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Antwerp: We Came, We Saw, We Conquered (in an awesome apartment)

 


WE MADE IT TO BELGIUM!

Major celebrations (in the freezing cold, after a freezing night in the gypsy cabin) were had 2km after we set off towards Antwerp.  Belgium.  Home of chocolate, cycling champions, and, by the looks of all the menus around here, asparagus.

It was our challenge to ride into our first big city.  We've been a bit scared of them, I think, because Amsterdam on a bike was INSANE.  But we were ready, and brave.  And with Mike the Fearless Leader and Navigator, he got us in safe and sound, without one wrong turn or mishap.  And it was pretty full-on. 

The big reward for us was waiting.  Not only an incredible city with really really beautiful architecture, but THE BEST APARTMENT IN THE WHOLE UNIVERSE!  We had decided to stay in the old town, we were only there one night, so let's go in, stay and enjoy what we could around us.  We found a four bedroom apartment that blew our minds!  Imagine after all this trekking hut action we each had our own ENORMOUS room with king bed, and a girls' bathroom and boys' bathroom - OMG THE LUXURY!  OMG the long hot showers!

We went out to explore, Cody found some amazing comics, we found a great place to eat right on the Grote Markt (the old market square), and a really good time was had by all.  We were sad to leave the next day (especially as the bikes and gear had to be carried back down two flights of stairs), but we were on for more adventures...and more adventures were coming!


Our first Belgian chocolate shop stop - Mike helped one of the customers with her bike - he pumped up her tyre!


Antwerp










Our dinner spot - yum!

Our cool, hip accommodation



(Cody so happy with his comic finds)


Heading off the next morning after this yummy breakfast that I found in a local bakery...




And getting all the bikes back down on the ground

Goodbye cool apartment and Antwerp



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