My views do not necessarily reflect the views of my employer.
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Brugge
It was my last week on MSC Preziosa. With my slightly more flexible schedule, I stopped by the shore excursions office to see if they had any tours I hadn’t done.
Did I want to go on a bike tour?
YES.
Weeks before, someone had told me that the bike tour to Brugge was incredible – you really got to see the water, neighborhoods and trails from Zeebrugge to Brugge that flew by too quickly on busses trams and trains. But at that time, it had been very cold. Now it was practically spring! And my last day in Belgium was forecast to be beautiful and sunny!
I wore lots of layers – most of which ended up stuffed in my backpack. Right off the gangway we were paired with our electric bikes. I’d first ridden an electric bike with Emily in Vancouver – it was a game changer. We could go so much further and see so much more than we would have on regular bikes. This one was just as great. The ride was flat and it was beautiful.
We weren’t allowed to take pictures while we were riding the bikes for safety, so you’re just going to have to trust me – it was gorgeous.
We wove our way through the cobbled streets of Brugge to the city center where I found my first Christmas Market. We had an hour and a half of free time before the ride back. I knew exactly what I wanted to do.
The Biermuseum – I’d had my eye on it since my first day in Brugge. I skipped the museum part- I’ve been over museums for years and we all know that I was really just after the beer. I looked at the menu and the choice was obvious – a beer and chocolate pairing.
Variety AND chocolate? Who could ask for more?
The beertender told me that the chocolates were local, and the beers (also local) were developed specifically to pair with them. In his opinion, they got it right. My instructions were to have a sip of the beer, then take a bite of the chocolate, then sip the beer again with the chocolate still melting in my mouth.
Challenge accepted.
I’d done a wine and chocolate pairing once where I learned that chocolate melts at body temperature. I was curious to see how the colder beer would affect the melting of the chocolate.
It worked out beautifully.
I was having an excellent last day in Belgium.
I’d also wanted to check out the Dali museum. Leah had gone and said it was mostly drawings. I didn’t have much time left so I decided to save that museum for my next visit to Brugge. Instead, I grabbed a hot dog from a cart at the market – I couldn’t ride back to the ship fueled by beer alone!
We took a slightly different route back and it was also stunning.
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Le Havre
The next day – my last day on MSC Preziosa – they said I could ride the bikes again! I had been to Le Havre a few times, as you know. Guests had come back reporting its charm, but I hadn’t quite found it yet – aside from my favorite cafe with the view of the ship (and the wine and cheese).
I figured, perhaps on a bike, I might finally discover the charm everyone was talking about.
We made our first photo stop where I had first stopped to take photos in Le Havre.
When asked why I wasn’t taking photos, I said I’d been here before, and I’d already taken these pictures. Then the bike leader asked if I had a picture with the bike? No, in fact! Not yet…
But now I do! I adjusted my seat and fell off the bike and lost the group and then took off in the opposite direction. I was embarrassed. “What happened?” they asked. “Did you not see the line of bikes wearing fluorescent vests?” I did! I thought I did. Which is where I went. I tried to let go of the shame and went inside the church that I hadn’t been to yet. I had done so well the day before!
This is what the tower looks like from the outside:
We climbed a hill, which – thanks to the turbo setting – was totally manageable. I can’t even remember the last time I rode a bike (it might have been in Vancouver in 2019) so I was definitely not in bike-shape.
When I had been to Le Havre with Peter, he told me that he had driven to a park at the top of a hill during the pandemic. I sent him this picture: I think I found your park!
Then we rode to a cliff.
And took more photos.
I saw some really cool buildings while we were riding, but again- we’re not allowed to take pictures while in motion. The stops they chose were ocean views, which is great and all… but I see the ocean from my window every day. I would’ve loved to stop for the architecture!
Still, I enjoyed the views from the bike.
Back in the city center, we stopped for some free time. The guide pointed out a very local cafe – which was exactly what I wanted! They ignored me for a long time before taking my order and I smiled, enjoying the truly local experience.
On the menu there were two burgers – a traditional one, and a ‘Caid’ burger. I didn’t know what ‘Caid’ meant. I tried looking it up, but google was no help.
Perhaps the cheese (which was soft and chunky with some rind)?
Later, I realized – ‘Caid’ was the name of the restaurant. It wasn’t my most clever day.
We rode back passing my favorite restaurant and my favorite dumpster of shells, and I boarded the ship for the last time.
Oh, did I find the charm of Le Havre? A little bit. I still prefer Honfleur. Or just sitting at the Architect with friends, some red wine and a big plate of cheese.