We have had some warm days already--I was beginning to think I had brought too many fall clothes. But today was cool (60s?) and rain was threatening. We boarded a boat for our canal cruise on the River Leie and shortly after pushing away from the dock, we returned to pick up colorful umbrellas (which we never used). A few sprinkles won't bother us!
Our effervescent boat operator and guide, Astrid, was funny and certainly enjoys her city and job. She described each bridge and building with enthusiasm and included enjoyable stories about Ghent's history. The buildings along the canal are very unique and colorfully built with a variety of materials and lots of quaint and decorative touches.
This fortress is called the Castle of the Counts, or Gravensteen, which was built in 1180 by Philip of Alsace. Erected outside the city walls, it was designed not to protect the Ghent people but to intimidate the city's independence-minded citizens. It now includes an armory collection, a reconstructed guillotine, torture devices, an 18-foot-deep dungeon, and great views from the tower tops, obviously.
I took lots of photos and only wish the sky would've been blue and I could remember all the things we saw. And having a human being narrate the tour is so much more interesting than a canned recording in multiple languages. Thank you, Astrid, for your sense of humor on the tour!
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