Day 3: Antwerp – Ghent
Day three took us from Antwerp to Ghent. We found our route of the day via the Kennedy Tunnel for cyclists, and it largely followed the Scheldt. Along the way, we encountered a beautiful landscape with even a touch of poetry.
“Do not go to the sea. Here you are grand, from bank to bank, from higher to lower shore. It could not be bigger, nor more boundless …” we read on a quay wall in the town of Rupelmonde. It was a striking ode to the river, and it made us pause to reflect on how essential the Scheldt was for the people who live here.
As we continued, we arrived in the beautiful Kruibeke polder, where we briefly spoke with a local resident. He kindly explained more about the region, describing the vegetation in the Scheldt valley and how it had adapted to the brackish water. It was a fascinating interruption to our journey.
The landscape itself left little to criticise, yet the day did not pass entirely smoothly. A strong headwind slowed us down, and roadworks forced us to take a temporary detour. To lift our spirits, we stopped at a picturesque spot for lunch. We enjoyed our picnic in a natural area where the Scheldt was being restored, giving the river space to flow freely once more. It was a moment to pause and appreciate our surroundings.
Despite the delay, we eventually arrived in the beautiful city of Ghent. Our destination was youth hostel De Draeck, a welcoming place in the city centre with an international feel. We left our bicycles safely at reception, allowing us to relax and unwind without concern.