Switzerland to Belgium

Dear fellow travelers,  the time has come, as they say, and we bid adieu to Switzerland and bondjou to Belgium. Initially we were going to go by train with a change in Paris and Lillie (Flanders) however prudence prevailed and we elected to fly. While I am not in a position to comment on what type of gal Prudence is - she certainly takes the excitement out of traveling. To be fair, stressful may be a better word to describe the metro trip we would've had to take between Gare de Lyon and Gare Nord in Paris as  despite the stations being directly underneath the railway the pickpockets, luggage, and language would be a challenge - so Prudence prevailed. However the flight did entail one metro trip, two railways journeys and one tram trip with the latter railway journey from Brussels airport to Ghent inclduing numerous dire warning about pick pockets. I abhor poverty but there is obviously enough in this to make it pay, as with the begging, however this only strengthens my belief in an equitable, well funded, social safety net. So here were are in Ghent, and why you may well ask, as for me the only things I know about Belgium, is that Tintin, Hercule Poirot, John of Gaunt - look him up as he 'fathered' not only the Lancashire line but also the York's so the War of the Roses was quite the family affair, and Jean-Claude Van Damme come from here.  Moves of interest are The Monuments Men and Bruges, and of course prudence may be required when mentioning the Congo! However the head quarters of NATO is in Brussels - not that has done much to deter the pick pocketing and much else - perhaps. So any way here we are and let's see what's out there. Firstly bikes are king as my travelling companion was nearly taken out by a mum with the kiddies on a bike, I believe prudence prevailed on behalf of the mum regarding her kids, not silly tourists. The apartment is  lovely, and as it is slightly below ground so you can get a good look at peoples legs as they walk past or checking themselves out in the one way glass window. Light, spacious, airy and with a toaster -  bonus. 

Geneva Airport