Iconic evening view in Bruges, Belgium.
This is a common view seen at postcard stands throughout beautiful Bruges, Belgium. Studying the postcard stands in cities shows a photographer the iconic sites. Wandering around Bruges, we stumbled across this scene. Coming back at blue hour was an added bonus. But before we get to Bruges, we need to cruise into Amsterdam, disembark and make our way to Belgium.
Cologne Cathedral, Germany
Cruising into Cologne, Germany, we got a view of the Cathedral we would soon be visiting. Every town in Europe seems to have a wonderful cathedral. Cologne was no exception.
Abstract staircase design
A simple staircase on the way to the church provided an abstract view that appealed to me. The rest of the tour group was busy taking photos of the church, I’m taking photographs of stairs.
Typical religious scene found in churches throughout Europe.
Many of the old church windows were destroyed in World War II. Temporary replacements were installed, but the need for permanent replacements was approved in early 2000’s. Records of the original windows did not exist, so they commissioned a modern look… much to the dismay of the locals.
Modern church window replacements look pixelated… and caused an uproar with the church members.
Reflected light tones from the new stained glass windows. Hummm… a window design much like I would have done if I were in charge of the new design.
Travel to Beautiful Bruges, Belgium
Here is a town we traveled through on our way to Bruges. I’m not sure, but I think the name of the town is Noodgodsbrug.
We also traveled through and toured a town called Gouda. They sold lots of cheese by the same name. What are the chances? I bought several pounds of different flavors to pack home. Turns out you can buy all the Gouda you want at Albertsons in the US. Who knew….?
Bruges, Belgium
Chocolates on display
Once in Bruges it is a astonishing to see shop after shop filled with the most fancy chocolates you’ve ever seen. One shop after another. How do they differentiate themselves from the adjacent chocolate shop? Possibly by the attractive display in their front window, but they all had a striking display. Eventually, the amazed tourists like us get worn down by the numerous sumptuous window displays and buy great looking chocolates at the next shop they encounter. Other tourists seem to jump into the first chocolate shop they see.
Belgium Waffles
So what is the other popular sweet in Belgium? Waffles! These are sold in many restaurants, bars and by many street vendors.
Waffles sold in a bar across the street from our hotel.
The busy street vendors.
Fancy rotating fruit topped waffle
Street treats sold on a rotating platter.
Waffles and Beer
What could be better?? Waffles and Beer!
Many religious figures on display on every spare inch of this large two story bar.
The bars were quite an eclectic mix. Here we have a religious theme in a bar we dined in for lunch.
It may be a requirement for a bar to have thin sliced prosciutto on a slicing table.
Sliced prosciutto is very common in bars and restaurants throughout Europe. The prosciutto generally comes free, or included with a beer.
This bar had more of a wild party theme. I’ve never attended such parties, I just see the remains hanging in the bars afterwards.
Bicycles, a Main Source of Transportation
Lone bicycles are often a favorite of photographers.
Our visit to Bruges was very pleasant. Gone were the cruise boat crowds. Yea!! It never felt overrun with tourists, nor did we need to fight large crowds.
I’m quite certain this man saw me focusing on him with a large lens. He did not care, He was mainly preoccupied with getting his cigarette lit on this breezy day. Again, the style I try to adopt is that if the colors do not truly add to the photo, make it a black and white.
Beautiful Bruges During the Blue Hour
A postcard view of Bruges. Upon visiting a city for a short period of time it is necessary to capture a few of the required images. It seems that only then can a photographer strike out on their own to create their own photos. Staying a week in a single spot is most favorable. Cruising through a town in a few hours on a random afternoon is least desired from an exploratory viewpoint.
It seemed these three swans were stalking me. I would be taking a long exposure photo, and they would photo bomb me, resulting in just three white blurred streaks.
“…three swans a swimming…”
Swans swimming in one of the many canals and under one of the common arched bridges.
Sculptures in Antwerp, Belgium
Antwerp Plaza
Innovative sculptures in front of the Antwerp City Hall. Seems a bit uncomfortable to me…
Brabo fountain
Tourists are perplexed by the bronze sculpture of a naked man in the act of throwing a huge severed hand. However, locals know the legend. A giant named Druon Antigoon built a fortress along the Scheldt River. The giant forced everyone to pay a toll. If travelers refused, Antigoon cut off one of their hands and tossed it into the river. Silvius Brabo put an end to this by chopping off the giant’s head as well as his hand. In summer months, water squirts out the wrist like a severed artery.
We just do not have statues like this in the US. Maybe we do not have the long history to commemorate. But we too have legends and cement statues paying tribute to them… Here we have the Jolly Green Giant and Paul Bunion, both in Minnesota.
Paul Bunion and his trusty side kick, Babe, the Blue Ox
Jolly Green Giant
The photo above of the Brabo fountain was a daytime photo. I returned in the evening in the rain to get a blue hour view. Revisiting a site in better light is not something you can do when on a cruise ship or river boat.
In addition to standing atop mermaids, Brabo stands on top of the giant’s severed head.
Next, we finally make it to Amsterdam.
I loved these pictures particularly because they were taken in areas where I grew up. I’ve been to Bruges many times as it is a 15 minute train ride from my dad’s. I travel through Antwerp all the time, since my mother lives in northeastern Belgium and my dad lives on the coast. Noodgodsbrug is not a town, but the name of a bridge (brug is bridge in dutch). My pictures of these places don’t look anything like yours!
I should make some comment about the Minnesota reference, but I am starting to think that some little game may have been started??
Ya hey…. Minnesooota, eh
Great pics. Especially of the candy and waffles.
I just had cheese no I have to go have some of the chocolate I got for Christmas. I did not know reading this would be an appetite stimulant.
On a more serous not I really like the Staircase image.