last time.

While reading week is suppose to be for catching up with readings, I instead took it as a opportunity for a mini holiday. Honestly staying in Manchester is great and all but considering the fact that I get bored easily I do need a change of scenery every once in a while.

Traveled with a group of people who I've never traveled with before. However, it was definitely one of the least stressful and enjoyable trips I've had so far.

Day 1

Had a 9.30am flight so it was an early start. Got into Brussels-Charleroi around 12 and then had to join this massive queue to buy tickets to actually get into the city centre which is 45 minutes away. Woes of taking Ryanair, never getting into the main airport. And seriously, there was no system to getting on the bus to most people were just pushing their way through.

Getting into Brussels-Midi, we realised that almost all the stores were closed. Googled public holidays in Brussels later and couldn't find anything but we pegged it down to it being All-Saints day. Got to the hotel at 3pm, just in time to check in. We are supposedly on a student budget, but we stayed in Crowne-Plaza. Mainly it's cause they were running this really good deal, 180euros for a double for 3 nights. Practically the same price as a hostel!

'Atas' times. 

Decided to have a wander around after that and discovered that the hotel was very well located with everything within walking distance. 

Gorgeous weather that day!

Largest beer selection in the world.

It was really just a posh restaurant.

#1 Classic Stella. Slightly lighter to what you'd find outside of Belgium. 

Also had my first taste of mussels here in Belgium. Normally I'd say I prefer oysters over mussels, but the mussels in Belgium were soooo good. It just melts in your mouth.

Jeanneke Pis. It really is a statue of a girl peeing. 

Located right opposite Delirium. 

After dinner we wanted to go to Delirium to try their award winning beer but the main cafe was so so crowded. Instead we decided to head towards the city centre since it was still early.

Found ourselves at Galerie St. Hubert which is a sort of indoor mall. A lot of the shops were still open despite it being 8pm. 

Giant corkscrew in this shop that solely sells champagne.

One thing I like about traveling is how at times you can stumble onto places and have your plans change. Walked pass Little Delirium which is just a smaller version of the Delirium Cafe and decided to stop there and try some beers instead. Their walls are covered with all the names of different beers.

From L-R: Increasing alcohol %

#2 Apple. Just an alcoholic version of Snapple I feel.

#3 Nougat. Basically tasted like bile. 

#4 Tremens. The award winning beer was really nice.

#5 Satan. Quite easy to drink despite it being 9%.

Finally made it to the city centre, Grand Place. Spent quite a bit of time going into the never ending stream of chocolate shops around there that were still open. 

Grand-Place at night. 

Being tired and cold and the weather being wet, took the metro back for a good night's rest.