In Bruges

Downloaded 175 photo's today!!! That is the record so far. No idea how I am going to select just a few for this chapter.

Bruges is almost completely encircled by a canal and has a network of smaller canals intersecting the town center so I decided to take a boat ride to get an overview of the town. The captain/guide gave a very informative and at times, very funny commentary in three languages, but it seemed that I was the only passenger who enjoyed his jokes. Apparently at one time there were 12k of canals but now days due to some of the canals being converted into streets, there is only 5k of canals in the town centre.

The city's total population is 117,073 of whom around 20,000 live in the city centre. The metropolitan area, including the outer commuter zone, covers an area of 616 km2 and has a total of 255,844 inhabitants as of 1 January 2008. So compared to Christchurch for instance, it has less than half the population. I guess that explains why it is easy to walk around the city.

The historic centre of Bruges is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with most of its medieval architecture intact and it seems most of the buildings in the centre of town date from the medieval period to the 1600's.

Many of these buildings are notable, including the Church of Our Lady, whose brick spire reaches 122m making it one of the world's highest brick towers. The marble sculpture Madonna and Child in the

transept, is by Michelangelo.

Bruges' most famous landmark is its 13th-century belfry, housing a municipal carillon comprising 48 bells. The city still employs a full-time carillonneur, who gives free concerts on a regular basis.

Two of Belgium's national passions, beer and chocolate, are showcased in Bruges. De Halve Maan, the city's one surviving brewery, opens for daily visits. I took the canal guide's advice and decided that the brewery visit was probably not for me and went in search of chocolate. My favourites are mint creme filled chocolates but after enquiring in several shops, I couldn't find any. Apparently, mint filled chocolate is not especially popular here. The Belgians have probably done me a favour!