Basilica of Our Lady of Scherpenheuvel (Belgium)

Scherpenheuvel is a small town in the province of Flemish-Brabant, Belgium. It is known for its religious significance and history, attracting many visitors from all over the world. The town is home to the Basilica of Our Lady of Scherpenheuvel, which is an important pilgrimage site for Catholics. 

The Basilica of Our Lady of Scherpenheuvel is the most important attraction in the town. It is a baroque church that was built in the 17th century and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. 

It is believed that the Virgin Mary appeared to a shepherd boy on the hill where the Basilica now stands. The boy found a small statue of the Virgin Mary, which was later enshrined in the church. Since then, pilgrims have traveled to Scherpenheuvel to venerate the statue and ask for healing and blessings.

Aside of the Basilica there is a dedicated place where Christians burn a candle for good luck and faith. 

The Basilica of Our Lady of Scherpenheuvel has a gigantic dome which is crowned with a lustrous scattering of 298 gilt stars. Not only is Our Lady of Scherpenheuvel Belgium’s most famous basilica, it is also the oldest domed church, dating back to 1627. The basilica and square are designed as a heptagram, symbolic of Mary’s seven sorrows and seven joys.

We took a train from Belgium and then a bus to visit the church. I felt the peace praying in the church. I was also admiring the beauty of the church’s architecture and interior decorations.

Basilica of Our Lady of Scherpenheuvel

 

Manneken Pis & Jeanneke Pis (Brussels)

In Brussels, we visited Manneken Pis & Jeanneke Pis. In fact, this was my second visit to Mannekan Pis as I visited Belgium after graduation on student tour.  

Manneken Pis is a small bronze statue of a peeing boy that is located in the old part of town of Brussels, between rue de L'Étuve and rue Chene, next to the Grand Place. The Manneken Pis was designed in 1388 and is one of the most representative and loved symbols of Brussels.

Very close to the Grand Place visitors can also find the Manneken Pis’s “sister”, Jeanneke Pis. She is the female version of the little boy urinating. 

                                                 

This cheeky little girl with two ponytails is less known than her older brother and is a lot more modern. The little girl is made of bronze and squats and smiles while she urinates into a grey limestone base.

Belgium Trip 2024

 

Jiufen Old Street (Taiwan)

Here we are at Jiufen - numerous stalls to visit, an opportunity to try out various Taiwanese snacks and atmospheric lanes to explore. We took the straight path, did not venture into the side lanes due the lack of time. We had to settle lunch too. 

Ginger Tea

Various Taiwanese snacks

Taiwan Ice Cream Popiah - must try

Squid snack 

Matcha Milk Tea

Happy Pat with her drink

 

Sky Lantern in Taiwan (Shifen Old Street)

Here we are on the second day of our trip on 11 March 2024. We landed in Taiwan on 10 March. As it was a day flight, we arrived around 5plus, had our dinner at the airport and adjourned to our hotel for a good rest. The actual trip started on the second day on 11 March. 

Here we are at Shifen Old Street. From a distance the iconic Jing’An Bridge.

We started out earlier, hence no crowd in sight yet. 

Our first activity for the trip - writing our wishes on the sky lantern. We were lucky as it was just the two of us, we had 4 sides of the sky lantern to write on. Emma our Singapore guide wrote on one side, while Gina and I each wrote on one side and we had a combined one. 

Good Health, Happiness and Prosperity and more travel adventures.

Smiling for the camera and getting ready to release the sky lantern. My first time doing this. Nothing beats the first-hand experience vs the scenes we see on television. 

All set to release the sky lantern on the train track - Pat, Gina and Emma.

Up, up and away

 Pat and Gina at Shifen Old Street in Taiwan

Taiwan 2024

We visited Taiwan during the March holidays 2024. This was my first time to Taiwan and it was my 14th trip together with Gina. Really enjoyed myself during this 8-day trip - SQ flights, wonderful stays at the various hotels, attentive and knowledgeable guides, eating Taiwanese food and being in great company. 

Shifen Old Street, writing our wishes and releasing the sky lantern. Thankfully no crowd yet when we were there.

Jiufen old street - checking out the various food stalls, tea products and souvenir shops. 

Visiting the sheep at Cingjing Farm.

Gaomei Wetlands - pity it rained, sights were misty and cold.

Taking the cable car at Formosan Aboriginal Culture - wish we had more time here - would to sit on the rides. Beautiful sights on the cable car.

Sakura in Taiwan

Tai Yi Ecological Leisure Farm - an instagram place for photos and relaxing stay.

Puli Brewery Factor - We had ice cream infused with wine. 

Sun Moon Lake - there was a road block. We took a detour and walked via the park.

Journess Castle - wowed by this place. Seemed as though we were in Europe. Amazing castle and a great place to shop. We had our dinner there. 

Alishan - being with nature 

Night Market

Dihua Street

Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf

Marriott Hotel

With our guides - Lei Lei (Taiwanese guide) and Emma (SA guide)

Thank you for the memories.