TULIPS AND WINDMILLS VIKING RIVER CRUISE - SERIES #10

"I would like to spend my whole life traveling, if I could borrow another life to stay home." - William Hazlitt

GHENT, BELGUIM - APRIL 1, 2014 (Afternoon Tour)

A Gorgeous Name For A Boutique. Yes, Its A Good Day To Here At Ghent, Belgium. Not Far From Bruges. How Wonderful To Be Here Even For A Half Day Sightseeing. We Got A Short Glimpse Of The Belgian Way Of Life Here. Come And Walk W/ Us Through This Historical City And Marvel At Its Architectural Wonders.  A City That Had More To Offer Than Chocolates, Waffles, Frittes, Moules, Etc., Etc.  

A Beautiful Spring Afternoon Greeted Us At Ghent, Belgium. The Blooming Tree W/ Pink Flowers Was A Very Welcoming Sight.
 

Welcome To Ghent, Belgium! Posing Beside The Monument To The Van Eyck Brothers In The Limburgstraat, With The St. Bavo Cathedral In The Background.

 

Medieval City Of Ghent, Belgium. Exploring This Old City W/ Architectural Masterpieces Of Castles, Cathedrals , Churches And Well Preserved Houses Was Like Discovering Historical Paintings And Gems.

 

Like Nearby Bruges, Ghent Had Also Many Beautiful Canals And Medieval Houses Along The River.

Rhod Along The Rustic And Raving River.
 

Lovely River View Along Laurentbrug.

 

Gorgeous Ghent View From One Of The Charming  Canals. Across Its Rivers And Canals. You Could Loose Yourself In Narrow Streets That Lead You To Fascinating Square And Beautiful Cathedrals. 

 

Another Monumental Sculpture To Jan and Hubert Van Eyck Who Painted The Famous Painting "Adoration Of Mystic Lamb."

 

One Of The Interesting Highlights Of Ghent Was The St. Bavo Cathedral. This Was The Home To The "Most Stolen Artwork In The World, "The Adoration Of The Mystic Lamb."

 

                                 

"Adoration Of Mystic Lamb," Painted By The Van Eyck Brothers In 1432. This Unique Altarpiece Was The Highlight Of The Flemish Primitives And A Milestone In Art History. Now After Being Stolen Many Times, Its Been Hanging Peacefully For More Than 50 Years In The Place Where It belonged: St. Bavo’s Cathedral.

A Photo Of The Ancient And Imposing St. Nicolas Cathedral W/ High Tower. One Of The Most Prominent Landmark In The City Of Ghent.

Charming Cathedral W/ Grassy Areas To Relax. The St. Nicolas Church Was The Place Where Nicole Kidman Recently Filmed Scenes From The Movie "Grace Of Monaco."

 

 Another Beautiful Architecture At Ghent, Belgium.

The Castle Of the Counts Or The Gravensteen. A Gray-Stone Authentically Medieval Architecture. In The 11th And 12th centuries, Ghent Became An Important Trade Center Thanks To The Local Production Of Cloth, Made From Imported English Wool. It Was At This Time That The City's Impressive Stone Castle Of The Counts (Or Gravensteen) Was Built.

Hello From Ghent Belfort. This Ghent Belfort Was Also Placed On The UNESCO World Heritage Site In 1999.

Rhod W/ The Belfort Of Ghent At The Background. The Proudest Symbol Of the City's Independence. This Ghent Belfort Was Also Placed On The UNESCO World Heritage Site In 1999.  

                                                                      

The Belfoprt Begun In 1313. The 320 Feet Tower Had Many Historical Functions Over The Years.

Ghent Belfort Was Topped W/ A Golden Dragon. This was Ghent Version Of Bruges Famous Belfort.

Another View Of Belfort And Nearby Cathedral. 
 

Much Of The City's Architectures Remained In Tack And Remarkably Preserved And Restored.

A Different View Of The Colorful And Attractive Architecture Along The Square.

Another Architectural Feast For Our Eyes.

 

At the 15th Century Groentenmarkt.  The Main Square Of The Town That Was Bustling W/ Locals Of All Ages, Enjoying The Glorious Weather, The Afternoon We Were There,

 

Also At The Main Square W/ Period Architecture. A University Town Buzzling W/ Young People And Students. 

Part Of The Attractive Main Square. 

 

Interesting Highlight For Us Was The Unusual  Starbucks Architecture In Medieval Style. Located At The Main Square.

 

Rhod Relaxing And Enjoying His Coffee At His Favorite Coffee Place, Starbucks.

 

An Interesting Mix Of A Wonderful Past And A Vibrant Present. Here Hidden One Of Europe’s Finest Panoramas Of Canal, Spires And Centuries-Old Grand Houses.

 

It’s Also Flanders’ Biggest University Town, Which Means  Linger-As-Long-As-You-Like Cafés, Well-Priced Restaurants And A Laid-Back  Atmosphere.

Hello From Our Fellow And Friendly Co-Passengers W/ Viking River Cruise.

On This Spot We Waited For Our Tour Bus To Pick Us Up. Here, We Kissed Together For The Wonderful Time We Enjoyed At Ghent. We Boarded Our Tour Bus. Good-bye Ghent! How Nice To Know You!

"Road trips aren't measured by mile markers but by moments." - Unknown