ABC Wednesday: B is for Brugge, Belgium

My intrepid photographer and his long lens capturing other tourists in a small boat.

© Photos by Kay Davies and Richard Schear

Theatrical release photo from Wikipedia.

After seeing the 2008 comedy crime drama In Bruges starring Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson and Ralph Fiennes, we were determined to visit this lovely city in Belgium. We enjoyed the movie but we enjoyed the scenery even more.  It was actually one of the reasons we chose last year's Tulips and Windmills Cruise with Viking River Cruises. The reality did not disappoint, but unfortunately I was very ill the day we visited. Nevertheless, I took more than 150 photos and I don't know how many Dick took. The canals...the medieval architecture...the skies in varying shades of blue...we loved it all.

The English spelling Bruges was used in the movie, but the Belgian spelling is Brugge, which is now more familiar to us. A longtime friend from the Netherlands told me, before we went, about the port city called Zeebrugge, some 15km away. However, river cruise ships don't go to sea, but stop in Antwerp, about 100km distant. The Viking Pride tour-guides took passengers to Brugge by bus. I still think I would have felt better if it hadn't been for that hour or more traveling by bus. Give me water travel any time.

Posted for

ABC Wednesday

Mrs. Nesbitt's alphabetical meme, hosted by her capable team.

Mellow crowds and yellows, in Ghent, Belgium

Photos by Richard Schear, March 23, 2011  

It was March of this year, and we were on Viking River Cruises' Tulips and Windmills cruise, docked in Ghent, Belgium.

Everyone was going somewhere in Ghent, Dick decided as he explored the ancient city. Everyone was going to the canals. The crowds grew thicker, and Dick grew curiouser and curiouser. Finally, he asked someone, "Is it a holiday? No? Is it a special occasion? No? Will there be a parade? No? Then why is everyone out here?"
"Because it's such a beautiful day. We're all out here to enjoy the sun," the Belgian answered, smiling.

An early Spring day in Belgium, and the people of Ghent were making the most of it.

Posted for  Mellow Yellow Monday, the mellow meme

hosted each week by Drowsey Monkey.

To see other mellow yellows from around the world, please click

HERE!