Belgium The Centre of European Union

Belgium is Amazing, Almost everything in here are like a Castle.

Feel Unsafe

We reach Belgium via Ryan Air from Oslo then we take bus going to Brussels. It was late night and very few people when we reach the Central Station. There are some people who I think are not locals and are insisting of offering something that makes my buddy a bit worried about the place.                                                                                                                                    We get out from the station and it was far different from what I've seen in Oslo. The environment feels not safe for us. We became aware of our surroundings and the people. Instead of going to our booked hotel we decided to check-in in any hotel. The first three hotels are full until we found one that is 50 euro for each of us because they have just 2 single small room.

We found a family

Tourism in Brussels is also huge, we are having breakfast together with more than 20 people in the cafeteria which I think are also a tourist from other european city.                                     After a few minutes the Filipino friend of our friend arrives to pick us up and guide to the city. But this guy is very good guy he go with us in our booked hotel and he decided to cancel the booking and instead he let us stay in his apartment together with his family. I am amazed and have great respect to Kuya Christopher, ate Ana and their kids CJ and Ian. Thank you very Much. Your family are amazing.

Brussels 

In our very first day with kuya Christopher he bring us to the city tourist spots and he teach us how to use the trains and the trams so the next days was easy for me and my buddy to roam around the city. There are some places in Brussels that needs to be careful and be aware. Basically it is the people that makes the place scary. But most of the places are amazing. Castles and churches everywhere, Parks are huge and green, Trees everywhere.                         Atomium is a must to visit, it is a building, a structure that shapes like a sets of atoms. Inside these atoms are restaurant, gallery and museum and a viewing deck. Nearby is theme park called Mini Europe and another one is a waterpark called Oceade. There is also a park that is almost like a forest.



Bruges

Bruges or Brugge is another city in Belgium that we reach by a train from Brussels. The place is amazing with a lot of trees in the beginning and then all the houses and castles and churches have amazing structures and are looks just the one I see in the fairytale movies. The trees are started to fall and having different colour, The canals are beautifully design with some boats, and ducks and birds playing. There are parks and a lot of al fresco restaurant. In here we tried to eat the famous french fries and beef stew. In Brussels we ate the Belgian waffle.

Antwerp

We just get in to Antwerp because it is one of our connecting city going to Amsterdam. Antwerp is another amazing city with amazing castles and churches. The Antwerp Central Station is huge that is looks like a castle if you are outside. In Antwerp we found a Filipino flag and we checked and it is a Filipino and Vietnamese Shop. We also saw a lot of shops selling gold products and accessories in Antwerp.

Amsterdam Freedom. My Favorite City in Europe

Most Bike Friendly City in Europe

Train-Bus-Train to Netherland

We reach Amsterdam via train travel from Brussels Belgium, We had three transfer started with Italo Train that stop in Antwerp, then we take a bus going to the Eindhoven Train Station and then we take another Train going to the Amsterdam Central Station and then we took Tram and get down to find our hostel.

Du Welcome Us

Upon reaching the Netherland  we received a text message from Du network (because we are still using our UAE sim card) welcoming us to Netherland. The first impression is nice, wide roads, greenery along the way and nice looking houses and buildings.

Huge Tourism

When we reach the Amsterdam Central Station theres a lot of people and is easy to understand that tourism is huge in Amsterdam. As an asian we are easy to recognise as a tourist but these european tourist are even asking us the direction. Here I understand that people in Europe are partially expecting that everyone have knowledge about the place.

Triple Decker Bed Hostel

We stay in a hostel, dormitory style with triple decker bed that can accommodate 14 people, and all bed are occupied. The hostel has a cafeteria/lounge, a terrace and toilet in the room. There is just one guy sleeping in the room when we reach the place. It's still early so we just drop our luggage and went outside to eat and roam around. 10pm when we get back, we switched On the lights and some guys started to move meaning we disturbed them. We quickly and quietly remove our shoes and go straight to bed. Some people are still coming and I understand and appreciate that these people still respect the others by carefully not making noise going to their bed. The room is mix with men and women mostly young traveler.

The City

The city is amazing. houses are nice, trees everywhere, parks are green and flowery, the canal and bridge with the plants and natural flower looks beautiful, a lot of castles around, museums everywhere, coffee shops, cafe and restaurant here and there. No heavy traffic as most people are having their bicycle. I am in-love with Amsterdam. It's absolutely beautiful for me.

The People

When I was in Dubai there are two ladies from Netherland working with us in the Hotel and they look different as one is blond and the other one is a asian looking and are both beautiful and attractive. And I saw a lot of like them in Netherland. People in general in Netherland are nice.

Freedom in Amsterdam

I think people in Amsterdam are happy. I felt that there is big freedom for the people to do anything that will make them happy. I know soft drugs are allowed in Netherland but I never notice it affecting the attitude of the user towards the other. I think these people knows their boundary.

Fake Police Scam in Amsterdam, Be Careful.

Me and my friend went to Amsterdam, On our very first night of strolling the city we have been spotted by the Fake Amsterdam Police. They are wearing civilian and are in a group of 2 or three.

This is the scenario.

One guy Arabic/Indian looking guy asked us a direction going to a hotel, We said we don't know then he explain that he is a tourist and then he ask for a picture with my friend. While taking the picture the Fake Amsterdam Police arrives. He shows his Fake Police ID and then started to asked about our passport. First he asked the Arabic/Indian looking guy about his Dollar and he said he just have Euro and the Fake Amsterdam Police let the guy go. Then he started to asked about our Dollar and we said we don't have and we show to him that we have just Euro. Then another Fake Amsterdam Police Comes insisting to open our bag, looking for a Dollar and then later on asking for Drugs. He keeps on asking a Dollar and trying to take my Euro. I take it back and started to walk away.

Both of us are worried because his picture is in the iPhone of the Fake Tourist. We are walking fast and obviously we are trying to hide from this Fake Amsterdam Police. We are already on the other street but on our way I saw this Fake Amsterdam Police waving his hand to the fake Amsterdam Tourist, I pretend that I didn't see them when they look at me.

We decided to go to Amsterdam Police Station to report the incident but we didn't  found any, so we just speak to the police roaming in the Amsterdam Central Station. We told them what happened that we are worried about the picture. The real Police show his ID and a Police Badge, then we realised that the Fake Amsterdam Police doesn't have a badge.

We get home and and checked on the internet if there are the same incidents happened before. And yes there are lot's of the same incidents. And we learned more scams that are now going on in Amsterdam.

Common target of this Fake Police in Amsterdam are Asians because they think asians prefer to have Dollar instead of Euro.

Things like this is happening not only in Amsterdam. So be careful and be cautious.

Oslo Norway Modern City

I thought Dubai is the most modern city these days, and I was wrong when I went to Oslo. Oslo is more modern. It started at Oslo Airport where the design of the building is amazing. The Airport is connected via train all the way to the Oslo central station. Their train has a double-decker carriage, clean and with free wifi access.
Cashless form of purchasing even in Mc Donald's and in ordinary store, You don't even need to give your card to the cashier. No heavy traffic as most of people is walking. Trams, trains and buses arrive on time. Streets are the shopping mall.

People are disciplined, the city is organized, for sure good governance. I don't feel any discrimination.

The weather is amazing.

Filipino in Norway

Similar to Dubai, its train system is also powered by a prepaid travel card. You can travel using the card by public buses and trains going to their suburbs.
Bygdoy is one of the suburbs that we visit, in there we've seen a nude beach.

Norway is known for its cold weather, lucky that we went there with just a nice temperature and no snow.

Dubai to Oslo with Cancelled Visa.

We ate in my previous restaurant before leaving Dubai, we say goodbye to our friends and we headed to the airport.

 I am a bit worried because my Dubai residence visa is canceled and I am going to Europe and not in my home country. But everything went well  and I made it to the airplane.

We have a connecting flight at Istanbul. Istanbul is not part of the EU and Schengen Visa is not applied. I was warned by the immigration security that my chances of getting inside Norway as my port of entry is 50/50 because my Schengen visa was processed by the Italian Embassy and according to him I should make Italy as my port of entry. I was a bit worried because according to him the Norway immigration police might cancel my visa and send me back to the Philippines. My courage brings me to Norway.

At Norway passport control the immigration asks me "what brings you to Norway" I told him that I and my friend are here for a tour and will be staying just for three days. (My friend is a frequent Europe traveler so immigration has no problem to him) then I show my hotel bookings, flight tickets and explain the full itinerary with the supporting documents. And then he let me in.

A Big Wow. Oslo Norway is Amazingly peaceful and clean. It may be expensive to live here but I would say that it's worth it. 

Manila in Dubai

If Chinese have Chinatown, ganon din ang mga Filipino sa ibat ibang mga siyudad. Dito sa Dubai subrang dami ng Filipino restaurant at establishments na makikita. Ito ang Manila of Dubai.

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