Flower Carpet in Brussels

The beautiful Flower Carpet in Brussels

Post author:Maarten
Post published:15 August 2022
Post category:Belgium Brussels Events
Post comments:0 Comments

Brussels Flower Carpet 2022: Friday 12 August until Monday 15 August 2022 on the Grand Place in Brussels After four years, the beautiful Flower Carpet is back on the Grand Place of Brussels. This year's carpet has been carefully assembled on Friday 12 August and can be seen until Monday 15 August. The 2022 design is inspired by the first Brussels flower carpet of 1971. Every two years on the Grand Place As said, the first flower carpet in Brussels was seen in 1971 and since 1986 it has become a highlight every two years. The 2020 flower carpet was canceled because of the pandemic, so it has been four years since the last flower carpet on the Grand Place…

Wedding selfie with the bride

Attending a Turkish Wedding in Kütahya

Post author:Maarten
Post published:30 July 2022
Post category:Turkey
Post comments:0 Comments

A few months ago, while roadtripping in the USA, my friend Elif invited me for her wedding in Turkey. I had met Elif on a Couchsurfing meeting in Brussels in the summer of 2020, when the bars were open during the pandemic. Of course I immediately confirmed I was going to fly in to attend the big day. Flying in the summer can be extremely expensive, so I booked a return flight with Corendon Airlines. Both flights were at night but to Eskişehir Airport, 100 km from the hotel in Kütahya, and affordable with a total price of 260 euro. Flying Corendon Airlines from Brussels to Eskişehir Because of all the issues in the European airports, I arrived early at…

A destroyed warehouse in Hostomel

Visiting Kyiv, Irpin and Bucha in Ukraine at War

Post author:Maarten
Post published:25 July 2022
Post category:Ukraine
Post comments:0 Comments

As you may know, I cycled to Lviv and Ternopil in June in support of Ukraine. Many of my friends and family were worried about my trip to an active warzone. So I promised them to stay in the more safe West of Ukraine, far from the frontline. Unfortunately, or not, I found out it's possible to take an overnight sleeper train from Lviv to Kyiv. When my friend Svitlana's brother offered me to drive to Irpin and Bucha, I couldn't stop my curiosity anymore. I must go to Kyiv! Sleeper train from Lviv to Kyiv Normally fast trains are running between Lviv and Kyiv, but not anymore since the start of the war. Because a normal train ride now…

In the center of Lviv

Cycling from Belgium to Ukraine during the War

Post author:Maarten
Post published:16 July 2022
Post category:Ukraine
Post comments:3 Comments

Hello! I'm Maarten and I was cycling from Belgium to Ukraine during the War June 2022. You might think "To Ukraine? Are you crazy? Why?" I heard it all the time. First, yes, I might be a little crazy and I like a good challenge. In 2018 I cycled from Brussels to Saint-Petersburg in Russia in support of SOS Children's Villages. Secondly, I felt so helpless and couldn't just chill at home while my Ukrainian friends are living through times of fear, despair and immense uncertainty. Just last fall, I was attending a wedding in the beautiful city of Lviv. I have also visited Odessa, Kyiv, Chernobyl and Ternopil in the past years. As the horrible invasion is fading to…

Indian River in Portsmouth

Best Things to Do in Portsmouth, Dominica

Post author:Maarten
Post published:8 February 2022
Post category:Dominica
Post comments:0 Comments

Portsmouth is the second city of Dominica and a must visit when touring the island. I'm proposing four places to visit in just one day, all within walking distance. Get ready for a day of culture, nature and chilling at the beach, because Portsmouth has it all. Map of Portsmouth, Dominica Fort Shirley Fort Shirley is a renovated fort on a hill in the North of Portsmouth and has been recognized as UNESCO World Heritage since 1986. Both the British and French armies used the fort to defend the island during the 18th and 19th century. Fort Shirley is situated within Cabrits National Park, which requires a Single (5 US dollar) or Week Park Pass (12 US dollar). Cabrits National…