From Brussels Back To Amsterdam

FROM BRUSSELS, THE TRIO TOOK ANOTHER ONE HOUR PLUS TRAIN RIDE TO OUR LAST STOP FOR THE TRIP... AMSTERDAM!  We spent two nights here near the city to have a look around before our Europe trip comes to an end.....

We stayed near to the Skinny Bridge... Yes, it is called skinny...

Maybe no cars but only pedestrians and bicycles can cross over....

Amsterdam is full of canals... Never lack of water....

Aaron suggested we walked all the way to the center of the city.....

It was really a long walk... Half hour or more.....

Along the way, we stopped to take pictures...

It was pretty cold in Amsterdam... but we sat at the sidewalk to have pur lunch....

The Memorial....

Along the way.... Canals after canals...

Fascinated by the houses slanting to the right....

Must be due to Aaron's muscles....after all, he is my source of strength in times like this....

Latest updates:  Thank you for your concerns, some of you have sent me messages asking me where I am now...Yes, very shocked and saddened by the tragedy in Paris... And the fact that we were there just two weeks ago, it was so overwhelming... Sad for the victims and at the same time, so thankful that we had left... At this time of posting, I am already home.... 

Brussels Morning Market And Round-Up

ONE TIP WHEN PLANNING TO GO TO BRUSSELS, it is more "happening" at the city center... we didn't know till we were there and were told that processions is a norm during weekends.  I took some video clips of the procession, ok, it was not me who took, I just couldn't see from the position I was seated but Aaron managed to capture some for me... I could only see the crowd and heard the loud music....

The procession is on..... and the crowd loves it....

Not sure what kind of festival... maybe it was for the weekend tourists...like us...

Horsing along the alleys ....

One more picture of The Peeing Boy before we headed back.... 

Something out of proportion here... 

On the way out from the city....

Where cars are not allowed to go in...

Entrance to the Grand Palace...

And that was it....

The very next morning, we woke up early because we were told that there was a morning market just below our homestay apartment....  We still have three hours to go before our departure....

Something like our own morning or night market here.....

But it was a huge one that we couldn't finished walking to each and every stall....

If we have the time to cook, we would surely buy a few things here....

We didn't do any shopping here... 

Just bought some buns, roasted chicken and grapes for our brunch.....

And after packing up, we headed to the train station just five minutes walk away....

Goodbye Brussels!!

Must Eat Mussels In Brussels

WE WERE FAMISHED AFTER WALKING ALONG FEW BLOCKS OF LANES AND ALLEYS.... despite the creamy waffles in our tummies, it was time to call for a proper meal before we headed back to our homestay.

Oh, Aaron was telling us that we must not leave Brussels without tasting their fresh mussels!!  He definitely had done his homework well, I didn't know that at all... So on we walked and walked, we went in search of Mussels!!

nope, it was not along this alley....

They have all kinds of food here, from Italian to Mediterranean, middle-east and Spanish...

...but no mussels are seen....

And when we were almost giving up and stopped for a breather here, 

the word "Fresh Mussels" was right in front of us!

This sidewalk cafe was just directly opposite where we were seated....

Nice ambience....

My hungry look!

So....What shall we drink?

We ordered this... Aaron's suggestion..

Cheersss!!

As for the food.... 

These came first... I wonder if they are bottomless... but we never asked....

Chicken fillet with their special sauce.... (16 euro approx)

Yes, now I remember... the sauce is cooked with BEER!

MUSSELS!!  (22 euro approx)

AND they are so FRESH!!

 The mussels in one POT!

Thank goodness we didn't order a third plate.....

OK, one more picture before we dug into the FOOD!

The Mussels seems to be endless!

Their tomato and spices blended so well with the fresh mussels....

So.... how was the food?

This expression says it ALL..... !

The Peeing Boy Manneken Pis Brussels Belgium

I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THE FAMOUS PEEING BOY IN BRUSSELS until I was there and everyone seems to be crowding around to take a picture of this peeing kid.

Aaron managed to take a picture of this Manneken Pis aka The Peeing Boy...

There are a few legends arising from how this statue came about...

I googled about it a moment ago to "quench" my curiosity...

Cos every corner I went, this icon seems to be  here and there...

In front of the waffles shop....

And in the waffle shops....

Must have one for the album with the Peeing Boy!

Oh yes, talking about waffles, one must not leave Brussels without tasting them!

At first we thought it cost only 1euro...

And many to choose from..... the toppings, I mean....

Just look at the salesperson... I didn't realize it until I saw this picture...

At my sitting position, I could only EYE for the toppings!

Yes, the waffle cost 1 euro BUT without the toppings....

We ordered the famous Belgian choc and it comes to around 3 euro.....

After finishing one, we went to another shop.....

We just couldn't get enough....

Choose our toppings again....

Aaron again chose chocolate!!

Hot waffle with lots of chocolate and cream!

This one cost 5 euro if I am not mistaken....

I guess he must be having a hard time choosing what he wants... hahahaaa...

I would too, if I were to choose!

Ok, you eat first, Aaron!

Something triggered off our smiles.....

Not sure what... must be something to do with the waffle!

Yes, just look at the tourists....

There was some kind of a festive procession going on....

And We are so happy to be part of the crowd... 

We and Our Waffles!