23rd May – Thursday
Bhavni left in the morning catching the 11am Eurostar train to Brussels, which arrived at just after 2pm. She then made her way to Ghent and took a tram to Guesthouse PPP.
24th May – Friday
Whilst Bhavni was at her conference, Airyen and I took a train from Mill Hill to St Pancras, catching the 3pm train to Brussels. Although Bhavni breezed through the checkin, it took us ages with getting on the train wth only minutes to spare and Airyen super exhausted. Airyen fell asleep straight away on me on the train and only woke up just when we got there.
Meanwhile Bhavni made her way from Ghent to Brussels Midi and we met there, catching the Train to Kunst-Wet where we checked into the MAS Residence there. We had the incidence of Airyen throwing out a pink fabric bag from the train just before the doors closed, but luckily it was empty.
For dinner we walked to the local Italian La Mamma, but it was full and they were not really bothered. The Pizza place next door was also full and had no space, however we got a take away and headed back to the apartment for dinner. We also got some supplies for breakfast the next day.
25th May – Saturday (Antwerp)
Waking up we had breakfast and got ready, heading out to walk to Schuman Station, which was not that far, but was on a raised platform to which I had to carry up the stroller, after finding out which side to climb up. We then too the train to Antwerpen Central, which was about an hour journey.
Arriving at the station we found that it was drizzling quite a bit. After a bit of hesitation we started walking to town. Not far we stopped in a cafe Rene for a quick respite and I wanted a coffee, then it was back in the rain until we got to the shops, then the Lure of H&M and some more shopping lured Bhavni in. By the time we had finished shopping the rain had mostly cleared and we made our way towards the Cathedral.
It was already getting near lunch time, so we decided to get a slightly early one at the Bubble Waffle Cafe. It was a small place, and it took a little while for the food, but it was quite nice.
We had a walk around, near the cathedral and the squares near there, admiring the buildings and the fountains which were of especial interest to Airyen.
We then walked to the riverside and took a ride on the big wheel there, which gave us a good look at the city.
Then we headed towards the Museum aan de Stroom, a bit of a walk, but a nice area. Airyen had fallen asleep, so after we made our way to the Station to catch a train back to Brussels.
Getting to Schuman, we exited at a different exit and as a bonus both our phones ran out of juice – so we had to ask directions to get back. So we ended up going back a scenic way by going in the completely wrong direction. We got to a open area with fountains, so Airyen had a great time running around, whilst I got some directional help.
Getting to the apartment we asked the receptionist about going for dinner to the pizza place we had gone the day before. He rang up – no space – wait can open up a space. So we ended up there for dinner.
26th May – Sunday (Gent, Bruges)
After breakfast on this brighter day we headed back to the station at 8.20 and took the train to Brussels Midi and then onto Brugge. We got there around 10.15 to the main station. It was then a walk into town, with droves of other tourists.
Bhavni directed us on a tour (after getting a map), straight to Minnewater where we had some nice views over the foot bridge. Then though the wooded “nunnery” grounds (Ten Wijngaerde) and onto the city center after passing the geese.
We then got straight onto one of the boat tours (it was early so the wait was not yet that long, but the boat was still packed). This was a 45 min trip around the waterways seeing some of the sights. It was quite scenic the commentary was quite nice.
After the boat tour we got some waffles from Chez Albert and had them sitting on the steps near a church. Mmm Chocolate.
Then it was time to head to the main square. It was a busy place with lots of gothic buildings surrounding it, a nice place to take a few pictures – with some film crews doing the same.
It was getting to lunch time – Bhavni suggested to eat at one of the pizza places on the square. We sat down and tried to order a pizza and fries – The waiter basically told us we could not just order that – we had to order 2 mains plus something for Airyen, and when we questioned it – he said quite rudely that it is the bosses decision as its busy (others had just ordered drinks earlier), so then he took the menus and left us. Amazing!
We ended up going to a pizza restaurant 5 minuites walk away (Trattoria Trium), ordering too much, so we had to take some away.
We then walked to the windmills, a good 20 minute walk near the Kruispoort gate. Airyen and I climbed up into one (Sint-Janshuismolen) – steep. We chilled for a bit but there was no real place to sit that we liked, so we headed back but there was a small local park with a playground, where Airyen let of some steam.
After this Airyen fell asleep on the walk back, so we headed into the Choco Story museum where we spent a little while. The museum was ok – not that exceptional though it has chocolate to eat and the rooms with the chocolate models were nice as well as the chocolate making demo. (More to eat)
It was 4.30 and time to head back to the station where we caught the train and stopped in Gent. Bhavni directed us to the correct tram and then we had a tour by her of some of the main sights around the waterfront.
For dinner we went to the “Le Botaniste”, nice food though a bit cafe like. Then we headed back to Brussels and the apartment.
27th May – Monday (Brussels)
After breakfast (including chocolate spread), we left the apartment and walked to the central station, where we got tickets for the hop on hop off bus. We let the first bus go as it was quite full and then got on the next one, sitting at the top in the front. It was a semi open top and some of the seats were wet due to the morning rain.
We were on the Blue route bus which went to the north of Brussels. We went past lanmarks like the Basilica, the Japanese pagoda and the gardens before we arrived at the Atomium where we got of.
Bhavni had to queue to get tickets whilst I sorted out the buggy and Airyen as well as lockers. We then had to join the queue to get in. This led to the lift where we got to the observation area for a look over the city. Then it was through many escalators to different areas where they explained the history of the monument and associated items. There were also led light shows which were quite good.
After emerging, we got ourselves together and then caught the bus (which was heaving) to central Brussels, where we got off near to the shopping areas. After a bit of walking we found a place to eat – Bhavni was in the mood for Japanese style food – so we had some ramen type food. After we went to the square in front of the Grand Palace, before wondering around there having some bits and pieces. We then walked around finding ourselves having waffles and hot chocolate at cafe Dandoy.
We walked around some more to some shops before eventually going to some lookout point. It was nearing dinner time so we reserved a place near a heater for Beats (a Belgium restaurant), before having a wonder around Parc de Bruxelles where Airyen could let off some steam.
We then got back to the restaurant – however they had not reserved a table near the heaters at the restaurant – but as the sun was out we chanced sitting outside. Food was burgers, chips and other small food. Bhavni and Airyen were soon cold – so after they said they did not have gas in the heaters, they ended up with blankets.
After dinner we went back to the apartment and retired for the night.
18th May – Tuesday (Brussels)
We had the morning today, so after breakfast and checking out (leaving the bags at the appartment), we headed to the central station and got onto the red hop on bus, which did central and eastern areas more.
It was quite a rainy start to the day, so again the wet seats, but we sat and saw a lot of the places, such as the the European parliament buildings and the arch, as well the Schuman area. After finishing the bus tour we walked south of the central Park, having a look at the Royal Palace, past the music museum and then down to the flowers at Mont des Arts, where we had waffles and chips at a cafe there.
After a walk around the central area, we then ended up at the EU parliament. There is a museum open to the public (Parlementarium) and we put our stuff in lockers and headed in. It is a history of the EU. Unfortunately this was not the thing for Airyen and he and Bhavni left half way. I managed to power my way through, and met them just a little later.
We had some snacks whilst waiting for the showers to stop, before we went to Park Leopold for a wonder. It was then time to go get the bags from the apartment and catch the train from Kunst-Wet to Midi. We did a little last minuite shopping before checking in the eurostar, which had almost no queue this time.
It was the 5pm train for a couple hours ride to St Pancreas, with Airyen in part entertaining and part causing a ruckus (dinner was on the train with food that Bhavni had cooked at the apartment). We then caught the train to Mill Hill picking up the car then home.