River Cruise 2015 - May 1 continued - Antwerp on our own

After we left our guides, we went back to the boat to rest a little and have lunch, then headed back out on our own to explore.

 
This is a big old boat that appears to be in dry-dock, and of course, we had to have a good look around it! 

Strong boy holding up really big boat!  He was quite happy to pose as I guess he understood my sign language.  :-) 

This lovely old building I think used to be the port authority building when this was the port area.  Now you have to go through a lock into the Scheldt River, where there are no tides for the main port.  We spent both nights where there were no tides, then came down for the day.

Another view - this time in daylight - of that great museum building. 

Want to rent a bike?  Just put your credit card in the machine, ride as long as you wish, then put it back into this location or into another one.  We noticed that the back wheels are bigger than the front ones.  

  Another way to see the town is on this little train.  We walked a long way on this lovely afternoon!  Not entirely by choice.  :-) 

M-m-m-m, sweet!!! 

What do you think?  My guess is lightning rods.  It was on top of a pretty high building.  MUCH more interesting than the ordinary ones! 

Another artist, Antoon Van Dyck.  Somehow, I missed the statue of Rubens. 

I just really like this picture - don't know what it is. 

And again the Cathedral of our Lady - you can tell I was really impressed!  This time the sun was behind me. 

I think we were meant to keep our hands off this lovely lady.  :-) 

This was some kind of holiday - I don't remember what it was, but it meant that most of the stores were closed, and there were a LOT of people celebrating in Grote Markt, where there was entertainment, tents set up, kids stuff going on, and MUCH drinking of beer! 

The Antwerp City Hall was also in this square. 

Meanwhile, back in the harbour, this big structure was "tugged" into the spot in front of us.  We're told it was part of a tower for a windmill that would be put somewhere in the sea. 

 That evening after dinner, we were treated to a "crew show" in the lounge.  After this skit, Jeremy decided he wouldn't be eating eggs in the morning!  It was a very fun evening! 

The night watchman had some surprising talents!  

Robert (our favorite waiter), and Peter, the hotel manager, did a skit about greeting in various European countries.  Here, they are being very proper Brits. 

Fittingly, we found these "hands" on our pillows that night.  Antwerp - hand throwing.  They got thrown....straight into our mouths!


                .......until next time.........