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Lifestyle
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Walk into a fairytale
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 At the onset of this millennium, UNESCO had a justified motive – to protect and preserve the largest city and capital of the Province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium – that prompted it to include the historical city centre of Bruges on the World Heritage list. After all, how many places can offer medieval architecture and contemporary culture, romantic canals and meandering cobbled alleys, exceptional museums and stimulating art, and above all, gastronomic cuisine as compelling justification?
Landing at Brussels’ airport, which is in close proximity to Bruges, I learnt that the best way to discover the ‘European Capital of Culture’ is on foot and the true exploration lies in the aimless wandering of these winding and intricate alleys. Dumping all my insignificant belongings in the hotel, I, at once, set off on my journey. It began with a tranquil boat ride through the picturesque canals, as the sun made each ripple glisten before it met its end along the banks. These canals hold high significance in the history of Bruges as they facilitated transportation and protection. It is because of these peaceful waterways that Bruges is also identified as ‘Venice of the North’. The boats disembarked us at Choco-Story, the sweet and sinful chocolate museum which instantly immerses one in the ancient Mexican world of the Mayas and the Aztecs for whom chocolate was the drink of the Gods and cocoa beans a means of payment.
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 After giving in to the delight of licking my chocolate-dipped fingers, it was partly my overly receptive nose and partly my instincts which took me to Saaihalle, one of Bruges’ oldest and best preserved historical buildings. A huge smile suddenly cracked my pout as I read that this primeval structure enclosed the unique and alluring ‘Frietmuseum’, dedicated to the famous Belgian fries! This is the first museum that shows the entire history, from the origin of the potato to the making of the first fries and moreover, allows visitors to also taste the real Belgian fries with delicious sauces and all sorts of meat preparations. With enough starch in my body to last through Survivor (TV series), I scrammed from there in search of thirst quenchers for my parched throat. There are many undersized restaurants and pubs but I opted for the best substitute to water, Brewery De Halve Maan (the half moon), the only brewery in town to have guided tours through the fascinating coalesce of the modern brewery and the museum.
Tumbling on one too many, the view of the panoramic creations of man through the extensive windows overwhelmed me! I don't precisely recall how I reached my room that evening, but I do vividly remember buying a few more pints for the road which I savoured as I lost myself in the cobbled lanes resonating with the sound of clicking hooves and the rumble of carriages as I crossed the illuminated canals, admiring the virtuosos of the splendid architecture.
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