In Bruges, Again

July 4th we finished packing up, took a Bolt to the Bercy station and boarded the Flixbus to Bruges. Au revoir, Paris! We'll be back next May. Well, actually, next week, but only to fly out of CDG.

We got to Bruges early in the evening, found our lodgings, the interestingly-named Hotel Bla Bla, had a bite to eat, and then embarked on a wandering tour of the old city. We're here mostly for the Flemish art and museums, but the street scenes and old buildings are among Europe's best. We were in Bruges in 2015 and certainly a time or two before that...the first in 1979.

Outside our room at the Hotel Bla Bla, which I would characterize as a nice
sort-of boutique hotel...a dozen or so rooms in two different old buildings...all
updated...around a couple different garden areas

Hydrangeas going strong

Unhelpful but beautiful old map in reception

The white facade of Hotel Bla Bla

New to us department...get plastered while your hair gets done

Street scene

Door scene

The very famous bell tower on the square; In Bruges is one
of my very least favorite movies; thanks a lot, Marie

Part of the square; not Brussels, but nice, even if mostly 19th century
re-creations

Street scene

Belgian lace shop

Not all in a row

Sweets shop, just like in Paris

Every touristy European city has a torture museum or
two; we considered having drinks on the torture museum
terrace, but it was closed

Speculoos houses

Canal scene; Bruges is known as the Venice of the
North (along with Amsterdam, Strasbourg, Stockholm, 
and about thirty-five others; see here for a useful listing)

Ditto

Pollarded street scene

The classical Greek fish market (note Doric capitals)

Within

We found this place fairly interesting for its permanent built-in
counters, etc.; only one stall sells fish anymore, we've read; the
rest sell tourist trinketry

City map in lace

One of the several church towers

Close to the Groeningmseum where we'll spend
some time Friday

Dragon benches

Had we rented a car and driven Paris/Bruges/Ghent/Paris, we would
have stopped by the Abbey of St. Sixtus for a bottle or two of Westvleteren;
I'd hoped to find a bottle reasonably priced (<€20) in Bruges or Ghent and
was pleasantly surprised to find a #12 at this place for a mere €12.50; will
be pictured when I drink it in Ghent; I hope the Brothers have not compromised
the quality of their product with its availability...I also hope it's not a fake...