Travel Tips

on 9th of May I had the pleasure of meeting Lalique (Marianna) and her friend Ella.
Ron (Ronald-t) joined us too that day.
Ron and I met at Central station in the lounge.
We could walk together to Roosevelt square where the "girls" would arrive by bus around 11:30 am.

After their arrival we walked back to Central Station to have their backpacks put away secure in some lockers.
Because of the works in the station, it was quite some search to find the right spot of the lockers, but finally we succeeded.
oh well, the search gave me the opportunity to show some parts of the nice building '-)

We walked down the De Keyserlei towards the Meir and the old city centre, leaving the Central Station behind.
Turning around we had a nice view at the "second cathedral" of Antwerp.

When you are at the end of the De Keyserlei you have to cross the Leien (Frankrijklei in this case).
Here used to be water surrounding the old city and city wall in early times.
Crossing the Frankrijklei brings you to the Teniersplaats (Teniers is a painter).
His statue is there and at the corners you will see the beautiful facades of the houses.

A few steps further and you are now on the Meir.
The shopping street of Antwerp.

The bending in the Meir street are designed on purpose:
it makes it possible to enjoy the facades on the both sides of the street.
If the street would have been straight, you wouldn't have had the same nice view on them, it would have been impossible.
So it was really clever thinking of the architect

A bit more then halfway you have the Wapper at your lefthand side.
It is in this street that you will find the Rubens museum, actually it was original Ruben's house, where he lived and painted.

Then first a turn to the right, towards the Saint Jacobs church where Rubens is buried.
As it was an official holiday the church was not really opened to public and we only had a few minutes to have a quick look around.
pity!

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Bourla Theatre

The Bourla Theatre

Wapper will lead you to the theatre district.
I first planned to have a drink in the old Bourla theatre lounge (first floor, a Wiener cafe), but the weather was so nice we decided to sit outside.

It might seem that we only visited pubs and resto's, but less is true!
We did a hell of a walking around!
The few beers we drank, we really deserved!
This was our first pit stop, at the Graanmarkt, a square that used to be a market square and is situated at the theatre site of Antwerp.
(on the picture: Danielle, Ella, Marianna, Ron)

A short cut through the botanical garden where we almost lost Ron for the first time!
'-) it's an inside joke LOL
The weather was nice and the beer was cool and tempting LOL

statue at the botanical garden

Then walking through narrow streets we arrived back at the Meir (as we walked in a circle, we arrive back at this orientation point).
And then we headed towards the Groenplaats where you have a nice view at the Cathedral.
You can notice the statue of Rubens on the square (always with a pidging on his head and accordingly to Ron a hidden angel under his coat! see if you can find it next time you visit)

While Ron was taking care of his physical well being at the pub "'t paters vaetje", we took care of our "spiritual" hehehe and "cultural well being and entered the Cathedral for a visit.

some of the stain windows are magnificient

it is here that you can find Ruben's famous paintings of the ascending and descending of the cross.

After the visit we intended to pick up Ron at the pub but he was still having his drink.
So we decided to let him enjoy it at his ease and went for a quick visit to a pub nearby called "Het Elfde Gebod" which means "The Eleventh Commandment".
Now for those who don't know what this Eleventh Commandment is, it means:
"You should enjoy yourself!"
The pub is famous because of the owner's collection of saint's statues.

Getting back we found Ron having a drink with two of his city neighbours of Turnhout, it is a small world :-)
ah well Belgium is for sure hahaha.
So we let him have his drink and took off for a short walk again.
We headed to the market square with its statue of Brabo.
The city hall was packed with flags and we tried to recognize as many flags and nationalities as possible.

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Het Steen

Het Steen

Then towards the Vleeshuis and back to the Scheldt, passing Het Steen, the maritime museum

Then strolling along the river near the balustrade until we got to the stairs of Het Zand.
There we went down, crossed the little square and turned into the Hoogstraat again.
A rather busy little street with a lot of nice shops.

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Peter the Great in Antwerp

I would have loved to take Marianna and Ella to the Southern part of the city and let them see the statue of Peter the Great, but we had to go back to check on Ron.
Maybe next time?
But well Marianna, specially for you... the picture of the statue!

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Peter the Great in Antwerp

Peter the Great in Antwerp

It was told that he liked to travel incognito and that he once set food ashore here in Antwerp.

At the righthand side in the Hoogstraat, almost hidden to the eye, there is a 3rd entrance (or passing through) of the Vlaaikensgang, about the most pitoresque place in Antwerp.

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Conscience plaats

Conscience plein

After our trip we had to pick Ron up and we all walked the direction of the second stop (for the girls that is hahaha) towards the pub of Quinten Matsys.
But first we enjoyed the view on the Conscience plaats.

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Carolus Boromeus church

Carolus Boromeus church

The Carolus Boromeus church at this square is beautiful as well!
Unfortunately we picked the wrong day... official holiday, everything is closed!

Our second stop at the Quinten Mattsys pub, the oldest pub in Antwerp.
It used to be a pub originally and it still is.
The game inside (that you still can play) is called "tonspel" and is 250 years old.
(on the picture: Ron, Ella, Marianna, Danielle)

at close to 6 pm our stomach started to protest because they felt they were getting a little neglected.
In front of the pub Het Elfde Gebod (at the left) and the Restaurant BACINO (at the right), Torfbrug 5, Tel: 03/231.17.79, a democratic and well thouroughly made decision took place...
what to choose between those two?
The big pancarte with "MUSSELS" did it and we decided to go into Bacino.

A minor mistake because first news we heard was they ran out of mussels :-(
But rabbit would be a good replacement and Ella wanted to try the Froglegs.
When they brought the huge plate with all the legs, I asked her if she knew what was the first step between the capturation of the frogs and the moment they get their legs cut off?

Well they put the frogs on a belt conveyor. Is this the right word anyway but I can hardly call it an assembly conveyor because in this case parts are taking off rather then put on! LOL

So and along the way of that belt, there is this little underpaid princess with swollen iritated lips (bit like M.J.Hotlips) and she has to kiss every frog passing her.
When nothing happens, then the frog is ready for consumption.
However if the frog goes <<~&*FLOEPS*%#@ , turns into a prince, then it is disapproved and removed.

So... Marianna asks... what if she missed a frog???
and it is a wrong one that should have been removed?!
and it is on Ella's plate!!!!
aaaaaaah the moment she brings it to her mouth she will have two huge legs on that plate!

So I said mmm only legs? Depends on how much under the waist they cut them in the first place!

LOL
Bon apetit!

oh... P.S. I think Marianna liked the red wine but she really has a diplomatic way to get rid of the apperitivo! hehehe!
to be honest... we aimed at Ron '-)
but missed him hehehe
ok think revenge is on it's way by now !
LOL another inside joke!!!
Couldn't help '-)

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Amtiance in Antwerp

Ambiance in the city at night!

After a nice dinner we got on our feet again and walked back towards the Cathedral.
The purpose was to show and walk the pedestrian tunnel leading to the left bank, and there enjoy the panoramic view on the lights of the city, reflecting in the water of the river.
But halfway we crossed this funny band.

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ambiance in Antwerp

.They really made the ambiance there!
And we paused to watch them for a while, they were so funny!

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Ambiance in Antwerp

... BUT THE REAL STARS WERE....................

Almost forgot we still wanted to get to the other side!
We had to say goodby to Ron because he couldn't risk to join us, it could be too late and he would miss his last train home!!!
So goodby Ron, it was fun.
And off the three of us went towards the entrance of the pedestrian tunnel at Het Zand.

Because it was late we had to take the elevator instead of the automatic stairs.
Pity because it is an experience!
But here is a view on them

...and then a walk of about 550 meter to the other side!

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left bank view

Left bank view

To enjoy a nice view that I still haven't managed to put ok on a picture hahaha
geeeh will have to go again and give it another try!

Then we took the tram (streetcar) back in the pré-metro to the Central Station. I had to ask where the entrance of the metro is at the leftbank, I always seems to loose it out of sight.
Maybe that is because it is such a tiny entrance for such a huge underground station...
so you just look around and try to find a small building that rather looks (and has the size) of a public toilet... and that is the entrance folks!
We picked up the luggage out of the lockers, ran for the train (we could as well took the streetcar back to my place but train is faster)...
we had to switch trains in the next station (Berchem Antwerp)... and when we got off... we saw the notices all the trains stopping at my place were CANCELED!!! AAAAAAAAHHHHH those morons of the railroad company didn't bother to hang that notice in the Central Station in Antwerp!!!
So the streetcar was too far walking... the only bus coming a bit close just drove along...
so... only choice was to take a cab.
But as we could split it in 3 parts it was still affordable.
I dropped my friends at a friend's place as I have no spare rooms myself (I should consider going to live in a bigger house ! hahaha).
And there our roads separated as I had to go working again on Friday :-(
Pity I had to miss breakfast and another day with this terrific company ...
but maybe next time? :-)

It was nice having you here Marianna.
You are always welcome to visit again! Still so many things to see here!