Europe 2022 – Brussels Day 8

Posted on August 2, 2022 by jmatie22

For this day, unintentionally spent the whole day in Brussels.

We started off the day by heading to the Midi train station to catch a train Cologne, Germany (where we would fly direct to Athens). However, as we got to the train station, we found out it was cancelled. The next flight at 2pm (direct from Brussels to Athens), got booked up pretty quickly. So had to catch a 7:30pm flight, and basically wait the day in Brussels.

Ended up getting a day hotel at a place called Novotel (used this website, which I highly recommend): https://www.dayuse.com. From 10am to 6pm the cost was only $70.

Got a good extra 4 hours of sleep (definitely needed from the night before). After, we did end up walking around Midi, where we grabbed an Italian lunch/dinner at this place:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2022/08/02/midi-eats/

We then headed to the airport to catch our flight to Athens (it was 30 minutes delayed). To our surprise, they continued the Tomorrowland theme by having a DJ laying at the Airport! With the time difference plus 3 hour flight, we got to Athens airport slightly past midnight.

Europe 2022 – Brussels Day 7

Posted on August 2, 2022 by jmatie22

Last day of Tomorrowland! Before going to Tomorrowland, got a Belgian waffle for brunch (had to since I was in Belgium). Details can be found here:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2022/08/01/le-roi-de-la-gaufre/

We got to Tomorrowland at about 6pm, but made a point to check out the other stages we didn’t see. First up was Quintino at the Rose Garden stage. I actually liked his set since he was mainly playing top 40 EDM from 10 years ago. After, Artbat and the first 10 minutes of lost frequencies at the Main Stage. Then headed to see Adriatique at the Core stage, which people say has Tulum vibes (I could see why). Then, caught Bass Jackers at the Library. we finished off the night at the Freedom Stage and saw Adam Beyer.

For after partying, we grabbed drinks at shops just outside the exit of Tomorrowland. Can’t say I remember too much of the after party :).

On a side note, at Tomorrowland, I tried the chicken balls, which has tika masala sauce on the inside. It tastes amazing. Highly recommend. I also did get some dim sum. I feel neutral on that selection.

Europe 2022 – Brussels Day 6

Posted on August 1, 2022 by jmatie22

Aside from lunch, this day was spent basically at Tomorrowland.

Had lunch at this cafeteria called Wolf, which had a bunch of international eateries. Details can be find here:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2022/07/31/wolf-hanoi-station/

Afterwards, we grabbed coffee at this place:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2022/07/31/corica/

For Tomorrowland, we checked out these DJs: Horse Meat Disco (Kara Savi Stage), Simon Dunmore (Kara Savi Stage), Above and Beyon (Crystal Garden), and Charlotte de Witte (Main Stage). We also checked out a random DJ at the rave cave.

In terms of food, tried their roasted chicken, with ribs and what they call a “meatball” (which basically looks like a muffin, but made out of chicken sausage).

Europe 2022 – Brussels Day 5

Posted on July 30, 2022 by jmatie22

Started the day by checking out the Jeanneke Pis (which is supposed to counter the Manneken Pis).

Afterwards, took a walk around. Visited the Statue de Roi Albert and then walked by the Place de l’Albertine.

Afterwards, checked out the Royal Palace of Brussels (only the outside), the park beside it (called Brussels Park), and walked outside the Federal Building.

After, walked over to the Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula. Very beautiful church (organ is interestingly on the left side versus being at the back.

For lunch, grabbed something at a chain here called Cup Pasta. Here are the details:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2022/07/30/cup-pasta/

The rest of the day was spent at Tomorrowland.

Some details on Tomorrowland: shuttles are located at the North Brussels train station (not the central station), and you need to pick up your wristbands every day. Uber ride costs $110 for a 6 person passenger van (to the festival).

The drop off point for shuttles is a 15 minute walk from the main event.

Security is fairly relaxed. They take a quick look inside your bag, and a very relaxed “pat” of the bag.

For will call, they don’t check your name matching your ticket (in fact, as I took out my passport, they told me to just put it away).

For buying drinks, you need to load your wristband with “perls”. Each Perl is 1.66 euros.

The stages we went to on the first day were Leaf, Youphoria, MainStage and Freedom Stage.

The DJs we saw were: Christophe (Freedom Stage), Boris Brejcha (MainStage), and Eric Prydz (Freedom Stage).

Europe 2022 – Brussels Day 4

Posted on July 29, 2022 by jmatie22

We left Madrid around 10:30, and arrived at Brussels 12:30pm with Ryan Air. Gotta say the Brussels airport is really nice. It seems pretty new, and there are a bunch of shops. Although the only things is we got dropped off at the tarmac vs. an actual gate.

We took a taxi to the Airbnb (It cost basically the same as taking an Uber). Along the way the taxi driver did point out some UN places (apparently Brussels has the UN council buildings here).

From the Airbnb, we went to Galerie Royales St Hubert that had a bunch of eateries, and grabbed a coffee at this place:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2022/07/29/aksum-coffee-house/

We then ate lunch on Rue des Bouchers, at a place called La Terrasse. This is where I tried the Belgian beer, Chimay, for the first time (I think it’s either a double or triple beer). Details found here:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2022/07/28/la-terrasse/

After, walked to the Grand Place, and shopped around that area a bit.

After, walked to Menneken Pis (since apparently that’s a thing), then headed back for a quick nap.

Later at night, grabbed dinner near the Grand Place. Details are here:

http://food.johnmatienzo.com/2022/07/29/mykonos-pitta-gyros/

And then finished the night at the Delerium Cafe (lots of people there. Seemed like lots of them are from hostels). Definitely brought back some college memories.