Tag Archives: Visit

Strolling Around Bruges And Surroundings

Posted on May 11, 2022 | Leave a comment

A Huge Need for Beauty And Culture

At the beginning of spring, it was freezing cold and I walked for a long time in the historic center of Bruges without any real goal, just the huge need for beauty and culture. Cobbled streets, old buildings and the Reie river. Following the inspiration of the moment, I follow the narrow passage that opens onto an interior courtyard with a pretty garden. Continuing, near the canal, small bridge probably dating from the Middle Ages extremely curved and slippery. I observe the old stones steeped in history. And it’s off again to get lost in a maze of streets until nightfall. Walk, stroll and visit a museum!

In the city of chocolatiers, I finally tasted the famous chocolate (with hazelnuts) from Dominique Persoone, star chocolatier. Its chocolate is fine, subtle and tasty, without fuss: such a treat! I think the decor of his shop doesn’t represent well to the finesse of his creations. Close to the Ellis Gourmet Burger: very good burgers with quality meat. After many feasts (lololol), I finally head the Groeningemuseum to discover eminent Belgian painters over six centuries, starting with the Flemish masters Jan van Eyck (15th century) and Pieter Bruegel the Elder (16th century). The museum is not huge, but there are many major art works. A really exciting visit, collections absolutely to see!

The big breath of fresh air : on the way to Bruges, we made a detour through the landscape park of the Bulskampveld castle estate. The tour started with the Herb Garden (herbs that can be purchased from a vending machine; bring change). Then the Paths through the water: soothing landscape, even under a threatening sky. We continued into the nearby woods. Very pleasant walk without great difficulty, beneficial for both the mind and the body. As a reward for these 10 km walk: my first homemade ice cream of the season!

                                The day trip in pictures below

Stroll Through The Old Bruges

Flemish Painting, Chocolate And Hamburger

Bulskampveld

Thailand, Amphawa: Romhub, the unusual market of Mae Klong

Posted on June 3, 2013 | Leave a comment

Here I am on the road

to the town of Amphawa, just off the plane and the traffic near Suvarnabhumi, the Bangkok airport.

On the way, we stop at the Romhub market in the small town of Mae Klong. At first I didn’t understand why (I was not really awake): I heard something about a train crosses the market.

Okay. The heat is overwhelming, I feel like liquefy me. I surf between umbrellas and under the covered part of the market. Further, I can see the rails of the train, between fruits and vegetables, fish and meats, and a thousand things…

When of a sudden, the rythm of this part of the market changes. The traders are busy, moving their goods and rolling them covering each side of the rails (picture below). Customers have vanished. And the few tourists are excited. Everyone is waiting. When the famous train casually arrives. So slow!

But the picture is rather unusual and hypnotic. At the last minute, I jumped on one of the side, like everyone. The train barely passed us, the activity has picked up again. In less than 5 minutes, the market has taken its original look! Those who slept resumed their nap. Those who bought continue their shopping. And the heat is more and more overwhelming.

Follow my whole trip in THAILAND (all my posts) and Twitter. And in few days you could also discover my other pictures in the Facebook of the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Facebook of the Royal Thai Embassy in Belgium. ENJOY!

Departure to Thailand: Sawadee Ka Bangkok!

Thailand, Klongkone Mangrove Conservation Centre

DESTINATIONS

Barcelona in 3 hours “for dummies” (lol)?

Posted on October 23, 2012 | Leave a comment

First stopover:

time to get out of the boat and leave the port area (by walk, really not my best idea!), it’s already been 2:30 pm (photo 2). My “first” time in Barcelona for 3 hours in the city only!

And I decided to discover the different areas by the Barcelona City Tour bus tour, the red tour which lasts 3:30 minimum! So be careful!

You can get off the bus to take another one, as many times as you want during 24 or 48 hours and change the tour (red, green or blue). I need flexibility as an independent traveller.

Unfortunately I don’t have enough time

to go visiting some of the many sites. But I do an exception for La Pedrera, a house designed by the famous architect Gaudi (pictures 1 & 3).

I take this opportunity to run to another iconic work of Gaudi, the Sagrada Familia which I see as facades by lack of time (pictures 4). But the magic doesn’t operate, I don’t like the exterior details and the imposing porch

I enjoyed more the quiet empty streets to get there. And I rush back to La Perdrera to jump in the bus, where I can see the facade of Casa Batllo (picture 5) of Gaudi.

Time flies: when finally I arrived at Las Ramblas,

the area reminds me of New York: the rythm, crowd and major intersections (picture below). At the statue of Christopher Columbus stop, I jumped into a taxi to the Costa Neo Romantica.

In 15 mn, at 6:15 pm the boat leaves the port! Bye bye Barcelona, I will come back for sure. I have a mixed feeling of having seen all and nothing. I need to come back… To be continued, next stop in…

And today question is: if you had a 3 hours stopover in Barcelona, what would you do or visit?

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Tag Archives: Visit

Strolling Around Bruges And Surroundings

A Huge Need for Beauty And Culture

Stroll Through The Old Bruges

Flemish Painting, Chocolate And Hamburger

Bulskampveld

Thailand, Amphawa: Romhub, the unusual market of Mae Klong

Here I am on the road

Barcelona in 3 hours “for dummies” (lol)?

First stopover:

Unfortunately I don’t have enough time

Time flies: when finally I arrived at Las Ramblas,

Informations

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