Debbie and Katia both live in Ghent. We arrived early in the afternoon and walked around the center of town checking out the amazing churches (there are three massive churches in the main square), the canals and the old buildings. In the evening we carried on to Debbie’s, where Katia was also awaiting our arrival. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner of typical Belgian beef stew and fresh homemade French fries (frittes). It was great to catch up on the remainder of their trip and to meet Guido (Debbie’s man).
Tim’s birthday, started with a wonderful Belgian breakfast. Around 1:00 pm we met up with Katia at her flat and had Belgian pastries and made a walking tour of the outer areas of town that are not on the tourist map. Again some amazing buildings and a brief wander through Ghent’s red light district. A smaller version of Amsterdam’s red light district. A few drinks on a barge in the canal (Love those Belgian beers) and we traipse back to Debbie’s for birthday dinner. Tim requested Grandma Rita’s flank steak (we were close, but not quite) and mashed potatoes. A little Champers to celebrate entering his 15th year. He cleaned up on the edible gifts, two jars of Nutella (a chocolate flavored spread made of Hazelnuts – his new favorite breakfast item) and a large box of Belgian chocolates.
Off to Luxembourg the next morning for a two day side trip. We pass through the city of Luxembourg (definitely a city we want to return to) on our way to visit another war cemetery. Tim wanted to see George S. Patton’s grave. Another impressive American cemetery. From there we head over to Bastogne to visit the museum on the battle of the Bulge. At the site of the Museum is a fantastic memorial to the US soldiers that died in Bastogne and the surrounding area during the battle of the bulge. While we were at the memorial, I was pleased to see a local group of school children on a field trip visiting the memorial and learning about the battle.
On the return trip to Belgium, we visited the Hans caves. A massive series of limestone caverns. Very pretty and a well put together tour. They have been doing tours of the caves since the early 1800’s. A quick visit to a few local castles. We really enjoyed the ruins of Montalgrie Castle. We were the only ones visiting the site and you could climb around on any part of the castle you wanted. Our final stop for the day was the Waterloo battlefield. Belgium is littered with significant battlefields. It seems as though every major war in Europe takes place in Belgium. There are some nice exhibits at the site and a large mound you can climb to look at the battlefield (a bunch of farmers fields). While we were there, they were preparing the area for the anniversary of the Battle the next weekend when they will have a reenactment of the battle.
Saturday we toured more of the Ghent city center with the girls, visiting the castle which has been used, restored, used again and now restored to its former glory as a castle. We spent the afternoon and early evening at a local music festival. Some good bands and some not so good. I enjoyed the fact you could get a beer from the drink vendor and then sit anywhere. No need to be trapped in a beer garden with Tim stuck outside.
We head off to the city of Brugge on sunday. The weather has turned and we experience rain! We decide to begin with a tour of the Chocolate Museum. Yes, we do get a small sample of chocolate and I think we all chose a piece of dark chocolate. The city is still beautiful with all of its canals and we decide to do a canals tour in a boat. The sights are amazing, they compare this to Venice, on a smaller scale of course. The city center is quite lovely with the large center restored to its former glory, looking like a different time.
~ Jeff & Karen ~
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