Goodbye Brussels - Transfer To Viking Skirnir
Welcome Aboard - Stateroom 203
Today we bid a fond farewell to Brussels this morning. Up and at breakfast a little after 7am, checked out and got into our transport van with Mike, LuAnn and Astrid heading for our last excursion of the pre-cruise extension to Antwerp. It was about a 90 minute trip and when we arrived there was next to NO ONE on the streets. But shortly after our guide arrived, around 10:45am people were milling about. We walked around the city center and saw a few sites. One of the coolest things we did was walk through some "hidden alleys" which connected major streets in the old town.
On The Road To Antwerp
Antwerp decorations
Antwerp City Square - note Christmas Market Stalls in foreground
The Castle - now it used as a port & customs site for big cruise ships
So why the Santa display.....did you know, that in Belgium (not so sure about other Euro countries) that they have St. Nicholas - who also has a long white beard and red coat - who arrives December 5 or 6 and HE brings the major gifts. AND there is school that day where the kids get more candy & gifts. THEN.....there is the "Christmas Man" who is more like the US Santa who comes on Christmas Day, Dec 25 with more gifts!
Another view of the city square - note the statute....have to look closely, but he's about to throw a severed hand. Oh my. WELL.....legend has it that in this area there was a giant who required all passing ships to pay a "tax" of half their cargo and if they did not he would cut the hand off of the captain. So the locals hired "a hero" who killed the giant and cut off HIS hand, then threw it into the river. So, in Dutch the word for hand is "han" and the word for throw is "twerp" - though my spelling may be off. So "An-Twerp" or hand throwing is how the city got it's name!
The alleys - reminded me of the secret passages in Lyon!
Probably the highlight for most was the 40 minutes or so that we spent in the cathedral. It - like most European cathedrals - was massive, and amazing. A well-known painter has three of his originals hanging in the church and we examined them and the story behind them. Then we went to one of the most popular restaurants in Antwerp for lunch - courtesy of Viking - and had a "farewell lunch" with Astrid. She was so sweet and had purchased a small bag of Belgian chocolates, some in the shape of the hand - the symbol of Antwerp (see above). Astrid told us that the Viking host that was taking us to the ship was ready to do what every we wanted, and the "plan" was to walk around the Christmas Market as long as we liked. But both Mike & LuAnn and Khloe & I said we were ready to go to the ship.....we'd seen two nice Christmas Markets and would see many more on the cruise. So Astrid got the driver and our new host together and coordinated a departure immediately after lunch.
The Antwerp Cathedral
Close up of the alter
Lunch - the traditional beef stew, and "fries" Now....did you know this? How did what we know as "French Fries" get their name? Actually they are known here as BELGIAN Fries. During WW II American soldiers came here, had some of the staple, comfort food and when they returned they told friends and family about these "fries." Where did you get them, "I don't know but the people there spoke French" - and thus they became called "French Fries." Apparently EVERYONE here has them ALL THEM time and the favorite way to eat them is with mayonnaise on top - which is how our Astrid had hers today. And "the secret" to good BELGIAN Fries is to double fry them - they should be crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
Stopped at Starbucks half way to the ship :)
We've arrived and are on board
Got into our same van and took the two hour drive to the Viking Skirnir. Immediately met by the staff who whisked our bags into our stateroom (#203) and we unpacked. Had the obligatory welcome meeting, then the safety drill and then dinner. All great, so good to be on the ship. Tonight we set said from Amsterdam for our first stop tomorrow where we have our first morning excursion and then will sail all afternoon and evening - THAT I'm looking forward to. LuAnn and Khloe I believe are going to participate in the Christmas Cookie Baking demonstration with the ship's chef! A full day ahead!
Decorated our door - pretty sure we are the ONLY ones to have done so :)
Starting my video series from the "Sundeck" atop the Viking Skirnir
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