Day 38 – Thu 17 Jul 14, Asse to Antwerp (Belgium)

Forecast: 16-27 deg C, sunny; Listed distance: 47km; Actual distance: 72km; Cumulative distance: 1529km; Av speed: 16.2 km/h; Max speed: 32.6 km/h; Asse: 18 deg C; Antwerp: 27 deg C (feels like 31); Start time: 8:20am; Stop time: 2:45pm; Ride time: 4h20m

Guido was kind enough to escort us out of town for the first 8km or so to ensure we had mastered the marvellous Belgium cycle route system, (actually he wanted to make sure we left town as he had run out of beer and wine – only joking).  The Belgian bike path system is similar to Holland's where they have 100s of "standpoints" (mostly intersections but not always) which have a number.  There are sufficient signs between each number to show the way to make sure you are able to easily ride between the numbers without getting lost. On occasions you have to be really alert to ensure you don't miss a sign and end up off track.  So today we just had to check the on-line map (there are paper ones too) and take note of the series of numbers which would take us from Asse to Antwerp, eg. 13-27-43-5-76, etc.  It was so simple even we could navigate without too many problems.  The system will not take you onto a road or path not suitable for cycling.  There are so many wonderful paths or ultra-quiet roads that it's a real pleasure getting around. Today was an easy ride and we really took our time and stopped off at various places. 

Our first stop was a nice place called Temse located right on the Scheldt River we'd been following.  Whilst the population is only 28 000, it has a very grand town hall and church in the town square.  This is where we had morning tea, something quite yummy from a nearby bakery; well we are on holidays after all! 

When we were about 16km from Antwerp at a town called Boom, we must have missed a number as the signs suddenly dried up.  So we just used Google Maps on Wendy's phone to find a bike path, two actually, both off-road down each side of the N177.  This country is cyclists' heaven!!  So, we knew we would be at the hotel too early to check-in so stopped at Maccas for a leisurely lunch.  We eventually made our way to the Astoria hotel.   

After our chores and a short nap (Guido and Magda kept us busy over the last few days) we went out exploring Antwerp.  What a beautiful old city; wide tree lined avenues, long malls, grand old buildings and 100s of restaurants.  A city we could have stayed longer, but we have to save something for next time. .

We wandered through the streets looking for a restaurant and eventually decided on Wok Away and had fried rice, veggies, egg and chicken which were very yummy.  We then had to wander some more to walk off the dinner.   On our return to the hotel we heard the news about the Malaysian airlines flight that had 'crashed' in Ukraine with almost 300 people on-board. How horrible.




Room 104 Astoria Hotel, Antwerp

Statue of Silvius Brabo at Market Square, Antwerp
Riverside path to Antwerp
Another free ferry - must be cheaper than building bridges?
Temse Town Hall
Cathedral of Our Lady, Antwerp
A celo busker on the Antwerp riverfront
The wide streets of Antwerp

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