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Drug Opera

by Vincent June 29, 2008

written by Vincent

A rather large English style pub spread over three floor the Drug Opera bar and restaurant takes its name from an old pharmacy that used to occupy previously the same location. Place is rarely ever packed so it makes it a good spot for a drink or some quick food in a calm decor away from the hustle and bustle.

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Photos of the Drug Opera from outside during the day

The main entrance of the Drug Opera

Close up of the drug opera sign

The imposing bar: First thing you see as you enter

swirling around the bar

View all the way to the end of the downstairs portion

At the end looking back catching a glimpse of the 2nd floor

Stair going upstairs

2nd floor of Drug Opera pub

lots of Empty seats

Looking down this time at the 1st floor

3rd and last floor not quite opened yet

Drug Opera seen at night this time again from the exterior

June 29, 2008 0 comments

View from high up

View over Brussels from 10th floor of Parking 58

by Vincent June 26, 2008

written by Vincent

You could pass by the shapeless building of the Parking 58 hundreds of times without even noticing it.Â Though the structure is uninteresting by itself it does have a surprise in store for those looking to get a free panoramic view from high up of the city of Brussels. All you need to do is take the elevator to the last open floor to get a superb view over Brussels from all sides. Open daily from 7am until 1am (or 2am Friday and Saturday).

The Parking 58 was demolished in 2017

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View in direction of the Basilica of Brussels seen way in the back

The baroque tower of the Church St. Catherine

Part of Church St. Catherine with MarchÃ© au Poissons on ground level

The tower from another angle

The Grand place at a distance with its town hall tower

Closer look at the tower

Street leading to the Nord section of Brussels

Few more views of Brussels

June 26, 2008 1 comment

Police

Brussels police demonstration Grand Place

by Vincent June 25, 2008

written by Vincent

While I was passing by the Grand Place today I noticed a large crowd gathered and some sort of police demonstration that was going on and decide to take some photos of the event that was already well underway. It was in fact the annual “fastes de la police de Bruxelles Capitale” event that celebrates the Police of Brussels.

The Belgian Police had just received a new motorcycle to gradually replace their old BMW’s that were proudly on display during the show.

View from the back

The motorcycle Police started doing some stunts with their bikes

Impressive display rolling by of 10 police officers on 3 bikes

Back view as they go by

Both feet on the seat

one foot on the seat and another in the air

Seen from the side

Now few stunts with feet On the side

La brigade canine de Bruxelles or in English the Brussels K9 Brigade had their own little display of force.

Dog going for the jump

Powerful K9 Jaws in action

This time the Intervention is on a car with at first one dog

Then another on the suspect destabilizing its victim

The show Ended with a Parade

June 25, 2008 0 comments

statue

War Pigeons commemorative statue

by Vincent June 24, 2008

written by Vincent

Belgium is most likely the only country in the world to possess a statute to honor the “pigeon soldat” or soldier pigeon and his contribution during both Great World wars.

Whether released at 500 m or 100 km from home, even in certain cases over 1,500 km, the messenger pigeon has that fantastic ability to always know its way back.This trait was detected a long time ago, notably by Julius Caesar who, during the invasion of Gaul, used homing pigeons to send messages back to Rome to inform headquarters of his campaign’s progress.

On the other hand the Myth of the pigeon that you sometimes see in movies which is released and asked to take a message somewhere and then return, doesn’t exist. The pigeon is only able of returning home. This is why, in order to send a message to several places, pigeons raised at each destination have to be taken out.

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Statue honoring the War Pigeons

Another perspective

The Monument au Pigeon Soldat in it’s entirety

June 24, 2008 2 comments

Theme park

Mini Europe

by Vincent June 19, 2008

written by Vincent

The theme park of Mini-Europe is one of outstanding quality where all the countries in the European Union are represented here in 1:25 scale models of buildings of socio-cultural, historic and symbolic interest.
The 6 acre wide park includes the Acropolis of Athens, Danish houses from the days of the Vikings, Leuven town hall, the austere monastery of El Escorial commissioned by Philip II to the northwest of Madrid, houses lining Amsterdam’s canals (17C), the English city of Bath which is a masterpiece of 18C town planning, the Pompidou Center in Paris etc.

There is here definitely something for everybody’s taste: Lovers of history, enthusiasts of the European Union, people remembering their latest journey, people preparing their next tour or simply people having a nice stroll.

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Here are the photos of just about all the 1:25 scale models featured in Mini-Europe by Country and alphabetic order:

Austria