ZEEBRUGGE/BRUGES, BELGIUM

Our first stop was to Zeebrugge, meaning "Bruges-on-Sea". It is a village on the coast of Belgium serves as both the international port of Bruges-Zeebrugge as well as a seafront resort with hotels, cafés, a marina and a beach. It is located on the coast of the North Sea, where its central location on the Belgian coast, short distance to Great Britain and close vicinity to densely populated industrialized cities make it a crossroads for traffic from all directions. It is also Belgium's most important fishing port and the wholesale fish market located there is one of the largest in Europe. When we got off the ship, the tour bus took us to a park where we took a short walking tour, then a small canal boat through the village.
The bus dropped us at the edge of Minnewater Park. We walked the brick path over this colourful bridge towards the town.	We passed various old structures like this fortified wall.
Minnewater Lake Minnewater Lake is also known as the “Lake of Love”. The Park and Lake are named after Minna, who lived at the time when the Romans had begun the conquest of Gaul. The legend goes that Minna was in love with a warrior named Stromberg from a neighbouring tribe which went to war against her father’s tribe. Minna’s father tried to force her to marry someone else so she ran away and collapsed on the bank of the Lake, where her lover later found her. She died in his arms. Stromberg decided to honor his beloved Minna by building a dam in the river to dry out the middle, then on the dry bedding he made a grave where he laid his Minna to rest forever. Then let the water back in again. Minna and Stromberg are known as Bruges's Romeo and Juliet.	A waterside cafe that was once a beautiful home.
Not sure if this is a church, hotel or what, but it makes a pretty picture.	Most of the old city homes are situated within the ancient city walls.
In the background is the gate in the fortified was to get to the village from the park.	Another pictureque view.of the canal with a bevy of swans on the shore.
A close up of the swans.		The entire village is full of beautiful old historic buildings built in the dutch style.
Like almost all European towns and cities, it has its share of narrow laneways and streets.	Even the wider streets have no cars in some areas of the city – just people and bicycles.
The church spire in the background belongs to the Church of Our Lady.	We finally make it to the docks on the canal where we board a canal boat like this one.
Saint John’s Hospital Once a medieval hospital, it is now a museum with an apothecary, medical tools & artwork by painter Hans Memling.	One of the many ancient bridges on the canal – and yes the boat actually was able to sail under it.
Many buildings back directly on the canel, some with entrance doors.		Huisbrouwerij Museum The translation of the name is “Home Brewery Museum” and it is Bruges’ only beer museum.
A curious swan checking us out.	What appears to be a private home on the canal.
Another low bridge – we didn’t go under this one.
A fancy gate at the end of the Beguinage Bridge leading into a private property that housed a community of pious women in the 13^th century. The group of women lived alone and devoted themselves to prayer and good works without taking vows. The entrance gate was built in 1776 by master mason Hendrik Bultynck. The first beguine house next to the entrance is furnished as a museum and the exhibition includes paintings, 17th- and 18th-century furniture and lacework, among others.	Several buildings had these red leated vines growing up their walls.
Another Saint John’s Hospital from a different angle..	A linen store, featuring lace tablecloths and dolies.
A small balconey overlooking the canal.	.
Another view of the spire of the Church of our Lady.		So many buildings are built right on the canal and include entry doors to the building.
An ancient wall leading to a tunnel which runs under an apartment building.	A newer buildings on one of the many twists and turns in the canal.
Along part of the shore there was an outdoor market selling food and crafts.	Another view of the market.
The first floor of centre building of this apartment houses the Den Dyvert, a four-star restaurant.
The back of the Statue of St. John of Nepomuk. He was drowned in the Vltava river at the behest of King Wenceslaus IV of Bohemia. Later accounts state that he was the confessor of the queen of Bohemia and refused to divulge the secrets of the confessional.		Belfry of Bruges Belfry of Bruges is a medieval bell tower in Bruges that is home to a 366-step staircase leading to views. The tower also features a treasure chamber and 47-belled carillon.
	Another building with an entry door right on the canal. The door would be accessed not only by the owner, but also by merchants or anyone else travelling on the canal.
An apartment building built in 1763 (according to the roman numerals at the top}.	Canal boats going under a series of bridges.
	What appears to be a newer bridge over the canal.
One of the more colourful older buildings.
Some buildings have statues situated on the corner of a building of the Virgin Mary holding the baby Jesus.
The Burgher's Lodge (Poortersloge) The white building is Burgher's Lodge which was constructed towards the end of the 14th century and into the early 15th century. Serving as a hub for the city's prominent citizens, known as "poorters," the Burgher's Lodge was a vital meeting place where these influential individuals convened and engaged with their trading counterparts. From 1720, it functioned as an academy for Fine Arts, and from 1912 to 2012, it housed the National Archives. In 2014, the municipality of Bruges repurchased the building from the state. Today, the Burghers’ Lodge is a location for contemporary art in Bruges. There are a number of exhibitions held here each year, ranging from themed projects to presentations of private collections and solo exhibitions by contemporary artists. In front of the building is a statue of Jan van Eyck, a Flemish painter.	A view of the Lodge’s tower.
More homes along the canal.	The Gruuthuse museum houses historic furniture, sculptures and tapestries. It has an audio guide and offers an interesting glimpse into the history of decorative art.
Back on land.
When the tour was over we walked back to ship to sail to Southampton, England for a tour in Bath.

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