Belgium- the most underrated country!

On the canals in Bruges

The best part of travelling is meeting people along the way. We have met so many amazing new friends, some were intense, but fleeting moments where we just connected, while standing in a line or on a tour, others were a little more significant, shared a drink or two and had some great conversations, knowing this friendship would last. Our Belgium friends were in this category.What are the odds we would meet two groups of friends while we were travelling in Central America, both from Belgium.

At this point, Belgium was totally not even on our radar, but when we met these wonderful people we thought, "why not?" and a plan was hatched. The boys (I call them the boys but they are both in their late 20's), were up first (I will get to the De Leeuws later). We met Ruben and Joaquim while in Panama (for details see my Bocas del Torre post back in October). Ruban graciously invited us to his home and to show us the town ("the best bar in Belgium!"). We would not be arriving until Friday and had a couple of days to spare so Ruban suggested we head to Brugge (or Bruges) and Ghent. Holy Cow! What an amazing suggestion. Be prepared for a million photos...

The Square in Bruges

The Square in Bruges

The Square in Bruges

Belfry of Bruges

Bruges known as the Venice of the North- is probably the most romantic city I have ever been to- a fairy-tale Medieval town (Europe is full of them, but this one is truly special), with picturesque cobbled streets, a market square, canals, cathedrals, historic churches and best of all- an underground 2 km pipeline to pump beer from the brew house to various bars-the first of its kind! What more could you ask for!

This building is a McDonalds!

Church of Our Lady of Bruges

This church actually claims to have Jesus blood!

This little lake is called Lake of Love-

this is all the beer of Belgium- very impressive! we cant wait to get to Brussels to meet our friends and enjoy many of these:)

After only one night, we left our gorgeous B&B- the Hotel Bryghia (the downside to the popularity of Bruges is, it's quite expensive to stay, we opted for a beautiful small boutique hotel- with breakfast for $157 CAD/night- very steep for us but we decided to splurged and it was lovely), and headed to Ghent. We only had a few hours here but heard the city was worth a visit so decided to stop. Another incredible recommendation... I was very sad we could not see more- we toured around the city centre - old medieval town, and crammed in, as much as our eyes could handle in the short time we were there.

coming around the corner into the city centre- this was our first view- totally jaw dropping

Crazy this random castle was in the middle of things...

We left Ghent, and headed to Brussels to meet our friends Ruban and Joaquim- Ruban's sister and her husband offered to babysit so Johnny and I could have a big night out with the boys. It was so great to reunite. Brussels- another spectacular city- with an amazing nightlife- after we left the girls for the night, we left to meet Joaquim and headed to what Lonely Planet calls, the worlds most beautiful Square-Grand Place, we were totally blown away... (unfortunately no pics from the night but we went back to the square in the day and it was just as impressive). The boys were taking us to a bar called Delirium- with over 2000 beers! Stumbling home at 3:30am, we all had a great night

first date night since December!

The next day (after a rough morning) we went to tour around the beautiful Brussels- visiting all the sites the city had to offer.

After another amazing night (this one a little more low key) with Ruban and his girlfriend Annelien, we had to say good by to the Belgium boys, and our new friends....(hoping they come to Canada to visit us one day!).

We left Brussels to meet the De Leeuws in the small town of Werchter (coincidentally Werchter was having a music festival while we were there with some of the biggest names in the music industry). Now I know you remember the De Leeuws as I have mentioned them often. Another travelling family we have now met in 4 countries, starting with Costa Rica, then Australia, then Thailand, and finally in their home country of Belgium. Amazingly for us, they HAPPENED to be in Belgium during the same time we would be there (they are moving to Switzerland to start a new chapter in their lives), fate was once again on our sides and we were able to  see them one last time on this journey. After an amazing whirlwind of a visit, we were once again saying good bye...this time it was bittersweet as we know, for both of us, this year has come to an end, and it will never be quite the same...

the girls got matching dresses at the fair

Steven and An borrowed a tent for all the kids to sleep it, they had a blast!

I can't believe we didn't get a proper picture...I feel so familiar with them now I didn't even think of it.

This wonderful family has become part of our memories we will share forever and I know our paths will cross again.

Well that was it for Belgium- short and amazingly sweet- we rammed so much in, but I feel like I can honestly say this country is spectacular. I know it may not be on your radar, but give it a chance you will be pleasantly surprised. 

Off to the Netherlands and some good old fashion family time, can't wait!

A Little bit of History-Versailles- Giverny and Normandy

I am not sure if I have mentioned this before but I love everything related to history- becoming a history major in Uni and then eventually a History Teacher (before I became a guidance counsellor I taught History, amoung other things, for many years). In particular I love Canadian, and European history- pretty much all eras. After reading so much about it, I have always wanted to go to Versailles, I went to book the tickets and wouldn't you know it! Closed on Mondays-the only day we had to go. We decided to drive by anyway,and as it turns out you can still walk the gardens, such a shame I could not get in to see the palace, it looked magnificent.

A side view of Versailles one of the many gardens

We left Versailles and headed to Giverny, a village the region of Normandy about 1/2 hour outside Paris. This is where Monet lived and worked from 1883 until his death in 1926 (his tomb is located in the village). Monet's  home and gardens, (where he painted the famous water lily series), are now part of the Claude Monet museum, where you can visit and explore. It is the  prettiest little village and of course visiting Monets' gardens was incredible

You may recall me mentioning a group we met in Thailand back in February. They were from France and all retired history teachers. We ended up chatting to them all day and eventually sharing emails. After hearing about our plans to journey to Northern France, the lovely Beatrice invited us to her home in Normandy, to the small town of Eu. 

Beatrice's gorgeous home, that she invited us to

Eu is the prettiest little town with a bona fide castle (Queen Victoria would often visit) old cathedral and is the home to a Canadian historical figure Jean de Brebuf (he was a Jesuit missionary who left France to work with the first Nations in Canada).

Chateaux D'Eu (William the conqueror was married in the chapel her in 1050)

Chapel of the Jesuits

We had no idea what to expect, (and not wanting to out stay our welcome). Our hosts went above and beyond and we ended up staying for 4 days! We reunited with Annie and her husband Guy and met a new family, who had a daughter Pauline (Livy may do an exchange with her in the next couple of years). We spent the next few days touring around the lovely little villages all around Northern Normandy, being shown the best of French hospitality, (I honestly put on 5 lbs...omg the cheese!). Visiting Ault (this is where the cliffs begin) and the picturesque villiage-Plage du Bois de Cise, and my favourite Mers-Les- Bains

Ault

This beautiful seaside town Mers-Les- Bains was spared from the bombs- the neighbouring town got pummeled

Mers de Bains

overlooking Plage du Boise de Cise

The next morning we started our WW2  pilgrimage, unfortunately we did not go to the D -Day beaches (Juno is the beach the Canadians conquered) it was just to far south to make the drive, but we were able to visit so many historical sites, including Dieppe the Canadian Memorial and a Canadian cemetery. What a very powerful, humbling and emotional day, 

Puys Beach- One of the beaches from operation Jubilee , just east of Dieppe- so many young men died here...what a sad shame...

On a plaque

the beach was just littered with soldiers that day

So very sad walking around where so many died

Seeing the cliffs in person you can see why the Canadians never stood a chance

We left Puys beach and headed to the Canadian Cemetary- stopping at a view of the beautiful town of Dieppe

Dieppe

The Dieppe Canadian war Cemetary has 1000 canadian soldiers who were killed during operation Jubilee. France has given the land to Canada, officially we were standing on Canadian soil.

Better then any classroom....the girls asked so many questions...

reading the tombstones, most of the men were 18 and 19

The Museum in Dieppe, very small but so great

the cathedral in Dieppe

We could not have had a better time with our new friends in Normandy. We all loved it so much (Liv has declared it her favourite place and wants to move here when she is older, I think it helps that she speaks French). We left early so we could see Vimy Ridge on our way to Beligium.
I did not know much about Vimy Ridge, however they have an amazing new Visitor Education Centre next to the memorial. Well worth the stop,  very kid friendly, we all learned to much.Once again, very emotional and so sad

this was another cemetery from WW1- it was unbelievable to see how many crosses there were

The visitor centre at Vimy Ridge

The trenches have been restored and you can walk through the original paths

France gave this land to Canada as a thank you and in memory of the fallen soldiers, so once again we were technically on Canadian soil

The memorial in the distance

Vimy Ridge Memorial- so impressive up close

We left Northern France with our hearts (and stomachs) full. I think we were all moved in our own ways (even Anneka through her young eyes understood the significance), with the help of our hosts, Normandy was one of the most special times for me on this journey. Every Canadian should make the trip to Northern France and experience this part of our history. 

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