Brussels: Chocolate Easter Bunnies

When visiting Brussels the one thing you cannot avoid to notice is the shear number of chocolate shops situated in the centre of the city (especially in the vicinity of the Grand Place). Belgians really appreciate their chocolate and seem to delight in selling all sorts of chocolate figures.

I've noticed that at Easter you do not get quite the profusion of chocolate eggs that you would see in the UK, it seems to be chocolate rabbits that are everywhere. It is always worth a look in a chocolatier's window just for the impressive displays. You might even be tempted to go in and buy something (but will it last the journey home?).

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/Belgium/Region_de_Bruxelles_Capitale/Brussels-357567/Shopping-Brussels-Chocolates-BR-1.html

Brussels: The Sequence

The offices I regularly visit in Brussels are just opposite the Flemish Parliament. I noticed about a year ago some colourful scaffolding being erected outside the parliament. When it had been up for some time with no visible sign of any construction work being carried out I wandered over to have a closer look. It then became obvious that it was not scaffolding but some new sculpture!

The piece is called The Sequence by an artist called Arne Quinze. I have yet to meet any Belgium that likes this work, but I believe that it is only meant to last a few years. To call it incongruous is an understatement but it is very different, very big and very colourful.

If, on a trip to Brussels, you happen to be near the Flemish Parliament then I do recommend that come come and see it for yourself so you can make up your own mind about this rather striking and thoroughly modern sculpture.

http://www.arnequinze.tv/#/en/installations/the-sequence

Brussels: Jeanneke Pis

The Jeanneke Pis (or Janneken Pis) is the female counterpart to Brussels' beloved statue of a little peeing boy - the Manneken Pis. She is situated off the Grand Place more or less equidistantly opposite from her male colleague. Unlike the Manneken Pis, she is kind of hidden in a little alley off the Rue des Bouchers (only a few minutes walk from the Grand Place).

I have seen her a couple of times but she is definitely less well known than the little boy statue. Also, each time I have visited she has never been peeing. Could it be that the people of Brussels are somewhat embarrassed by this naked little girl but are happy to celebrate a little peeing boy.

Perhaps I'm being unkind - she has only been around for a few decades whereas the Manneken Pis has let flow disgracefully in public for the last few hundred years.

If you have some time to spare and you are near the Grand Place then why not tick this off your list of slightly quirkier things to see when travelling.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janneken_Pis

Rome: The Colosseum

Whilst attending a conference in Rome I was lucky enough to be given a 2 hour tour of this city by the conference's host. This naturally included a trip to the Colosseum - a definite "must see" when in Rome.

Cheek by jowl with the buildings and traffic of modern Rome it dominates the surrounding area. It is a real pleasure just to stroll around this site with your head full of no doubt highly inaccurate Hollywood generated images of gladiatorial combats and ancient Christians being fed to the lions.

When in Rome do find time to go and see this icon of the Roman empire - you will not be disappointed.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coloseum

Bucharest: The Palace of the Parliament

The Palace of the Parliament in Bucharest is big - I mean really big. I had arrived the day before a conference and had a few hours free for a stroll around the capital city of Romania. I knew this building was meant to be impressive, so I sought it out.

This monstrous vanity project of Romania's former dictator, Nicolae Ceauşescu, is meant to be one of the largest buildings in the world. So vast is the building that it is only partially occupied and still not fully complete. It currently houses the Romanian parliament (Chamber of Deputies and Senate). There are also a couple of museums (including the National Museum of Contemporary Art), some conference halls and room for lots lots more.

It is situated right in the the centre of the city (where a large proportion of the historic centre was cleared to allow it to be built) and is definitely worth a viewing, if only to see what an infinite ego and a whole country's resources can produce.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palace_of_the_Parliament

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bucharest

Brussels: Manneken Pis does Elvis!

As a regular visitor to Brussels I occasionally have a stroll through the Grand Place. When there I find myself often tempted to stroll down a nearby side street to visit the Manneken Pis: a little statue of a peeing boy. It must say something about the people of Belgium (though I'm not sure what exactly) that they seem to take great pride in this 61 cm (24 inch) tall bronze figure.

It's always great fun for myself and for the constant crowds of tourists that visit him that although naked on most days the citizens of Brussels will occasionally dress him up in variety of costumes. I could understand that he may wear the occasional military uniform or folk costume but sometimes, just sometimes he appears in wholly unexpected attire. The picture in this blog shows him dressed as Elvis!

It's good to see that there is a country that doesn't take their "national treasures" too seriously.

http://www.ilotsacre.be/images/virtualvisit/manneken_pis.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mannequin_pis

Stockholm: The Vasa Museum

Occasionally I have a couple of hours to spare between checking out of my hotel and heading of to a meeting or airport or whatever.

When visiting Stockholm I took advantage of one of these rare opportunities and headed off to one of Stockholm's smaller museums that had been recommended to me by a friend.

The Vasa Museum is a definite must see if you are in Stockholm. The museum houses the salvaged and strikingly well preserved 17th century warship, the Vasa. It is nearly complete and is covered in some remarkably intricate and ornate carvings. As well as gazing in awe at the vessel (and trust me you will) there is section in the museum on 17th century life in Stockholm. I found the whole experience captivating and thoroughly enjoyable. A very focussed and well designed exhibit.

If you do have some spare time in Stockholm, then this is definitely a "must see".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasa_museum