It's in all the guidebooks, everyone asks if you've seen it, glossy images smile at you from postcards, calendars and those strangely universal plastic domes with fake snow.....and when you get there you take a step back, your mouth falls open, you take a deep breath and utter those unforgettable words....

Is that it?

Optimism is usually a good thing, but in the case of travel writing it can lead to a whole batch of turnips. Do guidebooks feel they need to mention something interesting in each province they cover? Do tourist boards get carried away? Or is it more a case of the Emperor's New Clothes? Someone (important) has said that this is great and everyone else is too afraid of looking stupid to point out the obvious.

It's not.

Unless it's me.  It's always possible that the answer to 'Am I missing something?' is a big, fat 'yes.'

Anyway, here's my list of places that were simply not worth the effort.

1) Estancia Harberton - a farm in Tierra del Fuego. It may have a great history but the place itself is much like any other farm. Except for the huge cost and obligatory guided tour.

2) Manneken Pis, Brussels - it's TINY! And, let's face it, a statue of a small boy pee-ing...

3) Astronomical Clock, Prague - a crowd of tourists gather and shiver every hour waiting for....some small home-made figures to pop in and out. Actually, I take this one back. It's hilarious to watch the baffled reactions of everyone else around you before everyone starts laughing.

4) Hotel Inglaterra, Havana - touted as an historic and glamorous throwback to a previous age it could also be summed up as manky and overpriced. If you want hotel luxury, head across the street. If you want authentic Havana accommodation check out the casa particulares. And if you want history, go to a museum.

Anyone have any others?

Checked out Brussels @ Jaya One just before the Raya break. It was fairly full. The crowd, mainly there for a few beers after work, were mainly 25+. It was a good mix of men & women.

We all ordered the highly recommended Hoegaarden - www.hoegaarden.com! There aren’t many places offering Hoegaarden in KL, but it’s definitely my preferred beer. It’s light, easy to drink and refreshing, definitely goes well with like snacks.

Where do these cruises go?

1. Many countries in central and southern Europe
2. China
3. Egypt
4. Ireland
5. United States
6. Russia

What are the vessels on these rivers?  For the most part they are barge-like vessels-long and flat so they go under bridges.  One part are the cabins and the other part are the public rooms.  In France you can rent small self-drive barges on the canals.  These come with bicycles.  Tie up anywhere, ride into town and get your cheese, bread and wine and you are set.  The barges come in various sizes so take a family or some friends.

Let's look at some of the more common rivers in Europe.  From Amsterdam on the Rhine connecting to the Main through Germany connecting to the Danube though Austria, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria. That whole stretch takes 30 days but the sights are wonderful.  Everyday you are in a different city with a tour guide visiting the major sights.  Or you can break it up into smaller segments. 

Holland at Tulip Time is beautiful.  Starting in the cosmopolitan city of  

Amsterdam, visiting the little villages of Hoorn, Enkhuizen, Veere, Middleburg and the port of Rotterdam as well as the diamond city of Antwerp ending in the Unesco city of Bruges in Brussels.  A trip full of charm and history with many exciting tours including Keukenhof Gardens to see the picture-like acres of flowers.

The legendary Rhine and Moselle Rivers from Amsterdam to Basel with its ancient villages, vineyards and castles.    The enchanting Danube from Budapest to Passau will enchant you with the hilltop villages and regal cities.  Always stopping for tours of these.  Visit Eastern Europe along the Danube to the Black Sea.  Cities long hidden are now open for touring.  Their ancient archeology, charming villages with tours most every day.  A river cruise during November and December will be highlighted with stops at      

Christmas markets.  Celebrations, music, and arts and crafts are everywhere.    Adding on pre or post stays in other cities away from the river make these trips memorable.

Looking North to Russia a cruise from St. Petersburg to Moscow or visa versa on the Volga, Svir and Neva Rivers is the best way to see Russia.  No hassling with visas and their restrictions.  The cruise line takes care of that.  You get priority touring to sights that you would have to wait hours to get into.  There is safety staying with the tour group that might be an issue if you were on your own.

   In Portugal cruise the beautiful Douro Valley from Lisbon to Porto.  Old world flavor through the vinyards, natural beautiy and history.

France has one river, the Rhone.  Cruise from Ares to Chalon-sur-Saone.  You are crusing through the heart of Provence and Burgundy.  Go a few days early and stay in Marseille with a rental car and travel the coast.  Then stay a few days after and take the train to Paris.  That is a 3-4 day "must see".

   Cruising the Nile in Egypt.  Most definitely the Nile was the highway in Egypt.  There are many classes of river boats on this river.  All the way from bare basic to 5* luxury.  You definitely need an expert to help sort it all out.  All the major sights are stops along the way.  Then there are add ons that are "must see". 

   In China the Yangtse River is the only cruising river.  This is not a long cruise so adding pre and post must be included.  The sightseeing in China is old, but there is wonderful shopping in Beijing and Shanghai.  Or add on Hong Kong and Macau.  You will need someone who has been there to give you the best information.

    The United States has some wonderful rivers for cruising.  The main waterway north and south is the Mississippi River.    Many tributaries from her are the Ohio River, the Cumberland River, the Tennessee River and the Illinois River.  You can cruise on a barge, must like the ones in Europe, on any or all of these river.  From 4 to 10 days will take you through the heartland of the US in comfort with history around every corner.  

On the West Coast of the US, you have small ships that take you into the Columbia and Snake Rivers with the history of Lewis and Clark who explored all the way from Missouri to the Pacific Ocean.  Fascinating history of this great land.   Sail from San Francisco into the wine country of Napa Valley with stops along the way at award-winning vineyards.  

Let's not forget the amazing river cruise on the Amazon River in South America.  There are many ways to see this huge waterway with it's rain forest and vast assortment of wildlife and sea life.  This is a wild and tropical place, far from the cities and population. 

Call me to give you the best River Cruising experience of your life.   Cruise & Tour Planners is the expert on river cruising around the world.

Gisteren waren we in de Brusselse Beurs voor een performance, getiteld "Blanche-Neige". Een vriendin van de zus van Delphine organiseerde mee, dus zaten we in de artiestenruimte tussen latex-sneeuwwitjes met M-60's.

Wat me wel stoorde aan de organisatie van nuit Blanche, is dat op elke affiche, folder etc. de naam stond van de schepen van de Stad Brussel (in dit geval Hamza Fassa-Fihri). Dit gebeurt wel meer in Brussel. Er lijkt bv. geen rommelmarkt te kunnen gebeuren, zonder dat gebeurde met de steun, aangeven of organisatie van één of andere schepen (als een soort loko-mecenas), ook al heeft die schepen geen noemenswaardig belangrijk of duidelijk omschreven maatschappelijk nut. In Brussel-stad kan je al schepen zijn voor Autopark (!) of "Aangelegenheden betreffende het jonge kind" (sic).

Op toeristisch vlak gaat volgens mij wel veel energie verloren. In plaats van de stad Brussel consistent te promoten (zoals bv. Antwerpen doet met zijn "A"-campagne), heeft hier het politiek naambelang voorrang. Jammer, maar dit bepaalt waarschijnlijk wel de politieke pikorde. De één een rommelmarkt, de andere een nuit blanche'ke. Begrijpbaar, maar desalniettemin provencialistisch.

European Christmas Market in Brussels
Christmas Events in Belgium
December - all month

As the year’s end draws near, the Christmas markets blossom in many cities and towns in Belgium. The festivities really begin with St. Nicholas on December 6th. Shops display holiday treats such as marzipan, flat hard cakes known as ‘klaasjes’ and ‘speculoos’, a hard gingerbread molded in the form of St. Nicholas.

In all major cities, shopping will be possible on the four Sundays preceding the holiday. The local Tourist Offices can provide visitors with details on the numerous nativity scenes on display, Christmas markets, concerts and other seasonal events.

Brussels will hold its annual European Christmas market on the Place St. Catherine.

An array of products will be available in a warm and friendly atmosphere. This market with its cheerful lights, delicious aromas and a vast number of stalls promises a true holiday atmosphere. In addition to the Christmas Market the ice skating rink offers fun for all. This year for the first time a separate small skating rink invites toddlers to enjoy this wonderful winter sport too. And the holiday atmosphere would not be complete without a visit to the Grand’Place decorated in festive lights for the occasion. For more information: www.plaisirsdhiver.be

In the city of Liege, 155 decorated wooden cottages form a magical Christmas Village throughout the month of December. For opening hours and details call 011-324/254 9797.

Many towns and villages throughout Belgium hold Christmas markets. Most will be aglow with colorful illuminations around their main streets and shopping centers. Contact the local tourist offices for dates and activities.

Click here for more information on the Christmas Village in Liege

Help your self: Fortis

If you're a regular reader you may know by now that I spent a "gay honeymoon"-like vacation with my SO in the WOW resort, Bodrum, Turkey last September. Given that no selection (I over-enthusiastically shot 1,000 photographs...) will ever fit  one single post, I'll serialize some of our holiday images, at least, if there's an audience. Vacation shots can be utterly sleep-inducing ;-)   I'll try to upload the most remarkable video highlights to my YouTube account as well. If any of these shots [please click to enlarge] raise any questions, just shoot. Turkey September 2008, part one - departure and arrival:

The Pegasus flight to Turkey had great on board service - we were pleasantly surprised. Our experience with Brussels airport was abysmal though, as we've come to expect over the years. We arrived at 4 am at the airport, going through the now classic lengthy, exaggerated security checks (liquids in hand luggage are confiscated in Brussels due to the absurd notion that toothpaste might pose a security risk).

Upon trying to photograph the Brussels airport security check I was brutally stopped by security personnel. Thanks, Brussels airport: in addition to a recent ("we want higher wages") abrubt luggage handling strike that caused total chaos during the peak of the summer season, along with neverending building work on the new terminals and wildly inflated food/beverage prices (Starbucks in Brussels: 9 EUR/ $16 for two cups! -Image credit: teruginbelgie.blogspot.com), I now understand why you were voted one of Europe's favorite airports: you truly believe passengers love being treated like trash. But hey, there was a reason why we were leaving Belgium ;-)

Recently I travelled to Germany for work, on my way there some funny pictures first this one in the conference hall toilets. After using the goal to aim, and quite well I did too no splashes anywhere at all, I took this picture.

Lucky no one was stood next to me while I did it, god knows what they would have thought.

"man taking camera phone out and aiming it at...What the fuck? My dick are you taking a picture of my dick?"

I fear my witty reply of "no the zoom is not good enough"

Would have been lost in the flurry of punches and sound of my face breaking.

Still there was someone in one of the traps, which normally wouldn't be a problem but a have a Nokia 6110 navigator, which still makes that annoying shutter release sound when I take a picture, and for the life in me I can't find a way to silence it, I fear that Nokia had worries of small Japanese men taking upskirt pictures to post on those dubious websites that I know nothing about.

So when taking this picture the shutter release went off, so bloke sat on the porcelain telephone making his call would have thought...what someone taking a picture? Why the perverted....

You get the idea, if anyone knows how to remove the sound I would be grateful my attempts at upskirt are met with slaps when I'm found out.....Cheers

Next while wondering around a German shopping centre, came across this interesting poster, it seems that not content with shooting most of western Europe a few years ago they decided that children will be next.

08 kiddy shooting?

Does this mean we get 8 goes? I do hope they give the little blighters a running start, still maybe they start with the slower younger ones and you work your way up to the older faster ones making it harder as you progress levels?

Its an interesting sport, and since in the UK we have a handgun ban, one where we won't be competitive and in London 2012 the bloody box heads will win the gold!

Finally some news from Brussels, now I've been to Japan which I can say with some authority on the matter that it is the land of the comb over.

But it seems that Brussels is coming a very close second, lucky the man didn't hear the sound of my camera phone when I took this, the excess hair combed into his ears probably plays havoc with his hearing.

I'm always always unsure of people like this, I want to run up to them and say, "excuse me sir yes you.....errr..listen I don't know if you know this but you are actually bald?"

Yep thats right bald as in no hair on your head, I mean in what universe are these people living if they have no idea that this style of hair style is in fact no style at all!

Bald! you look fucking stupid you wanker and in fact if you want to hide the fact that you are bald from other people you have failed completely, 100%, not even close because when I see this the first thing I notice is that in fact, you are fucking bald!

I mean honestly.

Some people have no idea.

Oxfam didn't mind slamming Mandelson:

Luis Morago, Head of Oxfam’s Brussels office, said: “Commissioner Mandelson, unfortunately, failed to ensure that the EU put development ahead of self-interest in its trading relations with its former colonies. The negotiation of the Economic Partnership Agreements -many of which have still not been signed- has been marked by controversy and discord. ACP countries have consistently objected to both the manner in which the EU has negotiated and to the content of what has been proposed by the European Commission. The EC has sought many concessions from ACP countries likely to undermine their prospects for economic development.”
 
Luis Morago: “Under Commissioner Mandelson, the European Commission did not pass the “development test” in the WTO's Doha round of world trade talks. While there have been some improvements in the EU position recently, the demands on developing countries are still disproportionate and their potential impact uncertain until further details emerge.”

Little whispers in Brussels always echoed about Mandelson's ability to take care of business... a little bit too well!

A small flight home for Mandelson- a big step for Europe...

Let's home something better awaits us here in Brussels.

Que Sera Sera

(by the way it's a bit strange the timing... don't you think... with Mandelson's name coming up in the Eurochatter circles quite often in the last month...)

Running in the rain.

Yay flowers/public art/cool Euro things!

Identidade visual elaborada pela Lab para o convite de comemoração dos 6 anos da agência de modelos Belga iMM.

http://www.immbruxelles.com/

Let's say you are into French wine and French wine only. And you want to expand your 'taste' knowledge of French wines. Then Quentin Vins is just the wine bar for you. Specializing in French wines (only!), by the glass or by the bottle, this little wine bar is conveniently located just off Place Chatelaine. Ideal for the after market drink, or like we did, on a Saturday afternoon. A glass of chilled white, a well rounded red.

If anyone has been, I'm curious how the food tastes like. I really like the idea of the assiette composé  (assorted plate?) where you pay by the 100gr and can mix and match French cheeses and charcuterie. Next time perhaps.

Just in case you are not into French wine, then across from Quentin Vins is La Piola, an Italian wine bar (talk about location, location, location!). Even if in terms of wine bars you'd think this is suicidal, both bars are busy and prospering. So French or Italian, your pick! Enjoy.