Bruges, Belgium

We arrive in Bruges, capital of the Flemish region of Belgium on a warm, sunny fall late afternoon; giving us the evening to dine and settle in and tomorrow to sightsee.

A plant display in the lobby of our hotel finds new uses for suitcases:

Bruges is called 'the Venice of the North', and sometimes, the city of bells'

This is in a special community, not sure what:

Enjoying the very different medieval housing styles here.  The decorative brickwork is also interesting:

The decorative gold work on this and a couple of other buildings was very eye-catching in the sunshine:

The canals:

... and swans

Public art:

Belgian chocolate rules here.  The scent of it is in the air.  Below are pails of cacao beans from around the world waiting to be processed.

This Halloween cake on display in a chocolate store.  Magnificent!

Same store.  One of many displays:

Many store windows proudly display their Belgian beer.  This one shows off its BIG bottles of beer for sale.

Belgian waffles are for sale everywhere, beautifully decorated with cream and fruit ... or on a stick from a street-side wagon.

These bikes and scooters are customized in a shop:

Some people favour white tires for their bicycle...they are striking:

We see a few windmills:

We enjoy our short stay in this lovely, walkable and friendly city. 

Photos of walk from the hotel to the barge we will call home for the next week:

I hope the weather holds.