Today is our last sailing day to the last port we will visit, Zeebrugge. We were awake in time to see the entry to the port, which we think is purpose built for cargo, as there is a huge dock area, with cranes and movers and such.
Along with many others, we opted for the train ride to Brugge, having heard so much about it from other sources, and our own research.
The town is very pretty and has modern apartments in the centre, along with some older buildings, and something we hadn't seen before, a double-decked Carousel! There are wide avenues and some wonderful shops, including the most magnificent bakery I have ever seen!! (should have taken a photo). The range of beautiful breads and cakes was astonishing, and so well presented. The avenue goes down to the sea, and you can look out onto the Channel, and along the beachfront in either direction are row upon row of apartments.
We had missed the last train, (every hour on Saturday), and so got in line and bought tickets for the next one, and then wandered through the town to the sea. However all the announcements at the train station are in Flemish/German(?), and you have to be aware and ask lots of questions. When we got back to catch the train, we had a nice coffee at the station cafe. We ordered cappuccinos, but when they came they were good coffee, but with a dollop of cream on top and some chocolate sprinkled, a bit like a vienna coffee but very nice.Out on the platform the train was already there, and we had to ask if that was the next one to Brugge, and it was and we were able to board straight away and get a seat, even tho it wasn't going for another 10-15 minutes. The couple we sat opposite, were English and we moved along, past fields of crops and and farmland and Friesian cows, and wind turbines.
(Two views along the seafront at Blankenberge, left and below. Seems to be a regulation regarding heights of buildings, and so looks like a very long wall, especially when you view it from out at sea)
This couple were very anti the turbines, and also anti the current government over the number of refugees coming into Britain. This last sentiment is very wide spread and we got it from many of the people on board. (Those same people who were very happy to be served by Indian and Pakistani waiters and cabin staff!)
We were told it was a fair walk to the centre of Brugge, and thought we might catch the local bus, but there was already a long queue, and so along with many others, walked into town. It is actually quite flat, and very pleasant walking through the parks. We emerged from the pathway, into a street set up for a market day, with many stalls selling all and sundry, and finally found the main square.
The surrounding streets are narrow, but the overall look of the square is just stunning, and despite the crowds, it still is a very beautiful town to look at. Lots of shops selling lace, and chocolates, and we got a small tin of those, and some really nice Belgian tapestry cushion covers, and they will go in the lounge room at home, along with the others we got in England.
Lee said it reminds her of the Grand Place at Brussels, although smaller, and the buildings are beautiful, and so much to see around you. Hundreds of tourists, this being a Saturday, and many tours going on, along with some wonderful horse drawn carriages with tourists aboard.
Also many cafes outside the buildings.
We wandered around and found where they do the canal rides around the city, but already there were long queues, and many already enjoying the spectacle. Belgians seem to be very fond of flowers and there were many boxes of geraniums, etc., everywhere.
They also seem to be very proud of their towns as we saw no evidence of litter, or no shabby areas. Lunch was in a cafe looking out to the canals, and we had Croque Monsieur, (toasted cheese and ham sandwiches), and some frittes (fries), but these weren't as good as we thought they'd be. Washed down with a really tasty local beer.
After much wandering, we made our way back to the station, but got a little lost and after asking some locals, found the canal and the park through which we'd come. The next train was not for 30 minutes, and so we waited on the platform with many other Azura passengers.
Trains in Belgium, (or at least those we were involved with), are run very efficiently, and those we saw depart from the platform whilst we waited, left exactly on time. Many of the English people with us all said they wished British Rail could be so efficient!
Another pleasant ride back, and this time we sat opposite a Scottish couple who wanted more wind farms!! The shuttle buses were due to go back from near the park, but there were quite a few of us, and it was a bit chaotic, but we all managed.
Quiet afternoon aboard ship, and we were supposed to leave port by 5.00pm, and many of those on tour had gone to far destinations like Brussels itself, which was 60 miles away. They all managed to get back on time.
Tonight we also had to organise our luggage so that it could be left in the hallway to be unloaded onto the dock in Southampton tomorrow morning. So all we had to take ashore were our carry-on bags.
Tonight is also the night we organise the tips for our cabin steward. Those who have spent every night in the set restaurant usually give a tip to the waiters, but as we had hardly been there, we didn't feel the need. Besides, we didn't really think they were that good.
We did go down for a last drink at the Glass House and have some photos done with Mukesh, our favourite drink waiter. We did give him a tip for himself, as he had been such a delight and attended to our needs in such a friendly manner
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Still, we did also give an envelope to the cabin steward, as he had maintained our living areas really well for the whole two weeks. OK it's his job, and depending on how many cabins he is responsible for, he would do very well. It is suggested you give so much per person per day, although it isn't compulsory, but everyone seems to do it. However, perhaps the company should "build-in" the tips into the salary structure, and then people wouldn't have to agonise over it, especially when most English people are not accustomed to tipping.
Hard to believe it will all be over tomorrow, as we've had some wonderful memories.
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