MY TRAVEL LOGS- KINDERDIJK AND BRUSSELS
I thought I'd take this post to write a bit about my travels in Europe. So far I've been able to see Kinderdijk and Brussels.
Kinderdijk, I don't have much to say about. It's a quaint little village that would be off the map were it not for the windmills that are a UNESCO Heritage Site. And this is part of the charm. Other than a long, sunny (albeit freezing walk) along the windmills, there's not much going on here.
The souvenir shop, like all souvenir shops is overpriced and extravagant and you'll probably end up buying stuff that you'll look at later and go "what in hell's name was I thinking?" Ask someone who paid 3 euros for a shoe shaped coin box.
Cafe Buena Vista is the only restaurant in the vicinity and does rather well as an unassuming, inviting little place. Unfortunately, the apple pie was cold and soggy. Opt for a beer if you're really thirsty, no more no less.
Brussels of course had loads more to offer. Personally, my favourite part of the trip was finally, finally getting to eat moules and frites- an interesting dish, if I ever saw one. I especially liked the proper way to eat them- using the shell as tweezers and plucking the mussels out of other shells.
Amongst attractions, there is the spectacular variation in architecture, particularly around the Grand Place. Gothic, neo gothic, neo classical- you name it. You could spend a day just walking around slack jawed in Grand Place if you liked. Also I would visit Arcades du Cinquantenaire. I'm don't know much about architecture, but this particular structure was inspiring. Particularly in the evening when the soft lighting is at it's best.
There are also several museums. I was unable to go to the International comic museum which is supposed to be the best thing since sliced bread. I did however see the Musée de La Ville de Bruxelles, which houses among other things 800 different outfits for Mannekin Pis. My favourite piece there somehow was a painting. It was a depiction of the bombardment of 1695 in Brussels thats destroyed the Grand Place and 4000 neighbouring houses. I don't remember the artist's name unfortunately, but it was a chilling piece that spoke to me. Clearly, I have a thing for thanatourism.
Mannekin Pis is a little fellow who is easy to miss save for the crowds thronging him day and night. The story goes that he was the son of an important man in Brussels back in the day and got lost. The distraught father vowed to have a statue made for the town, in the exact state his son was found in. Apparently he kept the promise. It's a cute story, and worth a visit, but I say too much hype. Just my opinion though.
The beer museum is rather interesting, if exorbitant. But you get a free glass of beer which is nice. You also get to see eighteenth century mash heads which to an antique nerd like myself, as fascinating. The whole idea of stirring gigantic vats of unfermented beer by hand had me spell bound and Viraj had to drag me out with alternating death threats and promises of souvenir shopping. Did you know the proper way to serve a thirst quenching beer was to pour it all in one go, skim the surface of the foam off with a knife and then rinse the outside of the glass? It was awesome.
The St Hubert gallery is a nice place- for window shopping only. The nerd in me was drawn to the idea of visiting a 200 year old shopping arcade but you do not want to buy anything here. You just don't. Not unless you think your retirement fund is overrated.
The food is nothing to scoff at Brussels. Moules and Frites aside, the waffles are beyond fantastic, as of course they would be. Coated with everything and anything you can think of, they are a slice of heaven. Of course, the toppings are considered 'unauthentic' by purists who prefer their's with dusted sugar and nothing else. But I say go for the burn. Street food is street food and as someone from Delhi can tell you, it really doesn't get better than this. Chocolates dipped in strawberries were an interesting idea, but I'm not a fan of sour tang against milk chocolate. It's not that great. Try the authentic chocolate experience and buy a box. It's better that way.
Tin Tin and the Smurfs make myriad appearances in souvenir shops. Take one. Its the best thing you'll find here. But be prepared to spend five euros for a little ceramic model.
A couple of things Brussels taught me- a city by any other name is still a cesspool, it doesn't matter where you are. No offence, the city is great but there are always elements you cant seem to avoid. My camera got nicked off me in the metro. Some bloke asked me a question as I was getting off, some other bloke pushed me and by the time I realized what was happening, my camera was no longer in my pocket. The experience can be shocking and you're left feeling hollow and cheated, but lesson learnt. Cities are never safe enough to let your guard down.
Another thing I learnt was how difficult it can be to have an authentic tourist experience, especially for the novice traveller. Despite every intention to see the real Brussels, travelling can be intimidating and you tend to stick to the safe touristy stuff. I would however, strongly suggest not going down Rue de Bouchers- commonly known as the city's largest tourist trap. I went there myself and while the food isn't terrible, you could probably do better. I only went there because I was dead set on moules and frites- and apparently it is very difficult to mess up a dish as classic as that. But other than that, the food is trite and tasteless and the service is rude and aggressive. A couple of places are all right, but its hard to sift it out. If you must go, pick the cheapest meal on the menu. I did, and I was satisfied. My waiter however, was not and refused to give me the 'free drink' he offered earlier.
On the other hand, I did meet some good people. It's not uncommon to have people on the street come up to you and offer help if you're lost. I'm not that used to it myself, but there you have it.
All in all, a good place to go and I enjoyed my visit. I probably won't be going again but I definitely don't regret going there once. Cheers.
Kinderdijk, I don't have much to say about. It's a quaint little village that would be off the map were it not for the windmills that are a UNESCO Heritage Site. And this is part of the charm. Other than a long, sunny (albeit freezing walk) along the windmills, there's not much going on here.
The souvenir shop, like all souvenir shops is overpriced and extravagant and you'll probably end up buying stuff that you'll look at later and go "what in hell's name was I thinking?" Ask someone who paid 3 euros for a shoe shaped coin box.
Cafe Buena Vista is the only restaurant in the vicinity and does rather well as an unassuming, inviting little place. Unfortunately, the apple pie was cold and soggy. Opt for a beer if you're really thirsty, no more no less.
Brussels of course had loads more to offer. Personally, my favourite part of the trip was finally, finally getting to eat moules and frites- an interesting dish, if I ever saw one. I especially liked the proper way to eat them- using the shell as tweezers and plucking the mussels out of other shells.
Amongst attractions, there is the spectacular variation in architecture, particularly around the Grand Place. Gothic, neo gothic, neo classical- you name it. You could spend a day just walking around slack jawed in Grand Place if you liked. Also I would visit Arcades du Cinquantenaire. I'm don't know much about architecture, but this particular structure was inspiring. Particularly in the evening when the soft lighting is at it's best.
There are also several museums. I was unable to go to the International comic museum which is supposed to be the best thing since sliced bread. I did however see the Musée de La Ville de Bruxelles, which houses among other things 800 different outfits for Mannekin Pis. My favourite piece there somehow was a painting. It was a depiction of the bombardment of 1695 in Brussels thats destroyed the Grand Place and 4000 neighbouring houses. I don't remember the artist's name unfortunately, but it was a chilling piece that spoke to me. Clearly, I have a thing for thanatourism.
Mannekin Pis is a little fellow who is easy to miss save for the crowds thronging him day and night. The story goes that he was the son of an important man in Brussels back in the day and got lost. The distraught father vowed to have a statue made for the town, in the exact state his son was found in. Apparently he kept the promise. It's a cute story, and worth a visit, but I say too much hype. Just my opinion though.
The beer museum is rather interesting, if exorbitant. But you get a free glass of beer which is nice. You also get to see eighteenth century mash heads which to an antique nerd like myself, as fascinating. The whole idea of stirring gigantic vats of unfermented beer by hand had me spell bound and Viraj had to drag me out with alternating death threats and promises of souvenir shopping. Did you know the proper way to serve a thirst quenching beer was to pour it all in one go, skim the surface of the foam off with a knife and then rinse the outside of the glass? It was awesome.
The St Hubert gallery is a nice place- for window shopping only. The nerd in me was drawn to the idea of visiting a 200 year old shopping arcade but you do not want to buy anything here. You just don't. Not unless you think your retirement fund is overrated.
The food is nothing to scoff at Brussels. Moules and Frites aside, the waffles are beyond fantastic, as of course they would be. Coated with everything and anything you can think of, they are a slice of heaven. Of course, the toppings are considered 'unauthentic' by purists who prefer their's with dusted sugar and nothing else. But I say go for the burn. Street food is street food and as someone from Delhi can tell you, it really doesn't get better than this. Chocolates dipped in strawberries were an interesting idea, but I'm not a fan of sour tang against milk chocolate. It's not that great. Try the authentic chocolate experience and buy a box. It's better that way.
Tin Tin and the Smurfs make myriad appearances in souvenir shops. Take one. Its the best thing you'll find here. But be prepared to spend five euros for a little ceramic model.
A couple of things Brussels taught me- a city by any other name is still a cesspool, it doesn't matter where you are. No offence, the city is great but there are always elements you cant seem to avoid. My camera got nicked off me in the metro. Some bloke asked me a question as I was getting off, some other bloke pushed me and by the time I realized what was happening, my camera was no longer in my pocket. The experience can be shocking and you're left feeling hollow and cheated, but lesson learnt. Cities are never safe enough to let your guard down.
Another thing I learnt was how difficult it can be to have an authentic tourist experience, especially for the novice traveller. Despite every intention to see the real Brussels, travelling can be intimidating and you tend to stick to the safe touristy stuff. I would however, strongly suggest not going down Rue de Bouchers- commonly known as the city's largest tourist trap. I went there myself and while the food isn't terrible, you could probably do better. I only went there because I was dead set on moules and frites- and apparently it is very difficult to mess up a dish as classic as that. But other than that, the food is trite and tasteless and the service is rude and aggressive. A couple of places are all right, but its hard to sift it out. If you must go, pick the cheapest meal on the menu. I did, and I was satisfied. My waiter however, was not and refused to give me the 'free drink' he offered earlier.
On the other hand, I did meet some good people. It's not uncommon to have people on the street come up to you and offer help if you're lost. I'm not that used to it myself, but there you have it.
All in all, a good place to go and I enjoyed my visit. I probably won't be going again but I definitely don't regret going there once. Cheers.