If my trusted two to three readers may remember, in January I wrote a couple of articles mentioning my good friend Mr. Gold. He provided clarification on some key subjects, gave his input on others, and was an overall helping hand. After a fruitful collaboration in January we somehow abruptly parted ways. He continued his learning curve, sharpening his skills and becoming more knowledgeable, whereas I tried to make way on my own.
For this photo report, I have decided to invite my good friend back. Will he continue to be a presence on OLAAF? Hard to say at this moment, but considering how much he has improved and his overall willingness to help out, I am tempted to ask for his input more often. After all, he only asks for a bottle of bubbles every now and then. Considering that I like bubbles, I would call that a bargain.
I would like to think that I don’t need to remind everyone of a well-known fact, namely, that Brussels and Belgium in general are very beautiful. Spring comes early, at least compared to my home country Latvia. Yes, it rains a lot. Yes, there are months with almost no sunny days. But the early blooming of flowers, the green in the parks, the warm winters, and the freshness of rain make up for the lack(-ish) of sunny days.
But this photo report is not about Belgian weather. It is about two beautiful places that bloom during spring. One is the Floralia Brussels and the other is the Hallerbos Forest. Let me start with Floralia. What it is? I’ll let Mr. Gold give his two cents as well, beginning with this wonderful castle that you see above and in additional photos below.
The Castle of Groot-Bijgaarden is a historic castle located in the municipality of Dilbeek, just outside of Brussels, Belgium. The castle was originally built in the 12th century as a residence for Almaric Bigard, the first lord of Bigard, and has since been renovated and restored several times.
Unfortunately, the castle itself is not open to the public, but visitors can admire its impressive architecture and façade from the outside. I must admit I was a bit let down when you could not see this impressive building from the inside. Furthermore, there was a part of this castle that was sealed off with a police tape, that suggests, at least to me, that it is not being taken care of. I might be wrong, but that was the impression that I got. Yes, from the outside it appears looked after, but when you start to look closer then you can see some kind of neglect. If I am wrong, you are free to correct me.
(the picture above is not on the castle, but on the bridge building)
Until my visit, I thought that most castles in Belgium are inhabited by their owners or at least by tenants who use it as a place of business. Also, considering the significance of the Floralia show I was under the impression that we might see more of the structure. And this is not to say that the garden is not enough. It has Instagram content for at least a couple of days if you are a hardcore influencer. Nevertheless, this is a place to visit, even if you go there just to see the castle and you end up only looking at it from the outside.
Floralia Brussels is an annual flower show and exhibition held in the spring on the grounds of the above-mentioned castle. The event typically takes place in April and May and attracts thousands of visitors each year. Even though we went there in late April everything was still blooming and colorful, and full of people enjoying the fresh air and taking hundreds of Instagram pictures.
During the event, the castle’s gardens and surrounding grounds are transformed into a colorful display of blooming flowers, including tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and other spring blooms. The displays are carefully designed and arranged to create a stunning visual experience for visitors. It is said that the grounds have at least a million individual tulips planted. Stunning and beautiful as you can see in the photos.
In addition to the flower displays, Floralia Brussels also features a range of other activities and attractions, including food and drink stalls, musical performances, and children’s activities. On rare occasions, visitors can also take part in guided tours of the castle and its gardens to learn more about the history and architecture of this beautiful location.
During our visit there was only one food and drink stall open, and one shop near the entrance where one could buy plants for his/her own garden or terrace. From what I saw people were genuinely interested; furthermore, you had to really struggle to find an empty table at the food and drink stall. Yes, there were plenty of empty tables on a greenhouse turned café terrace, but since it was not raining and warm, everyone wanted to sit outside. Small bottles of wine, cans of beer, and little snacks were the most popular takeaways.
Overall, Floralia Brussels is a popular and highly anticipated event for flower and garden enthusiasts, as well as anyone looking to experience the beauty of spring in Belgium.
The Hallerbos Forest, also known as the Blue Forest, is a beech forest located in Belgium, just outside of Brussels. What makes this forest particularly special is its stunning display of bluebell flowers that carpet the forest floor in shades of violet-blue during the spring season.
Every year in late April or early May, the bluebells bloom in the Hallerbos Forest, creating a beautiful and unique natural spectacle. Visitors can walk along the forest’s trails and witness the stunning blue carpet of flowers, which is particularly impressive on sunny days when the light filters through the trees. As you can see in our photos.
The Hallerbos Forest is a popular destination for nature lovers and photographers, who come from all over the world to witness this breathtaking display of natural beauty. The forest is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and numerous bird species, making it an ideal destination for birdwatching and wildlife spotting.
During our visit, we did not manage to see any wildlife or even birds for that matter. Only a lot of people walking, cycling, hiking, and going to take nature calls even though it is not permitted to do that while in the forest. Apparently, public toilets for some are too disgusting, thus they chose to do the deed beside a tree, even though everyone is seeing them attempting this act of indecency.
Nevertheless, this is a beautiful forest. My second time there, the first time for my amazing woman who took these spectacular photos.
Yes, Belgium is a beautiful country with a lot to offer. From stunning medieval architecture to picturesque countryside, Belgium has a rich cultural heritage and natural beauty that attracts visitors from all over the world. I truly enjoy my new adopted country.
And I hope you did too in this photo report.
Speak to you soon.
Kind regards,
Olaaf
Photo credit: Olaaf and Laurukaa.
