An early wake up again as we docked in Zeebrugge, Belgium, a busy industrial port and the largest car import / export location in Europe. We were the only cruise ship in town and were nestled amongst the thousands of containers stacked on the docks. But a short, 30-minute bus ride took us back to the medieval town of Bruges and cobblestone streets and sidewalks filled with the aroma of horse drawn carriages, chocolate and freshly baked waffles and the heady smells of the numerous breweries.

Bruges was mostly spared during the war and all the buildings date back centuries. Our guide for a 5 mile walking tour was knowledgeable about the architecture and history of the various buildings and churches we visited. We were treated to a 30-minute boat ride through the canals surrounding the city and it provided us with a different perspective of this wonderful medieval community with so much to offer.  

We enjoyed a decadent freshly made waffle topped the chocolate sauce and strawberries and sampled some even more decadent chocolate candies which of course prompted us to buy several boxes. We returned to the ship tired but exhilarated in having experienced a wonderful city crowded with visitors from all over the world.

After a short nap we celebrated with a dinner at the specialty Italian restaurant on board called Canaletto. New friends, Carol and Charlie were leaving us at our next port, Rotterdam and eight of us toasted our new friendship as well as wishing them safe journey. They are both retired FBI agents who worked mainly in the accounting side of tracking corrupt financial transactions although Carol did quite a bit of undercover work. A fascinating couple from New Hampshire who were on their way to Austria to visit with the "au pair" they used for their children many years ago. We hope they will visit us in Florida in the future. We arrive in Rotterdam, Holland in the morning. Oh, and a different "towel art critter" awaits us each night in our stateroom.