Antwerp is Awesome

We had our first day of riding today. We traveled from Brussels to Antwerp along bike paths and rural highways. It was a great ride with lots of interesting scenery, including a nuclear power plant, emus, many cows, at least one goat. All told we travel approximately 76km or about 45miles, much of it along canals. Navigation was a bit of a challenge but we were able to overcome most obstacles and avoid major misdirections. I think that we have successfully deciphered the bike route numbering system and that things will go smoother tomorrow.

Midday was spent at a nice cafe in Mechelen were we had a great lunch and beers and managed to miss the only rain of the day. Afterward we road around a bit in the centre of town and did some sight seeing of a massive church bell tower that is how to a famous bell ringing school.

We arrived in central Antwerp around 6:30pm. After figuring out room arrangements at a great little bed and breakfast we went down the street to a bar at the corner that served an ample selection of Belgian beer. It also severed a Belgian form of gin called genievre, that was dangerously delightful. Once we had collected everyone we moved on to find dinner and ended up at a place called the Alexandria that served Mediterranean cuisine.

After a fine dinner of pitas, kabobs, and curried mayonnaise (not to mention more great beer) we moved onto to the central square. So far every town that we have visited in Belgium has had a central square that is basically a cobble stone plaza surrounded by important medieval buildings. These plazas had spectacular architecture and we will post pictures of them as soon as we have a chance.

Well, we have an early morning tomorrow. The Ride to Ghent is a long one and we have plans to take a brewery tour around two so we need to get on the road early. Every one else is asleep and I should be as well. Stay tuned for more exciting updates tomorrow if we can find internet. It sounds like we are staying in cabins so it may be a bit before we get a chance to catch up.