Boy did I have an adventure trying to get myself to Antwerp last weekend. I thought I had it all planned out... I learned from my last trip that I needed to arrive before the VVV closed and that I needed to get on the right part of the train. I researched the train timetables and connections to Antwerp. There were 2 different routes taking about the same amount of time. I selected the earlier of the two. I even went to the train station on Friday night so that I could get my ticket and leave before the ticket desk opened on Saturday morning. Unfortunately, I ran into a new problem. (Dun dun dun - Bad sound effects) I did not know, but was soon to find out, that when you purchase a train ticket from one destination to another, the price of the ticket depends on the distance you are traveling. It is not a fixed price from one destination to another. When the ticket person came around to check tickets, I proudly handed mine over and was told that I was on the wrong train. (AGAIN!!! Argh!!!) I must have looked horrified. Fortunately, the woman was very kind to me, making a couple of calls to help me figure out how I could get myself back to Maastricht and then on the correct train to Antwerp. She even went so far as to write down for me the transfers I would need to make and the timetables. When we got off the train at the next stop she bought me a coffee before getting me back on a train to Maastricht (without charging me for the extra side-trip). I was so grateful!
Well, I made it to Antwerp without any additional problems but a couple of hours later than I had expected. Nevertheless, I had plenty of time to make my way around the city.
Antwerp Central Station
Antwerp seems to have two main draws: shopping and diamonds. I found myself squeezing my way through crowds of people as I made my way through the shopping district to Peter Paul Ruben's house (Rubenshuis) and then the river.
Historic Shopping District
Rubenshuis
I wasn't allowed to take pictures in the house because it was filled with Ruben and his pupils paintings. It was quite the mansion though, I assure you. The building from the outside makes it difficult to picture the grandeur I experienced on the inside.
The House
The Garden
Europe's First Skyscraper
I walked through the shell of a former castle (now turned museum) in Steen plein along the river. Sitting on the shore listening to the bells tole on the quarter hours was definitely the highlight of Antwerp for me. It was very relaxing.
For dinner I found very nice little Thai restaurant. I would definitely recommend Sombat Thai Cuisine on Vleeshuisstraat for anyone planning a trip to Antwerp in the near future. The atmosphere was neat and the food was great! I left stuffed.
After dinner, I made my way back to my stinky little hotel before dark. I definitely would not recommend the New International Youth Hotel. I was not sure whether I was happier with my eyes open or eyes closed. The room was not easy on my eyes, but at the same time I wondered what might be crawling around when I closed then. But... I guess that just illustrates the point that you get what you pay for when it comes to hotels in Europe. From now on, I am going to stick to hostels if I can help it.
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