On our first day we used the time to explore Schiphol. The airport is interesting, because there is a food court and shopping mall landside. There are two supermarkets, Albert Heijn and Food Village. We stocked up on American chocolate bars and drinks, so this was definitely a hit. For future reference we kept in mind the luggage store that sells Remowa suitcases.
At the Schiphol Plaza is the largest Burger King in the world. It is really huge, the quality is good and the outlet is always busy. We ate there twice. The white chocolate Blondie wasn't to our taste, because it was too sweet.
We also liked that not everything at Schiphol is commercial. There are a lot of seating spaces and greenery. An aircraft engine was on exhibition. It was an impressive size and sight. Our highlight was the viewing platform, though. I could spend hours there watching all the planes taking off and landing. We saw beside KLM United, Czech Airlines, Astana Airlines from Kazakhstan and others. Information about the airport and aviation is also available, unfortunately only in Dutch. There is also a retired Fokker on view. We loved exploring the plane and the information provided in English.
On the day of our arrival we went to the train ticket counter at the Plaza. Originally we had planned to go to Rotterdam for our full day, but decided to check out international train prizes as well. We were quoted, if memory serves me correct 55 Euro per person / ca. 72 USD for second class or 75 Euro per person / ca. 98 USD for first class for a day return to Brussels, Belgium. The fare was good value in our opinion, so we bought two first class tickets to Brussels. It also gives lounge access at any train station in the Netherlands. We couldn't use the high speed train Thalys, but the Inter City was still fast. It took 2.5 hours each way.
As a side note: The first class train tickets in the Netherlands/Belgium are affordable against the ones in Ireland. For roughly the same distance and duration between Dublin and Belfast we had to pay 200 Euro / ca. 262 USD for two, which is double from the 2nd Class tickets and offers no lounge access.
Our compartment was luxurious and the leg room was bigger than in second class.
A member of staff arrived with a trolley to offer snacks, including sandwiches and sweets, and hot and cold beverages. Unfortunately it’s not free.
Then came the "Walk of Shame". We were surprised how full the First Class compartment was. Well, the issue was solved soon. When the train conductor arrived, three quarters of the passengers had to move to the 2nd class compartment, because they didn't have valid tickets.
The views over the Dutch and Belgium landscape were interesting.
Announcements were made in Dutch, English and French.
We arrived at the central train station and having been in Brussels a few times before, we knew our way around. We admired the Le Meridien, where we had stayed on a previous visit.
This time around we wanted to see the Manneken Pis and the Grand Place.
The Manneken Pis was dressed this time, but unfortunately there was no explanation what he was wearing. There were a lot of other tourists. To get pushed was nothing unusual. In all honesty such behavior drives me mad.
After exploring the Grand Place and City Hall, where it was quieter on a Sunday afternoon, we went to the Amigo, a Sir Rocco Forte Hotel. Always when we are in Brussels we have lunch or a coffee break in the bar. For some reason we have never stayed at the hotel or in any Sir Rocco Forte property for that matter. Once we had also dinner at the famous Bocconi Restaurant. The experience was great.
At the Bar Amigo we received a warm welcome and could choose our seat.
The menu had changed quite a bit and offered now a huge cocktail list and Belgian specialties. During our last visit it was international/Italian.
EW had a hot chocolate and a steak with fries. I had a Mary Pickford - a Prohibition cocktail, it's named after the famous actress of the 1920's and 30's - and rabbit legs with a beer sauce and winter vegetables (including brussel sprouts, cauliflower and carrots.). We shared a bottle of still water. Both dishes are difficult to make, but the chef did an excellent job and the brussel sprouts were very mild and a delicacy. Originally we planned maybe to share a dessert. The quality of the produce used was so high, we weren't able to pursue it. Afterwards we went to St. Nicholas Church and our favorite shopping gallery the Galeries Royale St. Hubert. I like it especially, because it is a long, light filled space. On this day it was crowded, because it did rain for maybe half an hour, and everyone wanted to avoid getting wet. There were also more restaurants than I remembered.
We had achieved what we wanted, so we made our way to the train station and returned to Schiphol. On the way back the announcements were made when we were in Belgium in French, Dutch, English and German and when we were over the boarder in French, Dutch and English.
This trip had been memorable and inspirational.
One of our wishes is to return to Brussels and stay at the Amigo. Maybe this wish comes true in 2012.
©2011
No comments:
Post a Comment