Monday, 12 November 2018

Bilzen

  For one day and one night, I went to visit Amber, a former exchange student who stayed in Melfort. Amber's parents had some different beers for me to try which was great. During the day Amber took me to see a see-through church, caves, and a big castle. 

  The first stop that Amber and I made was to an artwork called "Reading Between the Lines". This is a church that was built so that you could see through and view the landscape. Some pictures of it are below. 

Me standing in front of the church

One angle of the church

Another angle of the Church 



  Seeing the caves was my favourite activity. The caves, called Caves of Kanne, is a cave system that was created by people taking stones to be used in their houses. Inside the caves, it is usually around 11 degrees no matter the time of year since it is so well insulated. In the cave system, some fossils of fish from the prehistoric era were found. There are paintings of various things in the caves as well. Most of these paintings are of the animal fossils found in the caves.

  In the caves, there is a gala area which can be rented to host a party. The tour guide also offered everybody a local beer that is stored in the caves. 

  The caves have also been used to grow mushrooms in the past, but not so much now. The guide did show us one place where some mushrooms were being produced. 

  It was a cool tour. 

  The last thing Amber showed me was Alden Biesen. This was a beautiful big castle that is much bigger than Gravensteen in Gent. Right now Saint Nick is there with all his helpers. Saint Nick's helpers were showing the kids how to climb a roof. There were also many other activities for kids happening around the castle. A few pictures of it is below.

Amber and I in front of the Castle

 Front view of the Castle

Inside the Garden of the Castle


  After this Amber and I went back to her house and had some coffee and sandwiches before I headed back to Gent.

  Thanks again to Amber and her parents for being so nice while I visited them!