A Belgian Beach and a Belgian Delicacy

When Gavin and I meet people and tell them we're from Hawaii, he loves to mention that he grew up on a beach and that there are no beaches where I'm from (yes, there's just lava rock and ocean). So when we found out that Belgians have their very own stretch of beach on the North Sea, Gavin jumped at the opportunity to check it out.

Oostende is a quaint seaside town in Flemish Belgium. Located about an hour and a half from Mai's house, Oostende does deliver a great beach experience on a warm sunny day. Ok, I have to admit that I was a bit skeptical about a beach on the North Sea, but I was pleasantly suprised at what we found. The water was cold as heck, but the sand and sun couldn't be beat!


Hundreds of sun-seekers filled the beach on a sunny Thursday in September.

On Saturday night, and our last night in Belgium, Mai took us to have a dish that Belgium is famous for: Moules Frites or Mussels and Fries! Belgium had been an eating dream for me and this night did not dissappoint! Mai's friend Fa (short for Fabulous!) was visiting from Luxembourg and together they translated the menu for us (since they took us to a local favorite and not a tourist trap that you might find in Brussels.) The menu was quite extensive with dozens, literally dozens, of ways to have your mussels seasoned and steamed. Here's a few examples of the 50 ways that you could have your mussels done:

Garlic
Garlic, tomatoes and paprika
White wine & garlic
Curry
Cream
Mustard
Cream, white wine, mushrooms
Port
Pastis
and more!

Fa chose Moules au Gorgonzola, Mai had Moules au Pili-Pili (spicy sauce), I had Moules Valy (tomatoes, curry and champignon mushrooms), and Gavin had chicken (you are what you eat!).


The restaurant's van. I love the fries' mayo hat!


Fa and Mai.


Yum! My Moules Valy with Frites

Oostende and Mussels

Sep 27, 2006 - 9 Photos