CrystaNeese512
Performing Some Fishing net
Originally a tiny fishing village, the city of Oostende received its city charter in the 13th century and now features a population of 91,000 people, the biggest population on the Belgian coast. Set half way along the 40 mile Belgian coastline, it became famous as a resort within the 19th century, when Kings Leopold I and II spent their summers there. During Globe War II the city was badly bombed.The city is protected from the North Sea by a series of significant dikes built within the late 14th century. But, the city sometimes fell victim to invading armies. Its value as a harbour rose within the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as a railway link to Brussels was built in 1838. In 1846 it became a transit harbour to England, sending its first ferry boat to Dover. These days, hundreds of passengers travel in between Oostende and England inside a space of just two hours, which makes it an excellent weekend resort for British travellers.Named 'The Queen from the Belgian sea-side Resorts, Oostende boasts a lengthy and sandy beach and is actually a trendy beach resort for locals too as guests to Belgium, a great number of of whom come to surf and sail. The old town and fishing harbour are popular attractions, and Oostende has a great deal to provide you with within the way of shopping, eating and entertainment.Locations of interest:The twin-towered church of St Peter & Saint Paul, close to the railway station, is really a neo-gothic building built of sandstone in 1904-5. It houses the mausoleum of Queen Louise-Marie, Belgium's initial Queen, who died in 1850 in Oostende.The 'Fort Napoleon', north in the city centre, is the only Napoleonic fortress still intact inside the whole of Europe. Constructed by Napoleon through the French occupation in 1810 and completed in 1812, it housed 260 soldiers. Within the Second World War it was used as a German barracks.Among Oostende and Middelkerke, near the beach, lies a significant group of dunes known as the 'Raversijde Domain', which is a natural nature reserve. Here also is the 'Atlantikwall', a complex of tunnels and bunkers constructed by occupying German troops in the Very first and Second World Wars. Nearby is also an archaeological site of a medieval fishing village from 13th to 15th centuries.For garden lovers, the Japanese Garden inside the Koningspark is worth a visit and can be found opposite the swimming baths, near the sea wall.Things to do:A walk along the splendidly clean and unspoilt beach, with a swim or paddle within the sea, is one of Oostende's pleasantest activities, but there are plenty of further activities inside the centre and close to Oostende.Oostende has several shopping centres, including the traffic-free Kappellestraat, Adolf Buylstraat and Witte Nonnestraat. Also, at the Alfons Pieterslaan and the Torhoutsesteenweg you can shop all year round. Market day in Oostende is on Thursdays on the Wapenplein, Groentemarkt and Mijnplein.For those interested in history and culture, Oostende has several museums and galleries to visit. The Museum of Local History holds collections from the Neolithic and Roman times, a maritime section and sections on the two world wars. The Museum of Fine Arts holds works from the Belgian Masters, and at the Museum of Modern Art you can see a wide range of paintings, sculptures and objects from Belgium's recent history. Other places are the Museum Sint-Pieterstoren, the Museum of Religious Arts, the North Sea Aquarium and the Schooner Mercator which is actually a former Merchant Navy training ship now restored as a nautical museum. James Ensor House is where the famous impressionist painter lived.One of your most fashionable areas for families with children is the Maria Hendrika Park. Here you will find minigolf, rowing and pedal boats, playgrounds and woodland walks. Refreshments are available at the café.You can also take a horse-drawn carriage tour around the city, where you will be shown the interesting sights with the city.Food & Drink:Whatever kind of food or restaurant you are looking for you are likely to find it here. Oostende has plenty of restaurants, cafes, bars and taverns both within its lively city centre, and along the promenade. Wherever you go, you will find kiosks selling mussels, fresh fish restaurants, and the ice cream is not to be missed.There are several bars selling real ale, including the Café Botteltje and the Ostens Bierhuus. Oostende also includes a selection of English style pubs.One on the most preferred restaurants in the city is the James Tavern in James Ensor Galerij 34, off Vlaanderenstraat. In its friendly atmosphere, you can sample a wide range of local cuisine, including their specialty, garnaalkroketten, or shrimp croquettes.Of course, Oostende's best-loved food is fresh fish, and you do not have to look too far to find a wide choice of places specialising in seafood. One with the best fish restaurants is the Old Fisher on the Fisherman's Wharf. This features a relaxed but elegant atmosphere where you can sample a wide range of local fresh fish dishes. Another fish restaurant is the David Dewaele, a family-run restaurant serving French cuisine and fish fresh from the North Sea.Hotels & AccommodationAlpha Hotel
Hotel Burlington
Belgian painter and printmaker James Sidney Edouard Baron Ensor or James Ensor (April 13, 1860 - November 19, 1949) was a frontrunner of 'Expressionism' and 'Surrealism.' He was born inside the Belgian coastal town of Ostend, in a nicely to do enterprise family members of English father and a Flemish mother. Ensor grew up as a uniquely creative youngster. He was attracted to the regional artists and learnt a great deal from them. By the age of twenty, he groomed into a fantastic artist, and began producing paintings of varied tastes and 'Contemporary' in style. He has accomplished very just a few paintings, but rose to fame through "The Entry of Christ into Brussels."This revolutionary painting "The Entry of Christ into Brussels," amply brings out James' crucial considering about the then society. He detested the faking in the well-placed many people in society, ill-treating the undesirable, although preaching humanity. Ensor felt for the dejected members from the society. He has deliberately tried to portray Jesus' face like a saint, to reflect his getting a pious religionist and an advocate of the poor and oppressed. Atheist social reformer of superb influence, Emile Littre, has been drawn together with the Mayor. They each are shown standing within a balcony, looking mindless of Jesus led 'Mardi Gras' procession, thereby intending to impose themselves on the society. Jesus had entered Jerusalem City on a donkey, which Ensor has portrayed in "The Entry of Christ into Brussels." The depicted audience and spectators look materialistic. Even though Jesus' entry is shown celebrated in its personal proper, the popular appear to exploit it to their advantage. The people today are masked as clowns, frauds, skull, and caricatures, with a festive mind.Created in 1888 at Ostend, "The Entry of Christ into Brussels," an oil on canvass measuring 99 ½" x 169 ½", per se was least artistic and creatively attractive. It was very intense however, in its controversial message, disfavoring the ambitious and hypocrite crème-de-la-crème of your then society. Les XX, the artists' association that Ensor co-founded, rejected this masterpiece, which could not be exhibited publicly, until 1929. Mindless of the treatment meted out to him, Ensor always proudly displayed "Christ's Entry into Brussels" in his home and studio. Meanwhile, the painting gathered crucial appreciation over time.The artist had attempted painting the theme many times earlier, but not to his satisfaction. The trial versions of "The Entry of Christ into Brussels" are still kept in museums. James' paintings were aggressive, painterly in style, and deep emotional, carrying mass appeal. "The Entry of Christ into Brussels" was a forerunner of the twentieth-century 'Expressionism.'The French 'Pointillism' was prevalent then. However, James Ensor used palette knives, spatulas, and both ends of his brush to color creatively. This gave unique identity to his paintings, which despite the fact that did not get recognition instantly, got their dues in early 1900s just like "The Entry of Christ into Brussels." The painting is currently displayed at the Getty Museum, Los Angeles, United States.
Early Profession Farmer started his profession in marketing with Palitoy, makers of Action Man, Tiny Tears dolls and Star Wars toys. He then formed his own production display provider, Farmer Studios, in 1976 which quickly expanded to give full style, production and installation services. 4 years ago, acquiring grow to be increasingly frustrated that the development in the business meant that his time was spent on management, administration and cash flow instead of design and creativity, Farmer disbanded the production enterprise and established Farmer Attraction Development.
