Smallest town on earth..really?

There is nothing so petite about the town claiming to be the smallest ville on earth. Tucked away inside the Ardennes forest, this quaint town has enough charm and character to match any mighty tourist city.

Durbuy was listed as one of the twenty must see locations in the Visit Belgium website. I wondered what was so special about this small town to make it a must-see location.

The drive from Brussels to Durbuy was superb with fantastic views of the Belgian countryside. As we neared the Ardennes, the farmland gave way to towering cliffs and dense vegetation.

The last stretch of road leading to Durbuy was tiny with the lane narrowing and bending at sharp angles. Alas, the sight of Durbuy before us was breathtakingly beautiful.
Durbuy had the look of a town right out of the Middle ages. The Chateau, uneven cobbled streets, little rugged caves and the rocky hillocks surrounding the town made it seem as though time stood still. The Ourthe river was visible from every nook of the town.
It was clear that tourism was big in Durbuy. Hotels and restaurants could be seen everywhere. The tourist train was doing rounds through the streets. Mothers with strollers trotted about in the nearby topiary. The cafes were packed with tourists on a weekend break. I figured that trekking and adventure sports were also a hit with so many dirt bikes parked in and around the town.
My favourite place was the St. Amour Confiture shop, the outlet of the neighbourhood jammery. The shelves were lined with a variety of jams (onion, fig, orange, lemon, strawbery, raspberry, myrtilles, rose and so much more), syrops, special Durbuy beer, chocolates etc.
I wished I could sample everything in the shop as I had never ever seen such a collection of jams and jellies. I finally left with the jam of figs, roses and some chocolates.

Frank had to drag me away from this jammy paradise. I promised myself that I would be back..but this time to relax for a few days in one of the many hotels.

Right on Track: The Belgian Grand Prix

Watching the Belgian Grand Prix from the VIP gallery of Ferrari was a dream come true for my husband Frank. The outcome of the race was even more sensational with Ferrari winning the title and the Force India team clinching a podium finish.
I have seen the Spa-Francochamps circuit while on a leisure trip to Spa a couple of years ago (Read -- There is a place called Spa!!).It looked as if perched in the middle of nowhere from the rugged TEC bus we were in. We were not impressed with Spa then but this time Frank was clearly on top of the moon.

He was babbling out of excitement in being able to watch the F1 from the red VIP stand, the home of the most prestigious F1 team. He kept stressing that the babes in the adjoining Martini stalls were gorgeous much to my amusement. The guests in the F1 Ferrari club wined and dined in style while watching the race. Champagne and wine to tease the appetite and platters of skewered prawns, lamp chops, beef brochettes, grilled monk fish and much more to add to the luxury.
Frank was taken aback by the preparations that go into making an F1 race a success. The car as well as the driver need to be maintained to the minutest level possible. The tyres have to be kept in a temperature controlled environment. The engineers and mecanics have to be on alert throughout the race. There are so many similar nuances to be kept in perspective such as the fuel levels, weight of the car, engine technology and not to mention, the physique of the driver.
(Photographs Courtesy - Mr. Philippe Bogaert)
With all this planning and detailing, it might seem as though F1 is a precision-driven sport. On the other side, the huge budgets and extravaganza make it more of entertainment.

So here is the million dollar question: Is this a sport showcasing skills and technology? Or else is this some form of gas guzzling, cash crunching entertainment?? I guess the debate will just never end...

These are a few of my favourite spots...

I'm nearing three years of stay in Belgium. During this time, I've visited some interesting tourist sites in and around the country.

I loved the places that I visited. Some were more memorable than the other but they all helped me understand European life a little more.

I'm listing down some of the best places I visited in Europe starting with the best liked and down the pecking order...

1. Amsterdam (Wednesday in Amsterdam)

Nothing beats Amsterdam in terms of excitement, culture and tolerance. An hour long cruise down the winding canals showcases the true beauty of the city - rows of canal houses with hooks on the top facade, crown shaped church spiral, museums of every kind, Anne Frank house, Nemo, floating pagoda restaurant and the list goes on.

A walk through the red-light district and a visit to the Sex museum near the railway station will touch upon the well known tolerance of the city. A rare sight for those from the East where it is a taboo to even mention the subject.

2. Maastrict (Destination Maastrict)

I can still feel the uneven, cobbled streets and the gentle breeze from River Muese (Maas) when I think about Maastrict. I huffed and puffed while I climbed up the spiralling stairs to the St. Jean's church belfry. St. Servatius basilica ranks as one of the most glorious monuments I have ever seen in my life.

3. Rotterdam (Rotterdam - A Taste of Modernity)

Modern yet an amazingly refreshing city - the highlights being the Erasmus brigdge, the harbour, Euromast, Speedo boat and ofcourse, the Pancake cruise.

4. Paris (It's the season to be jolly)

Well, Paris is just Paris - a tourist paradise which cannot be described.

5. Dinant (Charming Dinant)

Dinant is charming town bordering the River Muese with a towering citadel and world war bunkers. The cruise through the river reveals the scenic beauty of the town.

6. Belgian Coast (Oostende / Knokke / Blankenberge)

We took a ride on the tram that chugs along the coast and it was well worth the trouble. But what surprised me most was the Atlantic wall with its underground war bunkers - a testament to German ingenuity.

7. Keukenhof (The Keukenhof Experience)

Fields of tulips in all colours lined the road leading to the gardens as if welcoming us. It felt heavenly inside with flowers of every kind and shape. Swans quietly glided away in the green- tinged waters nearby. I have never seen any other place nearly as beautiful and well kept as the tulip gardens of Keukenhof

8. Grand Place (Of Moules Frites, Escargots & Waffles)

I pop into the crowded Brussels city centre once in a while on a sunny day or during christmas . The golden gilted guild houses, artists sketching away, chocolate fountains, waffles and ice cream shops are all huddled together in the vicinity.

Toss in a generous helping of street artists (some smeared with shiny silver paste and others with musical instruments), vendors selling hot wine or snail soup, and the small statue of a boy pissing (mannequin pis) - and you have Grand Place in all its splendour.

9. Bruges

A little bit of the medieval era in Belgium - ideal for kindling a quick romance and for the lovely canal ride.

10. Atomium & Mini Europe (Hallmark of Brussels)

The huge steel balls suspended in air can be seen from many places around Brussels. Mini Europe, the park with miniature European monuments, took a long time to visit. Neverthless, the trip was informative with the interactive exhibits.

So, these are a few of my favourite places that I would love to visit yet again!!

Maasmechelen Shopping Village - for the shopoholic in you!!

If you can't get enough of rue neuve in Brussels, head out to Maasmechelen shopping village in Limburg. The brands you dream of are lined up all ready for you to gobble up in this shopper's paradise.

It's a chic place to hang out and do some window shopping if you can ward of the temptation to own some of the best brands in the business.

We took a trip to Maasmechelen out of curiosity...but ended up buying some things as well. The atmosphere is leisurely compared to the other shopping centres.

Cafes, well-designed company outlets and the village feel will make you want to stick around. It is sale time in Maasmechelen at this time of the year and most of the coveted items are flying off the racks.

I couldn't help thinking if recession is still a reality while looking at the crowds swarming into the outlets. Ahh...we all want a piece of the luxuary pie and who cares about the depth of our pockets??

Maasmechelen is a good place to relax as it is very close to Belgium. The shopping experience is better than the crowded city shops. The cafes serve amazing food including some of the best traditional fare.

We wrapped up the trip with a few scoops of icecream from the corner shop in the shopping village. The icecream flavours tasted authentic than artificial.

I mean mint and melon tasted just like the real stuff. Now, that is a wonderful way to end one of those rare sunny, summer days in Belgium.

The photos speak for themselves...the countryside..the brands..shopping and the architecture!!

Time flies by...

Ahh...Its lovely to see the mercury rising in Belgium today.. I took a walk with the baby and went to the nearby park. As usual, I sat down and thought..thought...and thought about the month long vacation that flew by.

To be honest, this vacation to home in India was a chaotic mixture of good times and bad times. I felt so distant and disconnected from reality all throughtout. Strangely enough, I was so out of place in the country I called home.

People changed..places changed shape..new buildings and crowded streets were too much to bear with the humid atmosphere. Yet, it was comforting to meet family and friends and have the baby's baptism ceremony done.

We flew on Etihad airways (round trip) from Brussels to Cochin (Kerala, India) via Abudhabi. While the Brussels-Abudhabi flights were super comfortable and classy, I can't say the same about the Abudhabi-Cochin trips.

The aircraft was smaller and dingy for the Cochin flight. The waiting area of the Abudhabi airport for this flight was cramped and overflowing with people.

As for the food factor, I would say Etihad serves above average meals - menu card with three choices.

I can't forget the frenzied swine flu checking at Cochin International Airport. A hall full of people from the morning international flights were waiting to submit a declaration stating that they didn't have swine flu...

There were no temperature checks (not even manual) or body heat sensing cameras...just filling up the form and waiting (about 3 hours) in an endless line right out of long haul flights from around the world...beaurocracy at its best...

During the no swineflu declaration submission, I felt funny (as though anyone would willingly declare/diagnose that they have swineflu) and frustrated (imagine waiting with a baby battling the above 30 C temperatures for the first time in his life).

But I must give credit to the medical personnel at Abudhabi airport - they were using heat sensing cameras and screening all the passengers coming out of the flights...At least somebody knows what to do!!

Living on the Edge - The Dangerous Art of Train Hopping

I was incredibly sad to read about the train guard who lost his limbs in a tragic train accident last week. As someone who travelled daily by Belgian rail the past year, I can relate to what must have happened.

It seems that an elderly passenger tried to board the train through the train guard's door just as the train was about to leave. In the aftermath, both the passenger and the train guard were injured.

All passenger doors close when the train is about to leave except for the train guard's door. The train guard then keys in the signal and boards the train.

I used to see this ritual repeat at every station. As a result, I was aware that the only door open incase I was late was the train guard's door.

I had to brave the Brussels city traffic and road repairs on my way to the Brussels Central station. The race to get to office on time brought on an maddening adrenalin rush.

The thought of my Boss noticing the constant late arrivals to office made me jittery and ready to take risks. I had already given all the possible excuses like rush hour traffic, road construction, train cancellation / delay, sickness and so on...

Almost always the train was already on the platform as I arrived. One quick glance at the train notice board, and I would scoot off to the platform to board the train.

I would then search frantically for the open door at the train guard's end. A swift entry into the train and I was guarenteed a comfortable journey to office in time.

I was very late once and tried to board through the guard's door. The lady train guard flailed her arms in despair and stopped me from entering. I was very angry at her as I was hopelessly late for office. I now realize that she was only doing her duty and following the safety protocol.

Jumping into trains is routine in Mumbai where the local trains are the lifeline of the city. I was one among the masses who depended on the local trains to commute to work once upon a time.

Mumbai local trains stop only for a few seconds in a station. The crowd presses in and out of the compartments and accidents are common. It is downright dangerous to travel on Mumbai locals for those not familiar with the peculiarities of this mode of transport.

Belgian trains are many times more safer in comparison. It is only common sense to not hop into a train almost ready to leave through the guard's door. Unfortunately, in these stressful times, common sense is very uncommon.

Rotterdam - A Taste of Modernity

Most of the European cities I have seen have an element of history written in their architecture and layout. The buildings are centuries old but painstakingly restored and modernized so as to retain their character.

Rotterdam is exceptional in this regard with its strikingly modern architecture. I hear this is because Rotterdam was heavily bombed during World War II forcing the city to be rebuilt completely in an updated style. As the largest port in Europe, Rotterdam is a significant part of commerce and trade in Europe.
The Euromast tower dominates the skyline of Rotterdam.  I saw adventurous tourists trying to climb this tower with ropes (not an activity for the fickle-minded).  From below the tower, these daredevils looked like beads strung on a rope.
From the riverside, we can see ships anchored on the port offloading after the long journey.  

Another interesting sight is the Spido boat taking tourists around for a view of the harbor.  We could see many Spido boats going back and forth but we chose to take a cruise on the Pancake boat instead.
The Erasmus bridge is another modern feature of the Rotterdam skyline.  We went under this bridge while on the Pancake cruise.
This picture was clicked while we waited at a signal.  The road in the front opened up to allow the boat to pass.  I got out of the car to watch the bridge open slowly and took this snap.

The buildings in Rotterdam reflect the ultra-modern and sleek architechture of Europe.  Rotterdam is also famous for cube houses...well they are houses shaped like cubes. 

We also drove around the old part of Rotterdam harbour.  It looked like a marina full of private boats.
The "Pancake Cruise"was the highlight of our trip to Rotterdam.  For a fee of 12 Euros per person, one can have a hour long cruise and eat as many pancakes as you wish with a myriad of toppings.  The toppings range from the obvious maple syrup, honey, sugar etc. to eggs, bacon, fresh fruits and cream.

Unfortunately, we did not book tickets in advance (via the internet) like the many people who turned up for the cruise.  We bought tickets on the spot after the reserved passengers boarded.

The lower deck is most sought after since the pancakes are made and served there.  We were on the upper deck since we got our tickets later.  The view from the upper deck was fantastic but we had to go down to the lower deck to get our share of pancakes and toppings.

 
There are boats plying on the river in yellow and black (standard taxi colours).  These are water taxis ferrying passengers within the city... yet another mode of transport unique to Rotterdam.  

By dusk, we noticed the decorated boats gearing up for the day's evening cruise.  I remember that there was a floating Chinese pagoda restaurant anchored closed to the Euromast tower.

Rotterdam is an excellant example of the the versatility of Europe with its  high-rise buildings, cube houses, amazing port facilities, ships, boats, water-taxis, floating restaurants, the Erasmus bridge and the Euromast tower. 

We took some time to take a promenade along the harbour to catch the refreshing breeze.   At the end of the day, I was glad to be able to visit this great city.      

"Den Haag" or The Hague - Seat of the International Court of Justice

"Den Haag"(The Hague) has a reputation for being very international owing to the many institutions located there. The city is always in the news in connection with the International Court of Justice or International Criminal Court.

While in Hague, I realized that the international nature of Hague was different from that of Amsterdam. Amsterdam is exciting, highly touristy and inviting. In stark contrast, The Hague is a sleepy town without the toursitic pomp of Amsterdam.

We reached Hague after a few hours drive from Brussels. We fumbled a bit on finding the entry point to the city from the highway. We got some brochures outlining the attractions in Hague from the tourist office.

We walked around the city for sometime observing the architecture and lifestyle in Hague. It looked like a cosmopolitan city with many expatriates in town for work purposes (not for tourism).


In the centre of the town, there was an enclosure with sand sculptures of the buildings in Hague...nothing spectacular but interesting indeed.


The Dutch government buildings are based in The Hague although Amsterdam is the official capital. This complex of buildings, called Biennhof, houses the Parliament and the Prime-Minister's office of Netherlands.

The Government complex had an ancient castle-like look with beautiful architecture and canals all around.


The fountain in the inner compound of the complex had lovely carvings of golden colour.

I found The Hague to be only mildly interesting as I didn't feel that there was much to see there compared to all the media attention the place gets.

However, I must say that the architechture is impressive and the city is green and picturesque. The tram lines cris-cross the old and cobbled streets lined with cafes. This gives Den Haag the feel of a picnic spot rather than that of a genuine tourist destination.

Once Upon a Time...

It's been a long time (over a year or so) since I have blogged. There are good reasons for this long break from writing.

The year 2008 was very hectic for me on a personal and professional level. After the chaos and mayhem of the previous year, I am back to my relaxed pace of life in Brussels. I thought it would be interesting to put down a few lines about the year gone by.

Although last year was quite tough, it was also a year of many milestones. I completed the assignment at work. The assignment that got was open-ended...meaning I had to create protocols and patterns from scratch. It was a role-based assignment requiring a lot of patience and creativity. I lost my cool at times during the the ups and downs of the assignment...but in the end I am satisfied with the results.

I also completed my evening French course. It was difficult to manage the classes, work and the travel all together. I didn't get so much time to study for the many tests but I managed to pass and scrape through the level.

On the personal front, I had an absolutely wonderful time. I got my first baby a couple of months ago. I am thrilled and overjoyed to have this handsome baby boy in my life. I am currently revelling in the joys that only motherhood can bring.

Frank and I managed to squeeze in a bit of travel during the weekends or holidays the past year. We visited the historic "Den Haag" (The Hague),ultra-modern Rotterdam and the charming Tournai.

So here it is - a short summation of all that happened during this long break from blogging. As always, I will update the blog with a little more details about the places we visited in 2008!!

Knokke - A Belgian Seaside Resort!!

Sunny days are never be wasted in Belgium. I mean temperatures around 22 to 26 degrees when I say sunny weather in Belgium.

Fortunately for us, this weather coincided with the long weekend. We decided to explore the coastal resort of Knokke during the holidays.

As a seaside resort, the main attraction of Knokke are its pleasant beaches. I felt as though all of Belgium had flocked to the coast to enjoy the sun.

Belgians bare it all and take to very little clothing during these rare sunny days. Knokke was no exception and was teaming with people enjoying the sun.

The Butterfly Museum in Knokke looked very ordinary from outside. We were taken aback by the recreation of tropical atmosphere inside. Butterflies of all colours fluttered around as though in it's natural surroundings.

It was an amazing sight to yet again see natural beauty in its purest form.

Knokke is also known for the Zwin nature reserve. This preserved area is exceptional as it is the resting ground for a variety of birds.

This coastal town is yet another example of the beauty of the Belgian coast. It is surprising that a tiny country such as Belgium can offer such a wide range of tourist spots.

Days of Our Lives - The Keukenhof Experience

The great advantage of being based in Belgium is the ability to travel to nearly all European countries with ease. I feel lucky to be able to visit so many countries and attractions within a short span of time.

I visited Keukenhof, dubbed "the most beautiful spring garden in the world", a week ago. I was mesmerized by the flowers, colours and the natural beauty of the garden.

The famed Keukenhof gardens are located in Holland, a country known for tulips. The two hour drive from Brussels to Keukenhof is an interesting experience.

While nearing Keukenhof, the winding country roads are lined with tulip fields on either side. This is a very charming preview to the beautiful gardens.

Since this garden is only open during a month, there is an enormous inflow of visitors everyday. To make matters worse, we went to Keukenhof on a public holiday.

As expected, there was a crowd but we were able to enter fast because we purchased our tickets online.

What I saw in Keukenhof is an unbelievable display of tulips in different colours. The landscapingis picture-perfect with an interspersing of water, trees, greenery, tulips and other flowers.

For the few hours I spent in the garden, I felt as though I reached paradise. It was heavenly... Only nature could bring forth such a riot of colours.

A picture speaks a thousand words. You can experience the magic of Keukenhof through these images...

I saw tulips in different colours, shapes and sizes all around Keukenhof garden.

The narrow, stone-paved pathways in the garden are lined with tulips.

The tulip fields outside the garden are amazing...an ideal background for personal portraits :)

This lovely white swan swam by us while we relaxed near the vast pond inside the garden. Just check out the clear green water... almost too difficult to believe that it's for real.

The costumed actors strutting about add to the old world charm of Keukenhof.

I am delighted to have visited this world famous spring gardens. It is an ideal and enjoyable weekend destination.

Its the season to be jolly...

It has been a long time since I have updated my blog. There was just too many events going on that I simply could not devote any time or make an effort towards another post.

Christmas was an exceptional time in Brussels. The city was decorated with lights, bows, bells, trees, holly wreaths and stockings. Grand Place was fully lit complete with the Christmas tree and the manger (with real sheep inside!!).

We also made some quick visits to Antwerp, Amsterdam and Paris during the holiday season. It was very chilly (temperature hovering around 0 degrees C) during our visit to Antwerp and Amsterdam.

Paris trip was really memorable since the weather was also quite favourable (10 degrees C) and because it is Paris!! We took the open tours sightseeing bus for the whole day and went around the city. This gave us the freedom to "hop-on" and "hop-off" as per our needs in different parts of the city.

During school years, my French teacher used to show us a glossy books with pictures of famous Paris landmarks and explain each location in detail. At that time, Paris was tucked away in another corner of the world only to be seen and heard through books and videos in French class.

I remembered each of these locations when I went around the city this time. The song Madame taught us in school O Champs-Elysees was buzzing in my head as we criss-crossed this famous avenue bordering the river Seine.

The other locations like Arc de Triomphe, Place de la Concorde, Tour Eiffel and the Louvre looked picture perfect even on a hazy winter day.

We stopped by the famous Notre Dame Cathedral immortalized by Victor Hugo in his work The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The cathedral attracts droves of tourists everyday. The gargoyles, ornate ceilings, picture panels, paintings, sculptures, decorated altar pieces and the sheer enormity of the structure is captivating.

Paris looked even more lively after sunset. The buildings, boutiques, bars, discs were all fully lighted making it truly a City of Lights.

I did not feel the distance between Brussels and Paris on board the high speed train Thalys. It was a smooth 85 minutes train ride between the two cities.

My liking for this city extends to the French language also. I am beginning another course in French the coming month. I believe that this language is as poetic, romantic and beautiful as the capital city of France.

Reubens - The Master Comes to Town...

Place Royale (Royal Square) is the most sought after location in Brussels by those who want a touch of the culture of Belgium. This location is the central part of the Royal Palace of Brussels.

The gigantic, columned buildings speak volumes of the position of the royalty in Belgian history. Besides the royal buildings, there are churches, vast greenery and the supreme court, all located close to the Place Royal.

Most of the buildings that formed the royal complex are now museums or office buildings. The square is usually teeming with people moving in an out of offices or camera-toting tourists.

This year is called 'the Year of Europe in Brussels' in commemoration of the establishment of the European Union headquartered in this city. There are numerous shows and exhibitions in Brussels to celebrate this momentous occasion.

The Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Brussels brought together a wonderful collection of paintings by the dutch master Reubens. The museum already had about fifty paintings done by Reubens or by his studio in Antwerp. In addition, other works by the master were brought from celebrated museums around the world like the Louvre (Paris), the Prado (Madrid) and the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York).

I took a course in art history during my school days. This gave me a slight overview of the painting styles of artists around the world.

I couldn't resist this chance to discover Reubens' artistic genius on the basis of nearly one hundred and twenty works. It was a rare opportunity to experience all that I heard and learned about this dutch painter.

Most of Reubens' paintings were commissioned by churches or monasteries. Therefore, many had biblical themes and subjects. He is also known for decorating the ceiling of Antwerp cathedral.
Some of his paintings depict greek mythical characters. One of the works on display was a huge tapestry (or wall hanging) portraying the triumph of the catholic faith.

Reubens' paintings feature full-figured, voluptuous women. This style, called 'Reubenesque', shows plump (but not fat) figures in a graceful pose.

The visitors can examine the life sized portraits and paintings and hear commentaries using the audio guide. They are also given leaflets explaining the significant works on display.

I loved being at this exhibition because this gave me an opportunity to enjoy the mastery of Reubens. I felt so lucky to be able to see world renowned paintings done by a genius that I had only known through texts and prints so far.