BRUSSELS, DAY 1

I really need to get more organised as it was another rush to get to the airport bus and made it by the skin of my teeth. The habit of packing on the day of my trip needs to go!!

69 OPTIONS FOR MUSSELS

So arriving in Brussels from the airport (train is 15minutes) I chose the hotel called hotel Mozart as according to the photos the interior decor was….interesting. I choose a single room and when I arrived there were a total of 3 beds which could take 4 people; A single bed downstairs, a double upstairs and another camping bed.

😉😏🤣😘😆🤦🏻‍♂️😇😎🥺🤮🤢😴🤤👍🏻👎🏻🤙🏻

WHERE IS BELGIUM?

TOWN HALL

I have to say I love the old squares in Europe (every city in Europe has one) this has to be one of my favourites as there is nowhere else quite like it. With its gothic like architecture it offers something unique during night when the buildings are lit and the square is quiet.

PIS

Up early the next day I headed to the main square again for a daytime perspective. I always like to get to the main tourist attractions early to avoid the crowds and there is no crowds like those found in European cities

Along with the town hall I visited Manneken Pis, a famous statue of a small boy peeing and then to the female one called Janneke Pis, bizarre. After walking through the Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert which was full of chocolate displays it was time to head to the Burkina Faso embassy which is in the south of the city. Although the counsellor couldn’t speak a word of English I had my forms filled in, left €70 and was asked to come back at 3pm, result! Considering I was given a different answer every time I rang the embassy I was more than happy to get my visa the same day!.

MUSSELS

After checking out of good old Mozart I then headed towards Mini Europe. This is a gem of a place. It is a 15:1 scale of famous landmarks from all across Europe. Everything from Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the baths of Budapest.

Afterwards I went towards Le Zinneke for easily the most famous mussels in Brussels (sorry). They have over 69 options all with varying ingredients so there is sure to be something for everyone but a kilo of mussels is a bit much!

LIME BIKES

After which it was time to head back to the embassy this time with the help of a lime bike as I’d already spent €50 on taxis this morning. These things are incredible. A public electric scooter which connects to your phone and charges you per mile and per minute. All you need to do is download the app, add your payment information and once you scan the bike’s barcode you’re good to go!

CHEAPER

Also if you are in need of one just tap the search for “bikes nearby” icon and a map will appear with all the closest options. It’s a great way to get about and once you are done, just park it safely and press finish ride, much better than a taxi, quicker, more flexible and just a bit of fun. They are cheaper but probably not as much as you’d think.

WAFFLES

After getting the visa it was back to the city and after being turned away from an iconic sandwich shop (tonton) because they were sold out I opted for some noodles before going for the all important chocolate and waffles. Something everyone must try if they are visiting Belgium. You can go to a shop called the waffle factory and wait 30mins but there is a place just 30metres away on the same street which usually has no queues, half the price and is just as good!

FINAL THOUGHTS

Success in getting the visa and another hop around a stunning city!

NEXT UP

Head to Madrid for the first time. Click to read.

SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
130/229

This is episode 1 of the West Africa Series, pt1, click to explore all.
To watch the video of my trip, head to my highlights on my Instagram.