Hotel Viking Oostende

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I gave the horrible strawberry beer back to the waiter and asked for the Muscat beer, it only came in a 750ml bottle so Witek agreed to share it with me. It was also quite expensive compared to the other beers, probably about double. We called it another birthday present J

They bought out the bottle and it was in a kind of champagne bottle so I thought that was a good sign. He popped the cork and we poured each other a glass and took a sniff. It smelled scarily like the ...

Spent Tuesday in Brussels, first going to the Grand Place..the place where everyone goes. To be honest, I didn't notice a lot of other things to do in Brussels. I decided not to go the Atomium since it was farther afield. First thing in the Grand Place I did was get me some breakfast. Crossant, coffee, juice and a big omelet. Breakfast came to about $35. That’s what I get for eating in the most touristy trap in Brussels, but it put me ...

We got up early on Saturday morning, took advantage of the free breakfast at the hostel, and then boarded a train to Bruges, Belgium, which is about 45 minutes away from Brussels. I was really excited to go, because I've seen the movie In Bruges, and the architecture was supposed to be gorgeous. And let me tell you, that movie was not filmed on a green screen – the town was delightful. It was a quaint, quintessential European town – lots of ...

... I have seen since being here. I'm wishing now that we had ventured inside, but our time there was very short. We will just have to travel there again in the future.


After leaving Cologne we arrived in Brussels, Belgium and took the subway to the area of town where our bed and breakfast was located. After a little confusion, due to an absence of any sort of sign or marking of the building, we found the B and B and we ...

... a carillon concert which happens every Sunday at 2pm and they play Greensleeves, Danny Boy and a Bach symphony. When we reached the top of the tower, Katelyn said, I hope the bells don't ring and in the next second they did, very loudly.

We packed our bags as we were leaving for Amsterdam the next day. I loved Bruges but because Greg hadn’t felt well, we hadn’t done anything outside of Bruges and it had been pretty relaxing compared to London.

... none of the flavours were labelled in the shop and there was no description sheet. I also had to take photos of the rude chocolate in the windows (only in Belgium???). I couldn’t believe how many more people there were in town for the weekend.

I met up with Greg and the girls for lunch which actually consisted of another pastry from our favourite patisserie!!! This time I had a mango and raspberry ...

... The praline was really nice- you can buy it by the bucket from suppliers, I had resisted because of the quantity you have to buy, but it was so nice that I may have to change my mind.

Up until now, I had been really eating healthily and with all of the walking, had actually started to lose weight, and then we found a place that has led to my undoing. Yes, it was a patisserie with the European pastries that I have craved. I had a fruit tart which was divine.

That ...

... to expulse alcohol from your blood without too much danger for the general population. Killian is fond of them for sure as is any kids. He made 2 new girlfriends, definitely older than him (9) but he was not paying attention to those details and had good fun with Manon and Soda. They even invented a game with stones that he promised to teach to his ...

... before so it was pretty cool. It was a good deal at 5 Euros when you factor in the included beer at the end. The tour guide was very good - knowing I was from Calgary she asked me if I noticed the Grasshopper and Big Rock beer cans on display. I stopped by the Begijnhof on the way to the train station. Its courtyard is kind of neat - very tranquil, but it was nothing special. Still, it's a worth a quick visit. Off to Ostend ...

... made out way to Antwerp the fashion capital of the Flemish state. We emersed ourselves in the Diamond district, had a most delicious dinner and watched a fashion show in the train station. I am now back in Leuven and very happy. Orientation starts on Wednesday and I'm excited to meet people. I'll continue to keep you all posted but please let me know what's going on with you. You can email me at djospe@gmail.com and as long as I like you I'll respond. MISS YOU ALL