Off to Brugges

Yesterday my parents arrived from the States and this morning we started out super early (6AM) to make our way down to Dover to catch our ferry. Thankfully we didn't catch any bad traffic on the way because we JUST made our boat...I think we were one of the last 10 cars they let on...next time I'll know to plan on being in Dover at least an hour before sailing. It was an absolutely beautiful day and we got a great view of the famous White Cliffs from the ship.

It was interesting to see how things worked when you actually drove on to the ferry. Our last ferry experience was interesting enough as foot passengers in a mass exodus out of France. It was actually pretty cool to drive on to the boat and they do get you packed in pretty close, but were smart enough to stagger you all so you could open your car doors.

We head upstairs to hang out in the children's play area so the kiddos could stretch their legs after a 3 hour drive to Dover. Addie and I posed as Woody and Buzz...can't wait until we get to go to Disneyland Paris this fall!!! We were all in need of some caffine so my dad, the kids and I headed off to the coffee bar. We stood in line for a good 20 minutes and observed some of the most interesting blokes in full assorted costumes - school uniforms, bunny rabbits, ladies lingerie . Apparently they were rugby followers and were headed to Amsterdam to watch matches for the weekend. With the several cases of beer that they carried aboard and the several they already consumed before 10AM, they seemed to be in "fine form" for the game.

Mom and Dad headed up top the ship to check things out and my mom had quite a "hair raising" event!!! It was very, very windy and the coffee hadn't quite kicked in yet, but I think the gush of fresh air got her going again. We ate our packed lunch and soon we were arriving in Calais. It was extremely awkward pulling off the boat and driving a right side driving car on the right side of the road. I was glad I wasn't driving, but I couldn't help but feel so messed up as Kevin was driving around. We got a little nervous when "Jane" our SatNav wouldn't recognize where we were and then we tried restarting her and she didn't turn on. I didn't bring along any France or Belgium or Netherlands maps and if she didn't work we were in deep doo doo. Luckily my mom had a plastic toothpick (thankfully she has EVERYTHING you could ever need in her purse) to help us reset the SatNav and about 20 minutes later Jane was up and going again.

About 1 1/2 hours later we arrived at our hotel, Aragon House, in Brugges which was actually a very nice two bedroom apartment that was located only 100 meters from the Market Square. The weather called for rain most of the time we were in Europe so we were going to take advantage of every hour it didn't so we went on a serious trek around Brugges our first day.

Of course with little ones along you tend to get a bit sidetracked from serious walking tours and we had to make an immediate pit stop to admire the horses in the square.

We made our way to one of my most favorite European churches - Our Lady's Church - which is home to Michaelangelo's Madonna and Child sculpture (one of the few pieces of work located outside of Italy). It was an extra special visit as they church was prepared for Good Friday services and at table was set up for "The Last Supper" and a cross displayed for people to nail their sins to the cross.

It was pretty chilly and Mom and Dad were still pretty jet lagged, so we popped in a coffee shop to get them their caffeine fix and warm them up. We made our way down to the main street with all the fun shops and saw some trademark Belgium items like....Belgium lace....

...Belgium waffles loaded with all sorts of gooey toppings....

...and Belgium chocolates!!!

With it being Easter weekend the shops were filled with amazing window displays and chocolate bunnies, eggs, and more.

My most favorite part about Bruges is visiting the Minnewater area. It is a beautiful green with the canal next to it and some beautiful bridges and buildings. Addison loved seeing the swans make a next near by and some of the other tourists loved seeing Addison smile and asked if they could take a picture of her as well. I do have to say that I think my kids are super cute and am completely honored that I have had so many people while we are on holiday have asked to take pictures of them. Now this may come back to haunt me some day when they want to run for public office or become famous, but I'm a proud mumma now.

Next to the Minnewater is the Begijnhof which is a peaceful community of white houses surrounding a little garden which was full of bloomed daffidils. The area was once used as a monestary and home to the Benedictine sisters who still live there. In the past it was used for widows of men who past away in the war and the women took on the lives of nuns but did not take full vows as one. Most of the women who still live there today are single or widows.

It is just such a beautiful place and so peaceful and I loved getting to come back to see it again.

Back out in the Minnewater area, Addison and I pose by the horse watering fountain as I told her she could pet this horse and it wouldn't snuff at her.

What a romantic place to be, on a bridge over the canal in Bruge...mom and dad are still a super cute couple after 32 years of marriage!!!

That night we fought through a bit of rain to get to restaurant in the Market Square, a little closer to the hotel for our walk home. Dad and Kevin got the big pot of mussles of course since that is what you have to eat when you are there. And Kevin had a very large Belgium beer with his little shelled rascals. I tried a traditional Flemish cod dish which at first didn't look like a lot of food but I couldn't hardly finish all of it. The food was good but Belgium prices are a bit hard to swallow...

Nice dinners out are also kind of challenging for little ones who have been asked to sit in a car for hours and a stroller as we walked around town. So we had to break out the ol' DVD player for them to watch...the problem is now that both of them want to watch and that doesn't always work out the best....still working on how to figure that one out!