Antwerp. I first saw it’s outline when we were exploring
Oosterschelde Deltawork. I told myself, I will go there. And took
the courage to explore Belgium after the training, bought the train ticket, and started the trip solo. I
will have to see Antwerp even half for a day.:)
Half day, of course is not enough. And walking on a very
cold weather is really not comforting. But hey! I’ll only be here for three
days, might as well maximize and enjoy the trip! I searched online for some possible places to see here but then again, I don't write it down and I don't know how to read maps. So forget about maps or GPS. Walking aimlessly is more fun! :D
 | ||
| Be on time or else the train will leave you. |
Passing through different stations (Slaterdijk, Leiden,
Delft, Rotterdam and Dordecht) with different views, we finally arrived at Antwerp
Centraal by exactly 12noon. Good thing I made a sandwich earlier that morning
and packed chocolate cake I ate during travel. I am still full and ready to
walk! The station itself is a marvelous work of art but I’ll save it for later afternoon exploration.
First stop is the St. Jacobkerk (Church) now turned into a
musical center.
 |
| St. Jacob's Church |
It’s closed so I continue the journey, walking when
nature called. I kept on walking hoping to find a good place to relieve myself
when I saw a church yard. A garden desolate and with a poster for an upcoming
concert. I entered only to realize it’s an elderly commune.
 |
| The yard to the elderly commune |
I went inside. All
of the eating elders looked up at me. I smiled and asked the lady at the
counter if I could use their toilet. She smiled and said, “Of course”. And pointed
to me where it was.
I stayed for a while and chatted an old man at the garden. Being
old and left at the commune. Gone are their productive days and they’re living
with their pension. I wonder, are their children still visiting them? One
thing we are proud of is our strong familial ties. Putting your parents to the
home for the aged is still being frowned upon.
Then I saw one of the most magnificent steeples. The majestic
Cathedral of Our Lady. Looking at its very intricate designs, it’s not
surprising that it took 169 years (1352-1521) of labor to raise the 123m
heavenward-reaching steeple of the Cathedral! It is the highest Gothic building
in the Low Countries. The Cathedral is an iconic treasury, with an impressive
collection of major art works, including a series of paintings by Rubens. Now,
after twenty years, the seven-naved church has been restored to its former
architectural glory. Fascinating features include Rubens’ ‘Elevation of the
Cross’ and his ‘Descent from the Cross’.
 |
| the magnificent Cathedral of Our Lady |
 |
| Amazing work of art! |
Sadly, by around 3:00PM, it started to rain. From a soft
drizzle, I can still managed to walk on this weather. I told my body, "Go on". But when
big raindrops started to fall, and I didn’t bring any umbrella, I have to go
back to the Centraal station. And of course, going back is not easy for me. I
got lost (and I expected that already! Haha!).
After 20 minutes more of walking, asking directions from
random people, taking more photographs of old amazing buildings, I finally saw
someone hurriedly walking with a luggage. I surmised, she’s surely going to the
station so I just followed! Instinct.
Common sense and just follow that ‘little voice’ within and you’ll be fine, my
colleague Liezl advised me. So I did.
 |
| Antwerpen Centraal |
Antwerp’s Central Station is considered one of the most
beautiful stations worldwide. In 2009, it was declared by Newsweek as the 4th
World’s Most Beautiful Train Station! (but the Antwerp map for young travellers disagreed. They are the
best, according to them! Of course, love your own!haha!) . It was built in 1905
and looks like a basilica with high marble columns and elegant staircase.
Between 2000 and 2009 the monumental building was completely modernized and
expanded to accommodate the high-speed rail line. More platforms were opened on
two additional underground levels, an additional entrance with station hall was
built in Kievitplein and space was created for shops and restaurants. The
unique metal platform roof had previously been restored.
 |
| Souvenir shot taken by the policeman! ^_^ |
The train station itself is a good place to explore. I went inside the flower shop and smelled these beauty!
Perfect gift for your
loved ones when you get back home! I always swoon when I see
husbands buying flowers for their wives (or maybe even mistresses? Haha!).
 |
| Diamonds are forever and a girl's best friend. REALLY? After watching Blood Diamonds, I don't buy this marketing. |
Antwerp is also a Diamondland. It has been into the trade
for over 500 years now. Just across the station, the diamond shops abound! The
Hovenierstraat, there are four diamond trade markets. This district provides
around 10% of the Belgian national income. Back in the old days, the diamond
trade business was done by the Orthodox Jews, but now, players from India,
Eastern Europe and Chinese took over.
 |
| Remember your platform and the time of departure. |
By 5:18PM, I boarded the train going to Brugge. Brugge is a
wonderful city that enthralls every tourist. (it’s on a separate entry). But I still have a stop at Ghent.
Although it's a 45 minute ride, I never slept. I tried to feast my eyes on the scenery. I tried to fight my droopy eyes. And I tried to listen to the Dutch train announcement and check if I can understand it. I didn't understand anything. What I did? Look at the digital board and check what's the next halte (stop). When taking the train solo, just remember not to oversleep. :)
