Bandying About Belgium

Disclaimer: this trip actually occurred on the 3rd on November but I’m only posting it now because… I GOT A JOB! Actually, two jobs in the space of a week. One as an order picker at a warehouse, which I quit two and a half days in, and the other as a kindergarten teacher which is my vocation. I couldn’t be more thrilled! As a result, time has been limited.

Anyways…

Aweh, guys!

So, in the next week I will be starting my first job in the Netherlands and as a final hurrah, we decided another border crossing was in order. In true Hubby fashion, he asked if I would like to go to Belgium at 10 o’clock in the morning just before we left… uh, duh? I was actually quite excited to explore a little more of Europe even though there is only so much you can cram into an afternoon.

We hit the highway and I was expecting a drastic change between borders. In Germany it was like crossing over into an alien planet where things were instantly more overgrown and unkempt. This time our only clue was a sign saying that we were entering Belgium. The roads remained the same for a while before becoming slightly worse. Every European we’ve spoken to has lamented the state of the roads here, but they clearly have never driven in Parys.

We decided to visit a shopping district in Antwerp. It was quite similar to the place we visited in Düsseldorf except more shopping centric. The architecture was absolutely breath-taking but there was quite a bit of restoration going on. My personal favourite was the Stadsfeestzaal which was gilded in gold on the outside and was just as spectacular on the inside. While the offerings inside were limited it was still worthwhile.

Eventually the tummy grumblings started, and it was absolutely miserable raining wet. Hubby was soaked through his light jacket, so we knew we needed a pit stop. We decided to go to a place called Bel-Air with no real research. I will say that the coffee was excellent as were the friet (you can’t go to Belgium and not have French fries) but the sandwiches were dry. Hubby ordered a croque madame expecting a bechamel cheesy egg affair but instead got a toastie with eggs (admittedly gorgeous golden yolks) on top. However, the Belgian waffle we had really made up for it… any lighter and it would have floated away.

Once we were thoroughly fed, our thoughts had not yet drifted away from food. We were in Belgium and that only meant one thing: CHOCOLATE. We turned to Google to find a chocolate factory nearby and the top result was The Chocolate Line.

We found it quite easily and went inside. It felt very plush and fancy with purple and gold embellishments, floor to ceiling artwork and stacks, upon rows upon cases of chocolate. We were also allowed into the kitchen where we could see ornate works of chocolate art like a royal frog, the Grinch and skeletons from the movie Coco.

Upon seeing their bonbon collection featuring flavours like bacon, lime and hemp, we knew we needed an assortment. We got a pre-packaged box and they did not disappoint. They shone like jewels in their linings with chocolate shells perfectly tempered and shiny with incredibly creative fillings like popcorn, balsamic vinegar and peppercorn (not all in the same chocolate). It was expensive but it really was a worthwhile treat.

After we were done at The Chocolate Line, we decided to head home. Overall, it was another successful jaunt over the border and it was a wonderful afternoon, but I do hope to extend our time in these wonderful countries to more than an afternoon in the future.