Wednesday 7 October 2015

In Bruges

              And after watching the movie at least three times, I fell in love with this place, and just had to be there. I was waiting for a good excuse and celebrating 35th birthday there sounded like a brilliant idea.
             Getting annoyed of a hectic London life lately, this short weekend getaway reminded me how brilliant London is. Only 5 and a half hours on the coach, took me from Victoria station to centre of Bruges! Passing through South of London (as a north Londoner I hardly every have a chance/will to explore this part, Camberwell, Peckham, Lewisham..) and I couldn't stop staring through the window, soaking gorgeous little local shops, pubs, restaurants, beautiful Victorian houses, differently styled people... But then, realised the phone was almost running out of juice and we are not even half way there. It's not like I would terribly miss the bloody phone but my music was there and the soundtrack from Jim Jarmusch's '' Only Lovers left Alive'' was just putting me in the perfect mood. And voila! Above each sit there was a USB point and for only £40.00 return ticket you get all of this luxury with Eurolines :))



One of the favourite sceens from ''Only Lovers Left Alive''
Passing through ancient Dover, 45 minutes through the tunnel, we crossed ''the river'' and the sight on the other side was breath-taking. Rain and the sun, huge rainbow, even two, rabbits running through the field on both sides of the high road, I thought I'm in a fairy-tale. But that was just the beginning. Shortly after, at least that's how it felt, tiny Bruges bus station it is! The only map I had was a screenshot of a Google map on my phone and the way how to get to the hotel. I felt I was here before, I know this place. And here the story begins:

First Impression

6pm, a walk along The Speigelrei from Jan van Eyckplaats to the Potterei

This is such a quiet area of town now, but it was once Brugge's busy harbour.

The canals and historical houses of Brugge
Each detail speaks for itself
 





The Historic Town of Brugge is testimony, over a long period, of a considerable exchange of influences on the development of architecture, particularly in brick Gothic


 

Flea Markets & Shop Windows

 
...Yes, it's a chocolate!



Habitants of Brugge & some Tourists












Cranenburg House from a postcard, ca. 1905.


The Markt ("Market Square") of Bruges - located in the heart of the city
 

Night stroll - Fountain 't Zand - Artists: Stefaan Depuydt and Livia Canestraro (couple), 1985-86


Beautiful sight to close the story