Days 18 & 19, 12th-13 April. Brussels-Ghent-Bruges

Day 18-
Was wondering why the statue Manneken Pis was famous- it was made in 1618! and usually doesnt look like yesterdays photo. It had been dressed up in a vampire outfit for some zombie thing thats on.

This morning we had breakfast in the very swanky hotel restaurant on seats that were like thrones! Enjoyed crepes- yum. Saw last night that apart from the Belgium many beers types and waffles, that they have paper cones filled with large strawberries which have been dipped in white and dark chocolate, plus truffles!

We travelled half an hour to Waterloo, where Napolean was defeated by Wellington (the english and the prussians). There was a theatre which told you the story of the battle of Waterloo, then we climbed the Lions Mound- a memorial up 220 steps which was built in 1820. It looks out towards France in one direction and Holland and Germany in the other.

Pics showing the Lion Memorial just after it was built and today.

This is part of a 12 foot high, 360 degree panoramic painting which depicts the battle of Waterloo.

The Germans also attacked near there in WWI & WWII as it was so flat, which allowed them fast advances.
After climbing up there (and a coughing fit I couldnt stop!) we had a drink in the cafe there. The Americans onboard have a good sense of humour so we chatted to them. The coach is great as its only a year old and has much larger panels of glass in the windows, without pillars restricting the view and I cant actually reach the footrest, there is so much room!

Love the condensations trails the planes leave all over europe!



















We went for a walk back down to the place square we went to last night and wandered around. Had a beer in the hard Rock cafe and talked to the Belgium guy working there, whose sister is in NZ. Graeme got a wicked nose bleed, so he got us tissues and we stayed until that finally stopped. Then went and bought some strawberries, dipped in belgium chocolate- its quite strong! and a plain crepe.

Tin Tins author and Poirot come from here, there are quite a few comic strips which originated here. Wandered back slowly and enjoyed the sites and scenes on the way to the hotel

Day 19-

We had to have our bags out at 7.30am today and we went down to breakfast- what chaos! there was another tour group in there and there were no tables, food, utensils etc etc! Staff were stressed and curt poor things.
After a one hour drive to Ghent, a quaint and old city on the way to Bruges. We had a city tour then wandered round on our own after visiting a lovely church in the gothic style.

People here speak mostly Flemish but I could hear many speaking in french still. The weather has been kind, got up to about 10C. Graeme and I went to an outdoor restaurant for lunch. It was all under outdoor heaters and had big comfy chairs and blankets if people wanted them too! Had a lovely 2 course lunch for 15 euro and a pint of stella and leffe. We all met back at the square and then onto the bus for an hours trip to Bruges where we are staying for the next two nights at the NH hotel, which is really close to town so we can walk in and out.

We had a great hour and a half horse and carriage ride this afternoon to see the sites of Bruges, with a gorgeous huge horse called Rani. Then we had a dine around meal tonight which is where the group can choose which restaurant they'd like to go to with a choice of 3 or a voucher for anywhere else that takes your fancy. It is so great to have a group for the first time ever, that has no smokers- YAY! cos when you do they always light up as soon as they get off the bus.

The dinner with 9 of us was great. Really nice meals of garlic shrimp and steaks and got to know others in a smaller setting. Wandered back to the hotel. We go to Ypres tomorrow night to visit the Menin gate.