Belgium & Munich | FindPenguins

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Trip start
September 20, 2024
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Day 1
Friday, September 20, 2024 at 12:53 PM
☁️ 90 °F
Altitude: 899 ft
United States Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport 39.050182, -84.65619139°3’1” N 84°39’22” W
On the road again...
September 20, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 90 °F
Left Cincinnati. Met up with our travel friends Jim and Sandy Wood at O'Hare and ordered a drink or 2. I'm wearing my garlic necklace to ward off my bad JuJu. Next stop...Brussels, beer and chocolate!
TravelerEnjoy!
9/21/24Reply
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Day 2
Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 12:52 AM
🌙 59 °F
Altitude: 36 ft
Belgium Plokhaanbeek 50.841554, 2.63964750°50’30” N 2°38’23” E
Poperinge Belgium!!!
September 21, 2024 in Belgium ⋅ 🌙 59 °F
We made it!!! Brian is in Bier Heaven! We took the train from the airport to this very small town. There is one taxi (TaxiLeo), and he is now our BFF. We had a room at the St Bernardus Guest House, which was totally cool. They only have 11 rooms. We did have the penthouse, but had to climb the stairs. Totally worth it!

We had several Biers and dinner at Bar Bernardus. Their rooftop bar looks out over their hop farm and the countryside. We tried to get to St Sixtus, home of the "best beer in the world," but ended up being a story for tomorrow.Read more
TravelerDo they all claim "best beer in the world??"
9/23/24Reply
Travelernot all, and this claim is by others, not the brewery itself
9/23/24Reply
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Day 3
Sunday, September 22, 2024 at 9:00 AM
☁️ 61 °F
Altitude: 52 ft
Belgium Sint-Sixtus 50.894875, 2.72181550°53’42” N 2°43’19” E
Sweet Nectar of the Gods
September 22, 2024 in Belgium ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F
OMG, Brian was in heaven today. As you recall from yesterday's post, we tried to get to St Sixtus to drink/buy Westveltern beers but were unable to get there. @#$% Uber! Our new hero, TaxiLeo, got us there this morning.

WOW! Best beer in the world? If not, then pretty close. Multiple boxes are coming home with us! Cool "Dog Bar" as well. Next up: Ghent!Read more
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Day 3
Sunday, September 22, 2024 at 12:00 PM
☁️ 70 °F
Altitude: 23 ft
Belgium Ottergemse Dries 51.019987, 3.73543251°1’12” N 3°44’8” E
Ghent Belgium
September 22, 2024 in Belgium ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F
Made it to Ghent. It is such a cool, medieval city! We walked around, drank beer, ate frites, and enjoyed the place. It is a no vehicle Sunday, so the city is all bikes and foot traffic. While walking around, we grabbed a 40-minute boat ride on the river that runs through Ghent. We learned a lot about the history and culture of Ghent.

We ate dinner at a local restaurant De Rechters, just for the pork cheeks braised in Belgian dark beer. YUM. We headed back to the hotel for games and a nightcap. Sante!!Read more
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Day 4–10
September 23, 2024 - September 29, 2024
6 nights
☁️ 66 °F
Altitude: 33 ft
Belgium Universiteit Gent / Fac. Rechtsgeleerdheid 51.053955, 3.72122351°3’14” N 3°43’16” E
More Ghent
Sep 23–29, 2024 in Belgium ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F
Today was a taste of Ghent Private Tour. We were surprised that our tour guide was the same as Nitamarie had 3 years ago! We tasted beer, chocolate, frites, ... and got a lot of history and stories. We ended in the oldest candy store in Ghent.

After our tour, we then went for a tour of the Gravensteen Castle. It was built not to protect the city but to let the people know who was in charge! We paused for a few beers and then went on to the Saint Bavos Cathedral. As expected, it was beautiful inside. Dinner was on the riverfront, where we tried a local ham and chickory (endive) dish. YUMM. We also tried the local PornStar Martini (surprised?!) YUMM.Read more
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Day 6
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
☁️ 63 °F
Altitude: 85 ft
Belgium Saint-Gilles 50.833955, 4.34103250°50’2” N 4°20’28” E
1
Brussels, Belgium
September 25, 2024 in Belgium ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F
We took an early train from Ghent to Brussels today. And we hit the ground running. We had a beer and chocolate walking tour. WOW! Such good chocolate. We learned about roasting cocoa beans and true chocolatiers. Our guides were very knowledgeable and very funny. Then we started tasting beer. Some amazing beers and even a rare tapping of a Trappist beer.

We learned a lot about the culture and saw the statue of the peeing child. Overall, it was a very fun day... maybe with too much Belgian beer... ending with a dance with the waiter!!Read more
Traveler I want that!!
9/26/24Reply
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Day 7
Thursday, September 26, 2024 at 6:41 PM
☁️ 63 °F
Altitude: 1,808 ft
Germany Maximiliansanlagen 48.130519, 11.58977348°7’50” N 11°35’23” E
1
Oktoberfest!!!!!
September 26, 2024 in Germany ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F
BUCKET LIST...Oktorberfest
Traveler Cuties
9/26/24Reply
TravelerMy son is in Munich right now too!!
9/26/24Reply
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Day 7
Thursday, September 26, 2024
☁️ 66 °F
Altitude: 1,808 ft
Germany Maximiliansanlagen 48.130535, 11.58983548°7’50” N 11°35’23” E
1 1
Oktoberfest... For real!!!
September 26, 2024 in Germany ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F
Soooo many pictures and videos. You just have to experience it.
The place is like a giant church festival. Rides and games. Popcorn and nuts, and these buildings that seat 10,000 people each, called Beer Tents!
We had table reservations in the Lowenbrau tent.

The reservation came with 20 liters of beer and 10 meals. Dancing on the benches is OK. But not the tables. At noon, people were mostly sitting. By 4 people were mostly drunk and partying on the benches!!! Every tent has a live band in the center. Their job is to play party songs.

We made a friend, Jon, from Seattle, who joined us at our table for 10. So, in 4.5 hours, between the 5 of us. We drank 16 liters of beer! And had 5 meals. Good times were had by all!!Read more
New Thanksgiving hats!! [m]
9/27/24Reply
TravelerRight!!!
9/28/24Reply
Traveler Wonderful!
9/28/24Reply
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Day 8
Friday, September 27, 2024 at 10:42 AM
☁️ 63 °F
Altitude: 1,453 ft
Germany Munich International Airport 48.352349, 11.79909548°21’8” N 11°47’57” E
Our Last Day
September 27, 2024 in Germany ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F
We spent our last day in Munich. We returned to Oktoberfest one final time. Yes, we wore our Lederhosen and Dirndl again. Had a beer and found a pin for the German hat. Got our 2024 Christmas ornament.

At 5pm we were in Marienplatz and watched the Glockenspiel do its thing. It was fun to see the people all around holding up their cell phone and collectively ooohing as it performed.

We ate at the Rathskeller on the platz.

We finished with games in the lobby. Train and and plane tomorrow.Read more
TravelerFun!
9/28/24Reply
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Trip end
September 28, 2024