From the clutches of chocolate to the canals of Ghent

You can only visit so many artisanal chocolatiers; indulge in their dark, milk and white chocolate truffles, marrons glacés, caramels, and mendiants before you simply must allow your insulin to restore itself to a normal state.

Our recess from cocoa butter ganache fillings would be replaced with apple tartins and waffles during a daytrip to Ghent, Belgium. Hardly a respite from sugar, but we concluded the details weren't worth balking about.

Lighter and brighter than Brussels, Ghent-St. Pieters features canals, meandering medieval streets and a disturbing lobster lady advertising one of Ghent's many bank-side restaurants in which to part with your Euro. There's also a wide range of languages you can speak to order your Belgian waffle: Flemish, French, English or German.

Ik zou van een wafel, tevreden houden (I'd like a waffle, please)
Supplémentaire chantilly, svp (extra whipped cream, please)
Quickly—I beg of you! (Rapidement—je prie de toi!)
Ich benötige ein Haar jetzt (I need a nap now)

Een goede dag verder (have a nice day).

Monday morning welcomed a first-class Thaly's train ride to Brussels, Belgium. Foo's enthusiasm could hardly be contained given Belgium's reputation for high-quality chocolate, waffles and a famed bronze statue of a boy relieving himself.

Less than two hours after departing Gare du Nord in Paris, our motley crew found themselves at the Grand Place--the geographical, historical and commercial heart of the city; a fine example of Belgium's ornate 17th-century architecture.

Flemish Renaissance and neo-classical stone detailing aside, it was the 81 chocolatiers Foo and her mama were more interested in exploring. The hand-dipped dark chocolate pistachio marzipan of the Corné Port Royale did not disappoint. 

Mannekin Pis

An unlikely attraction, this tiny statue of a young boy barely 30cm (1 ft) high relieving himself into a small pool is as much a part of Brussels as the Trevi Fountain is part of Rome. 

A tradition since 1698 (thanks to a donation from governor Maximilian-Emmanuel), the Mannekin Pis can be seen in various states of dress; 650 different outfits to choose from including an Elvis suit. 

Viva las België!