Brussels

My friend and I decided on a random trip to Brussels on the 22nd - 25th October this year. The trip was really random as I was browsing through Ryan Air flights and found return tickets for around €30 per person. So our trip was decided in a flash. It was an approx. 2 hour flight from Milan Bergamo to Brussels Charleroi airport. Upon reaching, we queued for bus tickets to the city - Midi train station and before it was our turn to purchase the tickets, a nice lady came over and asked if we'd prefer to share a 8-person taxi to the city - Midi train station (as it costs the same as taking the bus). So she managed to gather 5 other travellers and off - us the group of 8 negotiating with the taxi driver. 

First photo taken at Brussels Bourse station 

Brussels Stock Exchange

With one of the comic paintings on the wall

We had lunch at Chez Leon Restaurant. Highly recommended! The mussels were so fresh, tasty, good service and atmosphere and the price was very reasonable. A pot of mussels, frites (fries) and house beer costs less than €15. It's located at 18 Rue de Bouchers. Do take note though, that while walking towards Chez Leon Restaurant, you'll pass by dozens of other restaurants and the staffs will take every opportunity to grab customers.

Menu

My pot of mussels. SO MUCH LOVE. YUMS!

At Grand Place/Grote Market

Then we bought some chocolates from Nehaus. Yum yum!

Then we came across this interesting shop which sells classic film posters, memorabilia, books, etc.

Chocolates... chocolates everywhere!

As we walked pass this candy store, I told my friend that the name of this shop sounds wrong. A random American tourist overheard our conversation and agreed with me.

In the City Hall's compound

Apparently it's good luck to touch the statue. Misophobics would find this extremely terrifying.

Home of beers!

Mannekin Pis statue.

Another chocolatier!

We then walked around with the intention to this place where we were told to expect some city panoramic views. However, after what seems like hours of walking (probably just 30 minutes in real time), we ended up in a small park outside a cathedral. It's autumn... so one should grab the opportunity to take some photos of the colourful autumn.

3 days and 2 nights at Boracay Island

Arrived at the airport and there wasn't any need to fret over how to get to the port to Boracay island. There are 5234654312 vendors who will try to get your business. One can opt for bus or a mini van (not much price difference anyway). It's a 2-hour journey to the port (it could be longer if the mini van picks up passengers on the way to the port). Usually, the package includes a ride to the port and boat ride to the island.

Upon reaching the port, we bought our tickets, or rather... paid for the environmental fee and jetty fee. The boat/modified sampan ride was around 15-minutes.

Finally arrived @ Boracay and the first mode of transportation in the island we took was the tuk-tuk! Can you imagine 4 adults fitting and luggages fitting into this small tuk-tuk? Yep... we managed to squeeze our asses in this little transport.

Took the tuk-tuk to our accommodation

 Just in time for sunset!

 Checked into our accommodation: Nigi Nigi Nu Noos. Had a villa each and the room was lovely! :)

 Towels folded into swans. The cleaners will fold a different type of animal each time they clean the room.

 One of the first food that we tried - some grilled sausage from a random stall

 Bought our souvenirs

 J just gotta have his coffee after dinner

ET & I tried their local brew. I still prefer Hacker Pschorr.

 Our villa for the next 2 nights

The next morning after breakfast, we opted for a tour package from the hotel vendor. Selected a package that consists of parasailing, jet skiing, island hopping, snorkelling, ATV ride to the mountain top, zipline and sunset sailing. All for PHP18,000 for 4. It's the low season, so we had the bargaining power.

 Beautiful... just beautiful ;)

 Hello from above!

 Island hopping

 One of the islands that we stopped by so the guys can show macho - cliff jumping. Fun fact tho, for almost everything you do @ Boracay, there's always a certain environmental fee that you need to pay.

 Aloha!

 Riding the ATV all the way up to the mountain then climbed up the stairs to the observatory deck for a birds eye view of the island

 Zip line after enjoying the view

 Ready for sunset sailing!

While sunset sailing... breathtaking view!

We were lucky that even though it was the monsoon season, the daytime weather was superb! Sunny all the way until the end - after dinner where it rained heavily. 

Got burnt and got a tan. Tanned and happy :)

Capri Island

We went to the Italian island of Capri in August 2011. We stopped over at Naples for a night before taking the ferry to Capri. It was about a 40 minute journey. We stayed in Capri for 3 nights. The weather was amazingly sunny and hot. 

The island is divided into two towns - Capri and Anacapri. Anacapri is a different side of the island - no sea views, but there are several other things to see (cathedrals, museums). We spent a couple of hours at Anacapri and the rest of 4 days at Capri. 

We stayed at Hotel Excelsior Parco and was upgraded to two suites. It's one of the best hotels we've stayed throughout our entire Italy trip. The service upon check in to our stay and checkout was excellent, breakfast was good and the best part of all - free shuttle from the port to hotel and also to and fro the city and hotel.

 Il Funiculare from Marina Grande to Capri

 Luxury shopping street at Capri

Top of August's Garden

At the top of Marina Piccola overlooking the bay

View from Piazzetta in Capri city centre

Villas on Capri

Fancy some limoncello, anyone?

August's Garden

Marina Piccola from August's garden

Marina Piccola

We rented a private boat to bring us around the coast of Capri for €200. Here are some photos taken under the wonderful sun and sea. We visited the Blue Grotto as well (entry here).

Ahoy there!

Our boat

  Grotta Meravigliosa

 Faraglione

Capri is a wonderful place to visit over the summer despite it being one of the expensive islands to go in summer. Good seafood, wine, limoncello, sun, sea and boat.