Bruges - Belgium

I am continuing my European cruise memories of this fall.

So there was a storm in the North Sea with 12 metre waves.  It caused us to miss our planned Amsterdam stop unfortunately.  Son K and I were seasick even wearing our anti nausea seabands,  Gravol helped, but we both were not ourselves for that day.  Note to remember Gravol if we ever go on another cruise.

From the ship, we saw this oil rig in the North Sea.  I think they are used for Marine research as well.

North Sea oil rig

Viking is a luxury line, so it offers free 24 hour room service.  Son K took advantage of this.  The stewards brought K and I lactose free milk as we are lactose intolerant. 

Room Service Cheese Platter

Room service fruit platter

Room Service Lactose free milk order

So our next port of call was Bruges, Belgium.

Bruges Port

 

Infinity pool on ship

Daughter L and her husband had booked a tour of Ypres and Flanders Field which they much enjoyed.

Husband M and I and his 2 sisters went on a tour of Bruges and its Canals.  Son K decided to stay on ship.  

Bruges was cold and rainy at times.  It was nice when the sun came out occasionally.  Here again the washrooms are not free.  They cost from .20 - 2.0 euro.  So after the canal cruise, M bought a burger at McDonald's and we got to use the washroom by showing our receipts.  Meanwhile M's sisters did a bit of shopping and because the washroom was 4 flights up, his older sister decided she didn't need to go.  His other sister brought some delicious Belgian chocolates as gifts and for eating.  She let me taste these orange rinds dipped in dark chocolate.  It was so good.  Soon it was time to meet our guide at the Simon Stevin Square.  I remember the guide telling us Stevin was a famed mathematician who introduced the decimal fraction to Europe.

Interestingly, a photo of the Bruges canal came up on my Window's laptop screensaver and I thought 'I was there and saw that spot!'  So these are the benefits of travel.

The guide continued his tour, and it was at this point that M and I lost the group.  It is so important to stay with your group, what a nightmare.  We ended up following another Viking tour group that I saw to the tour bus depot where we reconnected with our group. I had an emergency number to call, but...luckily did not end up using it.

Relating this story to a cousin, he told me his brother, another cousin went off on his own in a taxi to explore a cruise port.  Unfortunately the taxi dropped him back at the wrong location.  There was the captain of the ship waiting for his slightly delayed return to ship.  Whew!  He made it before departure.  Not to mention his brother's stress.

Bruges - Belgium

Bruges - Kid's playground at the square

 

fabulous meal at a specialty restaurant on ship

To be Continued.