About Me

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Antwerp, Belgium
Welcome to the new, and improved version of Heaven in Belgium. I am Jientje. "Jientje", like the boys name Gene, followed by "chu"? "Gene-chu", that's how you pronounce my name. Yes!!!!That's it!! So now you know huh? I am an addicted blogger. I was born and raised and am still living in Belgium. Yeah, the "this-is- Tuesday-so-this-must-be-Brussels" kind of Belgium .. There, you see? Maybe you couldn't find it on the map, but at least I'm trying to change that a little by sharing lots of pictures. I really love to cook and create new things, like this blog for instance. I am a mother,a grandmothe and a wife too! They say I'm a traveler, and a photographer. Well that's just what they say, I love to make pictures, but I am far from professional ... If my English is not perfect, that would be because it's my second language. I do hope you'll forgive me any possible misspellings or strange vocabulary ... Now, as a result of all of the above, I get way too little sleep and my days are always much too short!

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Heaven is in Belgium

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Weekly Winners, Bruges ... Through my Eyes





Welcome to this new blog, dear visitors.
Jientje wanted me to guide this tour today.
She wants me to take you with me in the town where she was born.
She wants me to show you what this beautiful town looks like seen through my eyes.

I guess she has a point there.
After all, swans like me know their way around Bruges.


I think Bruges is the prettiest village in the whole world.
Hey, you don't have to believe me. After all, I'm only a swan.
But I live here, and I love my city.


I mean, look at that architecture.
I LOVE the old houses with their crow step gables. They feel so much like home.


Okay. I got a little carried away here. Don't want you get your wet feet while following me.
I almost forgot that your feathers are not as waterproof as mine.
There are umbrellas in case it might rain. After all, this is Belgium.
Hop on the boat, and I'll take you places, okay?


I know my way around the canals.
It's much like your streets, only on water. Right?

You folks of course need bridges to cross the water.

That's why Bruges has so many of them.


If I'm not mistaken, I think this is the oldest one.
But hey, names places dates ... I'm only a swan, okay?

There are always people watching us.
Hmmm, I think I like this.

But hey? We look like a fairy tale, don't we?




Come on, follow me.
There's still one place I want to show to you.
A very special place.


There...
The beguinage.


The place with the daffodils.
Breathtaking, isn't it?

There. I hope you enjoyed this little tour.
I know I did.
But I'm rather in a hurry.
I need to get back to my home now.
It's Spring you see. I still got a couple of things to take care of...


Find more Weekly Winners here.

35 comments:

Secret Agent Mama said...

See, now, I was saying like "Jen-che" with a soft e after the ch... I was kinda close. Eh?

Love the new digs!!! Love your photography!!!

Korie said...

I love the swans at Brugge. Great series this week.

tiarastantrums said...

Look at the daffodils!! I just watched that movie with Colin Farrel!! Lovely as always!!

GREAT NEW look!!

Leora said...

Bruges does indeed look lovely. Thanks for the tour, pretty swan. I love the bridges.

Evelyn said...

Thank M.Swan for the delightful tour, will you? I had no idea that Bruges was a city of canals...they fascinate me.

Libby's Library said...

Oh dear swan - I want to come their, I really really do. Please ask Jientje to get me a plane ticket, as soon as possible!!! PLEASE!

Libby's Library said...

I also want to learn to proof read...I want to come THERE!

Tara R. said...

This was a fun adventure in photos. Thanks for the tour

photomommy said...

I love the bridges.

Gattina said...

Brugge is lovely ! I also have a whole post on my Travel blog about it. Nice pictures !
You can see the chinese terra cotta soldiers today. They were exposed in Masseik.

Jenni said...

Wow! It's hard to pick a favorite this week. These are awesome!

Terri said...

Thank you, Swannee, for the tour of Bruges (how do you pronounce that name?). It is indeed a beautiful city. I love the architecture and the canals and bridges - and swans! It makes me want do-overs on my only trip to Europe 35 years ago (eek! that long?!). Well done, my friend!

Secret Mom Thoughts said...

Lovely shots. I especially love the reflections.

Becky said...

I didn't know you had canals there, I thought thatwas only in that other place with the canals, Vienna isn't it? I thought I had changed my info on your new blog, just out it didn't take. That's why I'm behind on reading you. What a beautiful place you come from. So much charm! The lake not far from my house has many beautiful swans. The 1st pair were a gift to Lakeland from the Queen of England in the 1950s. All the swans we have now are direct descendants of the original pair. Boy, have they been busy!! The statue of the woman dancing looks like me! I always like to dance like that!! Have I told you lately that I love your blog, the pictures and the stories you share. Thanks, Jientje!!

Avril said...

Thank you, beautiful swans, for the tour! It was amazing! Breathtaking daffodils! I've never seen anything like that before! I NEED to follow the swans and visit this beautiful town ...

~gail~mooselovingmamabear said...

You live in one of the most beautiful places in the world and I'm thankful to see it thru your eyes. The swan's are so majestic... take care gf..

Nessa said...

Beautiful and clever viewpoint.

Jeanette said...

Love the new layout! I always like your photos... very interesting

Neabear said...

I had to come and see who you are. I am followers of Libby and Sassydog and they follow me too. I see your comments on their blogs and figured it was time to check out your blog. I love all the pictures. So lovely. It would be so cool to ride along with you along the canals. Actually it really did seem like I was right there with you when looking at the bigger pictures. Nice to meet you!

Smoochiefrog said...

Thank you Mr. Swan for showing us the lovely city. I enjoyed the tour!

frogpondsrock said...

Thankyou gene-chu, I was saying jint chee.. Now I will practice saying your name.. My friend from Belgium, Jientje(gene-chu)

I absolutely love love love this weeks edition and the Swan is gorgeous. Our Swans are black and red I will try and photograph some for you..

Thankyou my friend...Thankyou very Much..

Jientje said...

@ Secret Agent Mama: Pretty close yes. Keep practising!
@ Lilacspecs: The prettiest sight in Belgium.
@ Tiara's and Tantrums: I'll have to do a Google search on that one!
@ Leora: believe me.Bruges IS pretty.
@ Evelyn. Bruges is so pretty. I would love to show it to you one day.
@ Libby: Of course, you can come too!
@ Gail: It's beautiful. So true!
@ Nessa: Yes, I enjoyed being a swan for a while!
@ Jeanette: Coming from you, that's a huge compliment!
@ Neabear! Welcome! Thanks for following me!
You were supposed to be right there with me!
@ Smoochiefrog: Quack! You're welcome!

@ Tara: You're welcome.
@ Photomommy: They're lovely.
@ Gattina: You KNOW, don't you?
@ Jenni: I like them too!
@ Terri: Brooge. I think that would be how you pronounce Bruges.
@ Secretmomthoughts: Did I ever tell you how much I love reflections?
@ Sassydog: The "other place with the canals is Venice, in Italy. Bruges is called Venice of the North. I love swans. And thank you for the compliment!
@ Avril: If you do, I'll give you the guided tour.
@

Jientje said...

@ Kim ( frogpondsrock) Keep practising, but you were close! Please photograph those gorgeous swans for me, black and red eh? Stunning like the sunsets on your beautiful island!

Christina | AmiExpat.com said...

Love the tour from the swan's perspective. So unique! And Bruges is beautiful. And now I know how to pronounce your name! I was saying the j's with a y sound like they do in Germany - WRONG! :)

Unknown said...

Tell our wonderful host of the tour thank you! Great adventure. :) You sure have a lot of swans around there too!

whybother said...

Thank you, Swan, you are a beautiful and informative tour guide. You do live in the most picturesque village on Earth, and I am very jealous. The architecture and waterways are simply astonishing. Thank you for giving us this glimpse of your world.

Robynn's Ravings said...

The whole PLACE looks like a fairy tale! I WANT TO VISIT!! (While I'm writing this I'm listening to our Canada Geese flying by overhead (daily occurance) and honking their encouragement. I think they said to say "hello" to you. :)

Karen MEG said...

YOur new place looks great... and I LOVE the tour... so colorful, and I love all the canals, bridges... picturesque is not saying enough.

Melli said...

Ohhhh that was AWESOME! Thank you Sir Swan! It was loving viewing life from your point of view!

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful tour. And by a Swan no less. You are one of the most creative people I know. The pictures are awesome. I had no idea there were so many canals in Beligum. I only thought that was in Florence. And what beautiful pictures. The Swan was awesome as is my Belgian Bombshell :)

Cherie said...

A lovely tour, and such a beautiful town. I love the flowers scattered among the trees. A tour through a swan's eyes, wonderful!

Carletta said...

Wonderful photo essay Jientje!

Jientje said...

@ Christina: Bruges is beautiful indeed!
@ Lisa: Bruges has a special bond with swans.
@ Whybother: You're welcome. I think it's pretty too.
@ Robynn's Ravings: Next time you see them wave back for me will you?
@ Karen MEG: I LOVE my new blog, I'm very very happy with it!
@ Melli: I enjoyed taking you with me on this little tour!
@ Thom: Your compliments make me blush! Bruges is called Venice of the North because of the many canals and bridges.
@ Cherie: The place with the daffodils is a beguinage. A stunning place.
@ Carletta: Thanks!

Christine said...

It is so like a fairy tale! I loved the tour on the canal. I would so love to jump in that boat and tour for real!

Tink *~*~* said...

The reflection shot under the bridge is just wonderful! :)

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