We headed down before breakfast to get to the Grand Place
before they had completed the floral tapestry.
They must have started very early as they were probably a little more than half done. The tapestry is vivid with primarily whites, reds, yellows and oranges that are reminiscent of Mexico and Mexican art. There is also the green of the grass, brown from mulch and pops of purple in the center.
They must have started very early as they were probably a little more than half done. The tapestry is vivid with primarily whites, reds, yellows and oranges that are reminiscent of Mexico and Mexican art. There is also the green of the grass, brown from mulch and pops of purple in the center.
We ate breakfast at a restaurant right on the square so that we could watch the progress. There were probably over a hundred volunteers laying out the flowers with a dozen people wandering around with color pictures of the design to make sure the flowers were being placed correctly.
The volunteers also had photos on the phones that they kept checking as they worked on the designs. And they all seemed to have fun taking pictures of themselves.
The volunteers also had photos on the phones that they kept checking as they worked on the designs. And they all seemed to have fun taking pictures of themselves.
There was a lot of press filming and photographing the work
and crowds of tourists watching.
Depending on the article one reads there are between 500,000 and 1 million flowers used to create the design. The flowers used this year were primarily begonias with some dahlias. The color shading was incredible.
Depending on the article one reads there are between 500,000 and 1 million flowers used to create the design. The flowers used this year were primarily begonias with some dahlias. The color shading was incredible.
We watched for about an hour but figured they had an hour or
more to go so we then headed off doing a bit of exploring. Just around the corner from our hotel is a museum dedicated to comic strip characters. We found out that Smurfs originated in Belgium.
The plaza in front of our hotel had an interesting statue of a seated man with a dog. We couldn't figure out the significance of the man but from the wear on his right leg it looked like a lot of people liked to sit on his lap.
We climbed the stairs up the side of a small hill and had great views of the city and the gardens.
We eventually ended up at the Royal Palace.
The plaza in front of our hotel had an interesting statue of a seated man with a dog. We couldn't figure out the significance of the man but from the wear on his right leg it looked like a lot of people liked to sit on his lap.
We climbed the stairs up the side of a small hill and had great views of the city and the gardens.
We eventually ended up at the Royal Palace.
It was very interesting and the ballroom was massive.
Then we walked down Rue Royale to a plaza with a large
memorial to the dead from World War I and II.
After lunch we stopped at Mary’s Chocolatier. Mary Delluc was the first woman chocolatier in Brussels, opening her shop in 1919. They have been suppliers of chocolates to the Belgian Royal family since 1942. So of course we bought a small stash to snack on over the next few days...including some marvelous marshmallow filled treats.
After lunch we stopped at Mary’s Chocolatier. Mary Delluc was the first woman chocolatier in Brussels, opening her shop in 1919. They have been suppliers of chocolates to the Belgian Royal family since 1942. So of course we bought a small stash to snack on over the next few days...including some marvelous marshmallow filled treats.
We then stopped back at the Grand Place to see the completed
floral tapestry. Magical.
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Watch video of completed carpet.
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After dinner we went back to the Grand Place for the sound and light show. Per the articles we read the show was to start at 9:30. We got there about 9:00 and the crowd was already 4+ deep at the barriers around the tapestry. And the show didn’t start until 10.
The lights on the buildings surrounding the square changed color to the rhythm of the music and there were many special effects with various light forms dancing over the facades. The first show ended with fireworks…not particularly high but very close.
Watch video of completed carpet.
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After dinner we went back to the Grand Place for the sound and light show. Per the articles we read the show was to start at 9:30. We got there about 9:00 and the crowd was already 4+ deep at the barriers around the tapestry. And the show didn’t start until 10.
The lights on the buildings surrounding the square changed color to the rhythm of the music and there were many special effects with various light forms dancing over the facades. The first show ended with fireworks…not particularly high but very close.
The main entertainment for the sound and light show was a
mariachi band from Mexico (since the tapestry is dedicated to Mexico). As luck would have it we had parked ourselves
in the midst of a group from Mexico and when the band came out things got very
exuberant. The group sang lustily along
with the band.
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Watch video of the musicians.
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The show ended with fireworks.
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Watch video of the fireworks.
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After the first show many people departed so we were able to get right up to the railings so that we had much better views of the buildings and the floral tapestry for the second show. Super ending to a special day.
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Watch video of sound and light show.
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