Alarm went off just after 5am this morning. After a late night this was not welcome. I was barely functioning as I got ready. Headed off a bit before 6am, and hopped on a train to Brussels. I partly dozed but didn't get any sleep. Stoopidly (again) I got an aisle seat. But the train was mostly empty so I took the window seat next to me. Why even bother asking for preferences on seating if you're not going to pay any attention to them??
So got to Brussels Midi and went and dumped my suitcase in a locker (4 euro, but if I'd gone to the place across the way it'd have been 3.60 .. doh!). Then went to figure out how I'd be getting to Amsterdam. Then to go get a Metro ticket. You can get an all day pass for 6 euro which turned out to be really great value (since individual tickets are 2 euro each). Brussels' Metro is a lot smaller that Paris, and generally much better organised and user-friendly. So had no problems figuring out my way around. They have these funky indicator boards that show where all the trains on the line are at (forwards and backwards).
Hopped on a train and headed up to the Atomium! Except for some reason I thought it opened at 9am, when it actually opened at 10am. Doh!
The Atomium
Didn't want to wait an hour there so headed to the Koekelberg basilica. Something like the fifth biggest church in the world or something. This area was completely devoid of any tourists which was a little scary. Walked up to the basilica which was supposed to open at 9am, but there were no signs anywhere. Eventually I found an open door and went in, but it looked like they were about to have a service, so I just took a picture or two and walked out again. I didn't bother going up the dome because it was too hazy.
Basilique Nationale due Sacre Coeur a Koekelberg
Basilique Nationale due Sacre Coeur a Koekelberg
Interior of Basilique Nationale due Sacre Coeur a Koekelberg
Interior of Basilique Nationale due Sacre Coeur a Koekelberg
From there walked down to the "Don't Trip!" sculpture. The walk down had even less people around, and lots of guys just standing around by themselves. So that was a lot scary. But made it safely through.
Parc Elisabeth
De Vaartkapoen by Tom Frantzen
Then on another train back up to the Atomium. This thing was built for the 1958 World Expo, and it was so popular they kept it. The view from the top would have been great on a clear day, but as it was it was a bit of a waste. But walking and escalating up and down through the spheres for the exhibitions was pretty cool.
View northwest from the Atomium
People on top of the Atomium
Guy walking a rope between two sections of the Atomium
Mini Europe from the Atomium
Mini Europe from the Atomium
Mini Europe from the Atomium
Heading back down the lift in the Atomium
On an escalator going up one arm of the Atomium
Roof of one of the spheres in the Atomium
Staircase in the Atomium
One of the spheres of the Atomium
Going down an escalator in the Atomium
The Atomium
The Atomium
The Atomium
The Atomium
The Atomium
The Atomium
Back into town again and straight out to Jubelpark to see the arch. You can actually go up the arch (and it's free!) via the military museum next to it (you just need to cloak your bags). On the way back out, I went and had a look at the hall of planes which was pretty cool.
Fountain and Arcades du Cinqantenaire
Arcades du Cinquantenaire
Jubelpark museum
View east from the arch
Top of Artibus museum
Canon and canon balls
Sud Aviation SE 210 Caravelle VIN OO-SRA
McDonnell RF-4C Phantom II 68-590 / SW
Replica of the Voisin de Caters IV
Arcades du Cinqantenaire
Finally into the old town. Got off at Centraal and walked down. Saw a sign for Manneken Pis (translated: little man peeing) and then it was just a matter of following the crowds.
Le Berlaymont (European Commission Headquarters)
Tintin mural on the side of a building
Manneken Pis
Manneken Pis
All up and down the alleys here are chocolate shops and waffle shops, as well as the souvenir shops. I got a waffle with brown sugar for 1.80. I have to say I preferred the paris waffle better - this one was quite a bit *heavier*. Also bought some Belgian chocolates .. oops :)
Continued on to the Market Square which was surrounded by beautiful buildings.
Maison Grand-Place
Buildings on the southern corner of Grand Place
Musee de la ville de Bruxelles
Hotel de Ville de Bruxelles (Brussels Town Hall)
Tintin and Snowy in the Tintin store
And down to Delirium Cafe, which I'd read online had a decent range of Belgian beers. Had an Affligem and a Trapistes Rochefort. Yum.
So headed back to the Midi station feeling slightly merry, and off I went again to Amsterdam.
Three hour train trip, I don't think I slept either :/
Got to Amsterdam and walked down to the hotel. After all the TripAdvisor reviews I'd read I was terrified it was going to be awful. But I ended up getting a room with a shower (I'd paid for a shared one). Yes it's super tiny, but seems relatively clean. And got some help with the suitcase on the super steep steps. Only main problem so far - the window doesn't actually lock :/
Amsterdam Centraal Station
My room at the Continental Centre Hotel
View from my hotel room
Headed out again to find some dinner. There's a laundromat directly opposite the hotel which is super awesome. And a fries and mayo place next door. But I wanted something with salad for dinner, so went for a wander. Walked down a lane that was full of south american grill cafes. Found something there (had chicken schnitzel though not steak).
And then kept wandering. There's such a lot of life going on here. Be better if the sweetie was here ....
Bridge over a canal
Canal in Amsterdam
Buildings alongside a canal in Amsterdam
And now it's 11pm. How does that work? Will attempt to sleep in... maybe... I was originally planning to go see Anne Frank's house which opens at 9. Will see how I go. As for the rest of the day, I need some suggestions. What are *must dos* ?
Distance covered on the GPS: 581.1 km
Steps walked: 26891
Photos on the Canon: 207
Photos on the Sony: 67
Videos: 0
EUR Spent: ?