"A" for Antwerp

Train for Antwerp was to leave at 8:52 but instead it left at 9:52.  Oh well. We were met at the train station with our three favourite Warm Shower guests from two years ago, Ilisa, Gaert and Bert. 

And a beautiful station it is! 

We had our own personal tour guides to show us their city. Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate, it rained. 

The cathedral in the background is our first stop. The Cathedral of Our Lady took nearly 170 years to build starting in 1352. 

The cathedral is dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

They are showing collections of masterpieces by Peter Paul Rubens and other Flemish masters. 

From the outside you can see that there is only one tower. The second one was never finished making this cathedral unique. 

Even in the rain, markets are found in the plaza.

The building behind is the city hall where the mayor works. And the statue in front is of a hero, Brabo with a giant's hand in his hand.

And inside the mayor's office.

Built in the 1500's.

Antwerp has a legend about a young man, called Brabo who chopped off the hand of a giant and saved the town. The giant would charge a toll from those crossing the river, and for those who refused, he severed one of their hands and threw it into the river. Bravo cut off the giant's own hand and flung it into the river. Hence the name Antwerpen, from Dutch hand werpen, akin to Old English hand and wearpan (to throw), which has evolved to today's warp. ( according to Bert and Wikipedia) 

The giant. Time for a Belgium beer and get out of the rain.

We had a chance to see the city from the top of the MAS, Museum Aan de Stroom. We didn't go into see the exhibit but went to the top to see the skyline, even in the wet weather it looked good. 

Norm near the edge....

More walking about finding hidden treasures in the city, some unusual. 

Narrow streets.

A spot where Bert has taken wedding photos. Romantic! 

Time for another Belgium treat, a chocolate store. We had milk with warm hazelnut chocolate.

There is always time for chocolate.

More walking and time for more food. We had dinner at a restaurant that makes real Belgium food. Even though I thought I wasn't hungry, we all managed a delicious meal, stew, pasta, frites, salad...

Back to our host's apartment to relax. Amsterdam tomorrow morning then pack for home.