I move that Brussels changes its name to Annick's Land...

All those in favor please say YEAH. Yup.. this should be my land! Consider this... a city that smells like chocolate and waffles and that serves "moules et frites" as its national dish! To make things even better the Flemmish pride themselves on their asparagus and it is the homeland of Tintin and Boule et Bill! Really, it doesn't get much better!

Our adventure began on Friday morning boarding on the EuroStar... less than three hours later, after traveling through the country side of England and France, we arrived in Belgium... (even the train station smelled like waffles!) Almost forgot to mention, the 20 minutes ride under the English Channel. We arrived to our luxurious hotel which was located minutes from La Grande Place. That same afternoon, we hit the "tourist must see and do"... beginning with a walk through the "Galleries St.-Hubert", Europe's first indoor shopping mall which has a wide variety of upscale boutiques and of course fabulous chocolate stores! We then went on to see Manneken Pis and thanks to our insider knowledge from the Hamilton Clan we also saw Jenneken Pis! We went to "La Grande Place" - no words can describe how beautiful it is! No wonder it has been called the most splendid market square in Europe! Of course, we did go under the small arcade under 8 Grand Place to rub the wrist of the Evrard t's Serclaes Statute - rumours has it that it brings luck and grants long forgotten wishes! Let's just wait and see! We also visited lots of Churches including "Notre Dame de Bon Secours", "Notre Dame aux Riches Claires" and "Cathedrale St-Michel"! We also did the Museum tour... beginning with the City Museum where we got to see all of Manneken's Pis costumes. There was a Canadian costume given in 1958. Believe it or not... it was a Montreal Canadian Hockey Uniform! We also visited the Ancient Art Museum and the Modern Art Museum! I also had a fabulous time visiting "Le Musee de la Bande Dessinee". Greg was new to all of these French cartoon characters... it was an educational visit for him!

Of course, a visit to Belgium entails lots and lots and lots of eating! To sum up... we ate way too many waffles, too many chocolates and too much mussels! On Friday night, we had a fantastic dinner on Rue des Bouchers! Met some Canadians from Montreal... sitting next to us! We then spent the rest of the evening at this incredible pub sipping a beer (Laffee)... picture this... our table overlooked "La Grande Place" and we were seated next to the fireplace... On Saturday evening we went out for dinner with our friends from Singapore whom happened to be in Brussels on the same weekend by pure coincidence! Lots of good laughs! We went out for beer and desserts to the "Drug Opera" an odd name for an incredible dessert place! I tried the "Cherry Beer!" which was fantastic!

I almost forgot to mention, our hotel was hosting the Belgium idol that weekend! I wanted to try out... I'm convinced I would have made it on TV - when they show the worst singers! he! he! Greg, said it was a bad idea!

Overall, weekend in Brussels, lots of food, lots of walking and tons of fun! Below are some pictures...

This is a picture of Greg... minutes after we arrived in Brusells...

Greg in front of Mannekin Pis!

A few of many more pictures taken at La Grande Place...

Les Galleries St.-Hubert...

Dinner on rue des Bouchers...

Pictures inside one of the many Catherals...

The Chocolate Museum...

And... a final picture of Greg and I kissing at the Comic Book Museum...

(no... it was Lucky Luke!)

Travel Notes: We booked our tickets for the weekend through the EuroStar and had a great deal on both accommodations and travel.