Antwerp
30 May to 01 June 2025
On Friday, Julie and Anthony drove the car to the Antwerp Midi Train Station. Because the day after the Ascension is also a holiday (did I mention Belgium was awesome) there was no one working at the Hertz counter. After several phone calls we discovered where to park the car and where to leave the keys.
Antwerp Train Station
Julie and Anthony took the tram into Antwerp. We stayed at the Boulevard Leopold Bed and Breakfast. The proprietor Martin was in Japan with one of his recurring guests, so Ludo was taking care of us. Ludo helped us carry our luggage up 4 flights of stairs.
After dropping off the luggage, Julie and Anthony visited the Grote Markt, the scene of an enjoyable lunch we had with friends 25 years previous. We had a late lunch and took some photos.
In ancient Antwerp, a bustling city, a giant Antigonus terrorized the villagers, cutting their hands off and throwing them in the Scheldt River. A Roman soldier named Marcus, known for his bravery, confronted the giant. They fought fiercely, and after an intense battle, Marcus severed the giant's hand and threw it in the river. The now-defeated Antigonus fled.
Julie and Anthony meandered down to the Het Steen (Castle), on the banks of the Scheldt River. We climbed to the top floor and took photos of he surrounding area.
Julie and Anthony walked down the river to the Saint Anna Tunnel (opened in 1933), which travels 572 meters under the Scheldt River. We escalated down (on a wooden escalator) (and eventually up) the 31 meters, and walked the length of the tunnel, dodging homicidal bikers.
View across the Scheldt River.
Anthony consulting the map. Only slightly off track at this point in the journey
At breakfast, Ludo gave us a recommended route on a paper map. We called this Ludo’s Way.
Market on Ludo’s Way
At the Ruebens House museum. Note: The actual house is under renovation UNTIL 2031!!!
Add La Chouffe to Anthony’s list of Belgian beers.
MAS museum
Left: fresco on a church on our walk. Right: Painting of Saint Bill Gates, in a exhibit about generous people in the MAS.
Views from the top of the MAS
Not Pictured here, Julie and Anthony stroll down the red light district in Antwerp. This was not actually on the Way.
Later, Julie and Anthony crossed the Scheldt in a Ferry, traveling on top, rather than under the river.
