Gent Belgium is Gorgeous

Gent Belgium is Gorgeous

Gent, also known as Ghent, was on our way to our friends. See my blog 
http://exploramum.com/2014/06/quick-trip-netherlands.html so when we arrived we did not expect the GPS to take us into the center of town. You might think this sounds OK, but as soon as we see we are the only car amidst buses and trams, we quirky turnaround and exit the cobblestone streets. We locate a Parking station right by the bridge and in we go. The parks are so narrow that the passengers must exit the vehicle before I park and worm my way out of the car. It is a very tight squeeze.

DSCF3217

Exploramum and Explorason – Gent Skyline

Once outside the grey clouds start to leak tiny droplets in us as we walk past the 500-year-old church and over the canal bridge to the medieval center of the historical section of the city.

DSCF3219

Exploramum and Explorason – discovering Gent

I wish I had brought Explorason and a jacket. It is feeling more like the start of winter, that the start of Summer.

Cuberdons, known as “Gent noses” or “Gentse neuzen” because of their cone-shaped appearance. These purple or black sweets are a Belgium specialty and are made of a concentration of jam/marmalade.  Purple is most famous, but we are told there are other fruit flavors too. You’ll find they are chewy and gummy, with a syrup or jelly-like center. So as we are true explorers, we like to try what is new and we buy a bag of them – a small 150 gm bag is three Euros.

DSCF3220

Exploramum and Explorason – Gent tasting Cuberdons

Next, we wander the cobblestone streets and over another canal. We find really alternative clothing stores. Very bohemian is style but with a European price tag.

DSCF3222

Exploramum and Explorason – Gent canals

Next to visit is Gravensteen Castle. This was built 1000 years ago. It is so grand and amazing.  You can read more here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravensteen_castle.

DSCF3223

Exploramum and Explorason – Gent Gravensteen Castle outside

We are greeted by a knight and Explorason loves this!

DSCF3224

Exploramum and Explorason – Gent Gravensteen Castle – knight

Inside is spectacular and we wonder how the stonework was completed.

DSCF3228

Exploramum and Explorason – Gent Gravensteen Castle arches

Opposite the castle is the Neptune building. Look at the detail on this.

DSCF3230

Exploramum and Explorason – Gent Neptune building opposite Gravensteen Castle

We head to an interesting old building and meat hangs from the ceiling – some kind of market/restaurant maybe?

DSCF3233

Exploramum and Explorason – Gent meat curing

The streets seem to merge together with pedestrians every which way you turn.  It is then replaced with bridges over canals.

DSCF3234

Exploramum and Explorason – Gent canoe in the canal

Pretty buildings in traditional Belgium style line the waterways.

DSCF3236

Exploramum and Explorason – Gent canal-side café

As it buckets down with rain, we sit outside watching people pass by, canners and boaters sporting matching umbrellas as we sit and enjoy our cappuccino – with a swirl of cream – this is cappuccino Belgium style.

DSCF3238

Exploramum and Explorason – Gent canal-side café – cappuccino with cream

I forget to go to the toilet, so we stop at MacDonald’s for a soft serve ice-cream. This costs the equivalent of $250 AU yet AU it is 0.30 cents!  I go to MacDonald’s toilet and there is a woman chugging entry of the equivalent of nearly $1 AU. So I decline and pop into a bar next door instead.

DSCF3240

Exploramum and Explorason – Gent Belgium bars

We meet some fun party-goers. There is a big Expo on tonight and everyone in town will be dressed in crazy and 1980s fashion as we are told.

DSCF3241

Exploramum and Explorason – Gent Expo

Architecture the changes to a sudden modern canopy so we sad there for a look. It doesn’t fit the scene.

DSCF3242

Exploramum and Explorason – Gent skyline

This building is adorned with strange figures on the roof. The architecture is interesting.

DSCF3246

Exploramum and Explorason – Gent rooftop figurines

As we head back to find the car, we cross our last canal and say goodbye to Gent.  We are glad we visited.

DSCF3247

Exploramum and Explorason – Gent horse and buggy rides

Questions and Comments

  • What do you find fascinating about Belgium?
  • Have you been to Gent, Belgium before?
  • How was the experience?
  • Do share your comments with us below.

2 thoughts on “Gent Belgium is Gorgeous

  1. Sometimes cloudy weather is not so bad for your pictures. I actually like the dramatic look. I’ve never been in Belgium. It looks great.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *