Tuesday 12 April 2016

Dijleland adventure from no. 63


Today, we went from 60 to 63 but we took the picture of 63 in the middle of the adventure and then to 64 and back along a route that wasn't with the numbers on the map. We passed by what we think is a cherry blossom tree but we're not sure. The only information we know is that it's flowers are whitish pink and it only blooms for 2 weeks.


As we went on, I said "What does light green and dark green represent on the map?" "I think the dark green represents paved and light green not paved. But on the map it said dark green is tarmac and light green is non tarmac.


We went into a forest and saw two strange benches. We tried to do a selfie there but it didn't work. So instead, Tonio took a picture of me on the bench. There were also some pull-up bars and I tried to hang on them. The tallest one was too tall for me so I had to get a really heavy and long log so I could reach it.


Then we went into a tunnel which was the under the same road we went to in the last adventure (but in Dijleland). And Tonio was doing his priest thing again...


We continued through the forest and I said, "Why don't we take a picture here? I like this line of trees." "If you want to take a picture, take it from here then if you like the line of trees."


When we reached sixty-four, we were about to turn back as we were supposed to on the map but I said "Why don't we go from here? It will probably still lead us back where we were supposed to go." "I don't think so." Tonio replied. "But I'll check on the map anyways." And turns out I was right! So we went the other way and it led us back as said on the map.



Then, on the way to the car, I said, "I'm hungry. Should we get something to eat?" "Sure. How about that snack place?" So we had two plates of fries, a coke and a Belgian beer called Orval. Then we went in the car and came home...

Did you enjoy it? If you have then join us on our next adventure!


GianlucaDeGringu

A Belgian, sunny Sunday afternoon experience

[By Tonio] Spring is finally with us. Not just the date, but the weather itself. Quite often now it's sunny and dry, and the light is brighter and lasts much longer. Bare branches are once again budding leaves, and one particular tree next to a railway track has a magnificent full crown of white flowers:


We set off again from no. 60 close to Leuven, this time heading towards no. 63. The first bit was through a relatively quiet residential area towards the forest and then the E40 motorway and a tunnel underneath it. On the way we sat down to rest on a bench at an exercise station in the forest:


Beyond the tunnel we reached an attractive area with forest paths. A short distance of 400 metres beyond this we reached no. 64, which was already 2.5 km from the starting point, so we needed to walk back to the start. We look forward to exploring this area in our next adventure.

Instead of going back from the same path we chose a different route, which wasn't part of the marked network, again across a railway track that we had crossed at a different position on our way out, and next to a brasserie where we simply had to stop and enjoy the Belgian sunny Sunday afternoon experience with a beer, a coke and one plate of frieten ("French" fries) each.

Monday 11 April 2016

Montenegro adventures day 5

Today, we went to The Monastery Of Ostrog. First, we travelled across the mountains and of course, spectacular views came before our eyes.


The monastery was built right into the mountains to protect Vasilje. The bishop who became a saint. The monastery has been known of doing many miracles, like when a baby fell down a mountain and didn't get hurt. We went into the monastery and it was beautiful. There was a lot of mosaic like the picture of a boy who was captured by the Turks and they asked him where the relics of Vasilje are. He refused to tell them so they started torturing him. They cut off his hands and legs and finally killed him. But a person ran away with Vasilje's bones but I don't remember who he is. But it was a miracle because the bones made him invisible. I even got a rock with the monastery of Ostrog in it.


 
Then, we went into another monastery called Zdrebaonik and we were in it when two nuns asked us if we wanted a tour of the monastery and we said yes. She asked us if we were Catholic or Orthodox and we said Catholic. Then they showed us into their house and gave us some buiscuits and something to drink. We talked about the monastery and she gave us tons of free stuff. Like soap, shampoo and I got to choose one thing of what I wanted and I got a picture of Christ and put it on my window sill of souvenirs of all our adventures. They were so kind. I even might come back when I'm older. Maybe.

Then, we went to the airport to take our flight. We packed and said goodbye to all the staff of the hotel and departed to Belgium

Did you enjoy the series of Montenegro? If you did, then join us on another adventure in our blog of  our ADVENTURES!!!


GianlucaDeGringu

Friday 8 April 2016

Montenegro adventure day 4

We started off by going to a river called Tara and it was beautiful. The water was turquoise and we took some pictures there.


 

Then we went to see a monastery called Dobrilovina. It was an Christian Orthodox monastery. Most of the monestaries in Montenegro are Christian Orthodox because it is the main religion in Montenegro. As we were going out, a white cat was following me out even out of the monastery and almost into the car!




Then we went to a skiing resort called Kolasin. There I had eaten some eggs and bacon. It was sooooooo good! So good I think my mouth watered when I saw it. Seriously, I highly recommend the food in Montenegro.



We passed on the river Tara again and we went on a old bridge which was supposed to be ok for cars but we had our doubts, so we went another way.


After a long while driving in the mountain we finally came to the Tara River Canyon. The bridge is 150m from the river. At that moment, it started snowing. I took a big rock and threw it into the river. It went to the side of the river. We took many pictures of the river Tara from there.








The next stop was Zabljak. The place that holds the Black Lake and tons of snow. We went to see the Black Lake but the snow was covering it. If only it was summer and we could go kayaking in the Black Lake. Soooo refreshing...





Then we went to a restaurant. It was where we had dinner. I tasted the local food of Zabljak which was some mashed potatoes and cheese all put together in one clot. Unfortunately though, it was the only food in all of Montenegro that I didn't like! So I swapped plates with Tonio and he had beef with bacon inside. That though, was great.

We had a long ride home and finally, when we came back, we brushed our teeth, I had a shower, and we went to sleep...

Did you enjoy it? If you did, then I'll see you next time on Montenegro Adventures!

GianlucaDeGringu

Montenegro adventure day 3

Today, we went to see the old town of Bar. First, we went over the mountains and I said, "Do people live in these old houses way up high in the mountains?" And Rado (our new taxi driver) said "In summer, people take food and drink and holiday there for about two or three days."

Then we went to a place but unfortunately though, I don't remember the name of it. [Comment by Tonio: Virpazar] We had the local food there which was a type of bread with honey and cheese. It was the best!



 

 

After that, we went to old town Bar, where we went to the fortifications of Bar and saw many spectaclar views and Rado pointed out that you could see the line of old town Bar and new town Bar. The city had two sides a new side and an old side.




 



Then, we went to the oldest tree in Europe. In Montenegrin the tree is called "Stara Maslina". It is an olive tree and is 2,000 years old and still produces olives! This tree has been put in protection in 1957. There we bought a magnet for Mum at home.


As we were going back to Hotel M, we passed by lake Skadar but for some reason we couldn't find any photos there. We came back to the hotel and ordered a pizza. It wasn't the best pizza ever but hey, as long as my stomach is full I'm fine with it. Tonio said "I shouldn't eat so much. It's unnecessary food." "But it's the holidays. In holidays you can eat as much as you want!" "Good point" he replied and ate two more pieces. Then we brushed our teeth and went to sleep. Did you have fun? If you did, join us next time on Montenegro adventures!


GianlucaDeGringu

Friday 1 April 2016

Montenegro adventure day 2

The next day I woke up in the morning while Tonio was having a shower. We got ready and went down to breakfast. The breakfast was good! The staff were treating us like special guests as if we were the only ones there. The owner gave us a cake but I'm not a big fan of cakes. So I said I was full.

After breakfast we got ready to go out. A taxi driver called Miko took us out for a tour to the bay of Kotor. It sounded interesting. First he took us to a monastery and there weren't any pictures allowed in the monastery of course. But even outside the inside of the monastery we couldn't take a picture. So we had to go outside to take a picture.


The town was called Cetinje and it used to be bustling with people but now all the factories and big companies have closed so they had to go to other big cities. The 10,000 remaining citizens have to go to bigger cities like Budova to go to work. There I bought a cheap umbrella that broke a little later.




After that we went into the mountains. As we rose higher the fog started coming and blocking our view. We stopped many times to take a picture. Finally, we reached the most beautiful view in all of Montenegro. Unluckily there was dense fog that made the view all the worse!

Suddenly, I started feeling car sick! Tonio advised me to lie down and not play my Nintendo 3DS xl. Then I got better. As we started going down, I saw the wonderful views of the bay of Kotor (shame I didn't get to see the best view. I could only see five metres ahead of me)!

Finally, we reached the bay of Kotor. There were many boats and clams on the walls of the bay. Kotor is also the place where the 1,300 stairs are. Miko took many pictures of us in the bay of Kotor and it was beautiful.





Then we reached Budva, a place where many teens and 20s people hang out. There we had our first Burek (the national food of Montenegro).

After that we went to Sveti Stefan, a hotel island which used to be a fishermen island. There were 400 fishermen but by 1940 fishing wasn't as popular and there were only 20 fishermen left. So they built a very expensive hotel instead. Celebrities have spent holidays there. There was also a red beach and we walked on it. It was refreshing.





Then we came back from the mountains. Although this time, it was not foggy. We stopped to take pictures many times for there was a beautiful view.



We went back and ate at Pod Volat. I took some chicken leg (it had a lot of salt) and Tonio took some "Lamb Under The Bell" a lamb shank which was very good!

After we went back to the hotel where the staff offered us the local drink again. After that we went into our room, watched some TV, I played a bit on my nintendo 3 DS xl, we brushed our teeth, I had a shower and finally we drifted off to sleep.

I had lots of fun that day. Did you have fun too? If you did then join us on the next day in The Adventures In Montenegro!


GianlucaDeGringu