Leuven and Mechelen

Well we're off to explore two more beautiful towns.  These places are magical.  In the morning Marlene and I catch the bus for the 10 min. ride to the train station and then board the train for Leuven.  This train ride is about 90 minutes long and is through some beautiful country.  Very green with lots of horses.  We arrive in Leuven and are able to walk right into town and very shortly arrive at the main square.  It's beautiful with some amazing buildings.  Problem is, it seems all these towns have this type of main square and they are equally lovely.

This is the city hall!

Humphrey was in Leuven??.

And then after a wonderful lunch of spaghetti and scampi (and wine) we're off to Mechelen.  Back to the train and a short 20 minute ride to Mechelen.  Again a fairly short walk through the newer part of town before we arrive at another gorgeous square.

The choice of beer is staggering!  Stella Artois is made in Leuven!

and the sun sets on another beautiful day!  Off to Flanders Field tomorrow!

Brussels

It's Sunday and we're heading off to Brussels for the day.  It's only an hours train ride from Brugge.  All the stars seem to align today....we head off to catch the bus and there it was....the train was leaving just a few minutes after we arrived at the train station..when we arrive in Brussels the hop on, hop off bus which we planned on taking was just getting ready to leave.  You get the idea?  Welł that luck carried on until we came back home.  It was amazing!

After arriving in Brussels we find the Hop On Hop Off bus a short distance away and get our ticket.  It's about the only way we can tour the city in one day.  

First stop where we get off is the Atomium which was built during the 1958 World's Fair.  Quite an amazing structure and we went and explored the insides.  It's 102 m high.

Marlene and I goofing around...it was an example of heat monitoring photography.

 Great view from up high.

Cool picture as we were going up the escalator!

View from Atomium.

The Basilica

Nice lunch with the obligatory wine!

Waffles!  Oh, my!

And chocolates....oh, my!

Meringues....oh, my!  So much great food!

Grand-Place....picture doesn't do it justice....it's amazing!!!

Can you believe these Mimes!!  We could not figure out how they did this...Wow!

Love the doors!

This is a wonderful chain of restaurants....Paul.

Here we are on the top of the Hop On, Hop Off bus.

And here we are back home....view from the living room...central Bruges is about a 20 minute walk away.

Bruges, Belgium

Had a great night's sleep and we're ready to discover Bruges.  

After a quick breakfast and great coffee we hop the No. 25 bus into the Centre of Bruge.  We could walk which would only take 40 mins. or so but we wanted to save our energy for discovering Bruges.  When we arrive the Saturday morning market is in full swing.  The food!  OMG!  Of course we had to have a Belgian waffle.

Then we head off to meander down the streets of Bruges....and meandering is the only way to describe it.  This town is the prettiest little town but a lot of history in the past as it was a major port and one of the busiest and wealthiest in Europe.

And we had the infamous canal boat ride....not as charismatic as Venice but nice all the same.  The weather was beautiful today.

Then seeing how we had developed quite a thirst we head off to have a beer....and oh, the choices!

Managed to pick a great dark brew and sat out by the canal....ahhhh!

And now we're "home" and enjoying a glass of wine and a late supper on the terrace.  Tomorrow....Brussels!

Trip to Europe 2015

Off we go ... Heading to Amsterdam from YVR.

Marlene and I head out at 15:50 on June 4th via KLM to Amsterdam.  Long flight...9.5 hrs. But nice airline.  Sat beside a lady from Switzerland and we chatted most of the way.  Arrived at 10:00 June 5th to warm and sunny skies.  Proceeded to the train station where we discovered that the train to Bruges return was more expensive than we anticipated.  99.20 euros.  Yikes!  We're going to go through the money faster than we thought.  When we go to catch our train there is a snag....or course....there has been a gas leak at one of the train stations and the train was cancelled!  So much for planning.  Luckily the situation was fixed and we were able to catch the next train with two transfers at Antwerp and Ghent.  The damage had been done though and we were going to be too late arriving in Bruges to meet our host, Inge.  Inge was going to pick us up at the train station but now we have to take a taxi to the apartment and her friend, Nathalie would meet us.  The taxi was a crazy ride as obviously he was trying to serve as many people waiting as possible.  The ride was short and cost 11.10.  Nathalie was there and a lovely person.  The apartment is great and we are jet lagged and pooped.  A storm has moved in...high winds, rain and hail!  Welcome to Bruges!  We walk to the supermarket and discover a Pizza Hut.  We stop for a quick dinner and wine....much needed....and then pick up a few groceries.  The storm has passed and it's a lovely evening.  Off to bed at 10:00 pm.   Ahhhhh....feels so good!

Mikey's Birthday dinner!

It is my son's birthday on June 8th however I will be away in Belgium at that time.  We decided to celebrate early so that I could be a part of it.  So glad we did!

Must be hard to blow ALL those candles out 'old man'!

Mike got a wonderful bike from his dad and step mom.  I supplied the helmet and of course Mike is rockin' the helmet!

They made the paper!

Our wonderful day at the Open House at the Firehall in White Rock was captured by the Peace Arch News.  Great photos.

Girls Night Out

We girls went to Rogers Arena to see Bette Midler.  What a show!  

Bette is 69 years young and full of energy.  She danced, sang and threw out some great jokes.  What a performer.  We so enjoyed ourselves.