Stop Five - Japan Again

Stop Four - Sydney Again

Stop Three - Melbourne

Stop Two - Sydney

Stop One - Tokyo

London - Tokyo - Sydney - Melbourne - Sydney - Tokyo - London - halfway around the world in 15 days...

I definetely would not have thought 2 months ago, that I would be blogging about a second trip back to Aus before the end of 2006. However a great opportunity at work recently presented me with just that.

Current plans mean that from now on, I will probably be coming home 3-4 times a year for work, mostly in Sydney - but always finding time for at least a weekend in Melbourne.

Whilst the trip was mostly for work, I was lucky enough to also manage a weekend in Tokyo each way. Absolutely brilliant.

The following blogs are therefore proudly sponsored by www.fastrackuk.com (new website coming soon), my new little project.

Oxford

Photos to come...

Paris in a day

Photos to come...

Brugge, Belgium, Beer

Apparently....

"Just a few kilometres inland from the North Sea coast of Belgium lies the popular tourist city Bruge (spelled Brugge in Flemish, and sometimes also in English).

Its popularity stems from a stunning collection of architecture, canals, and art dating from medieval times.

At one time Bruge was a major centre of trade, but it suffered a gradual economic decline through the 1500s.

The city’s “neglect” became a major asset in the modern era of easy global travel and tourism.

Today, millions visit the city each year to enjoy the extraordinarily well-preserved feel of a town reaching back through centuries of history."

So Hilary and I, enjoying the European Summer long weekends, ventured over in late July to Visit Brugge... not really knowing any of the above, but instead enticed by the guiding light of so many travellers - the cheap weekend package from Expedia. Bless.

And whilst our trip to Brugge did involve the perusal of many wonderful historical, artistic and religious wonders including:

• a variety of museums tracking the rise of democratic ideas amongst the artisans and business people of Brugge


• the viewing of some amazing ancient art works in crypts, thought to be over a 1000 years old


• and of course visiting a church that held a vial of Christ's blood

- really, we quickly discovered that Brugge is actually all about Beer, waffles, chocolate, frittes with mayonnaise and for us forever now, Belgians singing Abba and The Village People in their 1000s in the city square of Brugge on Belgian national day. Brilliant.

Brugge is also known as 'the Venice of the north' for its beautiful canals and other trade, political and artistic similarities - however given the list of edible wonders above, I would highly recommend thinking carefully about the order in which boat trips on the canal and the consumption of many rich foods and beer occur. Good luck with that.