Monday, November 27, 2006

Brussels

On 18th of November ISN organized the journey to Brussels.

First we visited the ATOMIUM, building which Brussels is very famous for.


We also checked it inside and took marvelous photos from the top sphere.

Mini Europe was the tourist attraction just next to the atomium but instead of going there, we just took a photo from above ;)

Inside looks a lil' bit like sexmission, isn't it?:)



The center of the city itself was very very nice, first thing we did, was a visit in the Museum of history of Brussels. We couldn't take the photos, so there's nothing more to see, beside the front facade. On the photo below also old town can be seen (Grote Markt)
We also took a photo of a sculpture of Manneken Pis, a small peeing boy, which is a beloved symbol of Brussels (I don't know why, for me it's just another peeing fountain...). But people are crazy about this small detail of architecture. Enjoy.

We visited museum of chocolate, where we could also try some chocolates, see how an old man makes it and read a bit about the cocoa nuts and see the chocolate sculptures. Of course we couldn't take a photos inside.

Modern underground station (these metal pipes are constructed in a special way to unable them movement, but as I was standing there for 5 min , I didn't notice any movement..)



There are plenty of tiny streets in the old town, with many bars and restaurants. Waiters were almost pulling our hands to invite us to eat something in their restaurants, promising free drinks or second meal on house. Freaky!!!


Two bars which are called with my two favorite words: Copacabana (like 4 km long beach in Brasil) and Papillon (what means "butterfly" - the title of my favourite movie, based on the book, true story).


Beautiful St. Michael's Cathedral, looks like ideal place for wedding.

We were also in the beautiful shopping mall

Old England Store -Designed and constructed from 1898-99, with Paul Saintenoy as the architect. After years of neglect and losing much of its Art Nouveau detailing, this former department store has undergone a stunning renovation, reopening as a Musical Instrument Museum in 2000 (source: internet)

In the end some random photos, I don't really remember what these buildings are. Probably I'll never know that, because ISN didn't provide any information about anything, so we were just passing some probably popular buildings not even knowing that. Whatever. SOme of them are below.




All in all - it was nice. But it was my last trip with crazy driver Martijn and ISN. PEACE!