Thursday, December 17, 2009

RVing in Europe - Antwerp, Belgium

June 30, 2007
From Brussels, it was 45 kms drive to Antwerp, another major city in Belgium.  We needed to go to a campsite to discharge gray water (we didn't have black) and replenish on fresh water.

GPS Georgia found Camp de Molen.  We were allowed to camp only for 1 night, which was a huge relief, the other scenario being - the camp not accomodating us.  We settled on the spot given to us and took a wonderful bath.  In the RV, we take baths using very little water to make our water last as long as it can so we are not forced to go to camping sites to load fresh water.  Free camping is definitely better.  In this camp we paid Euros6.25 for 1 night, the cheapest camp so far.  It turned out to be the cheapest campsite fee ever all over Europe

The following morning, we checked out of the camp determined to eat at a Chinese restaurant in Antwerp Chinatown.  We went to the city after parking our RV at McDonalds parking, walked the streets of Chinatown and had a simple lunch of seafood noodles, chinese barbequed pork and rice all for Euros26.20.  In the evening before going back 'home' we bought one whole roasted chicken for dinner - Euros4.95.

We walked to the busiest, most populated street in the whole of Europe we had ever seen on our whole trip - called Meir Street. Imagine the whole stretch of Meir Street, say 1 km. long, full packed with people.  The number of mostly tourists walking and shopping in this street was unbelievable.  We checked out a number of stores but restrained myself from buying anything I did not need and ended up buying nothing... well, I bought ice cream for Euros 2.  This street was unforgettable, energetic and fun.



We walked farther to see the buildings in the Grote Markt including the Antwerp City Hall and the 16th Century Guildhouses (buildings).

We also went to see the Cathedral of our Lady, the tallest building in Antwerp.





 Finally, we sat at the Grote Markt facing the Statue of Brabo and the Giant's Hand.

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