First time in Belgium for Zoé

Even though we have been back for 4 weeks, a lot of memories from our recent trip to Europe are still fresh.

It was our first major trip with the new family. The day of our departure was very hectic as we did not only had to pack for baby Zoé, we also had to move to a new studio. On top of that Zoé, highly disturbed by the moving frenzy, was very unsettled, crying and needed to be fed constantly. My hopes of a smooth 12 hour flight to Amsterdam slowly faded. By the time our friend Sham picked us up, she calmed down a bit and to our great amazement, she slept throughout the flight in her personal cradle! ( I must admit, that little bed of hers, completely horizontal, with pillow and blankets, is better than what first class travelers get! … and me seated behind the bulk head, took my pillow and blanket and decided to sleep on the floor. First time I ever slept on a flight! )

Once arrived in Amsterdam, unlike first time visitors, Zoé peed on Dutch soil! Reason was that in the arrival hall, no diaper change room was available and she could not hold (babies usually don't do that!) In between a dirty and a clean diaper she saw chance to wet the hall floor! The Pope kisses the floor, Zoé pies on it!

The reason for this whole trip was to show our first born to my Mum and family. Whilst in maternity leave and me without any office commitments, this was a good chance for us to travel home.

Second reason was that we also wanted to have a baby dedication for her in Belgium. ( See below for more )

Our trip was blessed with good weather ( highly unusual sunny and dry at this time of the year! ), seeing many friends and spending quality time with Mum and my brothers and sister. Cheryl also had a chance to see a bit more of the village I grew up in and see other cities like: Brugge (Bruges or the Venice of the North), Antwerp and Brussels.

Belgium is widely known for its chocolates ( Pralines, we call them ) and the artisanal-more-than-400-beers.. Cheryl and I savored some of the fruit beers and we brought a kilo of chocolates back for a chocolate party for her colleagues.

For some pictures and comments, please click on the picture below:

First time in Belgium