I really enjoyed it.... read more
Ice Castle
Ice Slide
The Chef

Europe » France » Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur » Saint-Raphael » Brugge December 19th 2005

This weekend I headed off to Brugge, Belgium with a friend. Brugge is a small town near the Northern coast of Belgium known for its history and charm. The entire city contains nothing but cobblestone streets, and there are about five different churches and cathedrals with their beautiful towers and bells all in this little city! The city also has a little canal system with all the old fortresses to get into the city still maintained. It was really beautiful, and it was so nice to get away from the city for a little weekend. Brugge was also decorated for Christmas with several Christmas markets and an ice skating rink in the city center. As usual, I enjoyed my favorite Belgian foods: chocolate and french fries. It probably wasn't the healthiest weekend! Now I am anxiously ... read more
another view
one of the church towers..
a canal running through the city.

Europe » France » Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur » Saint-Raphael » Brugge December 15th 2005

At this time we were almost locals on train rides, is fair to say that the belgian train was one of the best ones we ride on, and or destination brugge. One of the things you will notice as a rookie traveller is the is very easy to lost in translation, we were very sure of the city where we were heading but with one detail in our mind we have the name of the city in spanish (Brujas) and almost miss the station is common to have the name of the cities in you native language and fogot the the current language in that country is different, but at last we arrived to Brugge, the first thing like in other countries exchange currency (Belgian Francs) just one detail to bear in mind in your travel ... read more

Europe » France » Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur » Saint-Raphael » Brugge October 23rd 2005

23rd October 2005 Brugge, Belgium......to Calais, France......to London, England. Whether it be due to aftereffects of the marjuana, the minuteness of the country itself, or a general weariness from the endless travelling of the past twelve days, I remember little of Belgium. What the terrain or the architecture consisted of, I cannot tell you. Of Brugge, where we stopped mid-morning for a very brief walking tour, I remember only quaint stone bridges over swan-filled streams, cart-and-pony traps, belgian waffles, lace shops, stone architecture that possibly looked medieval, and an enormous ancient square surrounded by tall hulking effigies by stone. We were gone almost before we'd arrived, hurtling towards Calais in France and our ferry across the English Channel. The day passed fairly uneventfully, and again there was enough fog in Dover to put paid to any ... read more
Belguim Waffles
River Reie
River Reie and houses




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