CHOCOLATE, CASTLES AND COUNTRYSIDE
IMAGES NOT UPLOADED - DUE TO PROBLEMS WITH THE INTERNET
The Port of Zeebrugge isn't the most exciting place in the world. However, for a ship lover like myself, it is full of tugs, ferries and other ships. I love watching the activity in port.
I was a bit worried about being on tour. Usual anxieties... will we wake up in time... will there be enough time for breakfast.. will it be busy in the restaurant...? Yes, as usual, thoughts on a cruise ship revolve round food. It's almost as if we get a nosebag at Southampton and return it at Southampton. I'm sure the ship has lost weight and the passengers have gained its excess weight!
A totally smooth operation this morning. As we approached the coaches, Evie and I were asked to go to the next coach. First choice in seats! I ushered Evie to the second back row. Usually, if the bus isn't full, people will keep as far forward as they can. Therefore, if you sit near the back, there is usually the ability to have a double seat to yourself. This strategy worked perfectly. Evie and I both had our own seat.
Travelling towards the village of Damme, the countryside was beautiful. There was a canal for large ships and beautiful smaller canals up to Bruges. We went through the village of Ramskastel and saw a Windmill with a mermaid on top. After that we stopped in the village of Damme. It was like stepping back in time. At the Town Hall, we saw a wedding party come out. In the Tourist Information Centre, Evie bought some stamps as she collects them.
The highlight of the trip was Roose's Chocolate Shop in Bruges! According to the information I have read, it is in the middle of an industrial estate. I was expecting steel boxes like the industrial estates in the UK. But it was in a lovely area near a Canal. We all piled into the shop. Evie honed in on the chocolate fountain with marshmallows (yes, I couldn't resist). I found the sugar-free chocolate corner, and ended up buying a mound of sugar-free chocolate. The bill was a lot smaller than we thought it would be. We were also given free bookmarks and free samples of chocolate. Heaven is a place on earth and it just happens to be in Bruges!
Our final visit was to Loppem Castle, just outside Bruges. It was built in the Gothic style by Edward Pugin in red brick. Full of Dutch Masters paintings, it was light and airy. In complete contrast was the drawings on the walls depicting christian scenes - seemingly past inhabitants were into the Catholic faith in a big way! The grounds were lovely with a lake to the front and a maze to the back. Evie began to fret about the maze, saying that she'd never go in one again. Note to Campbell... we need a maze at the front door of the house!!!
One thing that struck me was that even though there were loads of coaches from the ship, nowhere seemed crowded. It felt that our coach was the only ones there. In fact, this whole cruise has been like that. There maybe 3,400 passengers on board and over 1,000 crew, but believe me, the ship never feels crowded. I can always get a lift (elevator) when I need one and there's always a quiet spot. I love children, but I have very rarely heard any of them on board. I know a lot of people have very negative things to say about these big ships, but I think they are great! If run properly and efficiently, a big ship like Ventura can be a very positive experience. I think P&O have done this marvellously!
The Port of Zeebrugge isn't the most exciting place in the world. However, for a ship lover like myself, it is full of tugs, ferries and other ships. I love watching the activity in port.
I was a bit worried about being on tour. Usual anxieties... will we wake up in time... will there be enough time for breakfast.. will it be busy in the restaurant...? Yes, as usual, thoughts on a cruise ship revolve round food. It's almost as if we get a nosebag at Southampton and return it at Southampton. I'm sure the ship has lost weight and the passengers have gained its excess weight!
A totally smooth operation this morning. As we approached the coaches, Evie and I were asked to go to the next coach. First choice in seats! I ushered Evie to the second back row. Usually, if the bus isn't full, people will keep as far forward as they can. Therefore, if you sit near the back, there is usually the ability to have a double seat to yourself. This strategy worked perfectly. Evie and I both had our own seat.
Travelling towards the village of Damme, the countryside was beautiful. There was a canal for large ships and beautiful smaller canals up to Bruges. We went through the village of Ramskastel and saw a Windmill with a mermaid on top. After that we stopped in the village of Damme. It was like stepping back in time. At the Town Hall, we saw a wedding party come out. In the Tourist Information Centre, Evie bought some stamps as she collects them.
The highlight of the trip was Roose's Chocolate Shop in Bruges! According to the information I have read, it is in the middle of an industrial estate. I was expecting steel boxes like the industrial estates in the UK. But it was in a lovely area near a Canal. We all piled into the shop. Evie honed in on the chocolate fountain with marshmallows (yes, I couldn't resist). I found the sugar-free chocolate corner, and ended up buying a mound of sugar-free chocolate. The bill was a lot smaller than we thought it would be. We were also given free bookmarks and free samples of chocolate. Heaven is a place on earth and it just happens to be in Bruges!
Our final visit was to Loppem Castle, just outside Bruges. It was built in the Gothic style by Edward Pugin in red brick. Full of Dutch Masters paintings, it was light and airy. In complete contrast was the drawings on the walls depicting christian scenes - seemingly past inhabitants were into the Catholic faith in a big way! The grounds were lovely with a lake to the front and a maze to the back. Evie began to fret about the maze, saying that she'd never go in one again. Note to Campbell... we need a maze at the front door of the house!!!
One thing that struck me was that even though there were loads of coaches from the ship, nowhere seemed crowded. It felt that our coach was the only ones there. In fact, this whole cruise has been like that. There maybe 3,400 passengers on board and over 1,000 crew, but believe me, the ship never feels crowded. I can always get a lift (elevator) when I need one and there's always a quiet spot. I love children, but I have very rarely heard any of them on board. I know a lot of people have very negative things to say about these big ships, but I think they are great! If run properly and efficiently, a big ship like Ventura can be a very positive experience. I think P&O have done this marvellously!
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