Beer, Chocolate and Waffles

25/9/2018

We started with a boat ride. It took a long time to find the starting point where the boats dock, but we eventually found it. We went on a 30 min boat ride with a driver who says information about Bruges in two or three different languages. Then we went to an Italian-themed restaurant where we had half-decent coffee and wonderful Belgian waffles. The waffles had a chocolate sauce with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The coffee was wonderful (for Europe anyway). Then we went to the Basilica of the Holy Blood. We sat through a five-minute service where they bring out a vial of the alleged blood of Christ. The basilica was ornate; the ceiling was very decorative; you had to donate a little money to put your hands on the box containing the vial. The blood is thought to have been brought back from the second crusade in 1150 by the Count of Flanders.

Then we went to the Bruges Beer Experience. You're given iPad that have tracks to listen to with information about the history of beer, along with facts and quizzes. Afterwards, you go to a dining hall where you can taste beer. The legal minimum age to drink beer in Belgium is 16 so I was able to taste beer alongside Mum and Dad. The one I liked out of the three I had was Rodenbach Rosso which was sweet and fruity. I didn't like Palm Royale or Estaminet, though. Those were too bitter.

26/9/2018

Beguinage was built for impoverished women who had to live a pious life. We walked through and looked at an example of what it was like to live there. They must’ve been short because the bed was that of a toddler. Now the complex is home to St. Benedictine nuns. After the fire in 1584, the chapel there was rebuilt in 1700 in a baroque style. There were a couple of ancient nuns who Dad thought were wax figures. Then we had a walk around the lovely grounds before having waffles, but they weren’t nearly as good as the day before.

Then we went to Choco-Story, a chocolate museum in Bruges. We didn’t think it was as good as the beer museum because it wasn’t as interactive or interesting. Then we went shopping. We had a chocolate buy-up and Mum just had to buy some authentic Bruges lace. Finally, for dinner we went to L’estaminet.