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Europe cycling
  • Maree Crawford
  • Maree Crawford

Europe cycling

Belgium then Amsterdam to Copenhagen by bicycle, then Denmark. Leggi altro
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  • Inizio del viaggio
    1 luglio 2024
  • Maree CrawfordEurope cyclingViaggiatore

    Exploring Doha airport

    2 luglio 2024, Australia ⋅ ⛅ 3 °C

    The flight wasn't too bad, actually. Had an empty seat beside me so I didn't feel cramped.
    Got a wee bit of sleep.
    The Doha airport is an adventure in itself.
    Got a seated back, shoulder massage. Loosened me up nicely.

    Waited 4 hours to be told "due to technical issues" we will be delayed a few hours but then they decided to go anyway. Still an hour late.

    I had my whole row to myself this time. Laid down for a snooze after watching a movie.

    Landed, got through customs quickly and caught the airport train into Brussels Central. The train station is right under arrivals, it's set up just like Sydney airport train.

    Walked 50 metres to my home for the next 4 days, 9Hotel it's called. Nice and a bit funky. I'll try and stay awake until a proper bedtime.    Leggi altro

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  • Maree CrawfordEurope cyclingViaggiatore
    The HOHO bus is a To-oT bus here.
    Off on an adventure with my travelling mate, Miss MoomanThe CanalThat's a cocoa bean apparently, for their chocolateGrass in their tram tracks1The Royal residence in Brussels, gold plated on gatesSeasonal soup for lunch, great on a rainy dayUsing coloured cobblestones for their pedestrian crossing1

    Hop on hop off bus day

    3 luglio 2024, Belgio ⋅ 🌧 13 °C

    As always, a day on the HOHO bus is well spent.
    Where's the European summer? It's cold and wet!! So a good day to be on a bus and going into buildings. Glad I brought my rain jacket.

    Typical European city. Old buildings with new. Long grass in streets. Lots of statues, a few churches. There seems to be a few statues with a bit of gold-plated which is a bit different from other Western European cities.Leggi altro

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  • Maree CrawfordEurope cyclingViaggiatore
    1
    1111Light show up the steep escalator to a pod1Puts out time capsule of 50 years to shame!!1Apparently the Smurfs are Belgian

    The Atomium

    3 luglio 2024, Belgio ⋅ 🌧 13 °C

    One of the hop off stops is the Atomium. It's Brussels major tourist attraction. Built for an Expo in the 50's, it's quite an engineering feat, now housing and exhibition about the building of it and the expo, plus a light show in 2 of the pods.

    Panoramic view of the city and a restaurant at the top.    Leggi altro

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  • Maree CrawfordEurope cyclingViaggiatore
    English, the 4th language
    No German hereEnglish, French, Dutch

    Language

    3 luglio 2024, Belgio ⋅ 🌧 13 °C

    There are 3 official national languages, French, Dutch and German .

    Dutch in Flanders (north , close to Netherlands), French in Wallonia, (south, close to France), German in a small area somewhere close to Germany I guess.

     Brussels is bilingual, Dutch and French. Most people also speak English and are happy to.

     English is the unofficial 4th language but nearly everyone knows it. One guide said that each language doesn't understand each other so they actually use English to talk to each other!! 

    I have noticed though, that if there is only 3 languages used on a sign it's usually French, then Dutch, then English. No German.

    Often, you can communicate a lot with no words. Body language and signing is pretty good too.    Leggi altro

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  • Maree CrawfordEurope cyclingViaggiatore
    Downstairs minibar and loungeSporting the Tasmania Football Club shirtView from my balconyBreaky2European bread! 👏👏

    My place

    3 luglio 2024, Belgio ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    My home for the next few days, 9Hotel Central.
    Very close to the train station and a few restaurants so very convenient.
    Has a breakfast restaurant.
    Most important to me, it has a kettle!!

    It was sooo nice to sleep in a bed last night. Got 10 hours and feel good.Leggi altro

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  • Maree CrawfordEurope cyclingViaggiatore
    Brussels Central station, meeting place for all the tours
    1At BrugesOur big groupLots of gold plated on statues here tooThe Bell Tower featured in the movie "In Bruges"

    Bruges, Capital of chocolate 🍫

    4 luglio 2024, Belgio ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Today is a guided tour of 2 towns in Flanders, North West of Brussels.
    Here they speak Flemish, a dialect of Dutch.
    Renowned for their mediaeval buildings. Very pretty.
    Bruges is a 9th century city, the capital of chocolate 🍫 apparently, while Ghent is the capital of beer 🍻.
    I watched a movie last night "In "Bruges", Irish movie, very politically incorrect. Recommended by a friend.
    Pretty funny and good scenes of Bruges, including the Bell Tower we visited. Felt weird actually, walking on the spot a character landed after falling off the top.

    Chocolate was originally a liquid. I didn't catch how they discovered it could become a solid. Chocolate is made by factories but many families are artisan chocolatiers and sell their own.    Leggi altro

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  • Maree CrawfordEurope cyclingViaggiatore
    The pub that takes your shoe2

    Ghent, Capital of beer

    4 luglio 2024, Belgio ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Ghent, is a 7th century university city. Less "touristic". I thought it was even better than Bruges.

    Beer was originally a way to purify water, as the water was undrinkable. There was even children's beer.
    Then they discovered the beer got even better as the water quality improved.

    There's hundreds of varieties.

    The guide said there's an accepted tradition that Belgian's steal, take home, beer glasses. Each beer has a glass with the name on it, so people collect the glasses. Well....when in Belgium.... I took home my beer glass!

    There's a pub though that sells a 1.25 litre glass of beer. This actually costs them a lot to lose so they now take one of your shoes as security and hang it in a cage from the ceiling. You get your shoe back when you return your glass. Apparently there's a lot of Uni students with odd shoes!!    Leggi altro

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  • Maree CrawfordEurope cyclingViaggiatore
    Chocolate in Bruges
    Frites with beef stew and mayo on the side. A Belgian thingBeer in Ghent. Wheat, with a citrus touch and a bitter biteNumber 4 pleaseDragon beer brewed specifically for the Dragon barStreet food, a local regular place to go1Not traditional but after those frites at lunch, needed something lightFinished with a traditional waffle

    Belgian food culture

    4 luglio 2024, Belgio ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    To have been immersed in Belgian culture, according to our guide you need to have done chocolate, beer, frites (fries and DO NOT call them French Fries! Bad blood there 😳) and waffles. Did them all in one day!!

    For tea, I visited the Wolf, a street food place.    Leggi altro

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  • Maree CrawfordEurope cyclingViaggiatore
    Bridge lined with saxophonesUp the cable car to the Citadel for an aerial view

    Dinant, home of the Saxophone

    5 luglio 2024, Belgio ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Yesterday we went North-west where we were speaking Dutch, today South-east where we speak French.

    Dinant is a city in Belgium’s Wallonia Region. It’s on the banks of the Meuse River and backed by steep cliffs. Perched on an outcrop above town is the centuries-old fortified Citadel. It's now a museum with sweeping views. Below it is the Gothic Collegiate Church of Our Lady. Nearby, on the site of saxophone inventor Adolphe Sax’s birthplace, Mr. Sax’s House has interactive exhibits on the instrument’s development.Leggi altro

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  • Maree CrawfordEurope cyclingViaggiatore
    1The Golden Lady staueRoyal residence with one guard out front, "a mini London"Identifies the fish marketThis was on the ceiling!! It points to different citiesEverything is so beige!!!The old town in front with the new town at the back2Door handle in the church

    Luxemburg

    5 luglio 2024, Lussemburgo ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Luxembourg is a small European country, surrounded by Belgium, France and Germany. It’s mostly rural, with dense Ardennes forest and nature parks in the north, rocky gorges of the Mullerthal region in the east and the Moselle river valley in the southeast. Its capital, Luxembourg City, is famed for its fortified medieval old town perched on sheer cliffs.

    The history of Luxembourg is considered to begin in the year 963.
    The present-day state of Luxembourg first emerged at the Congress of Vienna in 1815. The Grand Duchy, with its powerful fortress, became an independent state under the personal possession of William I of the Netherlands with a Prussian garrison to guard the city against another invasion from France. In 1839, following the turmoil of the Belgian Revolution, the purely French-speaking part of Luxembourg was ceded to Belgium and the Luxembourgish-speaking part (except the Arelerland, the area around Arlon) became what is the present state of Luxembourg.

    The old town and fortifications became a UNESCO world heritage listed site in 1994.

    Luxembourg is a founding member of the European Union, OECD, the United Nations, NATO, and the Benelux. It served on the United Nations Security Council for the first time in 2013 and 2014.    Leggi altro

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  • Maree CrawfordEurope cyclingViaggiatore
    My toot trainCharlotte, Duchess of her Duchy. She was a good chick, apparentlyTheir flag, another to add to my collectionI'm guessing this was Check-point Charlie but we didn't need to stop.I liked the dogOld bridge, new bridgeModern youth hostelA bit of colour!!

    Luxemburg 2

    5 luglio 2024, Lussemburgo ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    We drove another 1 and a 1/2 hours from Dinant to Luxembourg City. We did a guided walk around. When that was finished we had free time, so at 2.45 I had lunch at the oldest pub in Luxembourg, also it was the first one I came to. 🙂👏 I had a lovely big chicken salad.

    I then got on a wee tourist train and chugged around the old town, my feet and back were aching by then.
    After the train I found a coffee, some souvenirs and then it was time to catch the bus back.
    A 3 hour drive back!! So I'm writing this on the bus, and we're due into Brussels around 8pm.

    Some info from the guide-
    Luxemburg - 170 nationalities 
    Low taxes but 30% of what you earn goes to Luxembourg.
    Got to be a billionaire to start up a business. 
    Lots of Portuguese and Brazilians. 
    100 bridges.
    Forts built by different occupations    Leggi altro

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  • Maree CrawfordEurope cyclingViaggiatore
    This is a tickets only show. The stadium is set up in the royal squareOne of the lads impressing the crowd with his flag throwing skillsThese 2 tall folk were the ones I saw 2 days ago at the mediaeval market. Now it makes senseI saw this parked in a carpark a couple of days agoClever Collie dogCaptain Ommegang himself. I think it's a brewery or restaurant

    The Ommegang Pageant of Brussels

    5 luglio 2024, Belgio ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Wowwee!! I was in heaven!
    So this explains the market 2 days ago, they call it a Renaissance Fair. Also, I saw some folky gear parked in a carpark and wondered what that was all about.

    Wednesday 3 & Friday 5 July 2024
    At 21h – Gates open from 19h30

    "Each year the Ommegang Pageant reveals the interesting, unexpected aspects to the history of Brussels. This impressive procession brings to life many elements in our nation’s folklore and it will enchant you with its magical spectacle arranged around a number of activities.

    Some 1400 participants bedecked in dazzling historical costumes re-enact the first official visit of Charles V and his heir, his infant son Philip (the future Philip II of Spain) here in the capital of the Low Countries.

    The origins of the Ommegang Pageant are found in the 14th century. When it first took place, it was a procession in honour of Our Lady of the Sablon, organised by the Grand Confraternity (“Serment”) of Crossbowmen. Quite soon thereafter the different guilds and bodies constituting the City joined the processions which then developed into a primarily secular, municipal event. The pageant taking place in 1549 is one of the most famous examples. At that year’s event Emperor Charles V (“Charles Quint”) visited this region of his Empire and officially introduced his son and successor, the future Phillip II. For these types of gala events, cities spared no expense to show themselves off in the very best of lights. And Brussels did just that on this occasion by organising one of the most resplendent of Ommegang processions ever undertaken.

    For more than 15 years now the Grand Place in Brussels has glowed and sparkled in a lighting fantasy. The pyrotechnic effects and music composed especially for the event add yet more breath-taking highlights to this tableau of Brussels from another age."

    Only reason I saw this was, a guy (who was from Sydney !!) on the bus trip today asked me if I knew about a festival that was on in Brussels today. I didn't but googled it. As luck would have it we finished our long day about 8 pm. So I got straight off the bus which was pretty well parked next to the square, had some tea and then this procession started. It took a good 10 minutes. I have 2 other longer videos but Penguins won't take them.

    So my day started at 8am and finished at 10 pm. It was still broad daylight!!
    Good thing I can sleep in tomorrow    Leggi altro

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  • Maree CrawfordEurope cyclingViaggiatore
    The view when you stepped out of the train.

    Train to Antwerp

    6 luglio 2024, Belgio ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Today I had a sleep in 👏👏 then caught the 11.31 train to Antwerp/Anterpen/Anvers. Only an hour's journey.

    When reading up about Antwerp and what was worth seeing, the train station was top of the list. When I walked off the train I stopped short and gaped (as did many others).

    Look at the photos and you'll see why. So beautiful.

    The current terminal station building was constructed between 1895 and 1905 as a replacement for the first station. The stone-clad building was designed by the architect Louis Delacenserie. The viaduct into the station is also a notable structure designed by local architect Jan Van Asperen. To the north of the station a large public square, known as the Statieplein ("Station Square"), was created, acting as an entry to the city for its many commuters. In 1935, the square's name was changed to the Koningin Astridplein, in honour of the recently deceased Queen Astrid.

    During World War II, severe damage was inflicted to the train hall by the impact of V-2 rockets, though the structural stability of the building remained intact, according to the National Railway Company of Belgium.

    In the mid-20th century, the building's condition had deteriorated to the point that its demolition was being considered. The station was closed on 31 January 1986 for safety reasons, after which restoration work to the roof starting at the end of March 1986 and finishing in September 1986.

    The station is widely regarded as the finest example of railway architecture in Belgium. Owing to the vast dome above the waiting room hall, the building became colloquially known as the spoorwegkathedraal ("railroad cathedral"). The height of the station was necessary for dissipating the smoke of steam trains. The roof of the train hall was originally made of steel.

    In 2009, the American magazine Newsweek judged Antwerpen-Centraal the world's fourth greatest train station.  In 2014, the British-American magazine  Mashable  awarded Antwerpen-Centraal the first place for the most beautiful railway station in the world.    Leggi altro

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  • Maree CrawfordEurope cyclingViaggiatore
    Lunch was a yummy leek and ham quiche. They serve a complimentary waffle here!View from my window

    My new place, Citybox

    6 luglio 2024, Belgio ⋅ 🌬 20 °C

    This is my new digs.

    Again, I seemed to choose a funky kind of accommodation. It has a computer screen check-in thing, or a human reception. I chose the human.

    It has a day restaurant, I had lunch there before setting off to explore. Breakfast is available here too.
    It also has lounges, reading areas, a communal kitchen with coffee machine, TV room.
    I like it!!

    BUT.... no kettle and tea-making in the room! No worries, I came prepared. I brought my own!!    Leggi altro

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  • Maree CrawfordEurope cyclingViaggiatore
    I love it but....1500 Euro, add another half for $AUD
    There's a Chinatown everywhereHow's this for a Zoo entrance?People were lined up for themThis hen's party was playing Bingo. They'd just done a Conga line to the busker on the bongo drumEvery man and his dog was out todayI'm guessing Wally is the deerOn the back of someone's jumper...tickled my fancyA shop chokkas full of shoes!!!! See the bored blokes sitting on the seats 😂I nearly bought a pair of these but either too big or too small...just as well, don't need 'emWhen I saw the drainpipe when he was setting up, I thought 🤔 didgeridoo. I was right 👏👏.This kid couldn't decide if this "statue" was real or not

    Antwerp Walkabout

    6 luglio 2024, Belgio ⋅ 🌬 20 °C

    I was too early for check-in so I gave them my luggage and went exploring.

    People everywhere on this Saturday. It's so windy it's like being back on Flinders!!
    Lots of buskers about, including a French didgeridoo player.
    The piano man had me in tears!
    Saw a couple of bridal hen's parties.

    Antwerp is also famous for it's diamonds. I saw a diamond shop. Too expensive for me 😢

    Something I've noticed in Belgium is "Australian home made Icecream" shops. What????

    The language here is definitely Dutch.    Leggi altro

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  • Maree CrawfordEurope cyclingViaggiatore
    On this intersection are 4 houses on each corner, The 4 seasons. This one is Summer.This was an army hospital, now it's a residential building in a "good" district (suburb)MuseumAntwerp is a deep port. Rivers and canals, it's a little bit inland.Very windy here, so they made their windows rounded. The "dots" on the bricks are handsLunch afterwards at Hector Chicken. Fried chickenMore diamonds

    Cycle tour of Antwerp

    7 luglio 2024, Belgio ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    Took a guided city tour on bicycle 🚲 today. 3 hours but only 22 km. Lots of stopping and chatting, listening to the guide. Very interesting. Good to be back on the bike.

    The guide said he had seen the tour group I'm joining in 2 days, ride out of town earlier.

    Antwerp (Antwerpen in Dutch, Anvers in French; pop. 455,000, with suburbs 800,000) is the second largest city and municipality of Belgium, as well as the capital of the province of Antwerp.

    The port of Antwerp is the most inland seaport and the second largest port in Europe, after Rotterdam. It's 80 km inland. One third of all Belgian exports transit through the Flemish city. Antwerp is also the world's second petrochemical port, after Houston in the USA. Half of the world's top 20 chemical companies have offices in Antwerp.

    Antwerp is also the world's main centre for trading, cutting and polishing diamonds. 85% of the world's rough diamonds and half of the polished diamonds are negotiated in the city.

    A legend says that the name 'Antwerp' comes from the Dutch "hand werpen" meaning "hand thrown".
    The story has it that a mean and nasty giant controlled the river traffic, demanding exorbitant tolls. Those who refused to pay had one of their hand cut off.
    But one day, a young and brave Roman soldier named Silvius Brabo managed to kill the giant. He cut the giant's hand and threw it in the Scheldt River, giving the city its name.

    A hand has become the symbol of Antwerp. There are a couple of statues referenced to it.    Leggi altro

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