Day 29 - Zeebrugge, Belgium

What do French Fries and good chocolate have in common? They're all from Belgium. Yes, the French took fries from the Belgium. And for the best chocolate where do you go? Brugge. This is one of the only towns that was not at all impacted by WW2 so all the buildings from the 1500's are still original. After a short 20 minute taxi ride and we're there. If you plan early there are a number of local shuttle services that will take you directly from outside the cruise terminal gate to downtown for roughly $20/per/rt. Quick 20'ish min drive.

8am in the market square	Interesting intersections	This place will be packed with folks in a few hours
	The Belfort tower, will be back here

Market starting to wake-up		So many pretty public parks
Locals getting pastries for breakfast	Beautiful canals between streets
I so want a guest house that dips into a canal		Showing how the town is laid out
Urinals are just out there in Brussels	A 1700's windmill	This was used to grind wheat and yes I had to climb those steps
The view from the steps did not disappoint		A favorite way to see the town is by canal boat tour

There are tons of views like the above ones. What's unique about this town is the Belfort Tower. This tower is combination vault and music box. At the very top of the tower are 47 bells which have hammers hit them based on a programmed wheel similar to that found in a music box. 

	Yup, a lot of stairs to climb
Until the two red lights on the left turn style has one go green you can't enter
It's basically a giant music box
Not too terrifying until now knowing those black rods are all that's supporting the floor above		Our second staircase, this one has tighter, steeper stairs
Up and down on the same flight of steps	Transition to the second platform and 3rd staircase	One of the largest of bells, will only ring on special occasiosn
	Plenty of vents to allow the sound to reach the town	I was nearly climbing not walking up this 4th flight of stairs
	This drum is 9 tons	The songs are changed every 2 years

Each cable attaches to a hammer that rings the bells
		The same mechanism that keeps track when to play songs powers the gears for the clock
	Can't leave without trying a waffle and chocolate

Tomorrow - back to England