It was our travel day from Amsterdam to Antwerp, so we checked out of our apartment at 10am. Catherine had just taken a fall in the playground downstairs and was quite upset when we left.
We took a tram to Central Station. Catching the right tram was a bit stressful with our luggage in tow, watching out for the kids, crossing busy streets and dodging cyclists. At one point, the light had turned red and Nicholas was left behind across the road. Catherine freaked out and got upset that we were separated. It was quite intense. All was fine after the path was free of cyclists and Nicholas could safely cross. We really had to be alert crossing roads in Amsterdam!
When we got on the right tram, we got a dirty look from the driver because of our luggage. We passed by Dam Square and rode the tram to the end of the line to Central Station. Once there it was Nicholas' turn to be upset. We took a break, found a Starbucks and had morning tea before finding the platform for our train to Antwerp.
Our train left Amsterdam Centraal at 12.17pm. It was a quick just over an hour ride to Antwerp. The train was comfortable and we were able to relax a bit after a stressful morning. We arrived to a sunny and warm Antwerp at 1.30pm. My jaw dropped as we navigated our way out of Central Station. It was so majestic and amazing. Noticed armed guards hanging around as we exited out onto the streets. The outside of Central Station was just as awesome. I've never seen anything like it.
Another energy booster stop at McDonald's before we walked to our hotel for the night. Leopold Hotel was a good place. We got a big room. Nicholas was impressed. The location was good too as it was right across the street from the big city park with a big playground. We had a brief rest in our hotel room before we took the kids across to have a play amongst the school groups.
We managed to get them away after a while and walked to the cathedral and Grote Markt. The walk was a long way for Catherine and she wasn't too happy. We found ice cream along the way and took a break near a major shopping spot. We people watched and I spilled my overflowing top heavy ice cream onto my clothes and my phone. These annoyances were all forgotten once we entered the cathedral. Once again I was in awe. Amazing and inspiring. We saw magnificent Rubens paintings. Catherine was fascinated by all the tombs. Even Nicholas was engaged and took some photos on his camera.
Next amazing place was Grote Markt. We sat there for a while to just take it all in. The beautiful buildings and sculptures in Antwerp just blew us away. We were definitely in Europe.
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| From Antwerp |
Then things went a bit downhill from there. We were tired, cranky and hungry. There were tantrums while trying to find dinner. Ended up getting mediocre dinner at Fritkot Max where Nicholas got pushed out of a table by a rude group of people. The hamburger and fries we ordered were not finished. Phil bought himself a gelato after that. Eventually found a taxi to go back to the hotel for a long night.
Notes
The Journey
• 1 tram to Amsterdam Centraal
• Amsterdam Centraal - Antwerp Centraal : Thalys, 73 minutes
The Sights and Transport
• Antwerpen Centraal
• Stadspark
• Rubens House
• Meir (shopping area)
• Cathedral of Our Lady
• Grote Markt
• 1 taxi back to hotel
Saturday, 30 September
Thank goodness for hotel buffet breakfasts. Catherine was so impressed by the spread - "Wow!" The staff member there was so thankful to hear that. She was so friendly and warm. She picked us as one of her peeps - Filipino and her name was Joy. The breakfast was great. Had lots of variety which the kids also enjoyed. We were well and truly satisfied.
Kids wanted another play at the cool playground before we left. So I mainly kept them company while Phil finished getting packed up and ready. Soon we checked out, walked to the beautiful Central Station via buying chocolate at Leonidas, lunch for the train ride at McDonald's and another tantrum, soothed by a vending machine at the platform.
Notes
The Best
• Playground at Stadspark
• Buffet breakfast at Leopold Hotel
• Sights and atmosphere – would love to come back and visit someday
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