Friday 16th September 2011 Antwerp

We are really enjoying Antwerp which is truly beautiful. The Central Station is something to see, as are many other buildings.

We visited the main Cathedral which had an exhibition of some of Rubens' masterpieces, as well as some other 17th century masterpieces. Rubens lived in Antwerp for a while and his house is now a museum.

Antwerp is visited by the big cruise ships, and we were walking along the Schelde riverfront when the "Aida Blu" cruise ship began to set off for its next destination. It's amazing how these ships can turn 180 degrees in what appears to be an impossible space.

We have explored the city and sights until our feet hurt and we have to rest. The few buskers that we've seen have mostly been playing classical music (mostly violin and even a piano). It's nice to hear a bit of Vivaldi or Mozart in the central pedestrian zone where cars are not allowed.

Sophie (our charming host at Yentl's Place) urged us to try the Belgian tradition of having a "Bolleke Koning" when we get to Antwerp.  It is the local favourite beer served in a large brandy style glass, so we went to a brasserie on Waperstraat and dutifully partook.  Excellent!

The strange boat you see on the left of the picture above is the "Brigitte Bardot" which is the Sea Shepherd boat which harassed the Japanese whaleships in th Southern Ocean.

The parks here have tame domestic rabbits running free.

We went for a walk through the diamond trade district, which includes the Jewish quarter.  There are lots of young Jewish families and lots of young Jewish men wearing the same black outfits they wear in Jerusalem.