Belgium at last 終於到比利時

Belgium at last 終於到比利時

21st July 2017 11 By livinguktaiwan

Having spent 4 months working in Belgium during my previous working life, I finally went there for a long weekend at the beginning of 2015.
我在以往職業生涯中斷斷續續去了比利時工作四個月,在2015初終於去那渡過一個長週末假期。belgium7

It was the second time I traveled by Eurostar for holiday (the first time was to Paris) and I think they are great for short haul trips as they are much quicker compared to flights. As for accommodation, as a reward for enduring many 0430 mornings in winter during my previous working life, I had collected enough hotel points to exchange two nights of hotel in Brussels. So with my accommodation being free, I booked myself into the 5 star Sofitel Brussels Europe by the European District!
這是我第二次坐歐洲之星火車去旅行(第一次是去法國巴黎)。我覺得如果從倫敦到歐洲短程旅遊到話,坐歐洲之星比飛機更方便快捷。至於住宿方面,因為之前工作關係,在冬季捱了四個月多次0430早上從倫敦出發到比利時上班,結果我累積了蠻多旅館點數,足夠兩天的房間。既然有免費房間,那就獎勵一下自己,訂了一家在布魯塞爾歐盟區的五星級旅館,Sofitel Brussels Europe。

On Saturday, we went to Bruges. It’s a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage City famous for its network of canals and medieval buildings. Since it was our first visit, we spent the morning wandering around town and climbed up the famous Belfry.  The bell tower was built around 1240, is 83m high, and has 366 steps to get to the top. The climb is slightly tiring, but once you get to the top you are rewarded with a breathtaking view of the center of Bruges and beyond.
在星期六我們到布呂赫(布魯日)一日遊。這小鎮是世界遺產城市之一,以中世紀建築物及市內運河聞名。我們第一次到訪,在市中心逛逛,爬上1240年建的鐘樓。鐘樓有83米高,走那366級樓梯的確有點算辛苦,但回報是可眺望一望無際的布呂赫周邊景色。belgium21belgium9belgium2

Lunch was at the oldest pub in Bruges called Cafe Vlissinghe. Tucked down a little alley about 1km away from the centre, this pub first opened in 1515. Today it still has an old log burning working stove which I think used to be some sort of big iron. However, I’m pretty sure the stove isn’t 600 years old!
中午我們到市內最古老的酒吧午餐。Cafe Vlissinghe 離開市中心約一公里,在一條窄窄的小巷裏,從1515年就已經存在。在那寒冷的下午,屋裡卻很溫暖,因為有一座用真火燃點著好像是大熨斗的火爐。不過,我看那座火爐應該沒有600年老吧! belgium13belgium11belgium12

After lunch we strolled east towards the river which used to be the old city boundary to look at the windmills. Originally there were 25 windmills there, but now there are only 4 left. The oldest one was built in 1770 and has an museum inside but is was closed when we were there.
午飯後,我們繼續往東走到河邊去古時布呂赫市的邊界看風車。以前那裡一共有25座風車,但現在只剩下4座。最老一座是1770年建,裡面還有一個博物館,可惜當天沒開放。belgium22belgium14belgium15

The afternoon was grim, and we could foresee the bad weather coming, so after spending time taking photos we walked back into town along the famous canals.
我們在那裡留連了一會兒,見烏雲將近,於是起程沿著運河走回市中心。belgium16belgium17

Belgium is famous for two things ~ chocolate and beer ~ which happens to be mine and OH’s favourite respectively. During our weekend, we sampled over 13 different types of beer which was a great introduction into the fantastic beer that Belgium has on offer. And of course, I stocked up on my favourite chocolate before we left。
比利時有兩樣東西最著名~巧克力和啤酒~分別是我和OH的心頭好。在這個週末,我們一共品嚐了13種不同的啤酒,可以說是了解比利時啤酒的好開始。臨離開時,我當然也不忘購買我至愛的巧克力!belgium18belgium19belgium20

belgium chocolates