Euro Trip 2013: Ghent, Belgium

Our train left Amsterdam around 6 am Sunday morning. It was still dark while we walked down the quiet streets to the train station, only cigarette butts on cobblestone streets to accompany us. After a few train rides, a bus ride, another train and a short tram ride, we made it to city center of Ghent, Belgium.

We were originally going to Brussels, but after a few recommendations from Boyfriend's European coworkers, we decided on Ghent. In my mind, Belgium meant four things: beer, chocolate, waffles and fries. But Ghent was so much more than that. Colorful preppy fashionsitas, cute little cafes, beautiful architecture and a castle to boot. Oh and don't worry about the beer, chocolate, waffles and fries, we got those too.

Belgium fries with the best mayo I ever had

Gorgeous church

Flea market

Belgium beer

Waffle, cappuccino and beer

Jackpot! Belgium dark chocolate

The castle

Rooftop

Look out below!

Off with his head

Little me, big sword

Dungeon

More beer and espresso

Calamari and head cheese, delish

Chocolate nom nom

I hope we're still holding hands when we're this age

It's funny how little things like eating eating Belgian chocolate instead of American chocolate can change one's perspective. But then again chocolate can change lives.

Later we took a few more trains to arrive in Paris at 11 pm. We spent our last hour of the day and our first hour in Paris at a little bar/ cafe near our hotel in Le Marais, drinking a beer and a glass of wine and reliving Amsterdam and Belgium in our minds. Then we were off to bed. Next, Paris sightseeing. 

-Akemi-chan

Euro Trip 2013: Amsterdam Part 2

After a well needed night of sleep, we woke up to church bells echoing from the church down the street. The air was cool and damp with little hints of sunshine. The plants outside our window were bright green in contrast to the white windowpane. As much as I wanted to spent the afternoon relaxing at a cafe, we had a big day of sightseeing. 

Breakfast: toast, jelly, cheese, ham, hard boiled eggs, coffee and CHOCOLATE SPRINKLES!

Anne Frank statue

Beautiful water fountain at the Rijksmuseum

Horse butts

Yup, those are bottles

Indonesian lunch at Rembrandt Square

Leaning buildings

Lemon masher with my sparkling water and bruchetta

Petite Entree: beef carpaccio, salmon bonbon, goat cheese wonton

The biggest filet mingion I've ever had

Boyfriend's giant ribs with two kind of potatoes

One of the most memorable moments from Amsterdam was watching the people on bikes. I didn't rent a bike for fear of crashing or falling into the canals. However, the locals were interesting. They had groceries or babies in their baskets, riding with big purses or talking on cell phones, or even wearing mini skirts and 4 inch heels. Now that takes talent. 

It was bittersweet leaving Amsterdam, but I have a feeling we'll return. Up next, Ghent, Belgium.