raleighsheffield:
Bruges/Brugge
raleighsheffield:
This was truly an international breakfast on board the high speed(186 mph) Amsterdam to Brussels train. I was served in the Netherlands and finish the ample meal in Belgium. I changed trains at Brussels for the one hour ride to Bruges
raleighsheffield:
Welcome to Bruges(Dutch) or Brugge(French). The city is in the Flemish Dutch speaking region of Belgium. Though Belgium is a small country it has three official languages, Dutch in the north, French in the southern Wallonia area and German in the east
raleighsheffield:
Early medieval habitation started in the 9th and 10th century. Bruges received its city charter in July 1128. Trade was an important to the city being at the crossroads of two trade routes
raleighsheffield:
The city became a top world tourist destination in the last half of the 19th century. Bruges escaped the damage of WWI and WWII and after 1965 restorations of residential and commercial structures generated another surge in tourism
raleighsheffield:
This is the Belfry on Market Square. Original construction dates to 1240. At one time it served as the treasury and archives for the city. It is 83 meters high. By now I know you have mastered the metric system and don't need to know that is 272 feet
raleighsheffield:
These shops are opposite the Belfry on Market Squate
raleighsheffield:
The preserved medieval part of Bruges is quite large, much more so than the other medieval town I visited, Rothenburg, Germany. About 10,000 live in the old section of Bruges but the metro area exceeds 220,000 inhabitants.
raleighsheffield:
You may recall I've complained about the lack of "American" coffee during this trip. Found this sign on my walk about the town. I really should have stopped and tried it but it was getting hot and a beer seemed more appropriate at the time, of course
raleighsheffield:
I thought this merchant had a good marketing idea. Something for the ladies and something for the guys. "Hey dear, let's go in for a bee, err, some chocolate"
raleighsheffield:
And that's exactly what I did at an enticing chocolate shop. About 75 cents for one small piece
raleighsheffield:
It was worth the price. Yum!
raleighsheffield:
Church of Our Lady was built during the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries. It is the second tallest brick church tower in the world at 115.5 meters
raleighsheffield:
For those still trying to master the metric system, that is just a hair shy of 379 feet
raleighsheffield:
Enlarge on your tablet or smartphone to see the workmanship of this brick tower
raleighsheffield:
Burg Square is an architectural pleasure being surrounded by the 14th century city hall, the Basilica of the Holy Blood and the former Civil Register building
raleighsheffield:
Selfie time in the square
raleighsheffield:
Bruges was once important as a trade center and access to the Atlantic Ocean. As such it still has a number of canals making for some lovely views
raleighsheffield:
You like?
raleighsheffield:
It just gets prettier
raleighsheffield:
Peaceful
raleighsheffield:
Didn't want to leave but needed to eat a bite and catch what else?....a train. Found a little restaurant that served Europe's most popular meal.........
raleighsheffield:
Of course, it's a pizza!
raleighsheffield:
Would liked to have stopped at this park but the train beckoned. Three more trains and I'm in Paris.
raleighsheffield:
Two short train rides for an hour and 45 min and I'll be in Lilli, France. Here we are leaving Bruges
raleighsheffield:
Even though this train only operated about 40 miles it had a first class coach. I was the only one in the car. At least I had no tourists to contend with!
raleighsheffield:
After a change of trains and after a quick 40 minutes, I arrived in Lilli, France for my last train of my trip. The TGV(Train a Grande Vitesse) high speed train would wisk me to Paris in just a little over an hour. Goodbye Belgium, enjoyed all 7 hours