The sea was a little bit rough in the morning after the superb day on the Channel Islands yesterday. In the morning, Anja the expeditionleader gave information`s about the day in Zeebrugge and the island of Borkum in the Framheim hall. Also a lecture was given by Carolina with the topic: “Bruges and van Eyck”. 
At 3 pm the MS FRAM reached the city of Zeebrugge. Zeebrugge is the outer port of Bruges in West Flanders province. It is connected with Harwich, England, by a rail ferry. Zeebrugge was developed approx. 1900 to replace the silted-up port of Bruges. It is Belgium`s most important fishing port and the wholesale fish market located there is one of the largest in Europe. 
Hurtigruten offered a shuttle bus to the tiny seaside resort Blankenberge. The other guests participate in two excursions: Romantic Bruges & Canals, Bruges & Belgian Chocolate Demonstration and Outskirts of Bruges.It took about 30 minutes by coach to reach the capital and largest city of the province of West Flanders in the Flemish Region of Belgium. The historic city centre is a World Heritage Site of UNESCO. The city`s population is 117,000. Along with a few other canal-based northern cities, such as Amsterdam, it is referred to as “The Venice of the North”. The walk through the city was wonderful but the highlight was a canal tour along the serene waterways of this romantic historical city.
Do not forget, Belgium is also famous for beer, chocolate, waffles and French fries.
All guests enjoyed the stay in Zeebrugge and surroundings very much. We set sail again at 8 pm.
Later on our host Günther Meyer had an interview with the ship`s Captain Arild Hårvik, the Hotel Manager Bjørn Erik Julset and the Expeditionleader Anja Erdmann in the Observation Lounge.
