32 —- Sunday, December 13, 1998 — North Shore News Expense accounts al north shore news WF? TRAVEL ive and weil in Belgian city BRUSSELS — Belgium did not feature large in my school curriculum other than one teacher pointing out that the correct royal title was King of the Belgians rather than the King of Belgiom. (And also the fact thet Belgians were the world’s biggest beer drinkers). Since then [have been to the place and while [have not met the king [have tricd some of the 400 beers which come from 200 breweries in an array of strengths from medium to mind-altering. But there is more. The Belgians also serve up the world’s best mussels and fries, known here as moules and frites. The moules are cooked ona bed of celery, parsley and onion and the frites fried not once, but tvice. It is the national dish, at least it would appear to be in the capital city of Brussels, and if'a Belgian is happiest with a pot of moules, a dish of fiites and a jug of beer it should come as no surprise that the national waistline is heroically belt-challenged. To be sure there are many fine restaurants in the city offering fare as fine as France but beware the cost. It is pos- sible to pay mightily through the nose for the simple reason that few of the diners are pay- ing for their own meals. Brussels is home to the European Commission, NATO and more than 1,000 multi-national companies (making it a world capital of expense-account dining). It’s possible to pay a lot, and needlessly, in the tourist areas such as around Grand- Place. The secret is to do as in travel talk couples here walk armani and time and again can be seen embracing in the street or at outdoor cate tables. It must be the moules. Majestic as Grand: Place is, 1 preter Sablon for its village feel, cobbled streets, cafes and antique shops. Every weekend features a street market with hundreds of stalls selling antiques and books. Brussels is rich in. museums and art galleries including the Belgian Centre of the Comic Strip. An enduring attraction is the Atomium, centrepiece of the 1958 World's Fair in which an iron molecule was entarged 165 billion times. There are escalators inside and even a view from the top. There was a memorable Magritte exhibition not long ago, while coming up at Antwerp (May 15 to August 15) is a major exhibition te mark the 400th anniversary of the birth of Anthony van Dveh, court painter of the English King Charles 1 (he is buried in London at St Paul's). Antwerp, by the way, is known these days for the good life as much as dia- monds. Bruges, where the Flemish were thriving in the 1300s, is within easy driving distance, as is Ghent, the Ardennes and a fistrul of karopean neigh bours, Distances are short and trains fast and comfortable, Fer cvample the new TGV to Parts rakes less then YO min- utes, Driving in Brussels itself as in aay big city, is not recom: wended. Ifyou must, beware the bizarre tendeney for cars Rous War, aad vets Quickly, rom the right, even trom minor roads. It is a local form of population control. The people, however, are tiiendly, and mast speak English. The Freneh speakers are not always happy to alk to the Flemish, and vice versa, but English is an acceptable no-man’s land. Other events coming up in 1999 include the opening of the Royal Greenhouses to the public around the end of April, Brussels Jazz Marathon May 28-30, and a rock festival lu upped oa at | —_* at Torhout and Werchter July 2 and 3. There will be a James Ensore retrospective ar the Roval Museums of Fine Arts ia Brussels Seprember 24 to January 21, 2000, in which vear Brussels celebrates as Cultural Capital of Europe. Lutthansa flies daily non- stop trom Vancouver to Frankfurt with frequent con- nections to Brussels. JAYLORMCOTIVE | | COLLISION SPECIALISTS | A.R.A. B.C.A.A. - APPROVED CENTRE ‘shop ALL MAKE COLLISION REPAIRS “LIFETIME GUARANTEE” Alternative transpertation arranged YELLOW PAGES Our-39th Year, ‘A TALKING x Estimates * 299-9000 Consultation (741515. 985-7455 David Wishart photo A coupic empraces at a cafe in the Sablon district of Brussels. a city David Wishart reports which is rich in museums, art galleries and, or course, moules and frites. & Adventure in Bali & Singapore! trom $1399 pp sharing twin Deluxe 4-Star hotels from $1579 pp * Singapore Airlines flights « 3 nights First Class hotel in Singapore « * 12 nights acconimodaition in Bali ¢ * Buffet breakfast daily * All transfers « * 3 full day + 2 half-day sightseeing tours - Valid Jan. 7 - March 31/99. Book NOW! G “y TRAVEL FE X PERT s 926°8511 1716 Marine Drive West Vancouver, BC From $39One. From *350nr. BC. Reg. 421906 ~ PUERTO VALLARTA 3 NIGHTS/AIR FARE MAGIC INN ANAHEIM From *499r.. MALAYSIA AIRLINES /SPECIFIC DATES ONLY Taking You Where You Want To Go ASIA From *B20ne._ Wishing You a Safe & Happy Gift vouchers available Holiday season! : 8 . , . 1305 Lonsdale Ave., Park Royal North, Thank you for your business in 1998. North Vancouver West Vancouver Best wishes for a prosperous New Year 4 986-5855 913-1640 I All locations ore registered with the BC. Travel Re = " itons apply. prices per person ex Vancouver anes may apply Paris and compare prices post- ed outside restaurants. Don’t forget to study the wine lists. One night I had a simple but good meal with wine at Leon for the same price as a bortle of overpriced wine at the Toulouse- Lautree. Grand-Place, with its baroque and gothic guild houses and town hall, is one of the greatest squares in the world and unmistakably European. Unlike North America, where young peeple don’t even dance together, WEST RVCENTRE - SALES * SERVICE * RENTALS es SRS Gy oe oe Oe ee Oe Oe ee ee ee ° GO WEST will be closed between December 19th thru January 5, 1999 for the holidays Make Magical Memories! Picture your family on a magical Disneyland: vacation in Southern a California. Because now is the best time to come! Explore the new } Tomorrowland and ail its latest attractions. Plus enjoy parades, shows, and favourite Disney Characters at the Park, And with the multi-day Disneyland. Flex Passport, you'll enjoy more days of fun! Start planning now to