No, vehicle fuel is not $1.51 per gallon here in Belgium.....that's per liter! And when you convert that, you're paying $6.04 per gallon!
Makes the price of gas in America not so bad after all!
Just thought I would share this with you.
December 16, 2010
December 10, 2010
Skiing in Belgium???
Belgians love to snow ski! However, Belgium is not known for World Class ski slopes, heck, they don't even have any mountains! Belgians travel all over Europe to enjoy their favorite past time to places like the Dolomites in Italy, the Alps in Switzerland, Tyrol in Austria and Tignes France. In fact, we will be going to France for a ski holiday this upcoming February, so keep a look out for that story!
But you know you just don't want to ski once a year, right? So here in the Henegouwen Provence of Belgium they have "Ice Mountain"!
How cool is this!!!?? No we didn't ski here (remember we're going to France!). Stijn's brother, Dries, works here and provides snowboarding lessons down the 131 foot slope.
We enjoyed a drink from the restaurant while watching people having fun on this indoor slope.
But you know you just don't want to ski once a year, right? So here in the Henegouwen Provence of Belgium they have "Ice Mountain"!
How cool is this!!!?? No we didn't ski here (remember we're going to France!). Stijn's brother, Dries, works here and provides snowboarding lessons down the 131 foot slope.
This place has skiing and snowboarding on real snow with 2 runs for beginners and advanced skiers.
We enjoyed a drink from the restaurant while watching people having fun on this indoor slope.
There are no chair lifts here. So how do they get back to the top?
Hold on to that cable and take a ride to the top!
Don't forget to check out "Where's Debbie" for more pictures!
December 7, 2010
Watery wednesday - Strasbourg France
Stijn had taken me to the Alsasce Region of France as a birthday surprise in October 2009. On our drive back to Belgium we made a stop in the beautiful city of Strasbourg to stroll the cobblestone streets between the storybook buildings of half-timbered houses. The pretty medieval houses of the district date from the 16th and 17th centuries, and half-timbering is magnificently decorated.
Towers and footbridges situated at the end of 'Petite France' are the Ponts-Couverts, one of the many famous tourist attractions in all of Strasbourg. Comprising three 13th-century towers, these ancient fortified remains owe their name to the series of roofed, wooden footbridges
Strasbourg, in eastern France, is the seventh largest city in France. Strasbourg is the ultimate European city. It has flavors of both France and Germany, and sits right on the border of the two countries. In fact, Strasbourg has often changed hands between the French and Germans over the centuries.
See some more beautiful "Watery" pictures by clicking here "Watery Wednesday"
December 5, 2010
St. Nicholas in Belgium
Prettige Feesten! "Happy Holidays" from Belgium.
Yes, I am in Belgium now and today we celebrated the coming of St. Nicholas. Belgium is such a great Country, that not only do they celebrate Christmas on December 25th, but on December 6th children wake up to gifts that St. Nicholas has left for them the night before.
There are some very close simularities between Santa Claus and St. Nicholas, but yet very different. St. Nicholas rides a horse instead of a sleigh being pulled by 8 tiny reindeer. His black helpers are called Zwarte Piet which is the Dutch name for the Moorish helpers, as opposed to the little elves who make the toys for Santa. And St. Nicholas prefers to have a glass of wine left for him along with some carrots or turnips, and a sugar lump for the saint's horse. Hmmm, makes cookies and milk sound a bit boring.
St. Nicholas and his Zwarte Piet assistants come in November by boat, train, or on horseback to get ready for his feast day, the 6th of December.
So today, little Ella, Stijn's niece, came decked in garland to grandma's to see what St. Nicholas had left for her the night before.
Our day was spent enjoying family, good food and watching Ella enjoying her gifts.
I wish all of you a Happy and Joyous Holiday Season wherever you may be!
There are some very close simularities between Santa Claus and St. Nicholas, but yet very different. St. Nicholas rides a horse instead of a sleigh being pulled by 8 tiny reindeer. His black helpers are called Zwarte Piet which is the Dutch name for the Moorish helpers, as opposed to the little elves who make the toys for Santa. And St. Nicholas prefers to have a glass of wine left for him along with some carrots or turnips, and a sugar lump for the saint's horse. Hmmm, makes cookies and milk sound a bit boring.
St. Nicholas and his Zwarte Piet assistants come in November by boat, train, or on horseback to get ready for his feast day, the 6th of December.
So today, little Ella, Stijn's niece, came decked in garland to grandma's to see what St. Nicholas had left for her the night before.
I wish all of you a Happy and Joyous Holiday Season wherever you may be!
November 29, 2010
I'm Still Alive and Well
Just a quick note to let you know that I am still alive and well!
I apologize for not keeping up on my posts and for not reading yours, but I have been busy trying to prepare for an 8 month long trip to Europe that I will be leaving for on Thursday evening (Dec 2).
So a lot of packing, preparing, visiting friends and family and the doctors visits have kept me away from my blog.
I promise when the dust clears and I'm settled in Europe I will bring you some stories of my months to come in Europe of sunny days on the Algarve coast in Portugal, skiing in France and Christmas Markets in Belgium and Paris!
Happy Holidays!!
I apologize for not keeping up on my posts and for not reading yours, but I have been busy trying to prepare for an 8 month long trip to Europe that I will be leaving for on Thursday evening (Dec 2).
So a lot of packing, preparing, visiting friends and family and the doctors visits have kept me away from my blog.
I promise when the dust clears and I'm settled in Europe I will bring you some stories of my months to come in Europe of sunny days on the Algarve coast in Portugal, skiing in France and Christmas Markets in Belgium and Paris!
November 19, 2010
Enjoying Gatlinburg
During our house hunting in Tennessee a few weeks back, we did take one day to play tourists and enjoy some of what "Gatlinburg" has to offer.
One of the great things Gatlinburg has is a Trolley service (Gatlinburg Trolley information) The all day Trolley Pass can be purchased at all three Gatlinburg Welcome Centers, Gatlinburg City Hall and at the front desks of numerous Gatlinburg lodging companies. We purchased ours at the Visitors Center where the parking is free and a ticket only costs $2.00 per person for all day!
First stop, breakfast! There are so many places to have breakfast in this area and they all have the word "Pancake" on their signs. With so many choices it was great that our realtor gave us a recommendation for "The Pancake Pantry".
One of the great things Gatlinburg has is a Trolley service (Gatlinburg Trolley information) The all day Trolley Pass can be purchased at all three Gatlinburg Welcome Centers, Gatlinburg City Hall and at the front desks of numerous Gatlinburg lodging companies. We purchased ours at the Visitors Center where the parking is free and a ticket only costs $2.00 per person for all day!
First stop, breakfast! There are so many places to have breakfast in this area and they all have the word "Pancake" on their signs. With so many choices it was great that our realtor gave us a recommendation for "The Pancake Pantry".
Oh, I just had to have the Sweet Potato pancakes!!!!
No, I didn't eat them all!
We then headed over to a small ski lift in the middle of town to take the ride up a little mountain where we enjoyed the view of Gatlinburg and the Smokies.
Gatlinburg is a great place to just walk around and pop in and out of shops. My favorite area for this was called "The Village". Set in a quaint European village atmosphere with cobblestone paths and water fountains there are a collection of 27 unique boutiques, eateries, galleries and clothiers.
Even though it was just November 4, there were decorations throughout to let you know that Christmas is just around the corner!
I do understand that the crowds can be crazy here in the summer and during the holidays. So we felt very relaxed and lucky to be here during this time of year.
If you would like to see some pictures, click here "Where's Debbie" and then click on the album "Enjoying Gatlinburg"
November 17, 2010
Enjoying Tennessee
Our trip to Tennessee a couple of weeks ago was for the purpose of exploring the idea of relocating from Las Vegas. So I am not going to have a lot of touristy posts about Tennessee. But I would like to share some of the sites we enjoyed while we were there.
First let me start with a picture of my FAVORITE bird. The Cardinal! He was enjoying the seed we put out for him as an early morning breakfast.
We discovered while driving around looking at houses that Tennessee has quite a few Flea Markets. We enjoyed poking around this one on Hwy 66 in Sevierville.
First let me start with a picture of my FAVORITE bird. The Cardinal! He was enjoying the seed we put out for him as an early morning breakfast.
We discovered while driving around looking at houses that Tennessee has quite a few Flea Markets. We enjoyed poking around this one on Hwy 66 in Sevierville.
I just loved all the quaint Churches in this area.
And the festive holiday decorations are everywhere!
And my absolute favorite was the "Quilt Trail" that they have in this neck of the woods. I was lucky enough to see about three barns, each with a different quilt pattern painted on them. But I was only able to get a picture of one. Isn't this the coolest idea?
I just love coming across the unexpected, don't you?
November 16, 2010
Watery Wednesday - Twin Lighthouses of the Algarve
While visiting Portugal's Algarve coast, I fell in love with these twin lighthouses which sit at the mouth of the Arade River.
The water is murky, and that is because I took this picture in February 2010 during the rainy season.
We took a walk out to the lighthouse on the Ferragudo side of the bay to try and capture the waves crashing against the jetty.
Please take the time to see some more fantastic photos of water by some great people at "Watery Wednesday"
November 15, 2010
We Made It to Our 1st Home Exchange.....In Tennessee, That Is
Over 2,000 miles and 5 days later, we arrived in Kodak, Tennessee to begin what was the first of two home exchanges we will be doing while visiting this beautiful State.
I'll tell you, this is just what the doctor ordered after 4 months of surgeries and cancer treatments for the Melanoma that was discovered this past June.......a beautiful cabin with nothing but windows and a huge deck with a hot tub.
And just when I thought the views couldn't possibly get any better, I woke up to this the next morning.
A great way to start the day, wouldn't you say? It's going to be a great day!
I have some more pictures of this beautiful place at "Where's Debbie". Just click on the album "We Made It" when you get there!
I'll tell you, this is just what the doctor ordered after 4 months of surgeries and cancer treatments for the Melanoma that was discovered this past June.......a beautiful cabin with nothing but windows and a huge deck with a hot tub.
But nothing compared to the amazing views of "Douglas Lake" and the "Great Smoky Mountains"
You couldn't escape the views, no matter what room you were in............
We enjoyed a nice relaxing evening, Stijn in the hot tub and me just enjoying the view
And just when I thought the views couldn't possibly get any better, I woke up to this the next morning.
I have some more pictures of this beautiful place at "Where's Debbie". Just click on the album "We Made It" when you get there!
November 13, 2010
Stylish Blogger
I was quite surprised to see two lovely blogs awarded me with the Stylish blogger Award! I would like to acknowledge Light, Liberty, and Learning and From My Somewhat Serious Mind for their thoughtfulness! Thanks ladies for passing the award on to me....
The rules of blogging world indicate I must share 7 things about myself, and choose 15 other Stylish blogs to receive recognition. First, about myself:
- I LOVE to travel.....in case you haven't noticed
- I retired at the age of 45
- I have 4 grandsons that I adore
- Wine please!
- Yes, I'll have cheese with that
- My favorite season is fall
- I want to be on the Amazing Race!
These are some wonderful blogs with great variety! You will find inspiration, humor, beautiful photos, creative crafts, travel, and adventure... Please check them out- I'm sure you will find a new favorite!
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