Belgium and Netherlands

Back from my 1st trip out of UK yesterday. Must say it was a pretty good trip - nice attractions, good food and great travel companions. We were quite fortunate with the weather, no raining but very cold nonetheless (Amsterdam was snowing mildly on our last day there).

Me and yut make a great combination, I must say. I'm interested in food, so I will spend time to go looking for the good places to eat; Yut is interested in history and culture, so he will make the effort to push us to see all the attractions on offer. Therefore, we covered quite alot of places and had quite alot of good food and in the process spend quite alot of $$ =)

Our 7 day trip brought us to Brussels, Brugge, Amsterdam and Zaandam. For me the thing that stood out in Belgium was definitely the food. They are famous for their mussels, beer, fries and chocolates and boy do they do a good job with them! In fact, the mussels was so good, we went to the same restaurant two days in a row!

Here are some snapshots (ok, it's a lot) of the trip...

Ulu Airport which we landed in Brussels

Elections was taking place on the day we landed in Brussels - Yut was pretending to be a Green party supporter.

Red Party supporter

1st meal of the trip at a typical Belgium pub

Brussels' Expo Atomium - quite a useless piece of structure in my opinion
View from Atomium
Mini Europe which got Yut all excited such that he has to force me and Ong to go since Leo and Lisa din't want to go.
Lip-smacking good Belgium waffles

Best meal of the trip such that we went to the same restaurant for 2 days straight - Mussels at Chez Leon (highly recommended!!!) Horse meat - tastes like beef
Hostel in Brussels with the slowest internet connection but a very clean room to make up for it
Theater in Brussels

Impressive church that looks even more impressive at night Chocolate Museum in the city of chocolates
Unsuccessful attempt at drinking the pee from the Peeing Boy
Acting funny
Parliament Building

Best fries in Brussels, although I find LJS comparable Yut acting intellectual in front of the stock exchange where a Xmas market was taking place
Shopping street in Brussels where most brands have 2 shops along the same street for some reason which I can figure out
Car museum
Brilliant structure flanked by 2 museums (forgot the name though)

Wonderful and cheap lunch in Brugge Public declaration of love
Train station at Brugge
Night scene in Brussels

Church with the Holy Blood of Jesus Christ (no certificate of authenticity though)
Train station in Amsterdam Dinner in Brugge at some place that served unlimited servings of ribs!
Night scene in Brugge
View of Brugge from some tower we climbed

Hostel in Amsterdam, right next to the red light district
1st meal in Amsterdam at some cafe recommended by Leo's friend, Danielle
Outside the venue of the adult show aka live pornography
Most expensive meal of the trip at 40 euros but wonderful nonetheless (tried rabbit meat!)
Smoking weed for the 1st and last time (din't really enjoy the taste and did not feel the kick)

Walking wounded

Space muffin (again no kick)
At Zaandam to look at windmills
Walking on ice but stupid Yut had to come near us and our combined weight caused the ice to crack, thus explaining our run to safety!
More windmills

Hardcore weed addicts smoking for the 2nd day in a row

"Smoking" unconsciously
Smallest house in Amsterdam (the small red house with width of 1.6m)
Yut eating magic mushrooms - apparantly it did had the effect of causing hallucinations and caused Yut to lose sleep the whole night
The morning after the snow

Next to conquer - Malta!!!