tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75978127897273734382024-02-07T03:08:09.822-08:00Across The PondHighlights from our trip to Belgium & FranceAndy McKielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532637741341341038noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7597812789727373438.post-20078277668998356902008-09-16T06:44:00.000-07:002008-09-16T06:59:26.026-07:00Looking Back...<center><br /><iframe marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=117466185477540834046.0004567bbb0d929aca67c&ll=49.794438,7.046496&spn=2.880543,9.482639&output=embed&s=AARTsJr0sJ6bRhifbxYdadOrGJMI3AaATQ" frameborder="0" height="350" scrolling="no" width="425"></iframe><br /><large><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=117466185477540834046.0004567bbb0d929aca67c&ll=49.794438,7.046496&spn=2.880543,9.482639&source=embed" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255); text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></large><br /></center><br /><br />It's been almost two weeks since Jennifer and I returned from our 2 week trip to Belgium and France. While we still have many distinct memories of our travels abroad, some of the lines are beginning to blur and the memories are becoming a little hazy.<br /><br />Looking back through the hundreds of photos that we shot while overseas, I decided that one of the ways I could try to preserve our memories was to create a Google Map highlighting a few of the pictures from some of our destinations.<br /><br />Feel free to zoom in on the following map to see some of the places we visited. Be<br />sure to click on the placemarks so that you can see a few photos from each location.<br /><br />Regards,<br />AndyAndy McKielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532637741341341038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7597812789727373438.post-7810924359775760822008-07-17T14:07:00.000-07:002008-07-17T14:28:49.586-07:00No Boundaries... Beyond Belgium<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVIfQ3W-giEw_QXU-K4WGJw67ytSNMPW6M8US9V4J2rzXzruUkcjjqSYxZmfdPpRlkzcRRRDaB6yc7O_or-VsuS-3DxEZ1dBUK9VUUOAABoUXQqujApmKz6uB07viXOOYCs83YBDVCiA/s1600-h/DSC06276.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVIfQ3W-giEw_QXU-K4WGJw67ytSNMPW6M8US9V4J2rzXzruUkcjjqSYxZmfdPpRlkzcRRRDaB6yc7O_or-VsuS-3DxEZ1dBUK9VUUOAABoUXQqujApmKz6uB07viXOOYCs83YBDVCiA/s400/DSC06276.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224093367810681986" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">We spent our last day in Europe exploring an interesting region in a different country. Greg drove us out to Maastricht, in The Netherlands, to get the full experience of being in a Dutch city. With a population of just over 100,000, Maastricht didn't have too much of a big city feel, but we found lots of things to do and see to make the short trip well worth our while. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">All of us agreed that being in The Netherlands has a totally different feel than Belguim. From the differences in the language, to the inferior 'frites', to the painted stonework on architectural gems, the experience was very unique :-)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rufus came along for the ride, and he thrived off of the different aromas emanating from the cafes, restaurants and businesses along all the streets and alleys. We had a decent lunch at one of the many outdoor cafes, accompanied by the talents of a school jazz band that was performing just around the corner.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">While we can't wait to return to our home and our children tomorrow, we are sad to see our vacation come to an end. Thank you to everyone who followed along with our adventures through this travel blog. While the primary purpose of the blog was to document our trip for your sake, looking over the pictures and generating blog posts was another way for the two of us to reflect on the highlights of our trip while it was taking place. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">We hope that you've enjoyed reading about our travels almost as much as we've enjoyed blogging about them :-)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thanks for reading,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Andy</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The view across the canal in Maastricht, looking toward the train station.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiev25NpoSuLdvXQPXTWUVMlygws4LEsasYGTKc9V2aoC7PypGE8S2OQkUivDDZyDCKwFNcUR6v5tdeqSoUeB7GjjiTQeXMS9sXsdGU4jcYTtTNPnqJ-2fQ4-UGxIRMQ8ANQjDVrdIu5KQ/s1600-h/DSC06265.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiev25NpoSuLdvXQPXTWUVMlygws4LEsasYGTKc9V2aoC7PypGE8S2OQkUivDDZyDCKwFNcUR6v5tdeqSoUeB7GjjiTQeXMS9sXsdGU4jcYTtTNPnqJ-2fQ4-UGxIRMQ8ANQjDVrdIu5KQ/s320/DSC06265.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224093233099733618" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />The view from our outdoor cafe at lunch. </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2kyZPeqinwZMR2BH8eWMumY05yDbyipsl_5OxJWJjCqexTzs3zSi7ySPaH1Jq5Qyztx3OJWvBkJeGBcszWFiFitJTaM31JBGLTV0LS9wrIquzxDR_ouMHXm18N1csF5zTCXLjI-ed_rk/s1600-h/DSC06271.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2kyZPeqinwZMR2BH8eWMumY05yDbyipsl_5OxJWJjCqexTzs3zSi7ySPaH1Jq5Qyztx3OJWvBkJeGBcszWFiFitJTaM31JBGLTV0LS9wrIquzxDR_ouMHXm18N1csF5zTCXLjI-ed_rk/s320/DSC06271.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224093235810256882" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">On the fringe of a large square in Maastricht.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRBddcvKgOR_BvACjIQAMMKqFOGs_NZULCYO3CAPO0VvyuVwUzFPJbsR23F1UKA4jyG9p0x3R6h6dResFEWvK43HF9vYtHegij_8agfIplB3JU7ql7F4vwRpkMxCN72Ym9UtrGkETjpjw/s1600-h/DSC06284.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRBddcvKgOR_BvACjIQAMMKqFOGs_NZULCYO3CAPO0VvyuVwUzFPJbsR23F1UKA4jyG9p0x3R6h6dResFEWvK43HF9vYtHegij_8agfIplB3JU7ql7F4vwRpkMxCN72Ym9UtrGkETjpjw/s320/DSC06284.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224093240963335138" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Wandering down the cobblestones on a quiet alley in Maastricht.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-wNwyUUYYIL1kjVIJB4w4gdulGXaS-6sXmogJ0023_qyRAQylZE4it1BPgcxz4aMFB7IACtimLa_lFkzBTzgdPu_QUMvP6WmbdOaqd6nY0q8mTa5HVlV8pAyyTMlJO7hffcj7JjEw0k/s1600-h/DSC06290.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-wNwyUUYYIL1kjVIJB4w4gdulGXaS-6sXmogJ0023_qyRAQylZE4it1BPgcxz4aMFB7IACtimLa_lFkzBTzgdPu_QUMvP6WmbdOaqd6nY0q8mTa5HVlV8pAyyTMlJO7hffcj7JjEw0k/s320/DSC06290.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224093240356758594" border="0" /></a>Andy McKielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532637741341341038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7597812789727373438.post-49412702479891305902008-07-16T13:50:00.000-07:002008-07-16T14:08:46.040-07:00The Last Lazy Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnX0kT12hNpbWAz7GKUXz8o-20036eJwRYVXsa6ZwP2a8vNV35BIV85pD6dmE8Eh1I3b5_kI7DFqoz2bLc3gKWzk9qoFXwu1giWHaYw-oQWgKoK3F5bvK6hF6m-WOPlpWpeaMwA2mYiY/s1600-h/DSC06173.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnX0kT12hNpbWAz7GKUXz8o-20036eJwRYVXsa6ZwP2a8vNV35BIV85pD6dmE8Eh1I3b5_kI7DFqoz2bLc3gKWzk9qoFXwu1giWHaYw-oQWgKoK3F5bvK6hF6m-WOPlpWpeaMwA2mYiY/s400/DSC06173.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223718084191227442" border="0" /></a>Waking up to an overcast and rainy morning, Jennifer and I decided to stick close to the house. We started the day off with a leisurely swim in the pool, then had a wonderful lunch upstairs on our own. There was a working lunch taking place in the dining room, so we tried to stay out of sight.<br /><br />Following lunch, the clouds broke, so Greg decided that the three of us should go into the heart of Brussels one last time to see a few more of the sights. We wandered for several hours up and down some great streets and alleys, stopping repeatedly at outdoor cafes to keep our fluid levels up. When beer and coffee are cheaper than water, it makes ordering a very difficult process :-)<br /><br />This evening, we had a lovely formal dinner with some VIP guests, then Jennifer and I entertained Rufus with a great game of catch. Although he's still a puppy, he's about 30 kg. and has far more stamina than the two of us put together.<br /><br />Tomorrow we're off to see the city of Maastricht, just across the border in the Netherlands. Our last full day in Europe should be interesting. <br /><br />Until then, thanks for reading :-)<br />Andy<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">We were served a terrific lunch on our own in the family study.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3lwLBhTnnW_Gm-QZtOblzCbqw53W2OtqT9ibzAhsBkVG_lGaIO9QC6Va2rHp_hoRlvdE5gB9bm1OKzlEST8Oq31vCCoVMCXLe0ccvdO9brnpvggnH9Iy7y4hcyS1HPXJqqPNKih_d2s/s1600-h/DSC06212.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3lwLBhTnnW_Gm-QZtOblzCbqw53W2OtqT9ibzAhsBkVG_lGaIO9QC6Va2rHp_hoRlvdE5gB9bm1OKzlEST8Oq31vCCoVMCXLe0ccvdO9brnpvggnH9Iy7y4hcyS1HPXJqqPNKih_d2s/s320/DSC06212.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223717771705552402" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Ross recommended that we visit the carrier pigeon memorial in Brussels... here it is :-)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZHOdtydDQ8GRTQPj76DK_WGEFjPMMK-cqQ2Pzjr4FkxMkF0j4045qUcn_UMeSVD5ZCX_AeN36kUfJrOdBH7zUY7F4WEIaiPAXAAWpwYy54bk8oR5IM22LANxu2SfiRhaLEorP27cmgU/s1600-h/DSC06220.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUZHOdtydDQ8GRTQPj76DK_WGEFjPMMK-cqQ2Pzjr4FkxMkF0j4045qUcn_UMeSVD5ZCX_AeN36kUfJrOdBH7zUY7F4WEIaiPAXAAWpwYy54bk8oR5IM22LANxu2SfiRhaLEorP27cmgU/s320/DSC06220.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223717577184701138" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Another of the many cartoon murals featured around the city... this one featuring the 'Mannekin Pis' ;-)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61RggT0_ijRqyjWWw_Lbsaaeiza9vWDivmH-WD85mc8oFdsyLgZJDen71GlkftwYSmQcggYXObaNPtPtN-LVqRdNRqQ64EL3HUNRov-Gk0LZFO2x02tffhx4o9XN1eXc5qKwncdwPmZ4/s1600-h/DSC06221.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61RggT0_ijRqyjWWw_Lbsaaeiza9vWDivmH-WD85mc8oFdsyLgZJDen71GlkftwYSmQcggYXObaNPtPtN-LVqRdNRqQ64EL3HUNRov-Gk0LZFO2x02tffhx4o9XN1eXc5qKwncdwPmZ4/s320/DSC06221.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223717578554250786" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The back yard of the house where Rufus, a flat coat retriever, loves to retrieve balls thrown deep into the yard.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO60JLdA1U1GnwT93C1rWwsfDWUKaoaRv0Uu2uIYOhw6GcYhMFd9BgXCygTPikEQXc1VeJy3AjUOKuIxM0wFZxyK2iIWv5k_Dc3_inMzT2SIO2QRQcEPu1i7CxEmtGoESJmKE2JKwmBfc/s1600-h/DSC06174.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO60JLdA1U1GnwT93C1rWwsfDWUKaoaRv0Uu2uIYOhw6GcYhMFd9BgXCygTPikEQXc1VeJy3AjUOKuIxM0wFZxyK2iIWv5k_Dc3_inMzT2SIO2QRQcEPu1i7CxEmtGoESJmKE2JKwmBfc/s320/DSC06174.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223719041012838738" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">After a long run and a rousing game of catch, Rufus is taking a little break :-)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkeeAFxP1RUztCkIik9ATLhPAAoEvBdirqTGO_3BG5RWeeNYz4IbHRzYUQ6nHNnIRjW9Js083w8BjEwuq_8BD2YLYCBusE3_ZvU3C8KCO_fmD83MezxB7115gPS0hngdCZjDm_amiJcyg/s1600-h/DSC06176.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkeeAFxP1RUztCkIik9ATLhPAAoEvBdirqTGO_3BG5RWeeNYz4IbHRzYUQ6nHNnIRjW9Js083w8BjEwuq_8BD2YLYCBusE3_ZvU3C8KCO_fmD83MezxB7115gPS0hngdCZjDm_amiJcyg/s320/DSC06176.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223717586343804514" border="0" /></a>Andy McKielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532637741341341038noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7597812789727373438.post-48886759475362400542008-07-15T08:45:00.000-07:002008-07-15T09:12:18.695-07:00The Seaside Adventure...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjws84EjT_SeKOxBxL_hciQ-RkAvBVfCkbGBIpzumbEEb5V6qLo_fTDR3mv0PYH2HZumyFe2gf4pR0ix8e2bcZ0mxghRuvlm5E1pKe3kcAQAPTOiMg901feJZXsGUWE7otRxVc9iQBKlZI/s1600-h/DSC06046.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjws84EjT_SeKOxBxL_hciQ-RkAvBVfCkbGBIpzumbEEb5V6qLo_fTDR3mv0PYH2HZumyFe2gf4pR0ix8e2bcZ0mxghRuvlm5E1pKe3kcAQAPTOiMg901feJZXsGUWE7otRxVc9iQBKlZI/s400/DSC06046.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223268391458594226" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Over the last couple of days we've done more than our share of touring around the country. We hopped onto a morning train to the city of Gent, in northern Belguim, yesterday. We only spent about four hours there, but it was sufficient to get a feel for the city. Much more modern than Brugges, but still a lot of very old buildings and several canals winding their way through the city. We walked up and down some very colourful streets, took a tour of the cathedral that houses Von Eyck's 'Adoration of the Lamb', and even peeked into a medieval castle that still stands near the centre of the city.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">After making our way back to the train station, we continued on to the city of Oostende, on the North Sea. Oostende is Belgium's second largest port. This beautiful city is filled with seafood restaurants and markets, and the sand beach stretches on as far as the eye can see in both directions down the Belgian coastline. The day that we arrived was hot and sunny, so the beach was buzzing with activity. However, this morning was quite cool and cloudy so the beach had a very different look and feel. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">After seeing many of the sights in Oostende, we made our way back to Brussels this afternoon and took a quick tour of the Africa Museum in Tervueren (on the fringe of Brussels) which Jennifer mentioned in an earlier post. This museum contained some very interesting artifacts that King Leopold II 'collected' from the Congo about a century ago. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tonight, we're heading back into the heart of Brussels for tapas with Greg and Ross :-)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thanks for reading,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Andy</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Along the canals in the city of Gent.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv8i7_PHBakWaJ8YAp9QNDmKMR3Gyqn5VuBR-GpDCvEl-LDCSJ7UH3SAy1Rc-XxH1u-FW3NRwzB5cFEX36uI4924H25EtzmsuI9_i7-HIXHhiQILRs4XDyM4YSRB5vXIut4sclBu8VneM/s1600-h/DSC06031.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv8i7_PHBakWaJ8YAp9QNDmKMR3Gyqn5VuBR-GpDCvEl-LDCSJ7UH3SAy1Rc-XxH1u-FW3NRwzB5cFEX36uI4924H25EtzmsuI9_i7-HIXHhiQILRs4XDyM4YSRB5vXIut4sclBu8VneM/s320/DSC06031.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223268277263540866" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">An example of the beautiful architecture around every corner in Gent.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYP1BLgMg3k9gmDBltnCEn8K8INO1pUPyggZ_fyAsofQXZBdL1NHpl-g_O1ba1BbuedumMK5oSDE3eslz2RmkOqznTKx575eQgR3Oc51EEMq99wslxSv3bT3YRE_gK0ph5RIc0RGr3Frw/s1600-h/DSC06044.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYP1BLgMg3k9gmDBltnCEn8K8INO1pUPyggZ_fyAsofQXZBdL1NHpl-g_O1ba1BbuedumMK5oSDE3eslz2RmkOqznTKx575eQgR3Oc51EEMq99wslxSv3bT3YRE_gK0ph5RIc0RGr3Frw/s320/DSC06044.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223268279706025794" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">All of the graffiti in the city of Gent is found along this one alley.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGyFPrTrbaty_FfQxIlH1trZ8BTiW2MA3Xkt-unhmwfp95t5rkGymGupRKFBQ0MBDaR7oHBvUt-hkxr7n5mg63MsfRji2c7j_bgP8ecrsRJm9fTlfauj4oy7iVQr88NE4PThUKQvbZ6A/s1600-h/DSC06028.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGyFPrTrbaty_FfQxIlH1trZ8BTiW2MA3Xkt-unhmwfp95t5rkGymGupRKFBQ0MBDaR7oHBvUt-hkxr7n5mg63MsfRji2c7j_bgP8ecrsRJm9fTlfauj4oy7iVQr88NE4PThUKQvbZ6A/s320/DSC06028.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223268273738235282" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">One of the cathedrals located in the seaside city of Oostende.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheiI0rJb55l-YXyH0xztOGUoOJcNMrclQPEwrFytSyPzbT0CGSKz8SXso61QmXRxjx9NW5e6LLbGIaAiTjylWuEHUkIUOnrNotxJz37hq_lQRwv6lRlQBMzokAaEmFSkz9TQkucEFyAIY/s1600-h/DSC06114.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheiI0rJb55l-YXyH0xztOGUoOJcNMrclQPEwrFytSyPzbT0CGSKz8SXso61QmXRxjx9NW5e6LLbGIaAiTjylWuEHUkIUOnrNotxJz37hq_lQRwv6lRlQBMzokAaEmFSkz9TQkucEFyAIY/s320/DSC06114.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223268053926247090" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Thanks to the beautiful weather the day we arrived, the beach was quite crowded.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUZHEKSEXiVIiMVL8lRppmFU7RlumIu4Q_gZvnL4Jwex17B3wj1H3Sv_hF59GTyN6b928z6U1FZjCaIpanXgY1pfCfOlWl7LcYftSShjw1lFyo__n80gevOyc7DNSK81ZeKpLQ5rzGo8/s1600-h/DSC06054.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUZHEKSEXiVIiMVL8lRppmFU7RlumIu4Q_gZvnL4Jwex17B3wj1H3Sv_hF59GTyN6b928z6U1FZjCaIpanXgY1pfCfOlWl7LcYftSShjw1lFyo__n80gevOyc7DNSK81ZeKpLQ5rzGo8/s320/DSC06054.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223268055245053138" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">One of the many stalls in the fish market at Oostende.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFBlyjKqBoz4WA8pq9bRsqGLL8313rHbCV2WXb6U2Q4Wj5kTx0AZSVnluQgigtupxHCqOkrInGfFhxw4sQAs5fkSNqYV15ROpuSMtPZoAG8KOJ5URHa6z5ycmHGuz2NZ0BXNeje0CLks/s1600-h/DSC06101.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFBlyjKqBoz4WA8pq9bRsqGLL8313rHbCV2WXb6U2Q4Wj5kTx0AZSVnluQgigtupxHCqOkrInGfFhxw4sQAs5fkSNqYV15ROpuSMtPZoAG8KOJ5URHa6z5ycmHGuz2NZ0BXNeje0CLks/s320/DSC06101.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223268052129370914" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">One of the exhibit rooms at the Africa Museum, close to where we're staying in Brussels.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kupWm9sb3IiXCRr6NKMJd_rkghpQqjB6BLXQ5YFBtQDed9s6KPkWBulsfalOAc6v4lty-B9vjJqSip-z7k878RKox4pLZfnxHyciEkXNt3Sq-CUOcnHM5aBzNeh6y-PMYTkJS_CnosA/s1600-h/DSC06128.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2kupWm9sb3IiXCRr6NKMJd_rkghpQqjB6BLXQ5YFBtQDed9s6KPkWBulsfalOAc6v4lty-B9vjJqSip-z7k878RKox4pLZfnxHyciEkXNt3Sq-CUOcnHM5aBzNeh6y-PMYTkJS_CnosA/s320/DSC06128.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223267758241742098" border="0" /></a>Andy McKielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532637741341341038noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7597812789727373438.post-22018514997965923452008-07-13T14:32:00.000-07:002008-07-13T15:17:22.701-07:00Last Day in Paradise... err, Paris<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzidnl0A4YXSLpSqIp1ryKgs5Bu7xPJx6MIH5Ckh7Wo3pIiy18o1hPtOaXyiEEglIzIC0jCQyYcDw_iRcSQeYMcz_1z-K1qTIpN_bAdDIgKmljchU9_HqVpNko0evEb4hkLe0zU1ai9Q/s1600-h/DSC05995.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzidnl0A4YXSLpSqIp1ryKgs5Bu7xPJx6MIH5Ckh7Wo3pIiy18o1hPtOaXyiEEglIzIC0jCQyYcDw_iRcSQeYMcz_1z-K1qTIpN_bAdDIgKmljchU9_HqVpNko0evEb4hkLe0zU1ai9Q/s400/DSC05995.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222615436356821490" border="0" /></a>Today was our last day in Paris and we made the most of it. After a late start this morning, we packed up our big red suitcase and headed out to see some more sites with suitcase in tow. From our hotel, we walked east to see Montmartre, a beautiful area in the north end of the city. In Montmartre, we saw the Sacre Couers (the cathedral pictured above), Moulin Rouge, dozens of seedy looking 'adult' shops, and a fantastic little alley that led up the hill to the cathedral. All of this was done lugging our big red suitcase.<br /><br />From Montmartre, we hopped onto the Metro and headed back toward the Arc de Triumphe. Our goal was to walk down the Champs de L'Eysees all the way to the Louvre, where we could catch the same water taxi (the Batobus) that we used yesterday to explore the city. While this was a great plan in theory, it was hindered by police barricades that essentially shut down the entire region around the Grand Palais, which was directly in our path. As it turns out, France was hosting some kind of international summit today with Prime Ministers, Presidents and foreign dignitaries from many European countries. While the streets and sidewalks were barricaded for regular folks, there were many police processions leading the vehicles from each country around the main arteries in the city. This resulted in us needing to take an hour long detour to reach our destination. Still, we lugged our big red suitcase along with us :-)<br /><br />We made our way back to the Eiffel Tower, caught the Batobus, and headed for the Jardins de Plantes, which we thought was a giant green space based on it's appearance on our map. It looked like it might be good for photo ops and feeding the pigeons our leftover baguette. There was, in fact, a huge formal garden, but this area also featured three or four large museums and the 'menagerie' (Zoo) in Paris. Since we only had about two hours until we had to catch our train back to Brussels, we decided to push on a little further to find a place to eat. We discovered Place d'Italia, the Italian quarter, just around the corner from Jardins de Plante, had a bite to eat and an espresso, then caught our train. Our big red suitcase followed us loyally throughout all of these adventures ;-)<br /><br />Once we arrived back in Brussels, Greg met us at the train station and we returned to the house for another five star meal. We could get used to those! We had a wonderful visit over dinner. We got to share our Paris experience with everyone, then Greg and Ross shared their stories about the weekend that they had in Nimes (in the south of France). In addition, Julien (Ross' 20 year old son who's here for the summer) and his two friends shared their experiences of taking the train to Amsterdam on Saturday night. They arrived in Amsterdam at midnight and left at 7:00 a.m. Those young kids seem to think that they can do anything! All I want to know is -- could they have done it with a big red suitcase in tow ;-)<br /><br />Thanks for reading,<br />Andy<br />BTW, we won't be able to post tomorrow as we're spending the night in a little town called Oostende on the North Sea in Belguim. Don't worry, we'll have lots of pictures ready for our next post...<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Looking into the window of one of the many 'patisseries' that we walked past today... mmm :-)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8N5Ry8wUQCNNa5BdPQOsS6EuNfopPL8k8HXcAxc7jM8aHjQVNj_8B4RXYfl2ZmHFnjQijtSN-QasiSGTo_BSyCX2RBUqei7fsIfr3xLXsa0oZz_xdJiOKgax0tUtWpDRRzzgS7bPTKqc/s1600-h/DSC05967.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8N5Ry8wUQCNNa5BdPQOsS6EuNfopPL8k8HXcAxc7jM8aHjQVNj_8B4RXYfl2ZmHFnjQijtSN-QasiSGTo_BSyCX2RBUqei7fsIfr3xLXsa0oZz_xdJiOKgax0tUtWpDRRzzgS7bPTKqc/s320/DSC05967.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222615305112770610" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The famous Moulin Rouge, at the edge of Montmarte, a district in the northern part of Paris.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaVe1TD7Q_Qk_l0uFlomRDacCHN64dlTZQt_q0e4TyZ6SlSHG2E35s4dvue5Qsf6jESwYlXI3WNO042LjlefEaMA2MS2cLMP-3iGfMQV4YML5jWd7QwXi8hn78L0p2J39OEvX0IDxEBUc/s1600-h/DSC05975.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaVe1TD7Q_Qk_l0uFlomRDacCHN64dlTZQt_q0e4TyZ6SlSHG2E35s4dvue5Qsf6jESwYlXI3WNO042LjlefEaMA2MS2cLMP-3iGfMQV4YML5jWd7QwXi8hn78L0p2J39OEvX0IDxEBUc/s320/DSC05975.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222615307680700898" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />This alley in Montmartre had a tonne of character and was absolutely packed with people by midday.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFy6JCy2YRDO336W5o1SHoeXlpD5ICRDzQTiVp3KEvqrTF2OIoKXI_sMdb34wsu9dGepx4aevDHd3h_QbExHrh6HmnFm6jDMAZNsBtNt8hP4tLIrzjqUI5Kxi_W8SIgLWsAOOa6GiS1pQ/s1600-h/DSC05977.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFy6JCy2YRDO336W5o1SHoeXlpD5ICRDzQTiVp3KEvqrTF2OIoKXI_sMdb34wsu9dGepx4aevDHd3h_QbExHrh6HmnFm6jDMAZNsBtNt8hP4tLIrzjqUI5Kxi_W8SIgLWsAOOa6GiS1pQ/s320/DSC05977.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222615310467361810" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">These carousels can be found all over Paris...</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_GDhscglWZZGvJamKJFDi7eEKbDrJq9GOVOTxQAdaeKdxnvMEu3zKzQ5-OLquhDtqWxNTaffVJ7YdzvetGLe_s3kAlps2APe1K24S-IhAiKFgwUCjRHQvsJPqXLF-DibrEqcy5fYoNg/s1600-h/DSC05999.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_GDhscglWZZGvJamKJFDi7eEKbDrJq9GOVOTxQAdaeKdxnvMEu3zKzQ5-OLquhDtqWxNTaffVJ7YdzvetGLe_s3kAlps2APe1K24S-IhAiKFgwUCjRHQvsJPqXLF-DibrEqcy5fYoNg/s320/DSC05999.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222615309307622530" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">A typical view as we walked down the Champs des L'Eysees toward the Louvre</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKY9IcSdrqmq9dDXeInkI5jjqN-FD3uvUH8UYkwiAUabcG8gPcGLeAiIWR6TYc0qT4j_v5YLSFIX_wHpNfn1F7FcPZycNjgcu8irZBRdaDu3aUgejdWuYTuVlGuersU5nSMwMmwIXkMHY/s1600-h/DSC06004.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKY9IcSdrqmq9dDXeInkI5jjqN-FD3uvUH8UYkwiAUabcG8gPcGLeAiIWR6TYc0qT4j_v5YLSFIX_wHpNfn1F7FcPZycNjgcu8irZBRdaDu3aUgejdWuYTuVlGuersU5nSMwMmwIXkMHY/s320/DSC06004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222615316264994290" border="0" /></a>Andy McKielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532637741341341038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7597812789727373438.post-4003667978406580072008-07-12T12:51:00.000-07:002008-07-12T13:25:59.893-07:00A Symphony of Sights and Sounds<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAWjWBilORO46yXfZxjVLBLv2RDoFGI3jxbM8RN9YQXeP8Jpc2agRZfIBb7zp40ON4zEipriOOU71fYDrYrtpXOXyuG5E_1IDeMF4VyG0spNv3fJPJ2Nx1PukYs1nPSHU8kSMuLrP4yE/s1600-h/DSC05879.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAWjWBilORO46yXfZxjVLBLv2RDoFGI3jxbM8RN9YQXeP8Jpc2agRZfIBb7zp40ON4zEipriOOU71fYDrYrtpXOXyuG5E_1IDeMF4VyG0spNv3fJPJ2Nx1PukYs1nPSHU8kSMuLrP4yE/s400/DSC05879.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222218432616719410" border="0" /></a><br />Jennifer and I are a little overwhelmed with all of the sights and sounds that we've taken in since arriving in Paris yesterday. Around every corner, the architecture never ceases to amaze us and there are so many famous landmarks to discover and explore that this is truly a city built for adventure. We walked around the city for about eleven hours today before returning to our hotel room this evening, stopping only briefly for a bite to eat or an espresso :-)<br /><br />While the Metro system here in Paris is very straightforward, we decided that we'd also take advantage of the boat tours that are available. We bought a two day pass for the 'Batobus', a tour boat that stops at about eight points along both shores of the Seine River. We hopped on and off the tour boat at many popular destinations, including the Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral and Musée d'Orsay. <br /><br />As much as we've enjoyed all of the sights along the way, the sounds that we've been bombarded with also lend the the charm and ambience of this amazing city. From the little boy who hopped onto our metro car to belt out a karaoke version of La Bamba before passing his hat around, to the sirens and scooters, to the trumpet players walking down the sidewalk past all the outdoor cafes, there is no shortage of stimulation in Paris. <br /><br />Another thing that has amazed us are the scam artists who try to take advantage of all the tourists. Last night, we were approached by a gentleman who bent over and picked up a gold wedding ring at our feet. He insisted that we keep and told us that it must be our lucky day... Thirty seconds later, he was tapping me on the shoulder asking if I could spare some euros to buy a sandwich. I politely turned him down and returned his ring, suggesting that he find somene else to give it to. This afternoon, near the Louvre, we saw a well-dressed woman pulling the exact same scam on several other tourists.<br /><br />Tomorrow's our last day in Paris, and we'll be returning to Brussels for a late dinner with Greg and Ross. Thanks to all who contributed their favourite sights in Paris. We'll try to cover even more of them tomorrow before we have to leave :-)<br /><br />Thanks for reading,<br />Andy<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Preparing to hop on our 'Batobus' cruise boat, with the Louvre in the distance.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0JYOTQmrobJxlemPwQXLPjgph3_nI-s04t2nzAdtYsie5aGzA4YIh_uAbCAgIQdBG68yRVrK22dbYqnGyQ8UxqLxt1AGYLauiaeaDJLYTyH6tqF0w8YCYRAZVweWVNlBs0_49fTaq4X8/s1600-h/DSC05810.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0JYOTQmrobJxlemPwQXLPjgph3_nI-s04t2nzAdtYsie5aGzA4YIh_uAbCAgIQdBG68yRVrK22dbYqnGyQ8UxqLxt1AGYLauiaeaDJLYTyH6tqF0w8YCYRAZVweWVNlBs0_49fTaq4X8/s320/DSC05810.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222217956978514370" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Passing the Notre Dame Cathedral from our boat tour on the Seine River.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBqxAqy1Uc34Rmz2QwC-DLu7dFyv_x8wRe56bplzQWtbvYaJXQO-i5IuojfC4HhzO1nNmAgtYbLY1My5izIZ3hxA_CDGUR5CCqkiK45zHOy6FOhu-AUDAU2E9htSIboT5Rh7yS4K5Aar8/s1600-h/DSC05859.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBqxAqy1Uc34Rmz2QwC-DLu7dFyv_x8wRe56bplzQWtbvYaJXQO-i5IuojfC4HhzO1nNmAgtYbLY1My5izIZ3hxA_CDGUR5CCqkiK45zHOy6FOhu-AUDAU2E9htSIboT5Rh7yS4K5Aar8/s320/DSC05859.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222217974716844898" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">A quaint flower market that we stumbled upon near Notre Dame Cathedral.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE4luoYSVvKOtYf9kD8UBaXaVBj-b3oxJ4lLak-iG0M1LlFyg1hzlH1tDB5MkQnruGLMfbbmOjWA5MmFlpxezr4rgrSCDNyM41kvRf9vOKb0uQ5GqJjyq43atAHXMMO532Wy3M78K01rU/s1600-h/DSC05819.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE4luoYSVvKOtYf9kD8UBaXaVBj-b3oxJ4lLak-iG0M1LlFyg1hzlH1tDB5MkQnruGLMfbbmOjWA5MmFlpxezr4rgrSCDNyM41kvRf9vOKb0uQ5GqJjyq43atAHXMMO532Wy3M78K01rU/s320/DSC05819.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222217970096752754" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">A view of the front of the Notre Dame Cathedral... </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizypVweh8EPZVov_pVyoU8ABpOkYAKOEiRYWXy4JQwfikmZnl5roJt19NAT9pIZsUlVkzShy4Agf86G3pMBrzUZOr_gdnCFW8FcbPdrUK-nHvECAkZhzFS5DDsjW6t0O0f7YIfUgZfZpY/s1600-h/DSC05830.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizypVweh8EPZVov_pVyoU8ABpOkYAKOEiRYWXy4JQwfikmZnl5roJt19NAT9pIZsUlVkzShy4Agf86G3pMBrzUZOr_gdnCFW8FcbPdrUK-nHvECAkZhzFS5DDsjW6t0O0f7YIfUgZfZpY/s320/DSC05830.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222217970808837330" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">There is a tonne of incredible stained glass inside the Notre Dame Cathedral.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVtxs0U5pi6LSWeFloKPYIspy6jb2_R1iEe9YO2t51nHCo4oL6PhGqiU3EfjkA_wBZPLz5aVIUM2z8VL7CrZNMJAgfTsUFb6TZWrMLMwBcNK-JabVrcXMa3qEmn36RI9MhMBtTRp4CMQ/s1600-h/DSC05844.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVtxs0U5pi6LSWeFloKPYIspy6jb2_R1iEe9YO2t51nHCo4oL6PhGqiU3EfjkA_wBZPLz5aVIUM2z8VL7CrZNMJAgfTsUFb6TZWrMLMwBcNK-JabVrcXMa3qEmn36RI9MhMBtTRp4CMQ/s320/DSC05844.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222217975930062082" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">A grand exhibit hall featuring paintings at the Louvre. </span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivyTXd7XUFUwNSnMaV8MDKyUohzKS8ulmULl-6xSd132afcosIIqrvqfvomVfVJMT8ZPsxYJeFcoVsvUUUn0cEfeKu8DOdCvOTu5TjDv_S1BGNqLWIXvu9CHbgPOGxbnSJVnCEh_K0Kl8/s1600-h/DSC05915.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivyTXd7XUFUwNSnMaV8MDKyUohzKS8ulmULl-6xSd132afcosIIqrvqfvomVfVJMT8ZPsxYJeFcoVsvUUUn0cEfeKu8DOdCvOTu5TjDv_S1BGNqLWIXvu9CHbgPOGxbnSJVnCEh_K0Kl8/s320/DSC05915.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222218281640068770" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">There were just a few people crowded around the Mona Lisa, the star attraction at the Louvre...</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQFqXmDMbK1GLTGO83lpoLrA5L-j9-NI6DePudgVRJJiWQaG4yvQGoPKWzrcL3ktFPAv03nuCh_joEZdqJr0P-TC-__VvGsnYX78uC0edFqlkiyNyeHABjDymPiGTfJkRo02g9CV2jRk/s1600-h/DSC05916.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQFqXmDMbK1GLTGO83lpoLrA5L-j9-NI6DePudgVRJJiWQaG4yvQGoPKWzrcL3ktFPAv03nuCh_joEZdqJr0P-TC-__VvGsnYX78uC0edFqlkiyNyeHABjDymPiGTfJkRo02g9CV2jRk/s320/DSC05916.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222218284885054738" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">A thriving district just north of the Hotel de Ville, where we stopped for dinner.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyU1bXuYTuq5115I50rUM95Zr-nX755A5HfWsp0Uh0zc4ybAYL0nDrfDKewfWaxXpZeb3hGoQW5zCOm_j9gfHc0VaVoQ5Q60lKhGd7NaA-DRIkzfZaOxvhEvf8Wrg6HvXF9a2T1l9C3Ac/s1600-h/DSC05947.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyU1bXuYTuq5115I50rUM95Zr-nX755A5HfWsp0Uh0zc4ybAYL0nDrfDKewfWaxXpZeb3hGoQW5zCOm_j9gfHc0VaVoQ5Q60lKhGd7NaA-DRIkzfZaOxvhEvf8Wrg6HvXF9a2T1l9C3Ac/s320/DSC05947.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222218292990377138" border="0" /></a>Andy McKielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532637741341341038noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7597812789727373438.post-62104250122056576092008-07-11T09:12:00.000-07:002008-07-11T09:45:41.860-07:00The City of Love...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqyYjW5tFq1GbZIiGzVDLE4UW7uIpfV2B-Luyg0m6TUEmQs_4Z3hymmTc_4t6k8EtO1Md0ViBRGXyqDtU5u6cE_mSvusFn9nHYsfik-u2NvQOpyW08mGZOII0C86tBCtdOb7OVQmv5Q0/s1600-h/DSC05768.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqyYjW5tFq1GbZIiGzVDLE4UW7uIpfV2B-Luyg0m6TUEmQs_4Z3hymmTc_4t6k8EtO1Md0ViBRGXyqDtU5u6cE_mSvusFn9nHYsfik-u2NvQOpyW08mGZOII0C86tBCtdOb7OVQmv5Q0/s400/DSC05768.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221793104201035682" border="0" /></a>We made our way to Paris this morning by train. The rail service around Europe is extremely efficient, so our train ride was only about an hour and fifteen minutes by high speed train. We arrived at Paris du Nord train station around 10:00 a.m., took two different metros (subways), then walked about five minutes to end up at our hotel. We're very pleased with our accommodations here in Paris, though they're not much larger than a broom closet :-)<br />However, our room has everything we need, including WiFi access which we plan to take full advantage of :-)<br /><br />The weather has been a little warmer than Brussels over the last couple of days, and we even saw the sun once we arrived in Paris. After a quick change of clothing, we left the hotel to start wandering around the area where we're staying. We headed back to Parc de Monceau, where we got off the metro, to take advantage of the free public washrooms. One of the things that we've struggled with is carrying enough change for the wash closets (a.k.a. bathrooms). Amazingly enough, most public washrooms in Belguim and France require you to pay between 30 and 50 euro cents just to use the washroom. In an effort to maximize our tourist dollars, we strive to hold off our urges until we can really get our money's worth at the paid facilities. We don't pass up free washrooms if we can help it ;-}<br /><br />We managed to see several tourist destinations in our first few hours of pounding the pavement. We strolled past the Arc de Triumphe, then made our way down to the Eiffel Tower. Both of these attractions are breathtaking in real life, but we had little desire to wait in the line-ups to spend our Euros on getting to the top. We might try again earlier in the day tomorrow, as I'm sure the view of Paris is spectacular from either location. We also wound our way leisurely along the Seine River, which winds it's way through the heart of Paris. The are tonnes of different boat tours that operate along the Seine, and we may take advantage of one of these tours over the next couple of days.<br /><br />We came back to our hotel room for a little rest stop in late afternoon and we haven't yet made it back out onto the streets. All in good time. However, while we were here, we were able to have a nice little visit with Jennifer's family through Skype.<br /><br />Thanks again for all the comments and feedback on our blog. We're glad that you've been able to keep tabs on our travels abroad. If any of you have favourite sights from Paris that you don't want us to overlook, please post them in the comment section so that we can make arrangements to see them...<br /><br />Thanks for reading,<br />Andy<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The high speed Thalys train that brought us to Paris (100 minutes at 200 km/h)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tsjDr22dg30-3cAb5KDRxGx6eYucUTGOJo005-pmwNFq2YYDN2ebq7V58eQKjwhGVeE6WBdWHmW_iewFplkf0IHg272Gu6RsoPDKRj12vwdgLLyGoClsex23m5JWPCEZwOyUtx9leh8/s1600-h/DSC05728.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tsjDr22dg30-3cAb5KDRxGx6eYucUTGOJo005-pmwNFq2YYDN2ebq7V58eQKjwhGVeE6WBdWHmW_iewFplkf0IHg272Gu6RsoPDKRj12vwdgLLyGoClsex23m5JWPCEZwOyUtx9leh8/s320/DSC05728.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221790899045433730" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The pond at Parc de Monceau, a three minute walk from our hotel...</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPEvBUoJwRM0M4Ns-ljXqE8yxUxJCUy1Ldi24NhRGstd2NSZ3uq-54jWoZpz0aed3IiOtGKKzGuo7zO6eX8XKJMBhNdjTmEbEcR8TSeEs9QHMKiR7MCZ97_-Lmv326Qo5PFaaU5fFmU0/s1600-h/DSC05737.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPEvBUoJwRM0M4Ns-ljXqE8yxUxJCUy1Ldi24NhRGstd2NSZ3uq-54jWoZpz0aed3IiOtGKKzGuo7zO6eX8XKJMBhNdjTmEbEcR8TSeEs9QHMKiR7MCZ97_-Lmv326Qo5PFaaU5fFmU0/s320/DSC05737.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221790897258568514" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The hotel where we're staying for two nights, the Hotel Parc Monceau</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBSD67aQIXb-f6tSndhL50zkxoCbzwra-nCoI9ci5YeSeLqikKZZn5OPF-mq1CIcBdoGVVaKOl5l6X1Fzj0JU0lU1tfHlY9l8BFloPibMi5TZ7foNiKSht5nEN3BQ2H_YaxbgfF1prK84/s1600-h/DSC05740.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBSD67aQIXb-f6tSndhL50zkxoCbzwra-nCoI9ci5YeSeLqikKZZn5OPF-mq1CIcBdoGVVaKOl5l6X1Fzj0JU0lU1tfHlY9l8BFloPibMi5TZ7foNiKSht5nEN3BQ2H_YaxbgfF1prK84/s320/DSC05740.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221790891413803058" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The view from our hotel window :-)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJdRJGcrwF1m0bKBieZXxovtsfG2ZgtrRGaxOoafeysV-ZoX3o401sglBkdNK_h6ADfJFR2qwtkiTELvWv6uI3466g_7ERo8miDX0EI_G5V7fcil92P_IHTZCl1GvIApM4N9zblc8AXY/s1600-h/DSC05749.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJdRJGcrwF1m0bKBieZXxovtsfG2ZgtrRGaxOoafeysV-ZoX3o401sglBkdNK_h6ADfJFR2qwtkiTELvWv6uI3466g_7ERo8miDX0EI_G5V7fcil92P_IHTZCl1GvIApM4N9zblc8AXY/s320/DSC05749.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221790514081953250" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The main entrance / public washroom at Parc de Monceau</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQ0Wd2xKedTAipvpCZ1fGt7MYud7NyoMXIMFesN_ALyEB1m94XxlJP6U1uW7A70r_uVya3jZJE3QZq5sgNli7MoWbenvgIA6RB0Icj8FQUMVe8K7Wx-a9MF_75-g6Y3DhcffeSpX2YDA/s1600-h/DSC05751.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQ0Wd2xKedTAipvpCZ1fGt7MYud7NyoMXIMFesN_ALyEB1m94XxlJP6U1uW7A70r_uVya3jZJE3QZq5sgNli7MoWbenvgIA6RB0Icj8FQUMVe8K7Wx-a9MF_75-g6Y3DhcffeSpX2YDA/s320/DSC05751.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221790508877483218" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The Arc de Triumphe, which we stumbled upon about half an hour into our walk...</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWo-pSEY9Hb4kcldvwDn6eNaEHxc6UPvahnO-hJ0pKY7brQwg2axsTn1Vom9ltjTYZayPkq79heNcr9su7IxVtV2k_fc2dI91EkFzoG8MJDkY7yqv0X_Hc9BiyZbL3c37lz_fqPTJEosM/s1600-h/DSC05755.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWo-pSEY9Hb4kcldvwDn6eNaEHxc6UPvahnO-hJ0pKY7brQwg2axsTn1Vom9ltjTYZayPkq79heNcr9su7IxVtV2k_fc2dI91EkFzoG8MJDkY7yqv0X_Hc9BiyZbL3c37lz_fqPTJEosM/s320/DSC05755.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221790503738931602" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The Eiffel Tower, as seen from across the Seine River</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKVDxYgi8r5TrY2vojHeAEiYPLqLTKuJiK51WdRg6GpR9EyLCxe_WD2U6_7xtIYtNC7tjmSkTsXvl-We8jGz2lITmuPzbCv_PjVKpQgKgr9jHjzDIfsUEMf7yR5lyMYWuP4pT6CTB1Zw/s1600-h/DSC05767.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKVDxYgi8r5TrY2vojHeAEiYPLqLTKuJiK51WdRg6GpR9EyLCxe_WD2U6_7xtIYtNC7tjmSkTsXvl-We8jGz2lITmuPzbCv_PjVKpQgKgr9jHjzDIfsUEMf7yR5lyMYWuP4pT6CTB1Zw/s320/DSC05767.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221790497764684882" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">A quick visit with Debby and Jim this afternoon through Skype</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzdmIzEeKKG2RT0OnCBuazHjyA2xZPQSyzmJo2c5GQBJ5xByT30aPR2dR4083eVlW1f_wquiuJJ3_TIlPa7cA03r3AGQPU5qdrvfSqgyBnQ7K1p_OUPRHZisLzhUNXfn7K2AK9vgczWM/s1600-h/Picture+2.png"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzdmIzEeKKG2RT0OnCBuazHjyA2xZPQSyzmJo2c5GQBJ5xByT30aPR2dR4083eVlW1f_wquiuJJ3_TIlPa7cA03r3AGQPU5qdrvfSqgyBnQ7K1p_OUPRHZisLzhUNXfn7K2AK9vgczWM/s320/Picture+2.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221790906019346690" border="0" /></a>Andy McKielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532637741341341038noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7597812789727373438.post-53947400841764767372008-07-11T02:41:00.001-07:002008-07-11T02:52:35.342-07:00Skype, anyone?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9tBRNoXRMX25LP84o7zVRdN_2cqXHoUBNZQdD-XNkuAdu0DCroMb2ETJr4Tws-qZ4qpOpoWCrRFZo5g2uZ7BAmYcXEGquEciBg4z_pDO8bGeeMlnBnWhC5SoCR__8TkkYWId3sbOxq_Q/s1600-h/Photo+14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9tBRNoXRMX25LP84o7zVRdN_2cqXHoUBNZQdD-XNkuAdu0DCroMb2ETJr4Tws-qZ4qpOpoWCrRFZo5g2uZ7BAmYcXEGquEciBg4z_pDO8bGeeMlnBnWhC5SoCR__8TkkYWId3sbOxq_Q/s400/Photo+14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221692006299889330" border="0" /></a><br />Well, we just got off the train an hour ago in Paris. We've made our way to the hotel and it turns out that they offer free WiFi for guests, so... anyone want to video conference with us in Paris later on today?<br /><br />If you would like to Skype with us, please leave a comment to this post with a time that would work for you. We'll be out and about for most of the day (it's about 11:45 a.m. here - 7 hours ahead of Winnipeg), but when we pop in to our hotel room, we'll check for comments. Any time after 3:00 anywhere in Canada should work for us...<br /><br />Regards,<br />AndyAndy McKielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532637741341341038noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7597812789727373438.post-78619372529876507092008-07-10T09:23:00.000-07:002008-07-10T09:59:40.644-07:00A Day in Antwerp<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGUdaR-Nlhuw7rV3mTVBK10gnZfOD-nYVmi8PFNBowAAiw4Lnm8mL67JTIvhe5Poba-ZS2mTR_J8FEXdFksH6WI7yuRxA3rB5VRLuEkQ2gT8HIg7GkVV3fTWvtQCeWUpyQsbk_JPU8tI/s1600-h/DSC05678.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGUdaR-Nlhuw7rV3mTVBK10gnZfOD-nYVmi8PFNBowAAiw4Lnm8mL67JTIvhe5Poba-ZS2mTR_J8FEXdFksH6WI7yuRxA3rB5VRLuEkQ2gT8HIg7GkVV3fTWvtQCeWUpyQsbk_JPU8tI/s400/DSC05678.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221423117326570050" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Greg was our tour guide today. He drove us to Antwerp, which took about 30 minutes from their home in Brussels. We walked the many streets, including the red light district. Antwerp is the second largest city in Belgium and it is considered to be a fashion leader in Europe. The shopping is endless with stores featuring all of the top designers and many fancy boutiques.<br /><br />We visited the famous artist Charles Reubens' house, which has been converted to a museum. In it, we found his amazing collection of paintings and sculptures created by other well known artists. His property also included a wonderful garden complete with marble sculptures and a fountain.<br /><br />Thanks for reading ... we've enjoyed getting your comments.<br /><br />We are off to Paris tomorrow.<br />Jennifer<br /><br /></span><br />We stopped for a beer in the Markt (the town square)... this picture was taken for Chris' benefit!<br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPeaHFfrMs-W-JhKSh-pCr2lJnfhvAmuK1JLvDE-GpvqSHCdFUX6TfJBx2Y2fXbN2e9p2DjcWIHZKV5vhlAC_bclUS7EhB-LJN_U4XsZbqrmkDPoHGPR8QMZGnC3uKWHx_tlXsBRBGfa8/s1600-h/DSC05695.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPeaHFfrMs-W-JhKSh-pCr2lJnfhvAmuK1JLvDE-GpvqSHCdFUX6TfJBx2Y2fXbN2e9p2DjcWIHZKV5vhlAC_bclUS7EhB-LJN_U4XsZbqrmkDPoHGPR8QMZGnC3uKWHx_tlXsBRBGfa8/s320/DSC05695.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221422812746598850" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Antwerp has many charming streets... notice the cathedral in the background.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheaMqcGQNNU5B-iMA5lnGqWHgcq2zuxlpxEPsNPhB_f94gvreE-avwzHW71K1D4D9yIEKIW65i2wD2gecXVkzCq49jQhaquuFE0sxkhrKmRLjSoF9EFK4sfISACQeukbB96ZR3ccVBZe8/s1600-h/DSC05649.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheaMqcGQNNU5B-iMA5lnGqWHgcq2zuxlpxEPsNPhB_f94gvreE-avwzHW71K1D4D9yIEKIW65i2wD2gecXVkzCq49jQhaquuFE0sxkhrKmRLjSoF9EFK4sfISACQeukbB96ZR3ccVBZe8/s320/DSC05649.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221422686546168946" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Andy enjoyed his seafood lunch at Horta Restaurant (named after the famous architect).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVmh9TliJzDGlMpdXusiMwKw8UAsdr46xuNkdOYp10JtO7P51_rwh_g7Wr4wJ2wcRMQ09ryHEiWy2xw5vHTr-hkI6YEocp-Mkol0fMBXxPLq7rXpsuDyRxNlRLioHiocKeMVWaANUQ-g/s1600-h/DSC05661.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVmh9TliJzDGlMpdXusiMwKw8UAsdr46xuNkdOYp10JtO7P51_rwh_g7Wr4wJ2wcRMQ09ryHEiWy2xw5vHTr-hkI6YEocp-Mkol0fMBXxPLq7rXpsuDyRxNlRLioHiocKeMVWaANUQ-g/s320/DSC05661.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221422687416017538" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />We visited the Reubens Museum ... this is the garden courtyard.<br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWcvHgoUhwdN8b2PpoC1S89CJ2vXLhXkjncLBZHtzRAnTOZlRSzwmC2R9_lwLsAl5dfXR3GvNectVtVZ35RnbIK3vJpCjn48yFLefvBHj69s2AuCOcyyR1fh2yMDy2BJE3pky6GTcxOYM/s1600-h/DSC05671.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWcvHgoUhwdN8b2PpoC1S89CJ2vXLhXkjncLBZHtzRAnTOZlRSzwmC2R9_lwLsAl5dfXR3GvNectVtVZ35RnbIK3vJpCjn48yFLefvBHj69s2AuCOcyyR1fh2yMDy2BJE3pky6GTcxOYM/s320/DSC05671.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221422689188424482" border="0" /></a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /><br /></span>One of the many sculptures located in the garden at Reubens Museum.<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9yKooYrhnVGVyUvYJdfNHuM73eyw3zioAR-cHTXKRR4G3I9FRi9PBFMELaE4_bI2fb-BkiHkLOSN1WF_c1VtnLJts3hHmL4-o5KOEHbEaA7cNu_MAOsfClKgMfMjaZOPn-9uECUT2mJI/s1600-h/DSC05684.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9yKooYrhnVGVyUvYJdfNHuM73eyw3zioAR-cHTXKRR4G3I9FRi9PBFMELaE4_bI2fb-BkiHkLOSN1WF_c1VtnLJts3hHmL4-o5KOEHbEaA7cNu_MAOsfClKgMfMjaZOPn-9uECUT2mJI/s320/DSC05684.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221422700458199106" border="0" /></a>Andy McKielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532637741341341038noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7597812789727373438.post-48609455886145092272008-07-09T10:04:00.000-07:002008-07-09T10:37:23.631-07:00Over the Hills and Through the Woods<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMTlGDAYB8USuh7TYQ4vYdCzb1gvkkps3uhtyW51sHhBl-eLasREeLxZMWjrw1DIvB4Khh2j4WtdgZbDlpiIl_pnJmElIo7L1mHEB6ShgaveVW_8hheTGHZfibvZWJhmT0amZ5RRYeBc/s1600-h/DSC05621.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMTlGDAYB8USuh7TYQ4vYdCzb1gvkkps3uhtyW51sHhBl-eLasREeLxZMWjrw1DIvB4Khh2j4WtdgZbDlpiIl_pnJmElIo7L1mHEB6ShgaveVW_8hheTGHZfibvZWJhmT0amZ5RRYeBc/s400/DSC05621.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221062924034065986" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">We slept in this morning ...bit of a late night visiting with Greg. Today, we decided to take the bikes out to see the forest where Greg takes Rufus (his retriever) every day. I believe the forest is the world's largest urban forest. In many areas, we found the trails to be well groomed and maintained. <br /><br />One of the quadrants that we rode through was an arborium (trees grown from West Coast North America, East Coast North America, Asia and Europa) . We recognized a whole grove of Monkey Puzzle Trees, which MJ knows are my favorite trees on the west coast. <br /><br />There were a lot of elevation changes because all of Belgium was built on ancient sand dunes. We were out for about 2.5 hours and I've included some pictures from our travels. <br /><br />Thank you for visiting our blog,<br />Jennifer<br /></span><br />Our cycling path with a canopy of beach trees.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMF-DdZuRbcsbqV9TW7V02rt3l0nZiHI4QH4MpMYXh_lx7k2vgJ8FKSJr3PFUj0aMtNoPm1bCHh3KxYBicdUZvgfPjxEo-TEEXNRjLMfBDnqxGUZ1fokU4OHoejlPPxeQd5g08wAM0I0/s1600-h/DSC05613.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMF-DdZuRbcsbqV9TW7V02rt3l0nZiHI4QH4MpMYXh_lx7k2vgJ8FKSJr3PFUj0aMtNoPm1bCHh3KxYBicdUZvgfPjxEo-TEEXNRjLMfBDnqxGUZ1fokU4OHoejlPPxeQd5g08wAM0I0/s320/DSC05613.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221062479293208578" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />We found these interesting rocks in a clearing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQoqq2-svwbCxnjljPnPsQ5U1DpPqy1mVHqD8SMWqfRfI6YIWGedDo_acvuEcnDFsRSLYHv40xrOXVwLIEQTlVb4pFHAzljbcIo0MkE6fn_Gt3y5Cphms9Wa8Q1veD4POzI5DeHIErAc4/s1600-h/DSC05617.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQoqq2-svwbCxnjljPnPsQ5U1DpPqy1mVHqD8SMWqfRfI6YIWGedDo_acvuEcnDFsRSLYHv40xrOXVwLIEQTlVb4pFHAzljbcIo0MkE6fn_Gt3y5Cphms9Wa8Q1veD4POzI5DeHIErAc4/s320/DSC05617.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221063422426611634" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Man-made pond built over 100 years ago.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ikT5rhyuY7KfgQOJGZnXyN_NIWHOqJGQSl3NJFLdIxWP8avNNfdpwFQnBVM2jqiVABt813R_eAUZ_1jHD0f5-mOAP-uvrd2xswniTHPGxcrTjetzKevFdVUszagZCuugPPw3NarCRe4/s1600-h/DSC05623.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ikT5rhyuY7KfgQOJGZnXyN_NIWHOqJGQSl3NJFLdIxWP8avNNfdpwFQnBVM2jqiVABt813R_eAUZ_1jHD0f5-mOAP-uvrd2xswniTHPGxcrTjetzKevFdVUszagZCuugPPw3NarCRe4/s320/DSC05623.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221062488849182914" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Congo Museum built by King Leopold II.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdsOwrv3lUU813SKspfiAnM-gnAql6L7xA6Ijl_aPYjbneEA1t1Y1pGlVGaFhT2GBde4wzuNyympWOE8YEgKZzpuoncWkZizeaoTApZqJ6MRKpHTW6smPxxKmiBqUvGG_p85ngbVmE7nk/s1600-h/DSC05630.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdsOwrv3lUU813SKspfiAnM-gnAql6L7xA6Ijl_aPYjbneEA1t1Y1pGlVGaFhT2GBde4wzuNyympWOE8YEgKZzpuoncWkZizeaoTApZqJ6MRKpHTW6smPxxKmiBqUvGG_p85ngbVmE7nk/s320/DSC05630.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221062488414874498" border="0" /></a>Andy McKielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532637741341341038noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7597812789727373438.post-7990018737905810662008-07-09T01:25:00.000-07:002008-07-09T02:00:07.942-07:00In Brugges...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvJ6Tdo0KWhwOo88Y37eiES3-2ouXd3mt4izk0gEmMKkgvOGveSGTFUjxa5rT59M8rgBre1zbgbUEFN6-tD7rcBXfnLsf8QIqA9PFKOdwNk12ykujV0V8qnKR0pZa19nbjSEPrNRBpOM/s1600-h/DSC05577.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvJ6Tdo0KWhwOo88Y37eiES3-2ouXd3mt4izk0gEmMKkgvOGveSGTFUjxa5rT59M8rgBre1zbgbUEFN6-tD7rcBXfnLsf8QIqA9PFKOdwNk12ykujV0V8qnKR0pZa19nbjSEPrNRBpOM/s400/DSC05577.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220935150320675266" border="0" /></a><br />We had an incredible time exploring the city of Brugges, near the North Sea in Belgium. Jean, the chauffeur, dropped us off at Brussels-Central, the main train station, and we purchased our tickets. After an hour on the train, we arrived at our destination and we spent many hours wandering up and down the charming cobblestone streets amongst all of the many canals.<br /><br />Every direction you turn in Brugges, you are met with stunning architecture and a tonne of history. The city was fully developed in the 14th century, and it is one of the most well-preserved locations in the country. Apparently, Brugges is at the top of most tourist's lists of places to go and see, and by mid-afternoon the streets were packed with tourists. Between the people wading up and down the sidewalks, the horse drawn carriages plodding along the cobblestone streets, the bicycles and tour buses whizzing along after them, and the boats cruising back and forth through the canals, Brugges was a whirlwind of activity and a must see for anyone planning a trip to Belgium.<br /><br />The train ride back to Brussels was uneventful, and we made our way onto the metro (subway) for the first time. Very well designed mode of public transportation here in Brussels! Following the ride to the end of the metro line, we had a bit more of a walk before we arrived back at the house. What should have been a twenty minute walk turned into an hour and twenty minutes due to a mix up with the directions. We got to see some of the sights around Brussels that we weren't expecting to visit, and we still made it home just in time for dinner :-)<br /><br />Thanks for reading and for all of your comments on past posts,<br />Andy<br />BTW, the following video highlights some of the many sights that we took in throughout our day in Brugges... enjoy :-)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >IN BRUGGES...</span><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/blrISiBTjl8"><br /><br /> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/blrISiBTjl8" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="350" width="425"></embed> </object><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />The bicycle compound just outside the train station in Brugges. This is a very popular form of transportation across Belgium (and many other European countries)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Q0l6V7m_cRVMRSJDZTRNhY57rLKJGOpkyansn7qd34CSvCE7uUTTChAUwqR6QwwdVFez6FS8mdjrbN1waG4wa1XX9hEntvhp9nkH78J9wJ5sKE-NnpmYOfIhCMxUgDur2NERkJjTl-8/s1600-h/DSC05521.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Q0l6V7m_cRVMRSJDZTRNhY57rLKJGOpkyansn7qd34CSvCE7uUTTChAUwqR6QwwdVFez6FS8mdjrbN1waG4wa1XX9hEntvhp9nkH78J9wJ5sKE-NnpmYOfIhCMxUgDur2NERkJjTl-8/s320/DSC05521.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220928177517324258" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">On the walk towards the Grand Markt (the city's central square)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_dfIvehXxPhWtITHn4-eFH5e_cIcsi3sfWEqa_dy-Yg_DFjsnut3oveVdZhrPud5gsdYLxIGH_x0TNL3zk_jCQ0-IiWUnaTJlKT4uDvkhIo4QN69E2FgKFGrAdaUgVEQOOmvxoHZaoTI/s1600-h/DSC05525.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_dfIvehXxPhWtITHn4-eFH5e_cIcsi3sfWEqa_dy-Yg_DFjsnut3oveVdZhrPud5gsdYLxIGH_x0TNL3zk_jCQ0-IiWUnaTJlKT4uDvkhIo4QN69E2FgKFGrAdaUgVEQOOmvxoHZaoTI/s320/DSC05525.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220928178394407474" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">A view from atop the Belfry, the clock tower facing the Grand Markt</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93RZ500Q6Z0sPBNxFxAAINkH4NgGH3IWR3KPV2T2ikYl_YuePxl-OQlX8otOL3suU2ZKFKQIP6vX973cAzy_2fB2LNZF5uOOYobdFM3Ctf9IjGroCtcYT1f7q2fUFaxOhcKMEAIvJur8/s1600-h/DSC05539.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93RZ500Q6Z0sPBNxFxAAINkH4NgGH3IWR3KPV2T2ikYl_YuePxl-OQlX8otOL3suU2ZKFKQIP6vX973cAzy_2fB2LNZF5uOOYobdFM3Ctf9IjGroCtcYT1f7q2fUFaxOhcKMEAIvJur8/s320/DSC05539.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220928183144242898" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">A typical view from anywhere in the city... breathtaking :-)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV9p1S7c7uym5Voi_5w1Jivu08JeUb0mFe0p2vJFypk5tgc964tQv0s3sTSvAjnylW4Qei9-MFEleqga0dLGFZlkKKS2eAaJy7rNUN8LD3GxkS9g7ItukvqBeZeaAevYcp3hD-tWC2Sr4/s1600-h/DSC05574.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV9p1S7c7uym5Voi_5w1Jivu08JeUb0mFe0p2vJFypk5tgc964tQv0s3sTSvAjnylW4Qei9-MFEleqga0dLGFZlkKKS2eAaJy7rNUN8LD3GxkS9g7ItukvqBeZeaAevYcp3hD-tWC2Sr4/s320/DSC05574.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220928183635485250" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br />Looking the other direction from atop the Belfry. We had to climb over 300 very cramped steps to reach the top...</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIHsY_B3w-MxamkS0ytWY66poTgTrCOJTynpeU2W_xlCZTGvFXjcPyHVKo5R2RuE8jhErJ7SuhxX-BoMuTTIBXf9XXMMSI-grES1gRt4ylrxpGRLIqJGSEmVwsTpVV3xOcR6O7Xah6Iyo/s1600-h/DSC05547.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIHsY_B3w-MxamkS0ytWY66poTgTrCOJTynpeU2W_xlCZTGvFXjcPyHVKo5R2RuE8jhErJ7SuhxX-BoMuTTIBXf9XXMMSI-grES1gRt4ylrxpGRLIqJGSEmVwsTpVV3xOcR6O7Xah6Iyo/s320/DSC05547.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220928190019877218" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />The site of a fresh fish market which, unfortunately, wasn't taking place the day that we were in Brugges</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wUvXJvEfI9vBHrBnf7ca0k24lLbNSjzUhpMcfF8eZdvfQZt76Ps2jDxg60JaFaA3LFAGzcV5qo2qnlkOiJeNF1grDxJDWXvNJFPjC7J8EJaEC7aecHbpCaZmwoWso2M7RZFl4oUA3kw/s1600-h/DSC05582.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wUvXJvEfI9vBHrBnf7ca0k24lLbNSjzUhpMcfF8eZdvfQZt76Ps2jDxg60JaFaA3LFAGzcV5qo2qnlkOiJeNF1grDxJDWXvNJFPjC7J8EJaEC7aecHbpCaZmwoWso2M7RZFl4oUA3kw/s320/DSC05582.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220928520946733234" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">'Madonna & Child', believed to be Michelangelo's only existing statue outside of Italy, is featured in a 500 year old cathedral in Brugges</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMm6J7PQYoSLtN6iZZvbzp9StD3Pw98b2lEqPBN5Flp13oLDC45hV75VCI68VJ0yh9yIvgRrpnhLZafRWS2EjSTWUAR2iQJmDWVD7MHnqSWLWjfxJrpXxazU6Zc89C-t8gaYiB3BfsHDs/s1600-h/DSC05604.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMm6J7PQYoSLtN6iZZvbzp9StD3Pw98b2lEqPBN5Flp13oLDC45hV75VCI68VJ0yh9yIvgRrpnhLZafRWS2EjSTWUAR2iQJmDWVD7MHnqSWLWjfxJrpXxazU6Zc89C-t8gaYiB3BfsHDs/s320/DSC05604.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220928524357372290" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Another view of the canals - apparently, the basements (yes, there are basements) never flood!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg05P7pbRhVB01OMBgroAw9l3fqfwGE9M80OyVz921jsHl-BFH6f7a5-mEyruqCm9Skee9YCoaxzBVUoh0wtjMppCIli7vIbsDasr2xSELHRc_6c-KCDjzg6S0OPGY0MGngoGggVfC2XZQ/s1600-h/DSC05607.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg05P7pbRhVB01OMBgroAw9l3fqfwGE9M80OyVz921jsHl-BFH6f7a5-mEyruqCm9Skee9YCoaxzBVUoh0wtjMppCIli7vIbsDasr2xSELHRc_6c-KCDjzg6S0OPGY0MGngoGggVfC2XZQ/s320/DSC05607.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220928526787508498" border="0" /></a>Andy McKielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532637741341341038noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7597812789727373438.post-44518574866919589312008-07-07T08:33:00.000-07:002008-07-07T09:11:45.498-07:00First Impressions Make an Impression<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SVPeGr4K8xySWjzl53yj5OK2rwQYK7bQ3hANeVE_qtpGM6M00DyUvukODcvj22HMLCLxUFbkzppTBkTCq3KIcl_4a0xZ38R1U1sWzxARHSid2K1QU-mmAeoCzIEl2o-Cqlzi35Zwoe8/s1600-h/DSC05475.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SVPeGr4K8xySWjzl53yj5OK2rwQYK7bQ3hANeVE_qtpGM6M00DyUvukODcvj22HMLCLxUFbkzppTBkTCq3KIcl_4a0xZ38R1U1sWzxARHSid2K1QU-mmAeoCzIEl2o-Cqlzi35Zwoe8/s400/DSC05475.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220297955860444066" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"> We had a great time last night catching up with Greg and Ross. They had many stories to share about their travels around Europe and advice to share about our European adventure. We had a fabulous French dinner with monkfish and quail and enjoyed far too much wine throughout the evening, which made for a deep sleep as we attempted to shake off the jet lag.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">This morning we awoke to a fine breakfast of berries, croissants and cappuccino. Following the morning meal, Jean (the chauffeur) drove us into the heart of Brussels, where Greg acted as our tour guide for the day. We saw many sites, such as the famous statue pictured above, and loved the architecture that is so prominently featured every direction you turn. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">All of the street signs are posted in French and Dutch, which will make navigation somewhat more difficult when Jennifer and I are forced to go it alone next time. While I do pride myself on my keen sense of direction, the haphazard layout of the streets in the oldest 'commune' of Brussels does make navigating the streets and sidewalks a little harder :-) I could have sworn we were walking around in circles today, yet we kept stumbling upon new and interesting attractions.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">We treated Greg to a nice lunch in a very authentic Belgian restaurant, the Roue D'or. Jennifer had shrimp-stuffed tomatoes, I had a lamb shank and Greg settled on a ham knuckle. Apparently, no Belgian meal is complete without 'frites' (french fries), so we had a few of those as well. We just learned last night that the French do not deserve any credit for fries, as they are actually handed down from Belgium...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Over lunch, Jennifer let it slip that today's my birthday, so Greg pulled out his cellphone and sent the head chef a text requesting a birthday cake for dessert. Apparently, we're finishing off dinner with a triple layer carrot cake topped with cream cheese icing - we'll have to see how it measures up against Oscar's carrot cake ;-)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tomorrow, we're off to the town of Brouges to spend the day weaving around the canals and cobblestone streets. Hopefully Jennifer will be able to capture the essence of this town through her pictures so that you, too, can enjoy Brouges tomorrow!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thanks for reading, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Andy</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"> <br /><br /></span>One of the two plazas near the heart of Brussels, lined with chocolate shops and fashionable clothing...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKU9V-uhtzKbOAfRfNLjwPdrzOHKF4qXHQ752dsabGN-_VhdHiFft0rPy95zFLtS5DURHnFZDr_C-auTCit3BFxSzcf3jxzl2D68AFfjuNuhbYfyAW7rPxOxX1a1AszmPbvnFTgm-n_38/s1600-h/DSC05493.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKU9V-uhtzKbOAfRfNLjwPdrzOHKF4qXHQ752dsabGN-_VhdHiFft0rPy95zFLtS5DURHnFZDr_C-auTCit3BFxSzcf3jxzl2D68AFfjuNuhbYfyAW7rPxOxX1a1AszmPbvnFTgm-n_38/s320/DSC05493.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220296768669595378" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />We gave in to temptation :-)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vIhgUc8HPo5E0kCjQiutnVWBhotsobAFyjSIVCShwcgs6adaM2DeWj90UuqfhRJwA4S2frWcbkB2g_1y3ljJGviBiLjpnqYUJm5IJlCmF1AEwN_d64AoyN1o5iAJGtgriRZz7XTYG4U/s1600-h/DSC05494.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vIhgUc8HPo5E0kCjQiutnVWBhotsobAFyjSIVCShwcgs6adaM2DeWj90UuqfhRJwA4S2frWcbkB2g_1y3ljJGviBiLjpnqYUJm5IJlCmF1AEwN_d64AoyN1o5iAJGtgriRZz7XTYG4U/s320/DSC05494.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220296774015491170" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />One view from the 'Grand Place', the square in the centre of the Brussels 'commune'.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Y7hVtlvnJfQTKW8CcPMBmRzxkZxwTlnjG6Aa2L3wI3rEynl_4KL4SaMn5N-zOk7ZOB89m4vgqWs6nTKD4OZtFJ9W7a56Um37odRhfIT-KYr2wL9Ab0yM_60iyzhcqBGUxG88eqehDEM/s1600-h/DSC05478.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Y7hVtlvnJfQTKW8CcPMBmRzxkZxwTlnjG6Aa2L3wI3rEynl_4KL4SaMn5N-zOk7ZOB89m4vgqWs6nTKD4OZtFJ9W7a56Um37odRhfIT-KYr2wL9Ab0yM_60iyzhcqBGUxG88eqehDEM/s320/DSC05478.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220296382300500578" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Looking the other way in the Grand Place...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi0oU7_WmkQ86nC27cOf8zMAKNHzFuXw3SOPooYKXJLKTBfhi_5gWsNkZp34VFSYzgCuIVrxsqkBWyGgpkSlYN5b1DwPqjYdWE2oBBsNh98-uR6VvH_nLQ-evSWJYi69zujSRBbO2dTPI/s1600-h/DSC05480.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi0oU7_WmkQ86nC27cOf8zMAKNHzFuXw3SOPooYKXJLKTBfhi_5gWsNkZp34VFSYzgCuIVrxsqkBWyGgpkSlYN5b1DwPqjYdWE2oBBsNh98-uR6VvH_nLQ-evSWJYi69zujSRBbO2dTPI/s320/DSC05480.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220296383677467922" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />The Roue D'or, where we stopped for lunch, is on the right. This is a typical street in Brussels...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLSzT7OLrATdRxf9ykpgI3OTOyblli3MT4IuiMjGL0pPKeEXl8Gw_1KBz61NnZN4rXl2shFzVc7kqMzXFead52LeKjcINtIfdC2kK-9ZO2BdMeFoBAtDjGu4g3WKqB30qQYTxBJynRDg/s1600-h/DSC05489.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLSzT7OLrATdRxf9ykpgI3OTOyblli3MT4IuiMjGL0pPKeEXl8Gw_1KBz61NnZN4rXl2shFzVc7kqMzXFead52LeKjcINtIfdC2kK-9ZO2BdMeFoBAtDjGu4g3WKqB30qQYTxBJynRDg/s320/DSC05489.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220296385470433426" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />One of the taller buildings in the Grand Place. You can see this tower from many blocks away.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9dDIwf_o8wY5zA0h8Tch4vdlHyVwr9v7Z4GPZeWJ6X6KIG5DuKLO4-vMOK6GqYM3jiWKxPn5Z3ZVUULEZgl_FJfRB72ExrHQAoZS4kKON0cX27MVQpvEAgwiBddTUMxG4_Htl5HsI3s/s1600-h/DSC05490.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9dDIwf_o8wY5zA0h8Tch4vdlHyVwr9v7Z4GPZeWJ6X6KIG5DuKLO4-vMOK6GqYM3jiWKxPn5Z3ZVUULEZgl_FJfRB72ExrHQAoZS4kKON0cX27MVQpvEAgwiBddTUMxG4_Htl5HsI3s/s320/DSC05490.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220296385066896802" border="0" /></a>Andy McKielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532637741341341038noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7597812789727373438.post-65386281380323452702008-07-07T08:25:00.000-07:002008-07-07T08:33:05.498-07:00* * The Facelift * *You probably noticed quite a difference in the look and feel of the blog since the last time you visited...<br /><br />Due to some networking issues, I'm not able to connect my Mac so I had to resort to setting up a different blog. While the new blog may not look quite as nice as the old one, it will still allow us to provide you with regular updates, share pictures from our travels, and allow you the opportunity to comment on our blog posts. Thanks to everyone who left comments for us with the previous blog template!<br /><br />Now that we can gain access to the internet, the posts will show up at least once a day. And since yesterday's post didn't go online today, you'll be treated to two new posts today ;-)<br />AndyAndy McKielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532637741341341038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7597812789727373438.post-64453105751075168622008-07-07T07:55:00.000-07:002008-07-07T08:17:52.044-07:00The Destination Beats The Journey<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgciPupqn3RsHLQubMUGBWKQrMrgxDu_jv3sTZ0_F-U7omJrmAkqv3BmwMw0bnWv8UODr-z69-lStjbs3kAtgkq5WdQKCsYKuZtEeYfi1OCKOv3QELWFJ2fDIoV0jPXo1cfZDZhEY4NcH0/s1600-h/DSC05442.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgciPupqn3RsHLQubMUGBWKQrMrgxDu_jv3sTZ0_F-U7omJrmAkqv3BmwMw0bnWv8UODr-z69-lStjbs3kAtgkq5WdQKCsYKuZtEeYfi1OCKOv3QELWFJ2fDIoV0jPXo1cfZDZhEY4NcH0/s320/DSC05442.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220287476707887074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" ><span lang="EN-US">Well, according to my watch, it’s been 24 hours since we left Winnipeg airport.<span style=""> </span>However, the days and nights are a little mixed up already!<span style=""> </span>It really only took us 17 hours of traveling to arrive at our final destination, but we jumped ahead seven time zones.<span style=""> </span>Three flights have brought us to Brussels, where we intend to take in as many sights as possible in the short time that we are here.<o:p></o:p></span></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span lang="EN-US">The first flight to Toronto was uneventful.<span style=""> </span>It’s the overnight flight to Munich that did us in.<span style=""> </span>A few people had suggested that we fly throughout the evening so that we could sleep the whole way and wake up on the plane the next morning in Europe.<span style=""> </span>In theory, it’s a great idea... but in reality, we each had less than an hour’s sleep :-(<span style=""> </span>Now it’s Sunday afternoon and we’ve been on the go since first thing Saturday morning.<span style=""> </span>We’ll just try to fight sleep a few more hours until the sun starts to dip below the horizon here in Belgium.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span lang="EN-US">The in-flight services were great.<span style=""> </span>I liked Air Canada’s entertainment options.<span style=""> </span>Listened to a few albums from start to finish on their XM Satellite sampler, and also saw two movies: “21” with Kevin Spacey and Guy Maddin’s “My Winnipeg”.<span style=""> </span>My only real beef with the flights is the amount of legroom that they provide.<span style=""> </span>Why is it that shorter people (sorry Debby) always feel they need to recline their seat all the way the second they climb into it?<span style=""> </span>Not only that, but the flight personnel march us past all those luxurious seats in first class so that us taller folks know exactly what we’re missing out on in terms of the leg room!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span lang="EN-US">Of course, there had to be some kind of hitch in the travel plans.<span style=""> </span>Lufthansa ‘forgot’ our suitcases on the ground in Munich, so here we are in Brussels with nothing but the shirts on our backs.<span style=""> </span>At least we have all of the electronics from my carry-on :-)<span style=""> </span>If all goes well, our luggage should arrive on the doorstep before night falls on this side of the pond.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span lang="EN-US">Anyway, thanks for reading the first ‘real’ blog post.<span style=""> </span>Now that our trip is under way, I promise to add a new entry every day.<span style=""> </span>And be sure to check out the pictures that follow this post.<span style=""> </span>The first series of pictures will give you a bit of an idea as to the nature of our accommodations.<span style=""> </span>I think they’ll work just fine :-)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span lang="EN-US">BTW, Greg and Ross were hosting a Canada Day celebration for the staff at the house this afternoon, so we picked a great day to arrive :-)<o:p></o:p><br />Feel free to post your comments to this post...<o:p></o:p><br />Regards,<o:p></o:p><br />Andy</span></span></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span lang="EN-US">Day 1 pictures:</span></span></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Preparing to pack in like sardines:</span><br /></span></span></p><p face="arial" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvGxO-dAZRqxaFDTMKEVbatGWS3UaO2eB1b8bKzYCflWoCglI-s5tI8Egz3Nje-9YybIHGeEPkhQSevxGSvKFrTwTwK7UryJ50RjSswr0KW2y-6Cp_saemM6doZA1lOJpDfjtPBR9rzI/s1600-h/DSC05430.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvGxO-dAZRqxaFDTMKEVbatGWS3UaO2eB1b8bKzYCflWoCglI-s5tI8Egz3Nje-9YybIHGeEPkhQSevxGSvKFrTwTwK7UryJ50RjSswr0KW2y-6Cp_saemM6doZA1lOJpDfjtPBR9rzI/s320/DSC05430.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220288812394618434" border="0" /></a></p><br />MJ, you would be proud of the Lufthansa meal choice - cheese sandwiches...<br /><p face="arial" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zJvikbSYZrfpQidUBy1onBUExJ80F5BalhjT7qMEIlPVesXKVmYoPGgMDykEnWXrMLifUKCcbu1-zWtKkZF9MONG-f-CtABxNhfnkzVT5Pq3DOmmCYU_FumFf_2K3hOV9C2CDt0cXHo/s1600-h/DSC05447.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zJvikbSYZrfpQidUBy1onBUExJ80F5BalhjT7qMEIlPVesXKVmYoPGgMDykEnWXrMLifUKCcbu1-zWtKkZF9MONG-f-CtABxNhfnkzVT5Pq3DOmmCYU_FumFf_2K3hOV9C2CDt0cXHo/s320/DSC05447.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220288815864725666" border="0" /></a></p><br />About to land in Brussels<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzeWLDBDGTuOLAZUPHosZ0W4gTkvpa9UW7YesokEHfDGYu5aQ-OsMYqzHPvhDbFs1NpQ_HJqoVj3c_t6yFCZHAz0joI43Qp1Z1Il6ndKPYAUeCaPYDX5BQ19w62J7sSKGiqXTdMWUBrg/s1600-h/DSC05454.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzeWLDBDGTuOLAZUPHosZ0W4gTkvpa9UW7YesokEHfDGYu5aQ-OsMYqzHPvhDbFs1NpQ_HJqoVj3c_t6yFCZHAz0joI43Qp1Z1Il6ndKPYAUeCaPYDX5BQ19w62J7sSKGiqXTdMWUBrg/s320/DSC05454.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220288818878070818" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><br />The front of Greg and Ross' house where we're staying...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Gy66_-yz8LPrWtrL_io9Iv1vfThK_aCbn5XYns7bzReRAP2TVXqFgBCXymG-l9e89L5MO4Z3Ry_6WPdqFwcpQeLAPKMenUcYcDABMFA1Twwddmh6P89LMVJpkOIfLR4bzClxI7D0nYU/s1600-h/DSC05463.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Gy66_-yz8LPrWtrL_io9Iv1vfThK_aCbn5XYns7bzReRAP2TVXqFgBCXymG-l9e89L5MO4Z3Ry_6WPdqFwcpQeLAPKMenUcYcDABMFA1Twwddmh6P89LMVJpkOIfLR4bzClxI7D0nYU/s320/DSC05463.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220288824277084674" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />And the back of the house during the Canada Day staff BBQ<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIu2h0pq16phf_Pnb7yo4vBooOY7GJ6SLLN3NHD6exjchH6uqGYT7uMLIps4Oj_e1jTyuMuRZwGxZBAksBvoG-APhKYA8JF1wM9Av3LLZgrQm95wzqAIlAJNn5uc4oStrl76QbgEUU_UQ/s1600-h/DSC05466.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIu2h0pq16phf_Pnb7yo4vBooOY7GJ6SLLN3NHD6exjchH6uqGYT7uMLIps4Oj_e1jTyuMuRZwGxZBAksBvoG-APhKYA8JF1wM9Av3LLZgrQm95wzqAIlAJNn5uc4oStrl76QbgEUU_UQ/s320/DSC05466.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220290796089855970" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />We get the third floor to ourselves :-)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqI5JAVh2GSd2OvdQRNdZUtA_nJ1LCxzFET19451e8TX3zJ_yFJnUxUO6u92bWxUzsTBCB5BzmMe9VH0yuUugHf1i1RVtSFhvtNFb-xNQQBApQXJx63Rg7i5Zbm64xy5PqlCCKi-QY4EM/s1600-h/DSC05459.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqI5JAVh2GSd2OvdQRNdZUtA_nJ1LCxzFET19451e8TX3zJ_yFJnUxUO6u92bWxUzsTBCB5BzmMe9VH0yuUugHf1i1RVtSFhvtNFb-xNQQBApQXJx63Rg7i5Zbm64xy5PqlCCKi-QY4EM/s320/DSC05459.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220288823084281058" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />The formal dining room can seat 50 comfortably when Greg & Ross are entertaining :-)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmU85cPTa84vLQ7YdXBYt2bMFugL2Ii_Zfmib_BIz9t8FF3LAFBenoyut4Jf3T1Ptvo_Bql8-5rXsu-7Ju5PIj9vNS-GD-t2ZQU7YJsyvHgJ2FksXwMiaotHFmSzWZiHvgxGN4IozeKr0/s1600-h/DSC05468.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmU85cPTa84vLQ7YdXBYt2bMFugL2Ii_Zfmib_BIz9t8FF3LAFBenoyut4Jf3T1Ptvo_Bql8-5rXsu-7Ju5PIj9vNS-GD-t2ZQU7YJsyvHgJ2FksXwMiaotHFmSzWZiHvgxGN4IozeKr0/s320/DSC05468.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220291542520997330" border="0" /></a>Andy McKielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09532637741341341038noreply@blogger.com7