We arrived at Antwerp’s main train station which is a tourist attraction in its own right
The interior was decorated with reliefs, statues, coloured stone and marble
The stone viaduct leading to the station
The architecture was a blend of Dutch and French elements
The grand entrance to the Stadsfeestzaal Shopping Centre
Inside the shopping centre
Chocolate bride and groom on display at The Chocolate Line, an upmarket Belgian chocolate shop
Cathedral of Our Lady
View of the Cathedral from the Meir, Antwerp’s main shopping street
An endless variety of Belgian beers for sale
A young cyclist takes a nap
The Grote Markt (Town Square) is the heart of the old city
Inside the Amadeus Restaurant – famous for ribs and beer
The Giant Lange Wapper outside the medieval fortress Het Steen
Buildings around Koningin Astridplein (Queen Astrid Square)
The Stadhuis (Town Hall)
In front of the town hall was the Brabo Fountain depicting the hero Brabo’s victory over Antigoon. The mythical giant Antigoon guarded a bridge over the river and exacted a toll from all those who crossed. If they refused he cut off their hand and threw it into the river. Antigoon was eventually slain by Brabo (a young Roman soldier) who cut off the giant’s hand and flung into the river.
The modern red brick and wavy glass Museum Aan De Stroom building
Views from the top of the building
War memorial on the waterfront
We spent a lot of time exploring Antwerp’s Diamond District and Jewish Quarter
The Bourla Theatre
The Long Way Round
Saturday, 9 August 2014
Monday, 21 July 2014
12 June 2014 – 14 June 2014 - Bruges, Flanders, Belgium
Bruges was a picturesque medieval town with cobbled streets, canals, stone bridges, rows of charming terraced gabled houses and lovely squares.
The Provincial Courthouse
Belfry of Bruges
Belgian Waffles come in a variety of flavours
The Markt
Friday night festivities at a bar next to the train station
Our Belgian friends Stefaan and Tine took us on a day trip to the Belgian coast and the green Flemish “polders” (large flat areas of reclaimed land)
The ruined church at the small medieval town of Damme
Where we found a lost Unicorn
De Haan, a village on the West Flanders coast
Beach houses
A coastal forest walk near De Haan
Back in Bruges
Church of Our Lady
What are you looking at????
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