Brussels 1 April - overflowing with chocolate and happiness.
After abandoning this blog for the longest time ever, I have finally decided to start writing again… thanks to travelling, or rather, having nothing to do after 7pm in a hotel tucked away in the heart of Brussels, where terrifying men lurk outside in half darkness, threatening to prey on young innocent girls unfortunate enough to book a hotel that lies in the middle of a not too friendly neighbourhood.
At least that was what happened to the two of us last night. A “kind” soul who happened to walk past Jing Wen and I, offering to help us find directions. Dragging our luggage across cobbled streets, half frightened that the guy would get his gang to rob us at knife point, we finally reached our hotel. After bidding goodbye (and I said “God Bless” because I didn’t know what else to say), our “kind” soul morphed into a money demanding, scheming monster. We lost 5 euros to him.
Lesson #1: Never never never accept help from dubious looking guys who try to help you find your way at night, even if he tries to call you to stop, and whistles at u to turn back. NEVER EVER TURN BACK. Walk ahead and don’t stop walking.
Lesson #2: Avoid arriving in a city at night, when you don’t know the location of your accommodation and you don’t speak the language, it’s dangerous and you’re pretty much at the mercy the locals.
The hotel was small. Our room smelt like cigarette. Thank God the beds looked nice and fresh and they were comfty.
We woke up to the sun pouring in through our window at 7.30am. Breakfast was a cheery affair, with fried egg, sausages, ham, cheese, a selection of the cereals - the usual suspects, Nutella (love of my life), yoghurt… After being well fed, we began our tour of Brussels.
The atomium. Looking like a gigantic odd-shaped spider, it was there, glistening in the sunshine. It really really stands out. And then, there we were, pushing our way past little kids, making our way to Mini Europe, but then deciding that there wasn’t enough time to go in because it was a theme park.
The Cathedral
Amazingly, outstandingly beautiful. That’s all I can say. Goodness the Church was RICH.
After snapping our touristy shots, we headed for Galeries St. Hubert, a shopping arcade housing luxury brands and uncountable chocolate shops to pamper yourself. It was heaven. Somehow we experienced this indescribable bubble of happiness, sampling chocolate, walking into pretty chocolate shops, admiring chocolate in shapes, sizes, patterns, and packaging. It was a bit too much to take in, we were hopping about merrily. I couldn’t resist getting a packet of pick and mix chocolate at 3.40 Euro/100g. Okay it’s not cheap. But it had a melt-in-your-mouth goodness.
Stepping into Grote Markt was yet another experience. It was breathtaking. Buildings flecked with gold set in the backdrop of the blue blue sky.
We happily skipped along and came to a shop Dandoy which sold chocolate, and according to a local, made the best Belgian waffles. Settling into the tea room, we each ordered a waffle with ice cream. The pictures speak for themselves!!! Waffles made crisp on the sides, coated with sugar, soft and warm on the inside, paired with ice cream and drizzled with hot chocolate sauce.
Waffles, what's there not to love?!
Brussels, land of chocolate and chocolate and more chocolate, it’s enough to make you go high for a day. Not forgetting quirky shops packed with funky toys, cool antique books and art galleries… Oh! And you can’t miss Manneken Pis. So much hype for such a tiny figure, I couldn’t help but laugh at him. We imagined him to be huge and life-sized, but no, it was quite the contrary.
Mannekin Pis
My yummy nougat!
At least that was what happened to the two of us last night. A “kind” soul who happened to walk past Jing Wen and I, offering to help us find directions. Dragging our luggage across cobbled streets, half frightened that the guy would get his gang to rob us at knife point, we finally reached our hotel. After bidding goodbye (and I said “God Bless” because I didn’t know what else to say), our “kind” soul morphed into a money demanding, scheming monster. We lost 5 euros to him.
Lesson #1: Never never never accept help from dubious looking guys who try to help you find your way at night, even if he tries to call you to stop, and whistles at u to turn back. NEVER EVER TURN BACK. Walk ahead and don’t stop walking.
Lesson #2: Avoid arriving in a city at night, when you don’t know the location of your accommodation and you don’t speak the language, it’s dangerous and you’re pretty much at the mercy the locals.
The hotel was small. Our room smelt like cigarette. Thank God the beds looked nice and fresh and they were comfty.
We woke up to the sun pouring in through our window at 7.30am. Breakfast was a cheery affair, with fried egg, sausages, ham, cheese, a selection of the cereals - the usual suspects, Nutella (love of my life), yoghurt… After being well fed, we began our tour of Brussels.
The atomium. Looking like a gigantic odd-shaped spider, it was there, glistening in the sunshine. It really really stands out. And then, there we were, pushing our way past little kids, making our way to Mini Europe, but then deciding that there wasn’t enough time to go in because it was a theme park.
The Cathedral
Amazingly, outstandingly beautiful. That’s all I can say. Goodness the Church was RICH.
After snapping our touristy shots, we headed for Galeries St. Hubert, a shopping arcade housing luxury brands and uncountable chocolate shops to pamper yourself. It was heaven. Somehow we experienced this indescribable bubble of happiness, sampling chocolate, walking into pretty chocolate shops, admiring chocolate in shapes, sizes, patterns, and packaging. It was a bit too much to take in, we were hopping about merrily. I couldn’t resist getting a packet of pick and mix chocolate at 3.40 Euro/100g. Okay it’s not cheap. But it had a melt-in-your-mouth goodness.
Stepping into Grote Markt was yet another experience. It was breathtaking. Buildings flecked with gold set in the backdrop of the blue blue sky.
We happily skipped along and came to a shop Dandoy which sold chocolate, and according to a local, made the best Belgian waffles. Settling into the tea room, we each ordered a waffle with ice cream. The pictures speak for themselves!!! Waffles made crisp on the sides, coated with sugar, soft and warm on the inside, paired with ice cream and drizzled with hot chocolate sauce.
Waffles, what's there not to love?!
Brussels, land of chocolate and chocolate and more chocolate, it’s enough to make you go high for a day. Not forgetting quirky shops packed with funky toys, cool antique books and art galleries… Oh! And you can’t miss Manneken Pis. So much hype for such a tiny figure, I couldn’t help but laugh at him. We imagined him to be huge and life-sized, but no, it was quite the contrary.
Mannekin Pis
My yummy nougat!