Europe Trip. Day 5: Bruges & Ghent, Belgium

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We opted for a Bruges and Ghent trip by bus organized by Brussels City Tour. Avail oneself of the green scenery along the journey that took about an hour to reach the city center. And nearing Bruges city center, we fell in love with the calm and serene neighborhood.

Upon arrival, we were guided to a medieval bell tower known as the Belfry of Bruges from the backside before proceeding to Markt. It was a public square with the neo-Gothic architecture of the Provinciaal Hof. We leisurely enjoyed the breathtaking view of the Markt.

The bus dropped us at the visitor parking space
Passing by the Sint-Salvatorskathedraal on our way to Grand-Place
We walked along Oude Burg
Nice place for sipping coffee in the evening
The Belfry of Bruges corridor with nice ceiling 
Off the beaten path, we got into the bell tower compound.

The Flanders flag
Explanation given by our tour guide
In the middle of Markt
Wished that we have more time to sip coffee at this cafe 
Far behind was the Monument Jan Breydel
Provinciaal Hof, former meeting place for the provincial government of West Flanders

Then we walked through Breideelstraat, in between the government office and rows of shops, to reach the Burg Square.

The Bruges City Hall
Vlaamse Overheid, the government office
Should we have tea here?
We rode the horse cart after the lunch
Let's play at Burg Square

After the walking tour, we took a pleasant boat cruise along the canals. Before lunch, we walked along Mariastraat to stop at one of the Belgian chocolate shops, Lady Chocolate. There were many chocolate shops along that street.

Bruges has many canals around the city
It was a pleasant cruise at this serene neighborhood
Caught a picture of this dog napping
The identity of Flemish buildings
Not so big but a comfortable boat cruise
Canal cruise closed to a bridge
An influential writer and poet and a Roman Catholic priest from Belgium

@ Lady Chocolate shop
Stopped for lunch in a restaurant at Wijngaardstraat
After lunch, we rested by the canal
Suka Nu'man lepas shopping coklat

Our next destination was Ghent, where we were given just over an hour to explore the city center on our own. A bit contrary to the serene Bruges neighborhood, Ghent was a typical European city with lots of colonial buildings.

The tour started from the Reep to the Korenmarkt 

Passing through the Saint Bavo Cathedral

Facing the cathedral is the Belfry of Ghent
Saint Bavo also known as Sint Baafs
Further down is the Saint Nicholas Church
A blend of colonial building and modern transportation
Saint Nicholas from distant
Korenmarkt shopping mall
Got to know that vehicle are not allowed to get into the city
Looking for direction
Shopping district of Graslei
A snack meal costs €2.50
Mamarazzi?

It's already 5 o'clock in the evening. The bus headed back to the hotel and it's our last day in Brussels... :-(
Location: Ghent, Belgium

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