Holland & Belgium Viking River Cruise
Day 4: Monday, October 28, 2024 - Antwerp, Belgium
The day's statistics:
- Weather: low 60s
- Steps: 8,209 Linda; 11,700 Steve (including any pre-trip / leaving home steps)
- Miles traveled (approximately): 130
Our luggage was to be out by 11:30 AM, and we were to gather in the lobby at 1:30 to prepare for departure.
This timing played with our schedule a little as we really didn't have much time to go anywhere or do much of anything,
so we just made the best of it by staying local.
We had our last breakfast in this hotel.
There was an interesting skylight in the dining area.
The hotel had a courtyard, and below the hotel - think of it as sublevel 1 - were various shops.
We returned to the room, brushed, finalized the luggage, and then at about 10:30 headed out for a stroll.
Right outside the hotel, at the head of the driveway, was this Lamborghini STO for rent.
We again visited the toy store at the end of the driveway.
We headed in the direction that was opposite from that of the two previous days, and did some window shopping.
Along the way, we also reviewed some menus to help decide where to eat lunch when hungry time came.
After walking for a bit, we returned to the hotel lobby and played some Pinochle until about 12:20.
We then started getting hungry and decided to head back out for a light lunch.
We walked back to a location called Jeanbon, and shared am Italiano hero / sub / long sandwich.
Right after we ate, there was a rather long line at the counter - good timing.
After eating, we headed back to the hotel. Before going inside we did some more window shopping at the stores
in the courtyard. These included the staples of jewelry, luggage, and home goods.
We again returned to the hotel lobby to kill what little time we had left before departing. After verifying our
luggage in the lobby, so it could be loaded onto the bus, we sat and talked to Burress and Beth from Alabama.
A little before 2:00 came time to board the bus and head to our next city, Antwerp.
We were greeted by Hulgar, our cruise Program Director, when we boarded the bus.
We came across this roundabout with a sculpture in the middle of it - as a lot of round abouts have.
Further on we passed the Park of the King.
The royal stables, while keeping the motif were converted into an office building.
A sculpture.
We also passed the Academy of Science, Literature, and Philosophy.
Brussels is the administrative center of the EU. We passed some related office buildings.
Whatever this was in a park, and a statue atop a dome.
This warehouse contains a large car museum. We had considered visiting it, but it didn't quite fit into our schedule.
A gateway.
A couple of roundabouts.
A statue.
An interesting building.
NATO Headquarters.
The gas at this station is €1.78. Per liter. With 3.78 liters per gallon, that means the gas is $6.54 per gallon.
I know American are complaining "Oh my gosh, our gas si over $3.00!!!" Shut up. Just shut up.
An old merchant building.
This was a pedestrian bridge between the hospital and medical school.
At some point during the drive we made it to Antwerp. While I am not sure when we crossed the city limits, I know that
by the point we got to these buildings, we definately were in Antwerp.
The bus parked near the ship, and we got off the bus and headed onboard. Near the port were a large old church and
a rather large windfarm - Belgium generates more than 60% of their energy with renewable resources.
We boarded.
For those that may not be familiar with how these ships are constructed, everything on the sundeck can be removed or lowered:
the canopy, railings, even the wheelhouse. This will help allow the ship to pass under a bridge when the water level is high.
The sundeck has a putting green, herb garden, and shuffleboard ... board.
By about 3:45 we were in our cabin.
Luggage was delivered quickly and we got settled in.
We stopped by the lounge for a little too.
We essentially started our time on the ship with a safety drill at 5:45.
At 6:45 each night, there is the port talk - where we hear about the excursions and other relative items for the next day.
Unlike the brief stays at the hotels where was usually have to fend for ourselves for lunch and dinner, those meals are
quite the elaborate todo on the ships.
We sat with Pete and Lori, farmers from CA; and Sherry and Gale from FL.
Just like the past, the dinner menu has two part: the left side which includes the "always available", and the right side
which changes everynight and includes a "Regional Specialty" collection.
Each dinner - and lunch, for that matter - is a three course meal, and includes a beverage of soft drink, beer, and or
wine with the meal.
Linda had the cream of Belgian endive, Greek eggplant moussaka timbale, and brthdady cake as someone at our table celebrated
their birthday (but it isn't pictured).
I had the Belgian endive, beef carbonade, and birthday cake.
By the time we finished eating and chatting with our fellow travelers, we were back in our room - 212 - by 9:00.