Brussels is a region of Belgium comprising 19 municipalities, including the City of Brussels, which is the de jure capital of Belgium. The Brussels-Capital Region is located in the central portion of the country and is a part of both the French Community of Belgium and the Flemish Community, but is separate from the region of Flanders (in which it forms an enclave) or Wallonia.

We woke up at 9 am and rang Grandma, Ash, Jas and Kim. It was nice to have good Wifi for a change, however this proved to be intermittent. We showered and headed out for breakfast - fresh savoury bagels and coffee from a little cafe close to the Gallarie du Centre.

Next the information centre in the Grand Place (Grote Markt) with its 15th century Town Hall. This square looked like Bremen but bigger and with much more gold trimming. It must have been a Hansa City.

The Infocenter suggested the free walking tour that we were already booked into. We had 90 minutes to wait so went to Monopoly Street (Nieuwstraat) which was the central shopping street. The expensive boutique shops first then the larger shops like H&M, C&A, PriMark and Hema. Highlights included St Michiels Cathedral originally from 9th century, the Belgian Royals marry here. Manneken Pis statue (boy weeing) to protest against the banning of boys pee instead of yeast on fresh brews of witloof beer. Designed by Hiëronymus Duquesnoy the Elder and put in place in 1618 or 1619. The current statue dates from 1965. A stroll through the colourful Rue des Bouchers and Saint Hubert's Galleries and the extensive Royal Park to the Royal Palace and Royal Square. Tin Tin's Wall. Tin Tin was the first line drawn style character to show expressions and have a daily comic strip in the Belgium newspaper.

On the way back we stopped a patisserie and bought a 5€ box of our selection of handmade sweets and pastries.

Our apartment is pretty basic but it's location is brilliant. We are one small block from the central Grand Place. We dropped in several times today to change, unload or use the toilet.

Fresh brioche in hand we joined the orange Viva Free walking tour with guide David, a proud Flemish Belgian. Belgium has 3 languages; French, Flemish and German. Our 2 hour tour took us to the central sites and local recommended eateries and bars.

We had a break and bought Fritland chips, beer at The Big Game Pub. Susie had the Belle Vue Cherry Beer. Nice but too sweet. Ron had the Hoegaarden Lager. And waffles at Boutique Waffel Mania, plain of course. For dinner Susie had Mussels and Ron had Roast Beef.

Brussels is formed from two words meaning Market by the Water. The king wanted to share in the wealth of the growing market and so took control of the building (now museum) and built the Admin Palace hence forming the square. The Palace was built in 2 parts. First the left wing and tower then later the smaller right wing. The city looks like our Hansa cities surrounded by impressive tall narrow guild halls on the other sides.

Checklist: for today:
Beers - woohoo
Fresh bakery - savoury bagels
Belgium fries - Fritland 3 Euro
Belgium Waffle (NO topping) - 1 Euro
Handmade chocolates - Le Temps du Sucre 6 Euro
Handmade patisseries - Rose de Ramas 5 Euro
Fresh Baguette - organic bakery in Brugge
Mussels - 10 Euro
Museum of Fine Arts - forgot to go and it was free today!
Manneken Pis - smaller than expected
Brioche fresh from the oven - 1,50 Euro
Palmier - fitted it in Friday breakfast, Paul's Cafe
Free Walking tour - Viva (excellent)