Xmas in Belgium/N. Germany trip day 2 - Walking all over Brussels (12/2/19)

Have breakfast at the place then go to the train to take a day trip to Brussels (we chose to stay in Ghent as a base of operations to take day trips to other places as its rather central). I was trying to figure out where we are supposed to get off and eventually figure out that the midi train station is also called the sud station which was incredibly confusing for me. First stop is Cantillion. Didnt wind up doing a tour but did buy a few bottles and chilled in the bar area talking with some other visitors and just enjoying the old feel of the place and watching them use the roof mounted heavy lifting mechanism to move barrels through the building. Was pretty cool to see it in action. 

Me just enjoying my time at a great brewery

Another sampling for our tastebuds

Found us a huge tree

Christmas time in Brussels.

City center of Brussels with its amazing architecture

cmon xmas markets... lets open on up and do this

Huge building we stumbled upon on our walk

Zoomed in view from near the art museum.

Cool light display that would change colors and could walk through

Trying some beers at Delirium village. For making normal great beers, their adjunct beers were underwhelming

Pedestrian street as they are getting ready for the holidays.

Another view of the main square

Found a beer with my name on it so I had to get it :)

Since Cantillion is on the outskirts, we next walk into town. Walk by the Manneken pis statue to check it out. Grab some waffles to snack on from the waffle factory. Keep walking through town and find the christmas market, this one was functioning so I got to experience my first xmas market in Brussels. Was awesome to see it in action but it was also pretty small so we didnt stay long. Walk over to the parc de bruxelles near the art district and then to the Cathedrale sainte gudule (looks similar to the notre dame I think or maybe I just think most huge churches look the same? you decide) As we walk around we stumble upon the Mont des Arts which has a light exhibit with sounds and steeple in the background which was beautiful. We go walk through the lights to check it out and then continue through the city. Check out the galerie du roi which was an awesome area with tons of beautiful lights. Find the delirium village tucked in the area and the Jeanneke pis statue (lil girl version of the well known mannekin pis statue we went by earlier today). Went into the taproom of the village and tried a chocolate and a tea beer and didnt like either of them. Then went into the monastery (different bar within the village) to have some beers. Hang out with some Irish guys and then head back towards the train station and stop at Moeder Lambic for dinner (quiche and cheese) and drinks. After enjoying our dinner we get back to our place in Ghent for bed.

Xmas in Belgium/N. Germany trip day 1 - Exploring all Ghent has to offer (12/1/19)

Wake up late as I had a very long day with work/travel and finally getting to my final destination. We get dressed and walk along the river right next to our place heading into the center of town. Walk by lots of stores with tons of people out and about doing some shopping and going about their days. Eventually we stroll by the location where the xmas market will be as they are putting the cabins together and setting everything up. Walk down graffiti street which has a bunch of great art which I guess is why it is well known as one of the things to do in this town. We go to Babbelut in the Vrijdagmarkt square (spelling cannot be held against me) and I get the stoverij which is a beef stew with fries which was delicious and the meat was incredibly tender (which I guess would be easier in a stew? Ill let the chefs weigh in on that one). 

Beautiful Belgian views

Castle in the middle of the city

Flags flying atop the well defended castle

Such cool architecture!

Wonderful day for a stroll

Cool church in the center of town

View into the heart of the city

Crossing one of the many bridges of the day

Street are comes in all sizes

I think we all know by now I have a thing for doors... 

I got caught city gazing

I am a happy man

So good I took 2 pics of it.

After finishing our meal, we go see the Gravensteen castle and a bunch of churches in the main town area (Sint- Niklaaskerk, het belfort van gent, sint-Baafskathedraal). Then we go get groceries for breakfast and general snacking for while were traveling around. Since grocery shopping makes me thirsty, we then head over to Dulle Griet near the square where we ate which is a beer tavern that had the Westvetleren 12 beers for sale so I got to try it early on in the trip. For those curious about that beer, it is frequently ranked by beer connoisseurs/critics as one of, if not the, best beers in the world. It was delicious and I can see why it is frequently raved about but it was not as fascinatingly delicious as the black butte porter anniversary edition (like 19 or 24 or something like that) that I had years prior. But I am one man. Walking around town after a few beers there to see what its like at night, and get an order of fries from a street vendor posted up next to the Groot Vleeshuis (butchers hall). Walk around a bit more before going to the Het Waterhuis aan de bierkant which is a beer bar situated next to the river so we could have some good views while enjoying the brews. At the table next to us is this awesome older couple who we sat and just chatted with for a while while we took down some beers. Walk back to the place and the roads are empty.

Xmas in Belgium/N. Germany trip day 0 - Heading across the pond to start the adventure (11/29-30/19)

Work from home and then got a ride to the airport to try and avoid traffic. They weren't checking people in because it was too early so I waited around for 30 minutes until the check in area was open. After check in I tried to get through security, but my bag got flagged; they didn't like my shower gel which I had traveled with for years, but its whatever so I threw it away. I walked around the terminal and waited for the flight while listening to a jazz band in the terminal which was very enjoyable as they played a lot of classics. It was an easy flight to London where I watched a bunch of movies like Lion King, Aladdin, Dark Phoenix, and Elton John (dont know if thats what the movie is called but it was the movie about him).

Having a snack in the airport before heading over to Belgium.

Heathrow is extremely foggy. Get the bus to the terminal and have 1h20min layover. Buses have door issues so it is delayed in leaving to the terminal and upon getting there, we have to go through security again. Barely make flight after running over people and all around airport to get to gate. Knowing that airport, British airways should plan better to make it easier for people to catch their connections or something as that was extremely stressful and chaotic. Sleep on flight to Frankfurt. Short immigration line once we land which was nice. Find Steph in the airport and then we walk around the station waiting for our train to Belgium. Grab food at a restaurant then buy some beers from the grocery store and some pastries from a bakery for the train ride. Train to Brussels then on to Ghent. Check into room at studio erdville which has an easy checkin with key box and is relatively close to the main part of town (nice little walk by the river). Walk around the area but everything is closed (students go home every weekend); I guess thats what we get for staying near a uni. Have dinner at a nearby greek restaurant, de griek, which is very tasty and has a cozy yet romantic atmosphere. Go back to the place to get some sleep.

Crinkly III Philippines adventure day 13 - Heading to Manila... or not (8/3/19)

I am feeling a little better after sleeping a crap ton so we get up and get ready to head to the airport to catch our flight. There was a massive monsoon all through the night and still going. We head to the airport and when we get there they cancel the flights. We wait there for a bit to see if flights will be restated for the day, when they are not, we talk to the airline to book first flight out next day so we can catch our flight back home in time. We head back to town having found a hostel with availability while in the airport (Hub Hostel). On the way back in, theres a massive cattle drive that slows down traffic for a while. This hostel is crap all things considered. The room has no running water. The bed set up was horrible with like 3 fans for the 6 beds so not everyone gets a fan. Showers are elsewhere on the grounds which you have to walk outside through the garden to get to them. No lockers to protect your stuff, not enough keys for the rooms so cant lock our rooms. Just not a good set up by any stretch of the imagination and is probably one of the worst hostels I have stayed in.. That being said, the lady that runs the place was wonderful and it is very centrally located so theres that. Go down the street to get a smoothie from full lotus which wasnt that good then we go to Lolo Nonoys for dinner where the food was overbearingly salty and next to impossible for me to eat much of. Go back to hostel to get ready and get some sleep as we have a shuttle at 0530 to the airport to catch our flight ( if it is going).

Crinkly III Philippines adventure day 11 - Enjoying a day of island life in heaven (8/1/19)

Today was a rest day for me as Jeff go dives some more. As such I chill around the hostel until he gets back and then we go get massages. Eventually I meet the Jacobsens for dinner and drinks near their place and then his cousin comes back to the hostel with me where we play some drinking games and hang out with the other people staying there. 

Enjoying the views this last night in this hostel

Eventually a group of us goes down to the reggae bar to do a little dancing and chilling for a bit. Then we head over to the Arkham night club where there is more dancing to be had. Eventually we go our separate ways and I return to the hostel to shower off and head to bed. 

Crinkly III Philippines adventure day 10 - Last day of diving on this trip for me (7/31/19)

Head back to Coffee Kong for breakfast before heading to the marina to get on the boat since we know what to look for now. Had a larger group on the boat with us today. Go to the first dive which is a battle boat of some sorts as there were some big guns and a plane that we swam by. Strong currents today which made some navigating a little rough and caused a bit of exertion. 

Crinkly with his caffeinated friend

back on the water

Second dive explored an oil tanker where got stuck/collided with some of the coral/metal swimming through small openings and due to the exertion got really low on my oxygen (down to about 20 bar by the end of the dive). 3rd dive is a drift dive to use the current to our advantage in shallower depths along the reef. Visibility wasnt that great and my mask kept falling off and filling with water which caused me to lose buoyancy and use a lot of my air just trying to get back to normal (had to end this dive early because of me :( ). While going through these issues, I lose my group and accidentally join a different group which isnt the end of the world but definitely not ideal as using the buddy system and cant easily tell your group you are ok (you are responsible for your and your buddy's safety). Go up and get on the boat as we collect all the groups. As we are heading back into town, I slip navigating on the rocking boat and hurt my toe which starts to bleed as it lifted the nail. Get back to hostel and chill for the night as it was a rough day for me and wasnt feeling good. I cancel my dives for the next day as to allow my body to rest and recover. 

Crinkly III Philippines adventure day 9 - First day of diving on some wrecks around Coron (7/30/19)

Get ready for the day then walk down to Coffee Kong which is right next to the dive shop to get a good breakfast and some coffee in our systems before making our way to the dive shop to get our gear and walk to the boat. Head out to the first wreck, the ride out is absolutely beautiful weaving around the hilly islands. 

Tis a good morning to do some diving

Time for some breakfast

Crinkly enjoying the view of the boats in the bay (Crinkly is looking rough hahaha)

Such amazing views here.

Lil panoramic action

Crinkly has found his box for safe boating

So many boats.

about to take off for deeper waters

Pacific Hollywood?

Such calm waters

Just love these islands tucked all around the area. Such wonderful contrast with the rock/trees/water.

Random lil resort?

Crinkly getting comfy after a couple dives

Docking to go swim in some warm waters

back to land and enjoying some nice views from atop the city.

Go down and swim through some small opening within the wreck but dont see much wildlife (a couple small schools of fish and a turtle). Go to the next dive site where I get stuck a few times trying to swim through some small openings. Drive our boat back to the city through some storms and some rocky waves. Go over to Barracuda lake which has much warmer waters (max is 38C so we arent using our wetsuit for this dive. Nice clear waters. Our guide puts his head and hands in the sand as its very soft/easy in that water for some reason. Do rock jumping and use the area essentially like a playground underwater. Finish the dive then head back to town where it is now low tide so boat has to navigate carefully. Eventually get back to shore and the hostel where we shower then go out to get some food (get a shawarma that is not great as they use sweet bread everywhere in the Philippines and I dont like things too sweet) and walk around a bit more. Eventually we return to the hostel to chill and watch the sunset but a bunch of clouds came in to block it. Grab the free dinner and this time its too much food hahah. Once we are finished eating we go back up to the roof and meet Jacobsen's family (mom and cousin) for some beers before turning in for the night.