Day 34, 16 July 2014, Brussels to Antwerp train, trolley-bus around town and a visit to Rubenshuis - You guessed it - Antwerp City Pass for 24 hours, straight into it.

Train travel in Belgium is slightly different to other spots. Probably because the joint is essentially small. Cities are close together - no more than 60-90 minutes on the trains, so booking in advance is unneccesary and of no financial benefit. Turn up, buy ticket, get on train. Without the incentive of a time to work towards, I slowed to the speed of a three-toed sloth and eventually left the hotel at 11. Got to Brussels-Midi at 11.30. Next train to Antwerp, 11.50 am. Gosh I though. Efficient, I thought. Then the train or the line had an issue and it was delayed by 40 minutes. So I got on what turned out to be a slow train on the next door platform, still only took an hour and it gave me the chance to eat my lunch in peace. Arrived at Antwerp's beautiful Centraal Station. Completed in 1880 it was recently voted the 4th most beautiful station in the world by the Americans. The French have voted it the most beautiful station in the world - probably 'cos theirs aren't that flash and they'd rather die than give it to an English station. By the by, very grand old dame. And long. I know this because I had to walk the length of it before I popped out, turned the corner and got to my hotel. Could have been worse - could have been on cobble stones. Bag dropped, maps organised, Antwerp 24 hour pass purchased (€19) it was off to see what there was to see. First stop was Rubenshuis. Probably wouldn't have bothered once upon a time, but Rembrandt's abode in Amsterdam was so good, this was a must see. Incredible place - massive, grand scale and full of treasures. It was plain he was indeed rolling in it. He had a good friendship going with a fellow called Nicholas Rockox too - Mayor amongst other things who slung him some very important commissions. I raced to the Grote Markt next - another stunning square from the 1600s - not quite such a fairy tale as Brussels, but still lovely, and jumped on the 4.30 pm Hop & Stop trolley bus for a 50 minute guided tour around the main points of interest. Those two attractions alone were €18, so the pass is essentially paid for and I can use the trolley again tomorrow. 30 degrees plus and sun blazing down. Sigh... all this bleating I've heard over the years about dreary Euro summers... don't believe a word of it. Did the circuit on the trolley and got off in Grote Markt again. Decided to stroll all the way back to the hotel fortified by nothing more than a Rum & Raisin icecream. Around 2.5 kms. Very, very slowly. Lots of quaint backstreets full of busy shops. It's mid-year sale time here and you'd think the Belgiums didn't own a thread the way they're airing out bank accounts. Made it back to Centraal Station and meandered through the Diamond District. Literally jeweller, jeweller, jeweller, jeweller then there'd be a change... Diamond Bank, jeweller... etc Contained with a square mile, all within walking distance, apparently 8 in 10 diamonds come via Antwerp during their life - either rough or polished. Some visit twice. There is a massive Orthodox Jew population in Antwerp - something like 25 synagogues which isn't bad for a total population in the city of 500,000. Because they're rare in Sydney, I still find it interesting to see the costume of the Hassidic Jews - particularly in this heat - their black coats, hats and trousers must act like solar panels. In any event, after staring at window upon window of sparklies, it was back to the supermarket under the hotel for some supplies and a quiet night in. The party animals of Belgium are in no danger from me!