Bonjour Belgium: Day 11- Bruges

It was raining AGAIN.

There was nothing planned, just to walk around the city. And buy some chocolates. And eat some chocolates. Chocolates, before we leave Belgium. It was also a good food day.

 Our first meal of the day started at Exki, our ‘carrot place.’ But they was no breakfast set, like what we had at Brussels. Same food option, just minues the ‘set option.’ Mine with ad hoc selection, was priced the same. But ZE’s orange juice was €0.20 more.

We bumped into a local, who replied ‘But we don’t like tourists’, upon hearing me saying ‘I love Bruge’. Can’t blame him, as tourists do destroy the calm and serenity of this small town. 

 We returned to Medard Brasserie, as it was closed yesterday. It was recommended as a cheap-yet-quality eat, €3.00 for a plate of spaghetti. Someone wrote that they do prefer local customers, and will usually tell you that the restaurant is full. But, ignore it and wait till there was a table.

So, we walked in and asked for a table. And we were told ‘no table.’ As it was already expected, it wasn’t so much about hearing it. But the way the words were said.

I felt so unwelcomed. No matter how ‘cheap’ you are, my money is better spent somewhere else.

We left the shop, and went to Laurent Tea-room instead. It was a great choice. Friendly. Efficient. And they served the best pesto pasta that I have ever had. We ordered a normal portion at €13.00, and it came with a full plate with sun-dried tomatoes and pine nuts.

We also ordered two champignon mushroom soups €6.00 per bowl, which came with bread. Soup in Europe is just so pretty and wholesome, unlike what we have back home. It can even be a meal by itself.

 After lunch, we went in to HEMA to ‘look see’. We love the shops, very IKEAish, but in a Holland way.

As for chocolate, we didn’t want commercial brands, as these are also available in Malaysia. BbyB was recommended, but it looked expensive, so we didn’t go in the shop.

 We decided on Olivier’s Chocolate, which looked non-prententious. We started with a slightly over 100gram purchase. And we ate it in front of the shop.

And then we went in again, and bought more 🙂 What a prudent shopper.

After chocolate shopping, we went back to hotel and stayed put till dinner time, and bought something nearby for ‘picnic’, a spot we saw locals eating lunch earlier.

 It was a joy watching ZE enjoying herself running over a series of small fountain. Bruge. A small town that one can take things very slow.