Port Visit 4: Brugge, Belgium

Right now, we're in Zeebrugge, Belgium right now. We're participating in Belgium's Navy Days. There are ships here from Ireland, UK, Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium. We've been giving tours for the locals the last couple of days, so we've been busy showing off the ship. It's been pretty fun, but very tiring.

We're fulfilling an important diplomatic mission so far on this deployment. Showing support for our NATO partners and enjoying their hospitality. This role really does have an "old Navy" feel to it. We're not launching missiles or chasing subs, but I have the feeling that our role, however small, is helping keep our allies together and on focus during the war on terror. The Belgians and esp. the Dutch are very gracious and fun-loving people.

I got off the ship the first day we pulled in and got to head out into Brugge (the tourist town just east of here). It was beautiful. All would really enjoy a trip over here to "old Europe". The hospitality is nice, food was good, and plenty charming. Joe (OPS) and I took the tram to the train station in Blankenburg, then hopped the train into Brugge. We got so see some of the country side, which reminded me of England. Lots of farm land and cows, and windmills.

Downtown Brugge was amazing! Lots of old world charm and neat architecture. Huge cathedrals and buildings that look like castles. There were a couple canals that ran through the center of town with beautiful buildings and along the water, very picturesque. All the buildings looked like they had a story to tell. Most buildings had flower boxes lining the windows and there were very few cars. Most to the townies seemed to get around by walking or riding a bike. I also noticed no one has to lock up their bicycles either. What a concept!!

Joe and I had dinner at a nice little restaurant called Mozart's. We sat on the front terrace overlooking a canal. I ordered the "Mozart Steak" which came out raw?!? Then they brought out a "cooking stone" that was app. 450 degress Celsius! I got to cook my dinner right there, adding spices, onions and mushrooms to the mix. It was served w/ french fries and a salad, overall, a very tasty meal! Joe had the typical Belgian waffle w/ a scoop of ice cream, which I'm sure Azzy and Dad would've enjoyed! We ran into several American groups touring western Europe too, it was nice to hear regular English!

On the way back to the base, we met up w/ some Dutch sailors from the ship moored alongside us. Of course they invited us back to their ship for a beer or two ;) They were on the brand new Aegis Frigate "De Ruyter". It was the newest ship of the line w/ all the bells and whistles of our Arleigh Burke Class Destroyers, but with a much needed improvement...a full bar ;) We had Dutch beer on tap and any call drink you could think of. They were fun loving and very drunk. The music was good and we had a good time. It was truly a great opportunity. Too bad we couldn't do that on our ship, it might make u/w a little more fun ;)