Antwerp - Finland
DAY 9

- by Nikki and Pol

- Saturday, July 23, 2022

The captain had said that there was no need to rush to leave the ship this morning. So we packed quietly: a few minutes' work for those who travel light, a little more for dummies like us who brought way too much. Okay, the weather forecast was uncertain and we went cycling. But we could have done with a lot less clothes. And those board games, for example, never left the travel bag.

Useful though (Arnout thinks) for those who want to go ashore: a small backpack.

And bringing your own bike has thus definitely proved to be a good idea.

We have one last breakfast together, say goodbye to chefs Auke and Jim, and drag our luggage down the 91 stairs to the 'ground floor'. There we meet first mate Joris, who we ask to thank the captain and the entire crew for this unforgettable experience.

Gisela and Arnout drive along with our camper, which we came with because of the bike rack it has. It takes a while before we find our way in the maze of containers and warehouses to the exit of the Euroports/Transfennica premises, but eventually we succeed. First we have to go and sign out at the Maritime Police in the Blauwhoefstraat. A nice moment for Arnout, because the policewoman behind the counter... does recognize him. And so again the look in our direction: "See?

We drop Gisela off at Berchem station, for a long train ride to Bremen, and take Arnout to Schilde, where his partner will pick him up. First observation: the garden has withstood last week's record heat well.

A conclusion?

This is a trip we would recommend to anyone. For a week you are in a world that you (like us) do not know at all, you learn new things every day and you see many things - sometimes literally - in a different way. And hopefully you will be as lucky as we were, with a hospitable and friendly crew on a beautiful and comfortable cargo ship, two excellent cooks, pleasant weather when you go ashore, and above all very nice fellow passengers with whom we will certainly stay in touch.

***

- day 8
July 22, 2022

preceding day
Bicycles attached to camper with view of Timca ship at the port of Antwerp