Antwerp to Bruges

This little town was really recommended to me (us) over and over again. Maybe I heard it a little more than he did but either way since we bought 10 train tickets for 70€ you mind as well use it up.

We were able to get on a train and off a train as long as we wrote down the destination. The 10 trip ticket is only for outer city train and is valid for 1 year from purchase date. I feel like we got our monies worth. :) I actually didn't check all the prices of the trains we rode around in but either way I would recommend it's a steal I'm sure. 

So after about 90mins on the train we were there. It's a little city with water, like a ringed river all the way around it. 

The shopping centre provides you with touristic local food (an abundance of it) here we ate some Belgian 'waffles' lol 

Oh yes and expensive chocolates! There were so many of them! 

Next stop Madrid! 

Back to Antwerp

Due to the Ghent festival and a very good time in Antwerp last time I brought Michael here to show him around. Actually, we didn't see a lot of the city itself due to the Ghent festival and a couple lazy days trying to plan ahead for Spain.

We really just took it easy having meals and enjoying the rain :P 

There was a local harbour side party on the Sunday that we attended :) 

It was a lovely party with lots of lovely people.

This girl was manning the local food truck :P 

The Ghent Festival

The whole city of Ghent in the centre of the city has a music festival. This alternative canal filled town just celebrates for 10 days every year.

When I heard about it I really thought to myself that I should really attend. So I did just that. From July 19-29 they had their celebrations. 

There were stages all over the place, we really could have used a map. 

We met some nice people from holland under a bridge who gave us a beer and chatted with me about Edmonton. Who would have known that he would have been to the biggest mall >.< 

We got totally drenched in the rain but we still were able to meet more people trying to avoid the rain. This picture was taken by one of the French guys that were married to Belgian woman.

Last but not least I was able to even meet up with monika! As you may have known I met her again in Poland after Japan. Lucky me! 

Brussels

I think due to our wonderfully friendly greeting in Brussels it set me off in a great mood. 

The city itself is quite pretty with a skyline that doesn't disappoint. The older buildings in Brussels are just hidden behind business districts, appearing out of the corner of your eye. I really enjoy it when a city has hidden gems around every corner. 

We even stumbled on the pre-party for Tomorrowland where people bought flags for their country and wandered around town. So many tourists! 

We walked and walked for hours and I haven't started to feel like I've seen the city. Maybe another time perhaps? 

Off to Antwerpen! 

Ride share in Europe and a very awesome airbnb host :)

I already knew that ride share existed but since I was having people pick me up at stations I figured it was best to give people a time and destination for my arrival. Which is why I haven't used it until now. It would just make it simpler. 

This point I really wanted to start saving money and see what it was like to do it in Europe. 

So from Iserlohn to Brussels was 64€ per person on the DB, instead we got a ride from Dortmund to Brussels for 36€ making it only 18€ each! 

This is one of the cathedrals in Dortmund :) The town centre was quiet and the train station was really the most lively place around.

He picked us up at the station and we were off. Our driver wasn't over the top in any way and was kind enough to share his story of how he was dating a girl who lived in Germany. He, himself lived in Brussels. 

He was kind enough to drive us to our airbnb place and upon our next check point we were greeted with a very warm smile. Anass is a student and was more than happy to stay up to wait for our late check-in, since we didn't get into Brussels until 1:30am.

He gave us beer, sushi and a tour of the place. I really liked him from the moment we started chatting online and I was right about how open he was about his house. 

A great start in a new city. 

Whoop. 

Antwerp, Belgium (Reunions are beautiful)

I left the Netherlands from Rotterdam via the train to Antwerp, this was a very quick ride over. I really have to state how much I love Europe. Everyone over here is so lucky that all the countries are so close.

My jealous of the size of all the countries supersedes everything else. The availability and access to see different countries hours from each other. Silly Canada is so big!

Traveling through Europe has been my largest cost but I can't honestly say that because I have been very lucky and I have yet to stay at a hotel/hostel. So I have been able to save a lot in accommodations. (This is made mentioned to all those people who asked me how I am able to travel through Europe so easily) I know some people think I'm made of money :P

Enough ranting, my dear friend Liesbeth who I met in Indonesia, Gili Air and spent one of the best weeks of 2014.

She happily picked me up from Antwerp station (yes, it is quite an astounding station when you're coming up the escalator) and we were off! 

I hadn't even spent an hour together and off to the colour run! (I'll write another post about that soon!) 

The following day, her friends were kind enough to show me around town!

I am super thankful that I had such amazing guides, knowledgeable and super friendly. I wish I had more time to hang out in Antwerp! Next time for sure! 

Even though it rained I had a fantastic time, I quickly fell in love with this city. 

We visited the cathedral, city hall, the red light district, shopping district, ate mussels, walked passed the university area, the Mass for the view, ate Belgian waffles and even had a night out. I really crammed in a lot of stuff in the three days that I was here. 

Thank you so much to the Liesbeth and the Belgium team! It was so freaken fun, I AM coming back! You guys really made me feel like it was home. 

I really want to live in this city. I can't pinpoint exactly when and how but I really loved it here. I want to see more of Belgium! Actually, I am sure that I will. Don't wait up for me I'll be back very soon :P