Bruges & Ostend

For one of the days of our trip to Belgium, we spent the day visiting Bruges and Ostend. Both in the Flemish region of Belgium, if I'm not mistaken. You can find my (rather lengthy) post on our Brussels, Belgium trip: here.

Bruges

We woke up bright and early, stuffed ourselves with so much breakfast at the hotel and headed to the Central Station in Brussels. Whilst on an air-conditioned, double-decker train, I viewed the passing sceneries by the window and attempted to read a newspaper completely in French.

How to pose 101.

The shock on her face.

Brugge (in French: Bruges) was a charming place filled with character. The architecture of the buildings unchanged to preserve the historic beauty of the city and the linking canals creates a romantic feel. I’ve read that the place is sometimes described as ‘The Venice of the North’. It also had a central square surrounded by interesting buildings and filled with people relaxing or taking photos. Horse and carriages could be seen dotted around, carrying people experiencing the city centre whilst they listened to their guide. It’s hard to describe why, but I liked the sight of bikes parked and people relaxing outside of cafés. I suppose it makes you feel like you’re taking a break from the fast-paced, urban city life. With cobbled streets and countless chocolate shops, Bruges certainly gave a lovely feel despite being busy with citizens and tourists. Looking into the windows of bakeries and chocolatier shops felt like peeping into, what one could describe, as reading different stories per chapter, yet parallel in one novel. That feel of nostalgia of a time that I wasn’t even born in, was wonderful.

We walked along the roads and occasionally looked inside a few shops and alley ways. Random things ranging from a Torture Museum to boutiques, could be found. A good find was a beer place, colourfully decorated in numerous beer bottles of different types, as well as glasses and crates. I found this place to be pretty cool, as it’s menus  were hanging from the ceiling and you simply had to grab it ahead of you and choose your drink. We chose a ‘mix combo’ which was four different types of beer and an info sheet along with peanuts and cheese accompanied it in a tray. The toilets at this place was pretty funny, as the sink basin and sides were part of one fish tank!

The next main thing on our itinerary was to experience Brugge through its canals. We hopped onto a canal boat and listened to our very enthusiastic guide. The houses we passed by along the way varied from either 16th-18th century in one route to houses from the 15th-16th century in another place. The guide pointed out a house that is the last house that is modernised, as it is no longer allowed to change the buildings or windows in central Brugge. I found out that the small windows at the top of the houses were for messenger pigeons and that windows used to be taxed, so if you couldn’t pay then they would board up your window.

Oostende

After the majority of the day spent in Bruges, we then took the train to Oostende (in French: Ostende), a city by the coast. Boats in the water were docked and stalls occupied the roadside selling delicious seafood. I had ice cream (of course) and my sister had a Belgian waffle - plain (which we found to actually be a nicer way to appreciate the taste of the waffle) - whilst we walked. I tried sea snails for the first time there in Oostende and I surprisingly liked it. We sat by a resto-bar, chatted, and my family and aunt drank beer. I looked up to the sky and a man could be heard playing songs on his guitar. Relaxing there in Oostende, was lovely and chilled.

- NichEuve