Category Archives: Uncategorized

Brussels – 8

The oldest looking building on the Grand-Place is not actually the oldest one; it just looks that way. The “King’s House” used to be a special residence for government officials; now it’s the museum of the City of Brussels.

Of course it’s worth a look.

There’s the usual stuff about how the original settlement was at the farthest navigable spot on the Senne River, how the town grew to a city, it’s importance in trade, etc. And how the river turned into little more than an open sewer (that flooded on occasion), so it was decided that the best thing to do would be to cover it over.

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Brussels – 5

Right, here it is, the Big One. Or the Big Two, if you want. A walking tour of Brussels, with tastings of chocolate and beer along the way. Thanks to Trip Advisor, I was tipped off to Hungry Mary’s Beer and Chocolate Tour – and it’s well worth your money.

Nina, our host and guide, started us off with a note that it’s better to do some chocolate first, before everyone is tipsy….

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Brussels – 3

Welp, time to take a walking tour and learn about the history of Brussels. I booked a tour online through Viator, but it doesn’t seem like you need to do that. Just get to the Grand-Place / Grote Markt (Brussels’ main square) early enough, and look for someone carrying a brightly colored umbrella with a flag on the top. They’re a tour leader, and the flag indicates the language of the tour. I don’t think they care if you tag along; a lot of the umbrellas say “Free Tour”, and there’s no sign that they check people at the start. Just show up and tag along. At least I didn’t pay much for my tour.

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Brussels – 2

I stayed at the La Bourse Hotel. As the name suggests, it’s located next to The Bourse, which used to be Brussels’ “stock exchange”. It’s also rather centrally located, a few blocks away from the Grand-Place, the city’s main square. It’s a small hotel; there’s not much room in the city center for jumbo resort megahotels. But all you really need in a hotel is a clean and comfortable place to sleep, change clothes, wash up, and store your stuff. La Bourse did all that.

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Brussels – 1

I am of the opinion that if you are flying to a foreign country, especially a “first world” one, you simply must travel via that country’s national airline. You’ll be eased into life there – announcements will be in the country’s language as well as English, the food might be from the country or otherwise reflect their cuisine, the amenities kit that you get in business class will be made by a designer from there, etc.

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Brussels – 0

It’s been several years since I traveled to Europe. I’m not getting any younger, so I felt it was time to go back while I’m still young enough to enjoy it. Being able to afford it now helps.

Why Brussels? Mostly because it’s a little off the beaten path. I also considered London and Paris, but decided against them as they are too common. I wanted someplace more on the unusual side – so people would want to hear my travel tales. Belgium is known for two of my favorite things – beer and chocolate – so I’m sure to have a good time. Also, English is spoken quite regularly there, and there are direct flights from my nearest international airport.

Planning, though, can be a pain.

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Pond in a Jar 10

Well, after nearly two years, it’s still alive! Can’t say I could call it “thriving”, but there are three little snails in there. None of them are visible in the photo – but you should be able to pick out a bit of hornwort that managed to survive getting crowded out by the other plant. The one that we watched grow from a little seedling – and is now trying to push against the lid. Some parts of it are not doing so well (no idea why the leaves are spotty and brown (and I don’t really care)), but others, as you can see, have a nice lush green color.

Still plenty of that ugly fuzz, and not as many swimming dots as before. I hope that’s a seasonal thing. I’ll try and catch some more when I get water for the next topping off – which won’t be too long from now; evaporation in the summer heat is noticeably lowering the water level.

A different viewing angle this time.