Visiting Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre

Nothing can describe the feeling of seeing the jungle leaves begin to rustle and you spot your first glimpse of a wild orangutan. On our recent trip to Borneo, we were among the lucky few who experience this thrill.

As I explained in a previous post, our decision to go to Kota Kinabalu was random and based mostly on low cost airfare. Besides the promise of sun and sand, however, there was one main reason Sabah was our pick – the opportunity to visit the orangutans.

I am a sucker for furry creatures large and small. The opportunity to see orangutans in one of only two places they remain in the wild was just too good to pass up.

Contrary to my normal travel planning mania, I reserved very little of the Malaysian leg of our adventure in advance. Other than our flight and hotel, my only booking was a trip to visit the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre.

Rather than trying to make the six hour plus trek to the other side of the province, on our own, we booked a full-day trip with Borneo Eco Tours. They ferried us from our hotel to the airport for a short flight to Sandakan, where they met us for our trip to visit the orangs.

There was one minor and unavoidable hiccup in our plan. For a reason never known to us, the last two flights of the day back to KK were cancelled, meaning we had to scramble to get onto the earlier flight so we could get back to our hotel that night. Luckily we wouldn’t have to cut our visit to the orangutan sanctuary short.

We had the tour to ourselves that morning, and our guide cheerfully told us all about the Sandakan region as we headed towards Sepilok in our big white van. Sabah’s tourism is mostly small scale, but you will certainly see many identical vans ferrying small groups of travelers to the province’s tourist hot spots.

Andrew is ‘jungle chic’ near the welcome sign.

Arriving at the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, we had one final stop before we could visit the orangs. We toured the small museum and were shown a presentation on the facility and its famous residents.

The Rehabilitation Centre opened in 1964, to take in injured and orphaned orangutans, whose mothers have been killed by logging or poachers. Some have also been rescued from people who were illegally keeping them as pets.

The babies are often sick and weak, due to malnutrition, and have none of the skills necessary to survive on their own. The rehabilitation facility itself is not open to the public, so you can’t go and visit the baby orangutans, as they are very prone to human illnesses, at this stage.

Once the babies are healthy, they are trained all the skills they need to live in the wild. Then they are gradually released back into the jungle. The centre sits on 43km² of protected forest at the edge of Kabili Sepilok Forest Reserve, so the orangutans have plenty of jungle where they can live in relative safety.

These incredible creatures are endangered. They are only fund on Borneo and the Indonesian island of Sumatra (The Sumatran orang is critically endangered.) On Borneo the orangs are losing their habitat to palm plantations and logging. As we were to learn later in the week, it is difficult to balance the needs of a growing population and the needs of the jungle inhabitants.

After the presentation, we headed to the feeding platform via a long boardwalk, through the jungle. By 10AM, it was already hot and very humid as we trudged deeper into the forest. Finally we arrived at the platform and gathered around.

The orangutans are fed twice a day here, but as they have already been released into the wild, they are free to come and go as they wish. There is no guarantee any orangs will visit the platform, but our guide told us it is very rare not to have a sighting here.

Waiting for the first sighting… and here he comes!

As we waited in the sun, the small crowd began to grow antsy, scanning the trees for a sign. Finally, leaves began to rustle and we collectively held our breath. Then, a flash of reddish-gold was spotted between the green jungle leaves. Finally, the ropes, giving easy access to the feeding station, began to wobble and our first orangutan appeared.

It may look like a zoo, but these Orangutans are free to come and go as they like.

Delicately, and without a second glance at his audience, he settled himself on the platform and began to eat his lunch.

The word orangutan comes from two Malay words, Orang Utan, meaning man of the forest. Watching his nimble fingers pick over the ripe fruits and the expressions of pleasure passing his face, it was impossible to deny how closely related we are to these creatures.

Checking out what’s for lunch

It wasn’t long before more leaves began to rustle and we were joined by three more orangutans. They ate and played and relaxed and we stood in awe, with cameras snapping.

Time to share! 4 Orangutans arrived for lunch that day.

Suddenly, as happens in the rainforest, it began to rain. While the humans were donning jackets, the orangs were plucking leaves from the trees and using them as umbrellas. At times it was hard to tell who was imitating whom. In fact, orangutans are the most intelligent of the primates and often use tools and objects in creative ways.

Just look at those hands and feet!

We are not amused!

Finally our time with the orangutans had come to an end, or so we thought. We headed back to the lodge to grab a bite to eat before beginning our journey home. While slurping my noodles, I noticed something dart by the window from the corner of my eye.

“Was that an orang?” I asked Andrew. We leapt to the window and, sure enough, a medium-sized male was strolling along the boardwalk. It wasn’t long before one of the rangers came along and shooed him back into the safety of the jungle.

We finished our lunch and couldn’t stop talking about these fascinating creatures.

We had flown across the island and spent several hours in a van to see five orangutans in the wild. Was it worth it?  Definitely! And I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Was our trip to see Sabah’s orangutans worth it? YES!

The Details:

We visited Sepilok on Boreno Eco Tours Orang Utan Encounter which cost 200 MYR each (about 100 Euro for both of us.) This included airport transfers in KK and Sandakan, lunch and admission to the Rehabilitation Centre. The tour also includes several other sites in Sandakan depending on your flight times.

Our flights to Sandakan with Malaysian Airlines were not included. They cost 362 MYR for both, about 92 EUR.

Maison Particuliere – a unique art space in Chatelaine

Imagine an art gallery where nothing is for sale and the art is not part of a museum collection. You are welcomed inside and encouraged to sit on the furniture, relax and take your time enjoying the art as you would in a comfortable home.  This is the concept behind Maison Particulière.

Maison Particulière is a beautiful home in the Châtelain neighbourhood which serves one important purpose – to share art, from private collections, with the public.

As an art-lover and an admirer of contemporary art in particular, I jumped at the chance to visit this unique, non-profit, gallery.

I was greeted by the lovely and passionate director, Carole Schuermans, who led me inside this inviting space and shared the gallery’s history and concept with me, as we relaxed on one of the comfortable sofas.

Maison Particulière is the creation of French couple, Myriam and Amaury de Solages. They are passionate art collectors who dreamed of sharing their collection with the public in a welcoming space. They found that space in Châtelain and, two years ago, Maison Particulière was born.

Instead of hiring exhibition curators, the de Solages invited other art collectors to join them in sharing their art. Each collector chooses his own pieces relating to a particular theme, thus interpreting what that theme means to him.

A peak inside the cosy spaces at Maison Particliere – Each room takes on the identity of the individual collector.

The collector’s pieces hang together in one room, giving a distinct sense of the personality of the collector and her collection. The current exhibition, Inner Journeys, offers the collectors a chance to be truly introspective about their art choices.

My favourite space in the gallery – The Salon Chatelain Collector’s room

Another view of the Salon Chatelain – I was particularly drawn to the photography in this collection.

In addition to the collectors, one featured artist is also asked to share works pertaining to the theme. Currently that artist is Cris Brodahl, from Ghent, whose paintings are based on collages she creates from magazines. Her surreal works certainly set the tone of Inner Journeys.

A few of my favourite pieces – Pteron (2012) by Charles Kaisin, The Clock (2009) by Cris Brodahl, 4Net Inox (2012) by Elias Crespin, and Hacia donde vamos V (2008) by Angel Delgado.

This is not your typical cold, sterile gallery. Maison Particulière exhibits art as if it was hanging in a beautiful home, demonstrating how it is possible to live with contemporary art in a comfortable and informal way.

You won’t find blocks of text on the walls, telling you what to think about each piece. In fact, you won’t even find the name of the artist hanging near the piece. This information is available in books placed in each room, if you desire to learn more. You are urged to discover and enjoy the works on your own terms first, another distinct difference from a traditional art gallery or museum.

The thing that struck me most about Maison Particulière is how non-confrontational the art feels here. Contemporary art, in particular, can be difficult for people to connect with. Even when you appreciate a piece, it can be difficult to imagine living with it in your home. Here, you can actually see how contemporary art pieces could fit into your home and your life, (if you have enough money to afford them that is.)

Maison Particuliere makes living with contemporary art seem possible.

Maison Particulière’s exhibition space spans three floors and includes a lovely garden, a cosy library and a striking glass elevator, making the entire space accessible.

The gallery is not for profit and admission and membership fees go directly to maintaining the space and its exhibitions. Admission to the exhibition is 10€ or free for members. Membership is 50€ annually.

The current exhibition, Inner Journeys, runs until June 30^th. The gallery closes for the summer but will re-open in the fall with an exhibition by young collectors. Visit their website for opening times.

Maison Particulière
Rue du Châtelain, 49
B – 1050 Brussels

Belgian tradition – Shrimp fishing on horseback at Oostduinkerke, Belgium

A special tradition remains in one coastal town in Belgium. It combines the power of horses and the will of men, to bring us a tiny, sweet gift from the sea – the Belgian Grey Shrimp.

Andrew and I joined the small group of tourists and locals gathered along the boardwalk of the small Belgian coastal town of Oostduinkerke. We were all there to see a sight once common along the Belgian and Northern French coast, which has now all but died out; except for here. We were waiting for the arrival of the Oostduinkerke Shrimp Fishermen, or paardenvissers, and their horses.

You may be wondering what horses have to do with shrimp fishing. The reason is exactly why our group was waiting on the beach. This unique tradition pairs man and beast against the sea (and the shrimp) and we were excited to see it happen.

Finally we could hear the clopping of heavy hooves on pavement and the huge Brabant and Hainaut stallions appeared, pulling carts filled with nets and gear. They paused at the boardwalk for the fishermen to don their bright yellow slickers and Sowesters and then paraded down to the sea’s edge, trailing our band of spectators.

Getting ready to fish for grey shrimps

We were fortunate with the weather. It was a blue sky day, with white puffy clouds and water warm enough to wade into. But the shrimp fisherman of old worked year round, rain or shine, an hour before and after low tide.

We milled about as the fishermen secured their nets behind their horses and, one by one, they climbed into their rough wooden saddles and slowly waded into the sea. The horses were chest high in the water pacing back and forth, parallel to the shore.

Into the sea – The shrimp fishermen and their horses get to work.

When their nets felt heavy enough, they headed back to the beach to empty their nets. Spectators gathered around as the fishermen sorted the shrimp from the other marine life also scooped into the nets. Small crabs and fish were tossed back to swim the gauntlet of hungry seagulls, who arrived to freeload their lunch.

Checking the nets in view of the hungry seagulls

The process was repeated and after two hours the show was over. The horses trudged back up the beach, hauling their carts.

But now was the moment everyone was waiting for. The crowd suddenly swelled, like a flock of hungry seagulls, around a fenced off area on the boardwalk. Inside, the fishermen and their families deftly sorted the shrimps further; their fingers flying through piles of grey crustaceans, picking and flicking.

The shrimp are sorted several times before cooking

In no time, the shrimps were cooked and the group of hungry spectators thrust Euros in the air, trying to get their hands on one of the small boxes of now bright pink cooked shrimps.

Andrew’s perseverance paid off and we scurried off to find a spot on the beach to taste our booty.

Salty, sweet, Belgian grey shrimp

We pealed and crunched the slightly sandy shrimps and savoured their sweet saltiness. Beach food has never been so good.

While fascinating to watch, the plight of the shrimp fishermen and their horses is bittersweet. Only a dozen or so remain who are still practicing this 500 year old tradition. It has become a tourist attraction rather than a livelihood. Still though, there is pride on the faces of these men and genuine admiration in the crowd who comes to witness this spectacle.

The bittersweet tradition of the Oostduinkerk shrimp fishermen

and their horses

See it now while you still can.

For more information on the Oostduinkerke Shrimp Fishermen on Horseback and the schedule of fishing times, visit the Koksijde tourism website.

Colourful Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

It all began with a Skyscanner search. Where could we fly cheaply from Hong Kong to escape the busy city for a week?

“Where the heck is Kota Kinabalu?” Andrew looked back at me blankly.

I read about travel destinations constantly. It’s my industry, but it’s also my passion, as evidenced by the travel guides and magazines dominating our bookshelves. So when I come across a place I’ve never heard of before, I’m immediately intrigued.

After a quick Google search, we were ready to book our flight to a medium sized (450,000) coastal city in Malaysian Borneo. Kota Kinabalu, here we come!

The flight from Hong Kong to Kota Kinabalu (known by locals as KK) was just under three hours, and despite our trepidation at flying with the Asian version of Ryanair, we were very impressed by our Air Asia flight.

We each flew with one piece of checked luggage and a hot meal. Our round-trip cost was about 150 Euro, total. (Yes that does mean the combined total for both of us!). With flights that cheap, we hardly cared what KK would be like. Fortunately it was perfect.

Nearing the small airport, we could see KK stretched along the coast below us. Already we liked what we saw. It was sprawling but colourful, hugging the coast, below a cluster of dark green mountains. The turquoise water was speckled with tropical islands. Yes, we were bound to like this place, a lot.

Kota Kinabalu from above – this looks like our kind of place!

The tiny airport reminded us of landing in the Bahamas, many years ago. In this instance, however, we did have to pass through immigration, where we were granted tourist visas in the blink of an eye. The customs official even welcomed us with a smile.

A short wait in the taxi queue later and we were headed into town. The palm-lined streets and massive development projects reminded me more of Southern Florida than Southeast Asia but as we neared the city centre, we uncovered more of the Asia I expected to see.

We pulled up outside the Horizon Hotel, so new on the KK skyline google maps still shows it as a construction site. It’s one of only a couple of large, modern hotels in KK and besides the Meridian, the only one not targeting Chinese tourists.

The new and modern Horizon Hotel in Kota Kinabalu

Central Kota Kinabalu is compact and easily walkable, except for two small details. The sidewalks range from shop-fronts spilling onto the street to broken concrete to boards over gaping holes. Then there is the sun, blazing down, ready to blister pasty white skin within minutes.

Dodging from shady corner to awning covered store-front, we explored the city.

So bright and colourful – we loved exploring KK in the sunshine and enjoying the great indoor/outdoor restaurants and cafes.

If you want to shop, KK is your city. Huge, air-conditioned shopping malls wait, practically devoid of shoppers, on nearly every block. According to locals we spoke with, they target rich tourists from neighbouring Brunei and mainland Malaysia. Their only appeal to non-shoppers like us was the offer of a brief cool-down from the 33 degree heat outside.

Kota Kinabalu’s main draw for tourists is as a gateway to the nature of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo’s northern province. It’s a short ferry ride to the islands of Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park or a 45 minute flight to Sandakan to visit the orangutans (both of which we’ll write about in more depth in an upcoming post.) It is also the best place to access the UNESCO World Heritage site, Kinabalu National Park, where the brave (not us) tackle climbing Mount Kinabalu.

KK’s busy and colourful waterfront

But this doesn’t mean KK is without its own charms. Although there is no beach in the city centre, there is a lively and bustling waterfront. During the day, it’s a hub for the marketplace.  The main market building contains endless varieties of fruit, vegetables and spices.  It had me itching for a kitchen of my own.

We love markets and the produce and fish markets in KK were fascinating!

Next door there is a large fish market, where creatures from the sea are so fresh, they’re still moving.

If you want something you can actually take on a plane with you, there is a vast craft market. I was particularly taken with the row of pedal powered sewing machines out front.

I loved watching these men work on intricate craft and clothing projects with old-fashioned sewing machines.

At night, the waterfront comes alive with restaurants, seemingly deserted from the front. But pass through the dining rooms, to the pier out back, to find picnic tables crowded with noisy diners, happily sharing curries, satés and seafood of all varieties.

It should come as no surprise, Andrew and I were most excited about the food. This is where we would normally taunt you with photos of the delicious dishes we consumed over the week. Sadly, karma had something to say about our foodie boasting and Andrew’s iphone decided to spontaneously delete our Malaysian foodporn. So you must trust us when we say, if you love Asian cuisine, KK is your place. Highlights for us included crispy, crunchy, salt and pepper crab and BBQ steamed pork buns better than anything we tried in Hong Kong.

All this being said, we didn’t spend a great deal of time in KK. Most days, we were off day-tripping to other parts of Sabah, only to return to KK in the evening, when the heavens opened for the nightly downpour. We have never seen so much water fall from the sky in one hour (not even in Belgium!)

But even drenched to the skin, darting through puddles, racing back to our hotel after another belly-stuffing meal, KK was everything we could have wanted in a great holiday destination. Sometimes having no idea where you are going, leads to the best travel adventures.

Stay tuned for more posts about our adventures around Sabah in Malaysian Borneo.

Make Me Up Workshops in Brussels

Do you want to learn how to apply make-up like the pros do? Are you getting married soon and want help creating a romantic look for your big day? Would you just like to have a fun, girly day out? Look no farther than the Make Me Up Workshops at The Hotel in Brussels.

I’ll be honest. My make-up regimen normally includes a swipe of lip-stick and a dash of blush. For a really fancy evening I may even add a dab of eye-shadow. (I know, I’m a wild woman). So when Pierre-Antoine Vettorello, the designer behind Make Me Up, asked if I’d be interested in attending one of the workshops, I dove in.

I decided to start with the basics and chose their Natural Look Workshop, covering the basics of make-up application. I dragged a friend along with me and we set off for the lovely The Hotel, early on Sunday morning.

I can’t resist sharing this early morning view from The Hotel in Brussels

Arriving at our designated room, we were greeted by make-up artists Sybille De Beuckelaer and Nathalie Peeters and a table filled with colourful goodies.

At each station were mirrors, brushes, sponges, note pads and pens and a booklet containing an introduction to make-up application. Beverages and snacks were supplied too, (for those of us who needed an extra caffeine kick to get going in the morning, ahem).

Nathalie and Sybille began by walking us through the different types of foundation and how to choose the right colour for our skin tones. Then we dove in to choosing and applying our own.

There was a variety of brands to experiment with and we had the option to bring our own make-up with us. Nathalie and Sybille work primarily with Golden Rose and Eve Pearl and if you fall in love with a particular item, you can purchase it from them after the workshop.

Once we had our foundation base, we learned about choosing concealers. Specifically, which colours to use for a particular skin issue. We topped it off with powder to seal everything in place and then moved on to the fun part, the eyes.

Nathalie and Sybille gave us tips for choosing shadows to bring out our eye colours. We then learned all about blending. I also learned I need more practice at this step!

Nathalie demonstrating eye shadow blending

With our eyes done, we finished the natural look with a light lip-gloss and were ready to hit the town.

Those who were staying for the afternoon session headed off to a buffet lunch provided by The Hotel. There are 3 sessions given at a time and you can sign up for as many as you like during the day.

So, my verdict: Am I a make-up convert for life? Still no. My own natural look involves much less make-up.

Would I recommend the Make Me Up Workshops? Absolutely. If you are interested in advancing your make-up skills, or need help knowing where to start, these classes are perfect. It’s fun to experiment and learn from the professionals.

Here it is – the before and after shots. I really must love you guys to be posting my puffy-eyed before photo! As you can see, the look really is natural. If you are looking for more dramatic techniques, there are plenty of workshops to choose from.

The price is reasonable considering it includes all your materials, lunch and drinks. The workshops are 45€ for one, 75€ for two or 100€ for all three. There is also a 10% discount for returning students.

The next session will be on the 25^th of May and the workshops will be:

• Make-up for Business Success
• A Touch of Summer
• The Natural Glow and Shimmer

For more information or to register for classes email booking@silkandleather.com or visit their Facebook Page.

Mussels in Brussels (Photo via Wiki)

“You’ll know you’re there,” I say to friends and colleagues to whom I’ve extolled the virtues of Brussels’ La Bonne Humeur “when you see the enormous mussel outside.”

Yes, a colossal mussel, stuck on a spike like the head of an anti-monarchist during the time of the Tudors and Stuarts. Hardly the precursor to a fine dining experience you might think. But after visiting La Bonne Humeur I might make it a prerequisite for all future restaurant trips. “ What’s that you say? A new Belgian eatery? Yes, I’d love to- actually, hang on. Is there a plastic mussel outside? No? I’m sorry, I can’t. I simply can’t.” The hallmark of quality has been established, and it involves an oversized bivalvia mollusca crafted from fibreglass.

The menu is extensive (and traditionally Belgian) enough: rabbit in Kriek, eel, poached cod, cheval, steak and so on. However, there’s one dish that they do better than anything else. Oui, c’est vrai: moules frites. For around 18 euros you can have a kilo of moules in your chosen stock – marineres, vin blanc and a l’escargots are amongst the regulars, but there’s also a constantly-evolving list of specials currently featuring moutarde, lardons and feta. If you so desire, you can super-size to 1.5 kilos and enjoy a supplement of cream but you’d need to be a) completely nuts or b) have an obesity-related death wish. But my God, they’re good. And so it’s for the moules, the glorious, never-ending cast iron vats of moules, that I keep returning.

Moules, Glorious Moules.

But, I hear you cry, there are lots of places in Brussels that do mussels. Alongside Jean Claude Van Damme and bureaucratic civil administration it’s probably the city’s greatest claim to fame. What makes this place special? Well, since I moved to Brussels I’ve heard innumerable tales of the damage caused by English-speakers and Eurocrats. All the authenticity has been stripped from the city centre since hoards of tourists, expats and their families descended. Desiring nothing more in the way of a culinary experience than a cone of chips or a defrosted waffle on the journey between Manneken Pis and Grand Place, their arrival has meant the quality of traditional dishes has plummeted.

But La Bonne Humeur? It’s as if the whole place has been instagrammed. The formica tables have been rubbed white in patches by Belgian elbows during the days when fags and food went hand in hand. The owner grins bleary-eyed from behind the counter, offering around ashtrays and shots of limoncello after hours on a Saturday when the doors are safely locked. To weary expat eyes, it’s a glimpse of old Brussels seen through a hazy lomo lens.

So go. GO. Now, before the Eurocrats find it. Look out for the giant mussel.

Restaurant de la Bonne Humeur
244 Chausee de Louvain,
1000 Bruxelles
Phone: 02/230.71.69

Be prepared for your retirement in Belgium

Today we are pleased to bring you this sponsored guest post about pension planning in Belgium. If you plan to be in Belgium during your Golden Years, read on to learn valuable information pertaining to your retirement savings.

Belgium has a system of pension planning different from many other countries in the EU. It relies on four pillars of pension arrangements that can be combined in order to give retirees the best possible start to their golden years. However, if you live in the country, or you’re planning to, take care when planning your pension arrangements, as Belgium’s tax system is one of the most punitive in the world.

The First Pillar – The State Pension

At around12,000€ annually, the Belgian state pension is well below the EU average, so it is usually essential retirees have other arrangements in place. However, the exact amount a person is entitled to depends on a number of factors, including salary, the number of years spent in employment and family circumstances.

The Second Pillar – An Occupational Pension

There are certain tax benefits to be gained from building up a pension fund related to employment, but they differ according to whether the holder is self-employed or an employee. Larger employers in Belgium usually have group insurance policies or pension funds in place. This will deliver either a lump-sum payment upon retirement or a life annuity. The average amount this type of pension arrangement delivers to people in Belgium is around 70,000€. Unfortunately, those who are self-employed will have to contribute to their own private scheme, which can be very costly.

The Third Pillar: Personal Savings with Tax Breaks

Pension savings products in Belgium allow individuals to save up to 940€ per year without incurring taxation penalties. However, contributing to a recognised long-term savings plan gives people the chance to save up to 2260€, without having their funds eroded through added tax liabilities. BNP Paribas Fortis recently recommended people living in Belgium should combine the benefits of both long-term savings plans and pension savings schemes for maximum tax-relief.

With careful planning now, you can be set to enjoy your Golden Years

The Fourth Pillar: Personal Savings

The final element to pension planning in Belgium involves ordinary savings accounts without tax breaks. People choose to supplement their retirement funds through basic savings accounts, but the maximum deductible amounts are small.

Of course, British expats in Belgium may have already been contributing to UK-based pension schemes for many years, and they will want to take the necessary steps to avoid paying tax on their income in two different jurisdictions. Fortunately, expat pensions can be protected from income tax, capital gains tax and, sometimes, inheritance tax liabilities to HMRC. A QROPS pension is usually held in a third-party jurisdiction, and as long as the scheme is recognised by HMRC, tax can be legally avoided. An overseas pension of this nature also means people can manage their funds in the local currency – the Euro in Belgium.

Talking to a financial advisor with specific experience in expat pensions could be the first step to protecting your hard-earned pension for a long and enjoyable retirement overseas.

[Today's post was brought to you by Which Offshore, an online consumer resource for those seeking information and advice pertaining to matters related to expatriate life and offshore finance.]

La Chouffe Belgian Blond Ale (photos via Andrew unless otherwise marked)

Summer is around the corner and nothing pairs better with a Belgian summer than a refreshing Belgian beer. Blond ale is a great choice for the season and there are many options in Belgium. Today we get you started with a few you should try.

As spring has (finally) arrived in Belgium, I’m thinking of long summer evenings, a comfortable terrace filled with friends, and a nice glass of beer.  But with so many options in Belgium, how do you pick?

During the (long and wet) winter months, I prefer dark, full bodied ales; something about the weather makes me want richer, darker beer. On warm summer evenings, I prefer something lighter, such as a white beer or blond ale.

Belgium has a wide variety of blond ales, many of which have been created in the last 20 years. Tim Webb, in “Good Beer Guide Belgium,” (Campaign for Real Ale, 2009) links this growth to the big name brands advertising their lagers, which are blond. As consumers, we pick up the visual cues and associate refreshment with a golden blond coloured beer. Belgian brewers have adapted to this shift in market demand and many now produce at least one blond ale.

There are three main styles of blond ale:

• Regular – Regular blonds are typically between 2.5% and 7% alcohol content, have a sweet aroma, and are lightly malty with a slightly sweet taste.
• Tripel – Historically, tripels were made using twice as much malt and were therefore dark brown. The shift to blond tripels happened after Westmalle produced their first commercial blond tripel in 1956. Tripels are malty and slightly sweet with alcohol content ranging from 7% to 9%. They are triple fermented.
• Strong – Strong ales’ alcohol content ranges from 7% to 11% and higher, are less sweet, and often contain more aromatic malts and hops.  Sometimes it’s hard to differentiate between a Tripel and a strong blond, but I find the strong are clearer and drier on the palate. Like the Tripel, these are also triple fermented but, in the final step, are stored in a cold room for several months to stabilize.

For those who are new to terms such as ‘hoppy’ or ‘malty’, a quick explanation is perhaps useful. Hops are used to introduce additional flavours or bitterness to the beer. Flavours include grassy, earthy, herby, and citrus-like tastes; bitterness makes a beer more dry or crisp. Thus, when a beer is hoppy, it usually means it has a lot of those flavours and/or crispness. Big, mass-producing breweries typically add very little hops, which is why beers from smaller producers have so much more flavour and depth.

Tripel Karmeliet is a good example of a ‘malty’ Belgian beer (photo via Wiki)

Barley, the grain typically used as the base for beer, is first soaked in water, until the seed germinates, and then dried to stop the germination. The temperature used and amount of time spent drying determines what type of malt is produced: light, slightly sweet blond ales versus dark, caramel stouts. Thus when a beer is malty it means it has a sweet flavour to it, giving it a full bodied feel when you drink it.

Most blond ales are brewed using exclusively Pilsener malt, which is a lightly roasted, high quality European barley. This gentle roast gives the beer its light, golden colour and a slightly sweet taste. Some blond ales include other types of malt, to give some more colour, but the base is always Pilsener malt.

La Rulles Tripel has plenty of spice, citrus, hop and honey flavours.

In the warm summer months, I prefer the strong, crisp, hoppy blond ales, like Duvel, La Chouffe, or La Rulles Tripel. If the day is a bit cooler, then perhaps something a bit sweeter, such as Tripel Karmeliet, Zinnebir, or La Rulles Blond. No matter your pick, each will pair well with a nice evening on the terrace!

Duvel is an easy to find Belgian Blond Ale, great for enjoying on a sunny terrace. (Photo via Wiki)

CheeseWeb Recommends:

• Duvel (8.5%) – This is the standard for strong, crisp, hoppy blond ale in Belgium. Many brewers have tried to match Duvel, but fall short. It is aromatic with a slightly sweet initial flavour, but crisp, tart finish.
• Tripel Karmeliet (8.1%) – Lightly sweet and creamy, this beer has touches of vanilla, caramel, and citrus. Wonderful on a cooler evening or as a nightcap after the sun has set.
• Zinnebir (5.8%) – A delicious beer from Brasserie de la Senne, it is malty with a slightly bitter, marmalade finish. This is a great drink throughout an evening.

Of course there are many others out there worth trying, but hopefully this gives you some ideas for beer to try on the terrace this summer.

What blond ales do you recommend? Share your thoughts in the comments below.