Our trip to Belgium a few weeks back would have never been possible a year ago, not because of any logistics issue, but simply because we lacked the spirit for it. The conditions were not ideal, but it was easily one of our most solid trips in a while. At the end of it, we were proud of ourselves, seeing how much we have grown.
It was very last minute, only a short trip with an early rise, 5-hour drive, and horrid weather throughout the long weekend. Also, the only place we could find is a room in an apartment shared with the owner. Most likely, we would have tried a different location a year ago or just cancel the trip altogether. But I am really glad we went for it!
Tired and groggy, we arrived in Brussels, Markus being a trooper driving all the way despite waking up at 5 AM. The weather kept changing like channels being flipped on a TV, from windy, rainy, sunny, and overcast. We just kept wandering anyway!
The chocolate shops and bakeries were a dream. Obviously, they looked lovely, rows and rows of chocolates in every form imaginable, piles of treats in every inch of space. And the smell! Ridiculously good, a world all its own, comforting and exciting at the same time.
I do not know if it was a blessing in disguise that I had bad gastritis flare-up coming into this trip that I could not eat chocolates. It is probably a good thing or else I would have eaten more than my bodyweight, on top of all the other nice things I ate. They know how to food, Belgium, and Markus had some nice Belgian beer, too. He had to drink alone as usual though!
The next day, he took me to Oostende to see the Atlantic. I wondered why since I have clearly seen an ocean before. But not this one, it seems. The ocean I know is sunny and warm, relaxing and uplifting.
This one was extremely windy and cold, if not colder because of the terrible weather. These winds I experience when we have strong storms in The Philippines. Safe to say I was incredibly confused – on a beach, so much clothing, and in serious danger of getting blown off!
Then there was Brugge. Of course, we had to visit. Markus really liked the movie In Brugge with Collin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson and he said it had a lot to do with the tourism explosion of this small town. It definitely exploded.
The place was crawling with people! I am sure I would have enjoyed it more in better weather and with less of a crowd, but Brugge was beautiful – small alleyways, old brick buildings, breweries, gardens, canals, towers, and more beautiful shops.
We did not stay long in Brugge because we wanted to return to Brussels for our evening appointment, and we were doing great time, until we ended up in the wrong train that took us south of Belgium!
When we realized this, we just shrugged our shoulders and said we would figure it out. Needless to say, we ended up doing a countryside tour of Belgium and arrived in Brussels two hours later, just in time for the coolest part of this trip…
We met Juliette! Beautiful and vibrant, she is everything like her blog, really positive, full of energy, and very thoughtful. She gave us plenty of advice on how to do our short Belgium trip and shared many tips that made our life easier.
Funny how I always said we would meet each other one day and we finally did! We went to a Syrian restaurant with nice food but less than stellar service. Our dinner was a little adventurous but lots of fun, just talking about the sea turtles, sharing our lives, and dreaming of sunnier days ahead. It was a joy, like seeing an old friend after a long time.
From here, our adventure picks up in The Netherlands, with more bad weather and equally wonderful things. Looking forward to sharing it with you in the next post!
Markus + Micah 
I would never have known this was a trip with challenging circumstances if I only looked at your smiles and lovely photographs. Appreciate so much your narrative – I hear you about taking chances and adventuring through despite less than ideal conditions. These are indeed opportunities to grow as a couple and a memorable trip because you both made the best of the situation. Yay you!
Your food pics are amazing – hope you got some chocolate to go so you can enjoy them once you are feeling better.
LikeLike
You two are adorable and I love all your photos and adventures!
LikeLike
Thank you, Bridgette. We are like the M&Ms mascots, aren’t we?
LikeLiked by 1 person
looks like you covered it thoroughly and ate your way through.. lol💞
LikeLike
The best way to explore a place, of course.
LikeLike
Good for Markus who found a Filipina who is willing to travel…
LikeLike
Haha. Is it really that difficult for you?
LikeLike
My husband and I absolutely LOVED Belgium! Looking forward to your Netherlands post; we spent four weeks there last year.
LikeLike
What were your Belgium highlights? Ours was a quick trip but it was really fun. We only passed by Maastricht in The Netherlands on our way home, still have to explore more cities soon. You have recommendations for things to do or places to eat?
LikeLiked by 1 person
In Belgium, we did a food tour. Here are the highlights from our travel blog: https://garlandsabroad.wordpress.com/2022/05/13/my-surprise-love-affair-with-belgium/
Also…you have to go to other places in The Netherlands. We were in Rotterdam for 4 weeks, but we visited Amsterdam and Geithoorn. Geithoorn is a must-see…it’s a town where everyone lives off the water, like they use boats to get to their homes.
LikeLike
Thanks! I think I have heard of Geithoorn and will definitely visit at some point. I feel like we take The Netherlanda for granted because it is so near.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was so so nice meeting you guys, I’m so glad you spontaneously decided to come, even though the weather was pretty shitty! I’m happy you liked Belgium, and I hope we’ll be able to meet eachother soon again, maybe in Germany or in the Philippines! 😍
LikeLike
Definitely, after the first meeting it feels like everything is possible.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How I enjoyed this post! Bruges is one of my favorite cities, though with children, we did not linger before bakeries and candy shops.
I’ve met several blog friends in person, and those visits were very, very special.
LikeLike
I understand. Haha. Was Brugge already so popular then? It is really fun to met blog friends, makes it official friends, you know?
LikeLike
We were in Bruges in 1981 or 1982. I wouldn’t know if it was popular then.
LikeLike
Vicariously enjoyed travelling with you except I did not get to share the food!
LikeLike
That makes two of us with the chocolates, Geoff!
LikeLike
This is a lovely post you two and I’m glad you were able to do the trip 😊 One day, I would like to get to Belgium too.
LikeLike
Thank you, Sean. Is it also Spring in Perth?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sadly, no. It is Autumn here, but still warmish during the day 😊
LikeLike
Belgian chocolate, beer, and pastries!!!! And Brugge (I also love the film). Sooooo wonderful!!
LikeLike
I feel like I need to come back so I can stuff myself with chocolates. Actually, I tried to watch In Brughe on the plane back to Germany but I fell asleep. Haha.
LikeLike
All the food looks delicious, and that’s so fun that you were able to meet Juliette!
LikeLike
It was fun. Even if we were exhausted from wandering all day and literally getting lost, our energy returned when we met her!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We spent several holidays in Belgium when we lived in Germany, always basing ourselves on the coast. So many people drive through the country without seeing any of its beauty!
LikeLike
Which part of the coast? We only saw Oostende. It was extremely windy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We based ourselves in Bredene, then De Panne, and Knokke-Heist.
LikeLike
Other places to explore next time then. Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is so niceee that you got to meet Juliette!!!! So fun!
I visited Brussels 17 years back as a school kid and went crazy looking at all the chocolates. It was so nice to relive those memories through your photos. I remember the weather being crazy even when we visited. It was cold then sunny then it started raining, so crazy. I’m glad you had a nice trip despite all the impediments.
LikeLike
Wow, I can’t imagine what it is like to be a kid inside these shops. You must have spent a lot! Andbyes, the weather could not decide between horrible and really horrible. Haha. But we are so glad we did the short trip and meeting Juliette was icing on the cake. She was very sweet. Nothing like meeting your blog friends. Us next!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks amazing. I love the sign “Save water. Drink Belgian beer.” That made me smile. Seeing the daffodils made me long for real spring weather!
LikeLike
I thought it was very funny. Amazing how many kinds of beer exists. We also went to a brewery and it was packed. The daffodils were very pretty. I am with you – today it is sunny here but very windy. Looking forward to spring in full as well!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You look like you were in foodie heaven! 😋 I’m afraid all that dairy produce would have my sinus’s going berserk! I can eat a little but with all that lovely chocolate around I would have had difficulty not trying some! We’ve been to Bruges, many years ago and loved it although we were constantly attacked by bicycles. Haha, now you’ve experienced the Atlantic! Welcome, to my world. Brrr! 🙋♂️
LikeLike
It was great, even had some mussels at Oostende (we occasionally eat seafood). I honestly did not think Belgium has a coastline but apparently it does. You mean thr Atlantic is always cold and windy even in the summer?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Even in the summer the Atlantic LOOKS grey and uninviting! However, there are those who swim in it every day, brrrr! They are a hardy bunch of people.
LikeLike
Really impressive. Must be for the dopamine high. I would gladly take the West Philippine Sea any day (and yes, The Ph started calling it that instead of South China Sea).
LikeLike