Sep 23 evening: - It was quick train ride to Brussels, my first stint on traveling on EURail Pass. While I had a squeezed in schedule in Brussels (2 nights and one day), I haven’t forgotten to read up and know about some of the best things in here. I landed @2Go4 Quality Hostel, which was right around the center, luckily a 10 min walk to the pub with the world’s largest selection of Beers — The Delirium Cafe. (It actually holds a Guinness record.)
Now, I’m not gonna tell you what happened inside of Delirium Cafe, you’re not gonna tell anyone either. I was sloshed, completely, thanks to an Italian guy I met and the two french girls we met a little later. For over 5 hours, we went o
n an on talking about crazy stuff. European girls are different, I’ve seen earlier too, this time perhaps a bit too close. The Italian guy was busy charming the girls while I sounded like the only sensible guy who could talk some things other than, you know what I mean. Was sure a lot of fun and the bartender challenged me with the strongest Beligium Beer, naming Stella as just for starters.
3:10 am – I walk(barely) back into my hostel.
Sep 24th
11:14 am — Looked at the watch . What. The. … yeah that’s what I thought. I woke up at almost noon. I wasn’t feeling good about the beer the previous night. But I moved on, my face (as you can notice in a few pics), looked like shit even after drinking a lot of water. So with the time I had with me, I planned for a hop-on-hop-off tour after of course walking alongside the Grande Palace Square. Beautiful and Majestic. As I walked along, saw the architecture to be stunning. On my bus, I finally headed to the Atomium, where I peacefully lost a good three hours. The climb to the top is a must and you get a splendid view from there. I was surprised by the time I learnt about Belgium and Brussels, how much french influence was here and political significance it exerts on EU (it’s the headquarters for EU!). Back to the center of the city, after almost getting lose in the trams, mistaking it to be a subway. (I almost ended up going to a suburb)
My smile could not hide when I passed the Stella Artois Restaurant at the square. Later in the evening, I visited a chocolate museum and walked for more than 5 miles around the Grand Palace area. Lovely restaurants I must say, the shopping districts, the chocoloate boutiques, and of course gorgeous women. I bought something for myself at Mango. At 9, I was back to the hostel, checking my way to the Central Station to … Brugge!
10:30pm : In Brugge.
St Chirstopher’s Bahuaus Hostel, what a great place to stay! (there’s a bar downstairs) But the town was so empty and dark, I wondered if It was a part of Shawn of the Dead. I got a quick bite at a neighboring restaurant, checked out our bar for sometime and hopped onto my bed. Poor feet needed a nice massage.
Sep 25th – Brugge
One of the best things about staying in hostel, apart from meeting new people, making friends and partying is — you get tons of free maps, resource infos and tips. I got this map form the hostel, it’s called “Use-it” maps, simply the best foldout map ever. If you’re tired of those books, black/white text and boring websites, get a copy of this simple, precise fold out map, you get to see everything in two days, and you pretty much walk yourself everywhere. I started with Burg Square, with magnificent Churches, and the Holy Blood Chapel, which has the little cylinder that was taken on a crusade to Jerusalem in the 12th century. True Catholics believe that it is filled with Jesus blood. Next to Burg square is perhaps one of the world’s best squares — Markt Square. If you’ve seen the movie, “In Brugge” (what a pity, I have to refer a movie for such a historic town), you will know what I mean. Right at the center, there’s a 83 mt high belfry, with 366 steps to climb onto, I tell you, the view out there is magnificent. They call this the “stairway to heaven.” After a bite of a delicious sandwich, I set my way to the Chocolate Museum., a sure visit if you want to learn, understand and appreciate the history of chocolate and the art of making it. Spener Tunik was here a couple of yrs back, photographic nude and chocolate. Belgians have always had a sweet t
ooth (some people say Swiss). Headed to Michelangelo’s Madonna, the “Madonna with the child” is for Brugge is what the Mona Lisa is for the Louvre in Paris. A Chapel worth visiting …
There’s a lot on the way, the names of which are too many. Historic buildings tugged in the corners of cobblestone streets and narrow lanes. But the best part was yet to come — The canal ride. What a lovely sight! The only problem was I was in a boat of senior citizens, kinda made me look like a little kid with a big Camera on his neck. In the evening, there was the Old Flemish Masters, art museum. A couple of other smaller art museums near the Brugge Park, and finally spent the sunset near the park.
Back at the hostel — Surprise. The hostel mates turned out to be a group of 3 from Spain, and we took no time in introducing each other. The next 6 hours, were the best (the best is always coming). Lots of beer 
(meter beer, where they give you 10 small glasses) for 15 euros? Was a steal. We met so many other Spaniards on the way, just like ants trying to figure out it’s own species. Once again, I always end up being the odd man out, but when it comes to a laugh and getting people entertained, I guess I do my job. 2 pubs, a little dance and we came back late in the night, after someone played for us “hotel california” on the pavements at 2:50 am. They were from Canada.
Next day was brief, I checked out a few other goodies and headed towards Hamburg in the afternoon.
If I had the just five words about Burgge — Gorgeous. Romantic. Peaceful. Lovely. Incredible. It’s definitely one of the most beautiful little towns I’ve seen …