Today I decided to venture outside of Brussels. I booked an excursion that would take me to Ghent and Brugges (www.viator.com). The bus was leaving at 9:00 am, so I set the alarm to get up making sure I had time to devour the awesome hotel breakfast, then packed my backpack, bought a bottle of water, and headed out to find where the tour meets. Lucky for me the tour company was actually right around the corner from the hotel so I arrived early. Once it was time to board the buses, I was happy to see that the tour was not completely full and I was able to get an entire row to myself.
Our fist stop was Ghent. Here's a little history. . .
The tour I was on was only making a quick stop in Ghent, about an hour, to tour St. Baafakathedral (St. Bavo's Cathedral.) This particular Cathedral was built in several stages, and represents every phase of the Gothic style. The Emporer Charles was baptised in this church while it was still incompleted, and in 1550 granted a sum of money to the church to fill the arched windows with stained glass. The most interesting piece of furniture is the pulpit which was completed in 1745. In a small side chapel is one of Europe's most remarkable paintings (Jan van Eyck's "Adoration of the Lamb") To see the painting cost 4 Euro, and the line was quite long, so I opted to pass. I was so glad I did this, because as I was walking around the Church I ran into a lady from my tour, and found out in conversation that she was a United Flight Attendant on her overnight. We became fast friends. And I was greatful to hang out with her for the day, not only for companionship, but to have someone to take pictures of me. As we boarded the bus I was a little disappointed that we were not able to tour the Count of Flanders Castle. We did pass by it, and I was able to get some pictures from the window of the bus, but it was not quite the same. The town itself looked cute and would have liked some time to explore, but when on a tour, you don't always get that option. I decided to shut my eyes and rest a little on the way to Brugges. I was still having trouble with jet lag, and was already tired. So far the day amazing and couldn't wait for more. . .
Our fist stop was Ghent. Here's a little history. . .
Ghent's historic centre was originally built during the 13th and 14th centuries when the city prospered as a result of the cloth trade. The Count of Flanders, built a castle (which is still standing and still contains the original torture chamber) to protect two abbeys from Viking raids. Ghent continued to flourish until 1648 when the Dutch sealed and closed vital canal links leading to the decline of the city. Then in the 19th century it became revitalized due in part to a boom in cotton spinning.
The tour I was on was only making a quick stop in Ghent, about an hour, to tour St. Baafakathedral (St. Bavo's Cathedral.) This particular Cathedral was built in several stages, and represents every phase of the Gothic style. The Emporer Charles was baptised in this church while it was still incompleted, and in 1550 granted a sum of money to the church to fill the arched windows with stained glass. The most interesting piece of furniture is the pulpit which was completed in 1745. In a small side chapel is one of Europe's most remarkable paintings (Jan van Eyck's "Adoration of the Lamb") To see the painting cost 4 Euro, and the line was quite long, so I opted to pass. I was so glad I did this, because as I was walking around the Church I ran into a lady from my tour, and found out in conversation that she was a United Flight Attendant on her overnight. We became fast friends. And I was greatful to hang out with her for the day, not only for companionship, but to have someone to take pictures of me. As we boarded the bus I was a little disappointed that we were not able to tour the Count of Flanders Castle. We did pass by it, and I was able to get some pictures from the window of the bus, but it was not quite the same. The town itself looked cute and would have liked some time to explore, but when on a tour, you don't always get that option. I decided to shut my eyes and rest a little on the way to Brugges. I was still having trouble with jet lag, and was already tired. So far the day amazing and couldn't wait for more. . .
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