#116 - Welcome to Planckendael!
An impromptu change of plans sends Kat, Damian and Alyce from Prague to Kat's childhood home in Brussels, and to Planckendael, the wildlife park she loved as a girl. Watching Alyce light up at her first real-life giraffe becomes the trip's most magical moment.
Welcome to Planckendael: Alyce Meets Her Giraffes
Dear Family & Friends,
Our trip to Europe with Alyce was filled with surprises and unforgettable moments, and one of the highlights was our visit to Planckendael, a wildlife park in Belgium. It all started when we landed in Prague and I was having a conversation with my dad about where we’d go next. Originally, I had grand plans to take Alyce and Damian to the beach in Spain. But the weather wasn’t looking great there, and the plane tickets were a bit on the expensive side. That’s when Damian suggested we head to Brussels, Belgium, and introduce Alyce to my childhood home. I agreed immediately but then realized, wait a second , I hadn’t even told my friends about our impromptu trip yet! A couple of text messages later, and my friends were thrilled and excited to meet Alyce and Damian for the first time.
We were ready for a new adventure!
A short 50-minute flight later (so easy!), we arrived in Brussels, and Alyce, as usual, was the perfect traveler—snuggled up and fast asleep for the whole flight. We rented a car at the airport to make it easier to get around, and before long, we were heading to my childhood home. There’s something incredibly special about returning to this house, a place that will always feel like home, no matter how many years have passed. My childhood house has its own history—every room carries its own story. Honestly, I could write a whole newsletter about the memories tied to each room, but for now, let’s just say it’s a place filled with warmth and nostalgia.
After we arrived, we made a quick pit stop for some delicious Turkish shawarma takeaway before heading inside to settle in. Once we’d unpacked and had a bit of time to relax, the plan for the week started to come together. While we didn’t have a firm agenda, one thing was clear to me—I wanted to take Alyce and Damian to a few special places that meant a lot to me as a child. And one of those places was Planckendael, a wildlife park where I spent many happy days as a kid. It’s a place that’s dedicated to nature conservation and education, and I couldn’t wait to share it with Alyce.
Damian had already been introducing Alyce to animals on YouTube, so I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to show her all the animals she’s been learning about, but in person!
On the day of the visit, we were all excited. Alyce, of course, brought her favorite giraffe toy along for the ride, and I could see how thrilled she was every time she spotted one of her beloved giraffes on the screen of her toy. After a quick 25-minute drive, we arrived at Planckendael, and Alyce was immediately captivated by the sight of the animals. The park wasn’t crowded at all, and each animal had its own natural habitat, giving us plenty of room to explore. We spent the entire day wandering through the five sections of the park—Europe, Africa, Oceania, Asia, and Northern America.
Watching Alyce’s excitement as she encountered animals she recognized was absolutely priceless. From camels to elephants, zebras to deer, Alyce was overjoyed, but as the day wore on, she needed a nap. And while I’m typically one for letting a sleeping baby rest, we knew that when we reached the giraffes, we couldn’t let this moment slip by. Damian gently woke Alyce up so she could see the giraffes, and when she laid eyes on them, her face lit up with astonishment. “OMG, mom and dad, a giraffe!” she exclaimed in awe. It was truly a magical moment—witnessing Alyce seeing her favorite animal in real life for the first time.
We stayed with the giraffes for a while, letting Alyce take in the beauty and grace of these magnificent creatures. After that, we wandered around a bit more, exploring the park until we made our way to the European section where we saw rabbits and bunnies. By then, it was getting close to closing time, and we knew it was time to head back to Brussels.
As we made our way back to my childhood home, I found myself reminiscing about the last time I visited Planckendael—about 25 years ago. It was strange and wonderful to think about how much had changed since then, yet the park still held that same magic. The animals were healthy, the staff was caring, and the park was still a place of joy for children and adults alike. The day was filled with laughter, wonder, and memories that I will always treasure.
Returning to Brussels was everything I’d hoped it would be—introducing Alyce to my childhood, reconnecting with old friends, and experiencing something so special as a family. The house, the park, the animals—all of it will stay with us forever.
Sending love and warmth from our European adventures,
Kat, Damian, and Alyce 🦒❤️