Brussels (Exploring The City of Waffles & Chocolates)

7th June 2015, Sunday, we woke up that morning and packed our bags, ready to leave Paris , sad, huhu. By the way, this post about Brussels will cover our journey from Paris to Brussels and then to Amsterdam, heavily focused on Brussels :) so let's go!

We checked out of Aloha Hostel with statue of Liberty saying goodbye to us :). We are supposed to walk to Pasteur metro station, because we need the L6 interchange, but with the backpack., we decided to just take metro Volontaires and change again to L6.

bye bye Aloha hostel, bye Paris!

Our plan is to take the metro and changed to RER line B. TIPS: RER is a train that commute between major cities, its like Komuter in Malaysia. unlike metro which connects u with stations each 2 minutes.

However, the guy in the ticket counter was so kind to help us on our journey and he advised us to not take the RER and changed only to Metro line 4 instead. So, we bought the tix, un billet bcos our 2 days pass was no longer valid. It cost us 1.7Euro, the tix, it will cover the trip from Volontaires, switch train to L4 at St. Placide and then the train will stop at Gare Du Nord. Thanks to him, we managed to arrive at Gare Du Nord without any hassle. :) yeayy. TIPS: Most train to major cities within and outside France leave from Gare Du Nord, same goes to Eurostar.

Gare Du Nord

We bought our tix to Brussels online, via Thalys Train. it was around 40Euros. TIPS, Thalys is one of the cheapest train and it can cover most cities within Europe if u are planning to do longer travelling across Europe.

During the time we booked the Thalys ticket, we do not have printer and weirdly, the system only allow 2 options Print Now or Print at the Station. So you cant save as PDF and print later. Weird right, but that's how it is. So like it or not, we chose 'Print at Station'. TIPS: If you have a printer, pleaseee print it right away!

We went to Level 0 of Gare Du Nord, a big train station and find the Thalys counter. We asked the lady there and she asked for our name, they check using names. Meh isn't it easier to check with reference number? oh well. Now, the problem with us here is we don't have 'surname' like they do, so the surname is our father's name. We are not sure what named does the system registered our booking. So, I gave my first name, data not found. The lady at the counter was like 'i cannot spell that, give me your passport'..hiks. She tried my first name, failed, Sarah first name, failed, My last (father's) name failed then she paused and she said 'ahh maybe bin Ibrahim' lol!. I sounded like a wanted terrorist already using my born-surname, cik tan sangat!. She tried that and voilla! it got thru. TIPS: Remember surname is Bin/Binti or whatever name from your middle name to your last name for us who dont go by family name.

So i thought, she will give us the ticket, but she gave a reference number and asked us to print at the machine. mehhh hahahaha, so many steps!. We managed to print it although the system was written in French when u first touch it. So make sure u have printer next time, easierr. The lady however, really helped us, she tried, kudos to her. We then waited for the train for some 20min although the board showed the train arrived 10minutes ago. We were just afraid if we missed the train, we asked the lady again, she said it will come in 5 minutes. It did.

and yup, here is the tickets! Paris - Brussels!

We got in the train, find our seat, pheww. And off we go to Brussels!. I saw the train have wifi logo, but actually our tickets does not include the 'add ons' with wifi. I did asked the tix inspection guy for confirmaion. fineee ! puas hati kau!. TIPS: You may add on WiFi while making the booking in Thalys, so that you can connect to social media account while on the train!

The train started to move across some wheat farm, some fields. some ghetto residential area, hiks. It was a nice view (no pic cos it was speeding and my phone is so lame, hihi). TIPS: Take the train for a scenic view!, It also provide food and beverages at its canteen, not for free though.

I bought sandwich at the canteen, together with a cup of coffee. We talked a lil with the barista as well. The rest of the time time, we just eat while enjoying the ride to Bruxxeles ..:P

this the view when we crossed the Belgium's border, windmill

We arrived in Brussels Midi station around 11AM (there is announcement of the name of the station). Brussels Midi station looks creepy btw, haha . We got out of the train and went down into the main hall at the station, okay, it's prettier down there, ehehe.  TIPS: Brussels have 3 main stations, Midi, Central and Nord. We arrived in Midi so we need to take a train to the Bruxxeles Central (Gare du Central) as that is where all the fun stuff is :D

Sarah asked the over friendly guy that sell the simcards there on how to take the train to Brussels Central. Although we didn't buy any simcard, he was so happy to assist us. He said 'there are 2 way to go there, with the train or with me, i have a car', hahaha.. stranger alert!.

We went to the red counter as he advised. There were 2 red counters, 1 is like a small counter in the middle and another one with lots of counters where people are queuing. We went to the place where ppl are queuing as there was no one inside the small counter. We queued at a counter on the right side where the staff is a guy. I asked 'how do we go to the central, with Thalys tix' TIPS the Thalys tix will get u free ride from Midi to Central so you don't have to buy an extra ticket for it.

That chubby white guy arrogantly said 'i dont know' with face full of hate. I really don't understand as we did not do anything to him. It was like he refused to serve us. Euwww white supremacy maybe?

this is the counter btw, from google image cos im too furious to take the pic!

We then step out of that area and go to the smaller red counter. We asked the guy inside the counter, and he 'with a microphone' said we need to go to the counters we just went too. I was soo confused at that time. But that was funny, lol with a microphone, i was just standing in front of him. He did that to everyone btw..hihi.

We went back inside the red counters..euggh. and then a lady called us, 'yess mam?' . I asked her about how to go to Central, and she smiled and helped us by giving full direction, soo much thanks to her! TIPS: From Midi, you need to take platform 4A to Central, but first, Look for the Red Doors!

Phew. But the challenge didn't stop there. We then tried to find a locker, cos we can't walk around and carrying our luggage all around Brussels, we wanna enjoy our walk. I read that there is lockers in Brussels Midi. So we tried to find it. I stopped at a florist shop and asked the girl there, she couldn't speak english at all.. great.

We walked upstairs and find more tix counters with big screen of train schedules.. It was here that Sarah saw a signboard of locker room, Thus, we followed it and arrived there! Yippie!. There were so many backpackers there, using lockers. Sarah find one locker, but i didn't as there were few lockers that u cant lock, damaged. Thankfully to Sarah, she started to talk to some of the backpackers and we got our locker, yeay! go Sarah!.. TIPS: The locker room is near to the main ticket counters with big screens, upper level.

The locker room is somewhere near the screen there

After that, with the burden off our shoulders, we walked to the platform and wait for our train. We hop onto the horror train, from the creepy platform and finally arrived at Bruxxels Central! ..phew after alllllllll the hassle. So for those of u who read this, u now know what to do and what to prepare okie!

Brussels Central!

Brussels Central, now this is Brussels that we wanna see :D ,  we walked along the Rue Infante Isabelle, Rue means road btw in French. Most Belgian speaks French esp in Brussels. We walk along that road, so subtle, saw street artist, horses! yes horses! cafes and restaurants.

street performance, i love this place already

horses!

Then we arrived at the Galleries Royale St. Hubert. This place is actually pretty much like a small mall. But the design however, is very classic. It was build in the 19th centuries. TIPS: Photography buff, u can take perspective pic and look great in it :D .

galeries royale St Hubert mall

we then continue walking in the small alley, ehehe felt like im in the Van Helsing movie, giggle. We reached the most famous and iconic place in Brussels, The Grand Place! . This place is surrounded by classic European buildings. one of the buildings is the Town Hall with Belgium flags hanging on top of it. They have flowers here, hehe. Again lots of PRC making noise. As usual narcissistic me and Sarah taking pics here and there. TIPS: Everything is within walking distance, just prepare your legs and wonder!

The Grand Place of Brussels!

We then walked more further into the road, cant remember its name and we saw waffles shops..like a lot of waffles shop! There were waffles sells at 1 euro, some are more pricier than that.

1 Euro waffles anyone?!

We stopped at Waffle Factory as based on my research that was the best place to have waffles. It was self service. TIPS: Waffles and Frites (fries) is what belgium is known for, so make sure u taste it if you are here!. Fritland is famous for fries, so u can try if u have time. and also most cafes in Europe is self service.

We ordered, i had chocolate waffles and ice cream. lots lots lots of choices, the cashier is quite cute., kikiki :P . We enjoyed our Waffles, sat outside and watch tourist strolling the city. cheeewah! . The seats got full so fast, TIPS If u come by group, few of u must find a place to seat first while other orders.

This is mine! 

yup that's Sarah and her big waffles

The waffle was sooo delicious, gruesomely delicious. We enjoyed our waffles and then start walking again around Brussels. Almost all the roads is like alleys, very small..if i have a car here, id be very afraid to drive. hihi .

walking down the alley... gituew

We walked pass lots of stores. There are souvenir shops, chocolate shops, more waffles shops..haha . We wanted to go to souvenir shops, but first, we stopped at one iconic statue of Brussels, The  Manneken Pis. Yup, its a statue of a lil boy pissing and Brussels is famous for it. :P .

The Manneken Pis

There were lots of ppl here, we took few pics here and the continued walking. It was not that cold, yeay, i even took my jacket off cos it was quite hot.

its getting hot in hereeee

Fyi, Brussels is home for the Tin Tin cartoon, u know the character Tin Tin, yess u can find lots of its art here, esp on the wall of buildings. I think Tin Tin is Brussels mascot,  :D .

one of Tin Tin paintings on the wall.. and i know u guys r looking at the cute guy on the left, watevaaaa

We walked passed by the LGBT area of Brussels, u know ur in the area cos u can see lots of glorious rainbow flags and Absolute Vodka. For those who watched RuPaul Drag Race know Absolut is one of the sponsor and very gay friendly, hehehe . I am so happy to see the rainbow flag, so fabulous :) .

Rainbow flags! <3

Me and Sarah stopped at a souvenir shop and start diggin for souvenirs, as usual magnets etc. TIPS: There's a lot of souvenir shops here and the price is the same range, so u can just go into any shops u like.

We went to the big one we saw, and the owner of the shop was so friendly. We ended up buying the Brussels hat, hihi.. watt? its cute! welll once we got that we started posing here n there as the alleys here look so 'ella enchanted' .. camwhoring in action! :D

Sarah & her Brussels hat

Afterwards, we stopped at Leonidas, i read about Godiva and Leonidas as they're quite famous here. TIPS: Based on what i read, Leonidas taste better and cheaper. If u are a chocolate lover, embrace urself as u will be willy wonka-ed in this place!

The varieties of chocolates. damn! and u can try it first! I bought 2 boxes, they have this assorted package, like small box for 6euros and big box for 12euros. I took 2 big boxes hihihi, after 2 layers, i dunno what to choose anymore.

Die of chocolateeeess

Luckily, the salesman (whom i called benjamin cos i felt like it :P ),  was very kind to entertain us wholeheartedly!, hihihi . He suggested a few, and i just follow.. Sarah took more time with him,, mmhmm well he is kinda cute, so Sarah u win .lol! I also bought the chocolates balls in a bag, filled with various sizes, dark n white, dark like me, white like benjamin. kikiki . I wish i buy more choc actually, so tasty!

mine! mine! all mine!

After we visited Charlie and his chocolate factory, we started heading back to Brussels Central. We will be goin to Amsterdam with Euroline bus at 5.30PM . The bus will depart from Brussels Nord station. So, in short the flow was: arrived in Midi, took train to Central for all the attractions and ride a train to Nord.

We got our backpack from lockers, stuffed all souvenirs n chocs in there and get moving. We asked the lady at the counter and she pointed us to the train station that will take us to Brussels Nord. It was free btw, idk whether it was totally free or bcos we have the Thalys ticket, but wee its free, so we were very happy.

We got into the train, it was just around 10minutes, we reached Brussels Nord station, it's actually Noord, hihi. TIPS: Euroline and together with most buses departs from Brussels Noord station.

when i got our of the station and u saw this, means u r near the Eurolines stations already

The Eurolines station is outside this builings, i already printscreen the roadmap, so we didn't got lost and arrived at the station, not a clean station btw. TIPS Eurolines is cheaper than trains for short distance between Europe cities. From Brussels to Amsterdam is just 20Euros.

this is the bus btw

We checked in at the counter and they gave us the ticket number, asked us to wait,,so we waited. I thought only Malaysian buses that are always late, It turns up even their buses is the same. We departed from Brussels at almost 7PM. changed of bus, changed of drivers, rearrange of bags, bla bla bla. We got bored of waiting..meh. But finally it moves.

The journey continues on my next post. AMSTERDAM!!
p/s: we missed Brussels! perfect weatherr.... for Brussels day itineraries (references) click here!