Brussels, Belgium

This is a continuation of our great Spring Break adventure.  We packed up our tent and belongings (yes it was raining) from the Boy Scout Jamboree then headed to Brussels for yet more fun and adventure.  It took us about 3 hours to drive there from Normandy.

The hotel we stayed at was right behind the king's palace!  (My apologies in advance for not taking pictures of the beautiful palace.)

We spent Sunday evening and Monday morning exploring what we could see and find in Brussels.  

Here are some photos of what we saw in Brussels.  (By the way, Jay's dad served a mission in Belgium so we spent some time pondering about whether we were seeing things he had seen when he was a missionary there :o)

On our way to explore Brussels.

Brussels has beautiful gardens in the city.  They even have carpets of flowers....so beautiful!  (Of course the carpets are outside ;o)

Statue of Queen Elizabeth.

Authentic Belgium waffels!

Most authentic of all...strawberries and cream - yum!

Waffels with cream and caramel...ooh, yum!

Standing in the middle of the Grand Plaza.

Happy to be in Brussels Grand Plaza.

The Grand Plaza 

more Grand Plaza...

Ivan touching the spire.

planking in Brussels :o)

Grand Plaza

Exploring the streets in Brussels.

Sherlock has a pub in Brussels...who knew?

Neuhaus...the best chocolate around.  The only thing missing from this picture is the lovely smell of the fresh chocolate. 

Look closely behind Jay and Ivan and you will see the famous Mannekin Pis fountain.  This little statue is to Brussels what Michael Angelo's statue of David is to Italy.  There is a standing tradition that all dignitaries do for this statue when they visit Brussels.  If you'd like to know what that is, Google it :o)

Ahh...we are eating Belguim fries!  If it isn't a Belgium waffle, it has got to be a Belgium fry.  This is good eating and they have about 20 dipping sauces to choose from.  Wow!

An amazing cathedral on the way back to our car.

They have more cathedrals and churches in Brussels than you can shake a stick at!  This is taken from the car on our way to the Atomium.  What's that you say?  You'll see it soon enough.

The amazing Atomium!  Yes, it is a sculpture of a unit cell iron crystal.  This very sculpture was created for the 1958 World Fair in Brussels.

I can't resist a beautiful garden.  This is opposite the Atomium.

Jay, Emily and Ivan went inside the Atomium.  I waited and rested in the car - I know, I'm a party pooper.

views looking out from inside the Atomium...

traveling inside the Atomium...

This wraps up our 5 day spring break adventure.  We arrived safe and sound back to our little apartment in Frankfurt at about 11:00 pm.  So glad to be back home (I'm such a home body!).