Brussels, Belgium

The next morning at Amsterdam, I tried my best to wake up as early as possible, to catch the 545am train from Amsterdam to Brussels, Belgium. I struggled to find the motivation to pull myself out of bed. Being alone, I need all the discipline I could muster to pull myself out of bed. Anticipating that this would happen, I set the alarm at 430am and let it ring for several times before dragging myself outta bed. God is good, and I wouldnt have gotten outta bed without Him. The Chinese receptionist greeted me with the most energetic and warmest of goodbyes. "Jiu ze yang?" I said to him. "Jiu ze yang" he smiled. This helped to start my day and motivated me to walk and walk towards the train station. 18 euro was well spent in the hostel. Warm shower, and a good upper deck bed. The only thing not so comfortable - I shared the room with 5 other backpackers. Hence, during the night, I tied my backpack and belongings to myself in case any of them is up to no good. At this time, the sky was bright. Summer nights are short and I appreciate that. Missing the 545am train to Brussels isnt the end of the world. They are scheduled to depart half-hourly. But I didnt want to freeze out for 30mins in the cold, esp when every shops are closed - no shelter for warmth. Praise be to God, with 2 mins left, I caught it. And that also means I didnt have to freeze out in the train station for too long. To brussels.
Along the way to Brussels, I saw more and more brothels by the main road. Early in the bright day, prostitutes display themselves in lingerie and wink at passer-bys. These are really hardcore prostitutes. At 6am in the morning? Im surprised. By the time I realised I could snap shots of them without being spotted, it was too late. Ah. The morning brain still wants to daze.

At Brussels. The Brussels train station is big. Walking around, looking for the train to Brugges. But it was no good. I couldnt even find a baggage deposit place, nor an information counter. It was confusing. Underground or above ground? People walk fast and dont speak English. Getting to Paris on time was also a constant worry. The best help I found were the road sweepers who gave me some tips. Finally, I stumbled upon a baggage deposit store and happily deposited my bag. Berlin was a stinging lesson for me. Not gonna drag my baggage through the city for half-a-day anymore.

I needed a toilet desperately. A free one. Not gonna pay 2 sgd for the one in the tran station.

Trying to get to "the Grand Place" in Brussels, I followed some signs and reached a modern, beautifully lit passage way that reminded me of Singapore. I walked through it and reached a beautiful complex. Following through it, I reached an intersection where the most famous of Brussels tourism are.

Brussels have some cool architecture. Its a little different from Amsterdam, it prefers plainer colours, a less exciting feel, but calms you down.

 Doesnt this remind you of the Milan Arcade? The moment I walked it, I went "Oo Milan?!" This is Brussel's arcade. Similarly, its their posh shopping area. On a closer look, clothes and fashion isnt their thing as compared to Milan. So whats are the theme of this posh shopping area?
Chocolates and sweets! That's Belgium's thing. 

The really really famous and extraordinary Neuhaus chocolates and sweets!

 Dont you just wanna eat it straight off the image!

I would be really really happy, if I could go home to a kitchen like this everyday! (:

Next, I walked into this chocolate place, which looked even more yummy than Neuhaus.
And this is why..

  Tell me you just wanna dig your whole face in. Cos I really wanna do that.
For a moment, I thought that I was in heaven, only to realise I had to pay. Then I wondered if heaven would really look like this, with good and free chocolates everywhere - and I was greeted with a grin from God.

 Yes I couldnt resist and bought some. Belgium, you just want to eat up all its chocolates (the swiss would content to that haha)

Shortly after, I needed a toilet urgently and set foot to look for one all around. 30 mins later, I found nothing and was about to pee on the road, when I decided to go back to this shop and ask the ladyboss. She said there's no toilet around (WTH), but decided illegally, to open her backdoor and said "I shouldnt be doing this, but there's a toilet down the steps at the basement." COOL.

The door at the back, is the back door.

Walking down this path, I find this basement kinda strange. Why is there "Welcome" in so many different languages? And soft music playing in the background? Curtains? I looks like a maze where. After I did my nature job, curiosity got the better of me and I decided to explore. And should I get caught for trespassing, I would just act blur and act like I am a cannot speak english asians, and act lost. Heh.

Exploring the area, I soon suspect that its a underground museum, or educational bombshelter (a significant old time bombshelter that has been transformed into a museum)
Its really kinda cool, with some cool displays, and I was the only one inside the maze! haha.

This is one of the cool displays, that tells a story about Brussels and Belgium's history.

Some of the displays are way cool. For example, if you see this one, you realise that it shows pigs transforming into man, or the other way round.

It has something to do with the age when the Belgians are rearing lotsa pigs and slaughtering them for meat. Man, it seems, in their quest for dominance, have also lost their moral and sense and are no different from pigs. Cool eh.

After that interesting historical display, I ended up in this section. So many mini Manneken Pis fountain (little boy taking a leak into a pool) !!! But they are really cute! See below!

Cute right! Even comes with a bin (instead of a pool) to collect the pee.


After walking through the whole museum, I realised that the only way out, was back up the back door. Looking at my watch, oh no! I actually spent almost an hour in the museum already! What if the ladyboss ask? Would I say I actually spent 1 hour in the toilet? (absurd! haha) Or just say I got lost finding the way out and hope she doesnt think that I was attending the museum for free. I found out later, that you need a ticket to visit the museum. And it costs 6 euros! Yeah!

After the museum and chocolate shop, I went out of the shopping area, to the alleys - the Rue des Bouchers - which was within the area itself. The alleys are, again, famous for its food. Its seafood. (sounds spanish?). Well. I have to check it out.

The lobster house.

Seafood Seafood and more seafood!

But dine elsewhere, I was warned.


After the Rue des Bouchers, it was fitting for main attraction of Brussels. Here, I learnt the meaning of grand. As the Brussel's arcade reminded me of Milan, the Grand place reminded me of Venice's San Marco.

I like its many many many statues on the building! The detail and work that goes into it. I pondered a while at its process. Its amazing.

Inside this bulding, on the underground is the beer museum. Introducing the famous belgium beer, its history, the process of making it and a taste of it that's the most important.

The bar. I went there early. Without an entry ticket, I went into the bar, and saw these 2 chatting in a foreign language. I didnt want to pay for the museum. But I wanna try to beer. So I struck up a conversation with him, asking him about the beer. He decided to give me a taste of the beer, for free. Deal for sure.

Belgian beer rocks. Really.

After the free beer, I decided to walk around the streets, and look for the peeing fountain. 2 things that caught my eye on this street. First, it was the "person" on a stick begging for money, the other was the picture on the wall, the painted stairs.

This was the first one. From far, it looked kinda convincing. I walked nearer and realised it was a hoax. "Vincent Van Vogh" it says. And a box that asks people for money beside. Its amazing how lazy some people are, and try to get money in this way. I took a peep into the box and there's really some people who fall for it. Gosh. In this rich, touristy country.

Next was this painted wall. Ah, Tin tin again. I love it when a comic and cartoon has such a live and culture of its own. This country itself brings the comic to life. Hopefully, I could see a Marvel or DC world somewherein this world. And maybe a bleach (:

I conclude that this town is indeed a comic strip town.

And who can forget, the streets filled with chocolate shops (:. The pride of Belgium.
At one of these chocolate and wafers shop, I overheard a very familiar accent. It was a Malaysian couple, asking for the price of wafers. They perpetually have this camcorder on. I was to meet them again, in Brugges, later in the evening.


And finally, I reached a cross-junction where a crowd gathers with its cameras - you know its a tourist attraction.

This was what they all wanted to see, the boy peeing into the pool. Seeing that it is obviously not very spectacular, or cultural, I stayed to ask for a picture from another tourist, and left.

After leaving the famous peeing boy, I explored the city, looking at its architecture and discovering its buildings.

I really do like buildings that elude such quaint feeling. I choose old-fashion charm over modern splendor.

Chancing upon this church, was one of the most mind-boggling experience of all time.

Enlarge it to read. Its the weirdest description I've read in a long time. Well, the inside of the church would be the MOST unexpected from a church. Here's why.
Upon entering the church, what greeted me was a crime-scene dead body outline.

And then, right in front of it, a scale-down replica of it, with the light flashing.

More weird stuffs to come.

Even the Jesus that hangs on the cross, is the oddest ever.

And what's this on the right side? If you imagine that you are facing their direction, well, the bible says that on the right hand of God is Jesus, and on the left is the Law. So I suppose the 2 tablets are the 10 commandments.


And on the left and right side of the church, lay another 2 separate tablets, which I suppose also, is the 10 commandments. My, this weird church is quite binding.

And on the other corner of the church, there's even barb-wire!!

After the church, I took a walk, exploring the town. And saw some rather not eye-catching, but interesting stuffs.

Bicycles for rental. Just insert the coin and ride the bicycle. This is quite common in certain parts of Europe.

As I continued walking, I chanced upon this church. 

What's special about this church? We'll find out (:

1) The most muscle pack Jesus crucified ever. Hundreds of packs.

2) Can you see the fading mosiac of an angel on the brick wall? This looks really spooky and surreal.

3) I suppose this is an ark of the covenant? One of the most beautiful ones I have seen.


After the church, I continued to walk about.

Dont you think the grafitti is really really cool? Plus all the broken wooden planks. My! what happened to his shop?

There was some filming of a comedy at this fountain when I came. A crowed gathered.

Lady with longgggg leg!

4 topless women.

5 strong women.

I would call its buildings, Brussel's pride.

This town's buildings just fascinates me. The details and creativity they put into. The thousands of statues, the minor details, the comic strip, the nude women in seductive poses statues, golden lady with long legs. Brussels could be known as a town of artistic buildings.


I carried on walking, away from the Grand Place, towards the Old England Building - the Musee des Instruments de Musique. Its was quite far away, and I wasnt sure if it was worth it. However, since I had some more time, I decided to give it a try, and boy, I was in for a surprise. Great things awaits!

Trying to remove some grafitti!

The Old England building to the left! But what's that in the middle!

The Old England Building - the Musee des Instruments de Musique - ie the Museum of musical instruments!

I decided to walk further up from the Old England Building to check out the cool building that I saw.

Is it a parliament house? Or another museum? I cant figure out.
Being there brought more surprises! Oh man. Looking around, the sights was awesome, and I discovered even more great architectures nearby!

Looking back, can you see the Grand Place (as mentioned - the 1st place I visited!)
Yep, the protruding tower!

Turn left from here, and you'll get to lots of places as the pictures below! 

A really cool medieval cathedral!

And beside the cathedral, a garden with lots of statues. Europe just loves them.

After the garden, I continued my journey downwards, to this supreme court like place.

At this place, you could see the whole city. Wonderful.

This is the only lift I saw in Brussels. You can take this lift down, to walk the town of Brussels.

I took the lift down, walk down the path as the above picture. Until I chance upon this church, and saw a band playing inside.

Only a short while. They soon finished their rehearsal. I continued my journey down the path, till I see more and more Chocolates.

Until I see some modern buildings.

With really cool reflections. A modern building reflecting old buildings.

Nearby the modern building, is the Brussels Cathedral.

This picture, is courtesy of the Indian girl I met. My camera went dead. Thanks.

And while walking inside the Cathedral, I chanced upon what seem to be an undergroud passage. The picture below, suggest that there's a walkway underground. I got excited. Could I be in for a discovery? Some ancient relic? Or a secret?

I soon found a flight of stairs downwards, followed it and saw this. Wooooo. Intriguing. What lies ahead?

Of Ancient Sites, buried underground beneath a famous Cathedral. What's its story.

And Ancient relics.

I escaped from this underground alive. Curious about its story, contented with my final discovery of Brussels. I scattered to Brugges, scheduled to meet Tom.

Goodbye Brussels, its been a truly exciting journey, of stumbling upon your undergrounds after undergrounds. Despite a being straightforward town, it contains underground mysteries.