Desiree Koh:
November 1,2008. We arrived in Bruges, Belgium's most popular medieval city, during an uncharacteristically wet weekend, but that only meant more time indoors for a beer or three.
Desiree Koh:
Like Ghent, which I visited this summer, Bruges is a city of canals, built to accommodate flooding as a result of the region being lower than sea level.
Desiree Koh:
We strolled along the Djiver, one of the main thoroughfares along a canal.
Desiree Koh:
In the garden of the Hof Arents, an 18th century mansion that's now a museum (lots in Bruges).
Desiree Koh:
Sculptures of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse stand guard in the garden.
Desiree Koh:
The tiny Bonifatius Bridge, as a boatload of tourists speed under.
Desiree Koh:
Peeping around the corner of medieval mansions, you catch sight of little canal ways which people say are reminiscent of the back alleys of Venice.
Desiree Koh:
As another tourist boat zooms by.
Desiree Koh:
On Mariastraat, where if you're not careful, you'd find yourself entwined in the trappings of Belgian lace souvenir stores.
Desiree Koh:
It began to rain, so we sought shelter in the Halve-Maan Brewery, the only working brouwerij within the Bruges city limit.
Desiree Koh:
The obligatory brewery tour led by the obliging friendly guide cracking the obligatory jokes.
Desiree Koh:
The brouwerij was decorated the way I'd always envisioned my dream office to look like -- with beers from all over the world lined up on every inch of wall space.
Desiree Koh:
The brouwerij opened in 1856 and is currently in its sixth generation of brewing happiness.
Desiree Koh:
My mom loves beer, the stronger and darker, the better.
Desiree Koh:
Belgian chocolate, of course!
Desiree Koh:
We had dinner at Huyze Die Maene, a traditional brasserie in the Bruges Markt. I started with a Bellevue framboise.
Desiree Koh:
Dad began with the Brugs Wit, a local white wheat beer in the lineage of Hoegaarden.
Desiree Koh:
My roast pheasant in cognac cream sauce. Mercy!
Desiree Koh:
Dad's pot of moules in white wine.
Desiree Koh:
Mom's grilled hare filet with croquettes.
Desiree Koh:
To continue, a Westmalle Trappist ale.
Desiree Koh:
The Markt at night, with the statue of Jan Breydel and Pieter de Coninck.
Desiree Koh:
Guardian lion.
Desiree Koh:
The 272-feet-high Belfort, where 366 steps will take you to the top of the tower.
