Archive for the “Europe” Category

Recently I was lucky enough to be sent to Prague for an Immunology Congress. In addition to attending a dynamic summit, I managed to find some time to do a bit of sightseeing in between keynote sessions and meetings. I climbed all the way up to the millennia-old Prague Castle for a spectacular view across Vltava River and into the old town. I then wandered through the 15th Century Golden Lane, as well as St Vitus Cathedral, Old Royal Palace, St George’s Basilica and the Daliborka Tower. The air was bitingly cold, but the snow gave a soft beauty to the town.

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Instead of paying 20 euro per day for a CitySightseeing bus, we recommend that our visitors pay 6 euro for a day pass on the Brussels public transport system that includes trams, metros, and buses. This JUMP pass can be bought at all train stations and at automated ticket machines at all metro stations.

If they’re not catching the metro to see the Atomium and Mini-Europe, then I recommend bus 27 as a great line that stops at many interesting places. It runs from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. every 12 minutes on weekdays and every 20 minutes on weekends.


Stop Highlight Hours
Gare du Midi Thalys and Eurostar international trains Everyday. 7 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Jeu de Balle Flea Market Everyday. 6 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Grand Sablon Wittamer cafe and Marcolini Chocolatier Every day. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Royale Musical Instruments Museum and Magritte Museum Tuesday-Sunday. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Closed Mondays, 1 Jan, 1 May, 1 & 11 Nov, 25 Dec
Luxembourg Parlamentarium Mon 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. Tues-Sun 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Closed 1 Jan, 1 May, 1 November, 24 & 25 & 31 Dec
Parc Leopold Natural History Museum
(10 minute walk through the park)
Tues-Sun 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed Mondays, 1 Jan, 1 May, 25 Dec
Merode Military Museum and Autoworld Tue-Sun 10:00 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Closed Mondays, 1 Jan, 1 May, 1 November, 25 Dec

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A powerful writer can change the physical world.

A fictional 1991

Harry: Platform 9 ¾? But, Hagrid, there must be a mistake. This says Platform 9 ¾. There’s no such thing. Is there? Hagrid?

Harry: Excuse me sir, can you tell me where I might find Platform Nine and Three-Quarters?
Station Guard: Nine and Three-Quarters? Think you’re being funny do ya?

A whimsical 1999

Although the new signage may concern some at Hogwarts, who enjoyed the previous discreteness of the platform, the new sign is likely to help many new students who are making their first time visit. Naturally, no muggles will be able to pass through the wall and access the actual platform itself.

My magical 2012

Lydia: Excuse me sir, can you tell me where I might find Platform Nine and Three-Quarters?
Station Guard: Walk along that way and it’s right after the sandwich stall.

This year I was able to tick off item #29 on my “To Do” list, and visit Platform 9 ¾ and Kings Cross Station for myself.

Trivia: J. K. Rowling chose King’s Cross Station as the portal that would take Harry to Hogwarts because this was where her parents met on a train to Scotland

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For the month of June, my mum and Josef swapped their house in Australia for a house in Andalusia, Spain. We flew down there for a week to share some time with them in the sun. After a very dreary summer here in Brussels, it was lovely to see some bright blue skies and feel some warmth on our cheeks.

Hayden had his first splash in a pool, but then that night had a mysterious 38oC fever and started developing some strange spots on his legs. At first we thought that it was an allergic reaction, but Adrian emailed one of his paediatrician colleagues, and they said it was likely chicken pox, which was later confirmed. The timing worked out quite well, as we were already on holidays, and the itching didn’t seem to bother Hayden too much. He is very fond of his grandma, and was happy to spend many hours in her arms as he recuperated.

We took a day jeep tour up into the mountainous Sierra Morena, which was quite charming. I enjoyed strolling through the narrow winding streets of the white village of Istán, eating juicy oranges straight from the tree, discovering the cork tree forests in Laurisilva, and finally relaxing in a secluded cool swimming hole with its own waterfall.

I found Andalusia to be a very relaxing region, with its semi-arid climate drawing in tourists like us from the cold wet north. Despite his virus, I think that Hayden had a great time, with both his parents and one set of grandparents to give him constant attention and lots of cuddles.

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