Itz almost 2 yrs since Marpig made this trip (and NOW did Marpig try to blog bout it!!) Anyw, Cepat!!
To aid orientation and match photos to the locations in Bruges (primarily for Marpigz memory lane!!) Above is a map with numbers, indicating where Marpig has been and which photos are taken where!! And so the trip carries on from where Marpig and frens stayed -
(1) Ibis Budget bside the main train station
Was a nice morning and after BF, Marpig and frens walked along the peaceful and picturesque Begijnenvest
(4)
Ahh~~ it was so peaceful that the 沉睡着的 canal is like a natural mirror!!
Continuing the walk to soak in the fresh air, they came upon the 1st architectural heritage building in Bruges (the one on the left)
It was built in 1398 Poertoren Tower by master mason Jan van Oudenaarde and was used as a gunpowder warehouse. Then in 1600s, it was used as a mill and also an ice cellar
Walking past the tower and along the canal
(5), and overlooking ax the canal, is the Minnewaterpark with a lonely restaurant
Connecting the Minnewaterpark to the outskirts of the town is the Bargebrug
(3), which is an asymmetrical bridge
Therez nth so special bout this bridge. But on the official website which introduces this bridge/area, there is also a canopy to hide public WCs in the same area. The website also said that the bridge, the canopy and the WCs are supposed to be architectural opposites which Marpig dont get. Upon asking Dingko (who "got hit by the question"), Marpig stil dont get the ans. Hmmm so why?!?!?!?!!?
Anyw, trotting on along
(5)...
They saw more Dutchie buildings (the trademark roof detail, similar to those in
Amsterjam)
Prowling further into the town
(7), the quaint hses along the canal are interesting and very different to those in
Venice
Among the many scenery, was an interesting sculpture!!
艺术就是艺术, itz always so 怪 :P 真是不怪不爱!! Yeah!!
Finally, 1st touristy building tt Marpig went in. In fact, quite like this place as it was really peaceful, albeit solemn. Like the history tt goes with this building and the pple living inside too. So wat is this place
(6)?
See the nun saying her prayers in silent? Pple who went into tt plc (huge plc) kept really quiet and well-behaved, why? Bcos itz a béguinage (French) or Beginenhof (Flemish)
Above is one of the 13 Flemish beguinages ttz on the UNESCO World Heritage list; the "Ten Wijngaerde" beguinage. It is a place where the beguines live. Beguines are widows and spinsters who wished to live a religious life with vows of fidelity and poverty
The place, with a central courtyard surrounded by small hses (which the women live in), are also secluded from the outside world with walls and the gates closed by 630pm every dae
As with other places of worship cum the fact tt itz like a convent, the place is especially tranquil and the entire atmosphere does give pple a sense of inner peace and has a calming effect (or is it just Marpig?)
Above is the central courtyard, with the individual hses in white
Carrying onwards from the béguinage, Marpig et al came to Wijngaardplein
(8), where there are lotsa horse carriages to hire for a ride around the nearby streets
Horsie having a rest and posing for the camera!! Itz kinda 可怜 when Marpig sees horse carriages... perhaps becos of the story which Marpig read when she was much younger, Black Beauty by Anna Sewell (highly recommended) One of the idea which the author shared is what Marpig believes too (sm of u might even have heard Marpig shared this idea before too);
"...there is no religion without love, and people may talk as much as they like about their religion, but if it does not teach them to be good and kind to man and beast, it is all a sham..." Very well said!!
By tt time, itz time for lunch!! And when one is in Belgium, 怎么可以少的了 these?!?!!?
:D__ After waffles and frites, Marpig and frens tried to walk off the nappiness in Zonnekemeers
(9)
One can stil see sm remnants of the old city wall amongst the new hses
As wel as sm interesting sights on hses such as the above where a frog dangles from the window amd (mis)matched with foxes... hmm... reminds Marpig of the statue of cats along Singapore River, near Boat Quay
Next place of interest is a Marpigz fav. Think Marpig has a thang for medieval / historical buildings. Places of worships also interests Marpig, bcos of the rich (hi)stories, paintings, sculptures, etc. Guess itz also partly Marpig 对 the past 的执着的反映
Above is one of Europez oldest surviving hospitals; the 11th century Sint-Janshospitaal aka Saint John’s Hospital. Itz got more than 900 hrs old history and in those daes, itz quite advance medically (with al the xhibits of surigcal equipment!! Abit 可怕 actually!!)
The canal bside the hospital. Was thinking, perhaps in the Medieval times, patients did go there via boats!! Faster and a much smoother journey than horse drawn carriages on cobbled streets!!
The hospital complex grew from being a hospital caring for the sick, pilgrims and travellers, into a much larger complex with a monastery, convent and now with a museum with Hans Memlingz works
FYI, Hans Memling was a German-born, Flemish painter, specialising in triptychs (panel paintings) and influenced many Italian painters in the late 15th century like Raphael. In fact, his works are al over the world; in UKz National Gallery, in Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna as wel as Boston, Paris, Munich, etc
Convent in the hospital complex
Becos of Marpigz xperience (Marpigz mom holding the Rosary, sitting in the armchair and praying), "Ave Maria" (also sang at Marpigz mom funeral) is smth special to Marpig, hence photo above. Used to buy a Rosary whenever Marpig visits different cathedral around Europe and hang on Marpigz momz niche, but now dont do tt anym, as therez no space
Monastery in the hospital complex
Sunshine down at one of the hospital ward wing
Right, al of us would want to take a really nice holiday pic and therez always one or two photos among the many which stand out and we are proud of. Above is one such pic which Marpig loves!! A healthy and optimistic sunflower, beaming at the camera under the blue cheery sky with the hospital in the backgrd!! 早日康复 / 身体健康!!
Ah~~ 艺术照 is about angle and the right moment!! :D
Being a long dae (and bloggie entry, this!!) itz time for dinner!!
Walking back towards where the horse carriages were, Marpig and frens came to a rest in Walplein
(D) called Nieuw Walnutje for sm traditional (?) Belgium cuisine!!
The sculpture outside the rest
Marpig had the local beer, "Brugse Zot". The other was the dessert tt fren ate. And now!! The main courses!!
话说 1 of Marpigz fren had a set dinner which consists of fish soup, rabbit with prunes, salad and potato croquettes while Marpig and another had~~
Mussels in cream and white wine (Marpig) and Chefz mussels (with other seafd)!! Just for info, the dinne above costs a total of 90 euros for 3 pple. Abit hefty but ho hum, tourists 的价钱!! 吃得开心就好!! :D__
