Dries Buytaert

Miscellaneous 2023

A person walking on a cobblestone street surrounded by old buildings.
Walking through the historic streets of Durbuy is a journey through time. The cobblestone roads and quaint architecture invite the imagination to wander, wondering about the stories and lives of those who lived here hundreds of years ago.
A cobblestone street surrounded by old buildings.
The picturesque cobblestone streets of Durbuy.
The store front of a small shop, decorated with Christmas lights.
"L'épicerie de Durbuy" is a small specialty shop located in Durbuy. They offer artisanal products made locally in the Ardennes region. On our visit, we purchased some of their homemade pastis.
An empty stroller standing in front of a kids attraction.
Durbuy is one of the smallest towns in Belgium, but has one of the best Christmas markets.
The view from an airplane window shows another plane being de-iced, fluids sprayed on the wing to remove any ice and snow.
In the queue to get de-iced.
A mother and daughter working together in a dimly lit kitchen.
We recently visited Vanessa's parents. Their house holds great sentimental value as it not only served as Vanessa's childhood home, but also her father's. The property has been in the family for over 50 years. As we looked through old photographs, it became evident that countless birthdays and holidays were celebrated in their kitchen, adding to the warmth and nostalgia of the space.
A skinny and bendy road in Boston, dark from dusk, leads the eye to Boston's largest skyscraper, whose mirror glass windows are reflecting the last sun.
The John Hancock Tower shines in the last sunlight of the day. At 60 stories and 790 feet (240 meters), it is the tallest building in Boston.
A woman, dressed in pajamas and a winter hat, is sitting on a sofa reading a book, surrounded by the softly lit warmth of a log cabin.
The winds are howling, the snow is swirling, and frost is creeping upon the cabin's windows. But a love for cooking means she is always exploring cookbooks.
A log cabin nestled among trees, set in the evening's darkness, its interior lights reflecting on the snow and creating a peaceful atmosphere.
We're spending the weekend at a remote cabin in Vermont. You can't tell from the photo, but the temperature dropped to -17°F (-27°C).
A glassblower molding red-hot glass using a long rod and a large, special knife. He is seated on a wooden bench, surrounded by tools.
A glassblower at Simon Pearce in Vermont. I bought some handblown Negroni glasses.
Plants on a kitchen windowsill, basking in warm sunlight.
This summer, we're moving out of the apartment that I've owned for almost twenty years. Leaving will be tough as we have made countless memories here. Before we move, I want to capture some photos of the things I love about our apartment, such as the warm afternoon light in the kitchen shown in this picture.
A black and white portrait of two individuals sharing a moment of laughter.
We are celebrating a few birthdays with our family in Belgium. Lots of laughter and happy smiles.
A teenage boy with a basketball runs towards the basket, while players from the other team try to catch him. He started his layup before they could reach him.
I love that my sons have become passionate about basketball. Having passions is important for our well-being and drives our personal growth. It helps us develop a sense of identity and belonging, and it often drives us to work harder and push ourselves to improve. Passions also encourage us to dream big. They open up new opportunities and connect us with like-minded people. Having passions and being passionate is so important in life, be it in sports or any other area.
An aerial view of a harbor with traditional fishing boats docked on jetties and majestic snow-covered mountains providing a stunning backdrop.
The picturesque harbor of Svolvær in Lofoten, Norway. Lofoten is situated above the Arctic Circle and known for its picturesque fjords and rugged landscapes.
A small fishing boat docked on a jetty against the backdrop of a serene harbor.
Lofoten has a rich and storied fishing heritage. The fishing industry has its sustained local communities for generations.
A old, snow-covered fishing boat docked in front of red buildings that serve as homes for fishermen.
We went deep-sea fishing on a traditional fishing boat similar to the one shown. Lofoten, Norway is known for its charming red buildings. The unique red color of the buildings is the result of using cod liver oil as paint, which provides protection against the harsh arctic climate.
People with fishing rods on a boat, bundled up to stay warm in the cold arctic weather. Snow-covered mountains provide a beautiful backdrop.
Deep-sea fishing between the stunning fjords of Lofoten.
In the foreground, a cheese grater and a measuring cup holding dried pasta. In the background, a pot with hot water and a pan with bolognese sauce.
Pasta night! Vanessa's homemade bolognese sauce, paired with authentic pasta imported from Italy, freshly grated parmesan cheese, and a bottle of red wine from a vineyard in Italy that we visited last summer.
A table with drinks in the foreground and a television showing a cycling race in the background.
Tuning in to the Ronde van Vlaanderen, the prestigious one-day cycling race that takes place in Flanders, Belgium.
Four sets of sneakers in a row below a radiator.
Ready for four days of family fun at the Belgian coast.
Axl telescope
A display of different baked goods such as cakes and cookies.
We found a cute coffee shop called Brødwolf in Brighton, UK. We enjoyed a delicious Easter Monday breakfast there.
A few people standing on the beach between the remains of an old pier. In the water, there are even more and larger parts of the destroyed pier.
The West Pier in Brighton, UK. The pier was built in 1866 and was a popular attraction. Over the years, it suffered damage from various storms, and in 2003 a fire destroyed much of the structure.
A quaint old cottage nestled at the base of a hill, surrounded by trees and flowers. An old castle sits atop the hill.
A charming cottage in Lewes, UK.
Behind a small cart, a bartender pours flaming liquid from one cup to another. On the cart are glasses for coffee and a bottle of tequila and Kahlua.
If you're in Mexico and feeling adventurous, be sure to order a Mexican coffee. A mixologist will mix coffee, tequila, and Kahlua, light it up, and create an epic waterfall of flames.
Acquia employees enjoying an outdoor dinner as the night sets in, seated at round tables below strings of lights strung between palm trees.
We enjoyed a three-day trip to Mexico as part of Acquia's President's Club, a program that recognizes top-performing salespeople and employees.
A sushi chef is using a torch to sear sushi.
"No Relation" is one of my favorite restaurants in the South End of Boston. Their sushi is absolutely amazing, and I love watching the chefs prepare the food. Everything about "No Relation" - the food, the decor, and the service - reminds me of my trips to Japan. It's the closest dining experience to what I've had in Japan.
Dries is cleaning a roofdeck with the Boston skyline in the background, but then gets distracted and starts playfully spraying water into the air instead of cleaning.
Update from the upper deck crew: the roof deck is clean and ready for the Boston summer.