Ghent & Bruges with Darshana, March 2008

Darshana and I are on the train to Ghent via Antwerp.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:01:53 -0700

Sean Leather
Darshana and I are on the train to Ghent via Antwerp.

We arrive in Ghent and take the tram to the center. This is one of the first views we have of the city.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:02:07 -0700

Sean Leather
We arrive in Ghent and take the tram to the center. This is one of the first views we have of the city.

Across the canal from us this bird (heron?) looks for a tasty snack.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:02:19 -0700

Sean Leather
Across the canal from us this bird (heron?) looks for a tasty snack.

These are a few steeple tops that caught my eye.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:02:32 -0700

Sean Leather
These are a few steeple tops that caught my eye.

Sint Niklaaskerk ("St. Nicholas Church") from the street.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:02:45 -0700

Sean Leather
Sint Niklaaskerk ("St. Nicholas Church") from the street.

Other shops and buildings across from Sint Niklaaskerk.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:02:57 -0700

Sean Leather
Other shops and buildings across from Sint Niklaaskerk.

A very interesting decoration on what is apparently the guild house of the bricklayers.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:03:07 -0700

Sean Leather
A very interesting decoration on what is apparently the guild house of the bricklayers.

We entered Sint Niklaaskerk and walked around. This is a set of plaques on the wall. Each has a date on it, but I'm not sure what it's for.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:03:22 -0700

Sean Leather
We entered Sint Niklaaskerk and walked around. This is a set of plaques on the wall. Each has a date on it, but I'm not sure what it's for.

If you look up in the church, you can get a sense of how tall the building is. Much more impressive here than outside, I think.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:03:32 -0700

Sean Leather
If you look up in the church, you can get a sense of how tall the building is. Much more impressive here than outside, I think.

There were a lot of very ornate carvings here, but this was one of the few made of wood.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:03:45 -0700

Sean Leather
There were a lot of very ornate carvings here, but this was one of the few made of wood.

This is the nave, I think. It's not actually very big.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:03:59 -0700

Sean Leather
This is the nave, I think. It's not actually very big.

Along the corridors on the outside of the nave, statues lined the way. I think every saint must've been represented in some fashion here.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:04:12 -0700

Sean Leather
Along the corridors on the outside of the nave, statues lined the way. I think every saint must've been represented in some fashion here.

The church organ.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:04:26 -0700

Sean Leather
The church organ.

More ornate carving. I think this is supposed to be the likeness of some entrance to a building.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:04:42 -0700

Sean Leather
More ornate carving. I think this is supposed to be the likeness of some entrance to a building.

I am standing next to the Keymaster, but I am not the Gatekeeper.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:04:54 -0700

Sean Leather
I am standing next to the Keymaster, but I am not the Gatekeeper.

Close-up of me.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:05:05 -0700

Sean Leather
Close-up of me.

A stained glass window depicting Mary, the Babe, and a Host of other saints (notice the halos).

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:05:18 -0700

Sean Leather
A stained glass window depicting Mary, the Babe, and a Host of other saints (notice the halos).

The Roeland bell that hung in the belfry. The bottom reads: Created: 1660. Damaged: 1914. Put to rest: 1950.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:05:33 -0700

Sean Leather
The Roeland bell that hung in the belfry. The bottom reads: Created: 1660. Damaged: 1914. Put to rest: 1950.

Darshana with her wonderful smile borderd by flowers in the belfry square.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:05:43 -0700

Sean Leather
Darshana with her wonderful smile borderd by flowers in the belfry square.

A statue in front of the belfry. Sint Niklaaskerk looms in the background. You can also see the bell behind.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:05:56 -0700

Sean Leather
A statue in front of the belfry. Sint Niklaaskerk looms in the background. You can also see the bell behind.

Darshana liked the colorful façades of these restaurants.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:06:09 -0700

Sean Leather
Darshana liked the colorful façades of these restaurants.

The belfry of Ghent.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:06:24 -0700

Sean Leather
The belfry of Ghent.

Our guide for the tour of the belfry. He fluently alternated between English, Flemish (like Dutch), and French.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:06:36 -0700

Sean Leather
Our guide for the tour of the belfry. He fluently alternated between English, Flemish (like Dutch), and French.

Statues that previously guarded the top of the belfry, but are now at the bottom. Can you tell which one is the real one?

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:06:49 -0700

Sean Leather
Statues that previously guarded the top of the belfry, but are now at the bottom. Can you tell which one is the real one?

The tour starts out in the secrecy room below ground. From there, we went up to the top by elevator and walked back down.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:07:01 -0700

Sean Leather
The tour starts out in the secrecy room below ground. From there, we went up to the top by elevator and walked back down.

This dragon was not afraid of Darshana, as scary as she can sometimes be. He once guarded the top of the belfry.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:07:11 -0700

Sean Leather
This dragon was not afraid of Darshana, as scary as she can sometimes be. He once guarded the top of the belfry.

The music roller thingy (better name?) that indicates which bells to ring at what time.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:07:24 -0700

Sean Leather
The music roller thingy (better name?) that indicates which bells to ring at what time.

We reach near the top of the belfry and see the bottom of a clock on the outside.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:07:34 -0700

Sean Leather
We reach near the top of the belfry and see the bottom of a clock on the outside.

Me near the top of the belfry.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:07:45 -0700

Sean Leather
Me near the top of the belfry.

Looking down from the belfry into a square, we spot a smurfy celebration. Can you find the smurf?

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:07:58 -0700

Sean Leather
Looking down from the belfry into a square, we spot a smurfy celebration. Can you find the smurf?

Sint Baafskathedral from the belfry.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:08:12 -0700

Sean Leather
Sint Baafskathedral from the belfry.

The stadhuis (city hall) of Ghent from the belfry.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:08:25 -0700

Sean Leather
The stadhuis (city hall) of Ghent from the belfry.

Sint Niklaaskerk from the belfry.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:08:38 -0700

Sean Leather
Sint Niklaaskerk from the belfry.

The grassy square with the bell and the statue from the belfry.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:08:46 -0700

Sean Leather
The grassy square with the bell and the statue from the belfry.

Overlooking Ghent from the belfry. The big castle-like thing in the middle is the Gravensteen. We'll see it a bit closer soon.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:08:57 -0700

Sean Leather
Overlooking Ghent from the belfry. The big castle-like thing in the middle is the Gravensteen. We'll see it a bit closer soon.

Now, we go back down the belfry.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:09:06 -0700

Sean Leather
Now, we go back down the belfry.

I show off as I lift this large iron roller off its resting place.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:09:15 -0700

Sean Leather
I show off as I lift this large iron roller off its resting place.

These are a number of bells that have been played in the belfry.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:09:24 -0700

Sean Leather
These are a number of bells that have been played in the belfry.

These bells were cast by Pieter Hemony, whose story is quite interesting.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:09:34 -0700

Sean Leather
These bells were cast by Pieter Hemony, whose story is quite interesting.

We leave the belfry and head towards the Gravensteen. Unfortunately, we get there just after the last tour started and the castle closed. So, we hang out outside and bask in the romantic vie ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:09:47 -0700

Sean Leather
We leave the belfry and head towards the Gravensteen. Unfortunately, we get there just after the last tour started and the castle closed. So, we hang out outside and bask in the romantic vie ...

A spidery sculpture attached to the side of the Gravensteen.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:10:02 -0700

Sean Leather
A spidery sculpture attached to the side of the Gravensteen.

Another view of the Gravensteen and its moat.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:10:12 -0700

Sean Leather
Another view of the Gravensteen and its moat.

A close-up of the turrets and flags on the Gravensteen.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:10:21 -0700

Sean Leather
A close-up of the turrets and flags on the Gravensteen.

After visiting the outside of the Gravensteen, we chilled at the Graslei, a very nice canal with restaurants and nice architecture on either side. We took the chance to set up the mini tripo ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:10:30 -0700

Sean Leather
After visiting the outside of the Gravensteen, we chilled at the Graslei, a very nice canal with restaurants and nice architecture on either side. We took the chance to set up the mini tripo ...

Another shot of us at the Graslei.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:10:42 -0700

Sean Leather
Another shot of us at the Graslei.

As we awaited drinks at the Graslei, I couldn't resist taking another photo of Darshana.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:10:53 -0700

Sean Leather
As we awaited drinks at the Graslei, I couldn't resist taking another photo of Darshana.

Proost! I had the Westmalle dubbel on the left, and Darshana had the hot chocolate on the right.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:11:04 -0700

Sean Leather
Proost! I had the Westmalle dubbel on the left, and Darshana had the hot chocolate on the right.

After relaxing at the Graslei, we hopped on a train to Bruges. We arrived, checked into our hotel, and went out for dinner. Afterwards, thanks to Darshana's brilliant thinking, I took some n ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:11:17 -0700

Sean Leather
After relaxing at the Graslei, we hopped on a train to Bruges. We arrived, checked into our hotel, and went out for dinner. Afterwards, thanks to Darshana's brilliant thinking, I took some n ...

A monument in the center of the square in front of the belfry.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:11:33 -0700

Sean Leather
A monument in the center of the square in front of the belfry.

A nice façade of restaurants in the square.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:11:44 -0700

Sean Leather
A nice façade of restaurants in the square.

The next morning we decided to check out Choco Story, a chocolate museum.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:11:58 -0700

Sean Leather
The next morning we decided to check out Choco Story, a chocolate museum.

Note: This rug is not edible.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:12:08 -0700

Sean Leather
Note: This rug is not edible.

Choco Story's mission is to "make known the story of the transformation of cocoa into chocolate and to promote the health and quality aspects of Belgian chocolate." The museum opened on 22 M ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:12:16 -0700

Sean Leather
Choco Story's mission is to "make known the story of the transformation of cocoa into chocolate and to promote the health and quality aspects of Belgian chocolate." The museum opened on 22 M ...

This is the chocolate fairy. She followed us around the museum and told us what things were.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:12:25 -0700

Sean Leather
This is the chocolate fairy. She followed us around the museum and told us what things were.

A chocolate frog.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:12:33 -0700

Sean Leather
A chocolate frog.

Darshana stands with some Choco guy.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:12:44 -0700

Sean Leather
Darshana stands with some Choco guy.

I take Darshana's place. (I'm more white chocolate, though.)

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:12:55 -0700

Sean Leather
I take Darshana's place. (I'm more white chocolate, though.)

The description reads: A nobleman offering cocoa paste.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:13:05 -0700

Sean Leather
The description reads: A nobleman offering cocoa paste.

Have you ever wondered what the secret recipe for chocolate is? Here you go!

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:13:15 -0700

Sean Leather
Have you ever wondered what the secret recipe for chocolate is? Here you go!

A cocoa plant and monkey.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:13:27 -0700

Sean Leather
A cocoa plant and monkey.

A machine previously used to make chocolate.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:13:36 -0700

Sean Leather
A machine previously used to make chocolate.

Various molds and the results of using them on chocolate.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:13:48 -0700

Sean Leather
Various molds and the results of using them on chocolate.

More intricate molds.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:14:00 -0700

Sean Leather
More intricate molds.

Several dog-like characters made of chocolate.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:14:11 -0700

Sean Leather
Several dog-like characters made of chocolate.

Another chocolate dog character.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:14:48 -0700

Sean Leather
Another chocolate dog character.

Chocolate hats.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:14:59 -0700

Sean Leather
Chocolate hats.

The chocolate fairy returns, this time in her own essence.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:15:30 -0700

Sean Leather
The chocolate fairy returns, this time in her own essence.

The description reads: Artworks in chocolate made by a Russian chocolatier, Vladimir Konne.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:16:18 -0700

Sean Leather
The description reads: Artworks in chocolate made by a Russian chocolatier, Vladimir Konne.

The description reads: 3 sculptures in chocolate made by Freddy de Waele.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:16:29 -0700

Sean Leather
The description reads: 3 sculptures in chocolate made by Freddy de Waele.

I think: "Hmm, is there any chocolate in here?"

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:16:38 -0700

Sean Leather
I think: "Hmm, is there any chocolate in here?"

This chef demonstrates how she makes chocolate.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:16:46 -0700

Sean Leather
This chef demonstrates how she makes chocolate.

At the end of the demonstration, we each try a piece fresh out of the oven. Darshana definitely loves hers.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:16:57 -0700

Sean Leather
At the end of the demonstration, we each try a piece fresh out of the oven. Darshana definitely loves hers.

I thoughtfully enjoy my chocolate sample.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:17:06 -0700

Sean Leather
I thoughtfully enjoy my chocolate sample.

After the Choco Story, we go on a scavenger hunt for a place with good (and preferably spicy) hot chocolate. In the end, we see most of the center of Bruges, and we do find some good hot cho ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:17:16 -0700

Sean Leather
After the Choco Story, we go on a scavenger hunt for a place with good (and preferably spicy) hot chocolate. In the end, we see most of the center of Bruges, and we do find some good hot cho ...

From Bruges, we went via the Antwerp station, shown here. It's a nice looking place.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:17:28 -0700

Sean Leather
From Bruges, we went via the Antwerp station, shown here. It's a nice looking place.

There were a number of these kama sutra ads for a lottery. Quite hilarious, I thought.

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:17:38 -0700

Sean Leather
There were a number of these kama sutra ads for a lottery. Quite hilarious, I thought.

The outside of the Antwerp station. And that brings us to the end of the photo tour. We headed back towards Utrecht via Rotterdam. Unfortunately, we discovered that there was something going ...

nobody@smugmug.com (Sean Leather) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 07:17:52 -0700

Sean Leather
The outside of the Antwerp station. And that brings us to the end of the photo tour. We headed back towards Utrecht via Rotterdam. Unfortunately, we discovered that there was something going ...