Alternating days in town (Brussels) with days out of town, a day trip to Ghent was perfect. As seniors only $8 round trip on the regional train, Very easy since it was the same direction as the train to Bruges. We are old hands at this now.

As Rick suggested we took a tram into central Ghent and then followed his walking tour. First stop Van Hoorebeke chocolates. Bought a sample caramel and then purchased a box.

Ghent is a beautiful town. A large draw is St. Bavo’s cathedral which has the Jan and Hubert van Eyck Adoration of the Mystic Lamb alterpiece. Twelve canvases that composed the first masterpiece done in oil. The 7 canvases on top are undergoing restoration so copies are in their place. But, the lower 5 have already been restored and are brilliant.

Carolyn did not see the alter piece. There was a line and it cost money. By the time I was out she was hungry so we went in search of food. A sign advertising fish soup – on the canal – sounded perfect. We walked through the building to the terrace in back and were happy that there were free tables. But once we sat down we learned why. Lunch was over and no dinner on Sunday. We expressed our disappointment and that all we wanted was 2 orders of soup. The waiter/owner went away and returned saying that the kitchen would make us soup. We were so fortunate. Carolyn declared it her best meal so far. We ate and tried to identify the ingredients: thai basil, coconut milk, lemon leaves, shellfish broth, shrimp, mussels, salmon, rice. Wonderful.

Delightfully full we wandered more through town stopping in a chocolate shop, home goods, lighting, painting gallery and a last bit of the sites before home.