Astrid Josephine-Charlotte Fabrizia Elisabeth Paola Marie or Princess Astrid is the second child of King Albert with Queen Paola and King Philippe is her sibling who rules the Royal Kingdom of Belgium today.
By : Nia S. Amira
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A 54 year old princess born at Chateau de Belvedere and named after her grandmother, Astrid of Sweden. Princess Astrid is married to Archduke Lorenz of Austria-Este on 22 September 1984, who rules Archducal House in Austria-Este. The couple has five children and two grandchildren from Prince Amedeo Marie Joseph Carl Pierre Philippe Paola Marcus d’Aviano, Archduke of Austria, the first son.
As if to feel the sweet memories of her grandmother, Queen Astrid who visited Bogor Botanical Gardens 87 years ago, Princess Astrid who was wearing purple trouser with colorful blouse and dark blue silk blazer, stopped in Bogor on Wednesday (16/3) for her grandmother’s historical journey.
This charming princess who is engaged with many social activities, especially for the eradication of malaria showing her beautiful smile when standing near a street sign written as Jalan Astrid or Astrid Avenue. There is an overlay tricolor bed flowers of Canna Lily stretches along 100 meters, symbolizing the color of the Belgium’s flag. The flowers were planted in 29 plots which represents the year of 1929, the arrival moment of Queen Astrid in Bogor during her honeymoon time with King Leopold III.
Princess Astrid took time to take pictures next to the sign board given by the Dutch government to her grandmother during her visit to the garden.
She felt emotional closely, when the Belgian Foreign Minister for Foreign Trade, Pieter de Crem explained that Bogor and West Java province has the first English page newspaper handled by a journalist graduated from Belgium.
Bogor Today is the only media that has special place from the Belgian delegation that can meet and communicate directly with the Princess after the lunch.
The Economic mission of Belgian delegation enjoyed a long rest amid the atmosphere of Botanical Garden with no rain. Small forest which was initiated by Thomas Raffles provides a quiet atmosphere when the honor guests having lunch prepared by Cafe Grand Garden that is located right behind Astrid Avenue; ranging from vegetable salad typical Sundanese and seafood soup of Tom Yum as an appetizer. The main menu consists a variety of options; such as grilled meat or chicken with mushroom sauce, grilled marlin fish with dabu-dabu sauce, stirred vegetables, and Pad Thai Noodle. A seasonal fresh fruit and fruit pudding in vanilla sauce worth for dessert.
Belgium has particular culinary that is famous in the world; witlof also called as Chicory or Endive, a shaped white-yellow vegetable with a slightly bitter taste can be made like sort of salad or baked in rolled with meat white sauce.
Brussels Sprout or sort like small round green chinese cabbage sauteed with garlic and served with grilled meat or chicken.
Very unique Belgian food is Artichoke, a type of Mediterranean vegetable, rich of fibre and has been eating since the days of ancient Egypt until eventually spread out to other parts of Europe by the Greeks and Romans.
Belgium also has French Fries known as Belgian Frites or Frituur with its tasty mayonaise sauce. A frites lover of a father and son have opened the only fries  museum in the world called Frietmuseum, located in Bruges.
The smiling princess sent her warm greetings both in Dutch and French to all readers of Bogor Today, before continuing her journey to Bandung, which is scheduled to meet the Governor of West Java. “We are so happy here. Indonesia has very nice people,” said the Princess
