Day5 - The World's capital of Chocolate?

We started out thinking we'd hit the monasteries and find the monks (and their beer).  That plan soon changed when we got up at 8:15 and found out it was more than 2 hours away and not real straight forward (train, then several bus transfers..)

We decided to take a trip to Bruges.   It is known as the "the little Venice of the North", because of its canals.  All we could say was WOW!  This was a great city, so much to see, so much to do.   This town has been around since Julius Caesar and started to grow up in the 12th century!  Everything about it was charming to say the least.  It was also only a 1 hour train ride from Brussels.

We took in all the history, ate at a great Italian bistro outside,  and rode the horse drawn carriage on a 30 minute tour that was narrated by a local Flemish gal who was also driving (well at least steering the horse)...There were old buildings, huge churches and beautiful canals streaming thru the town.  It was like we were thrown back into time.    Or course there were plenty of chocolatiers and little shops to take in as well.   We got our fill of chocolate (just for today of course), and we had to try the local brewery (De Halve Maan) where they also give tours of their beer making, but we weren't quite there in time (oh well, next time)..

Random Thoughts:

1) Does EVERYONE smoke in Europe?
2) The bathrooms are spotless everywhere we go
3) Oh I forgot this one (they charge to go into the bathroom in most towns)
4) Bathrooms are called Water Closets (WC) - and some are actually a door into the wall like a closet
5) This hotel in Brussels is AWESOME!  More on that later....

Another prefect day!!!

Pictures to follow...

https://picasaweb.google.com/112902688959282032432/Day5TheWorldSCapitalOfChocolate?authkey=Gv1sRgCMaYuYzQssmGMg&feat=directlink