Road Book

Antwerpen Harbour

At Antwerp harbour, we feel very small, a microb compare to the decadence of the industry. Nuclear power plant, wind turbines, petrochemicals, containers and endless  fields of new cars as far as the eye can see.
Polluted universe, the harbour remains the economic lung of Antwerp, a city in its own right, which makes work nearly 65 000 people. When containers are loaded, it’s a fascinating machinery, heavy metal sound and resonant background, .
At dusk, the massive silhouettes of maritime cranes tear the scene. A well-run puppet show on a pink blue background.

Antwerp harbour : we had to Load the car 1 day before passengers, so expect 1 night hotel in Antwerp.

Crossing Atlantic ocean with a cargo ship

For the van, we had no choice to send it by boat. For us, it’s another question…After a long hesitation, I let myself be convinced and board this infernal machine, for an 10-day crossing, connecting the port of Antwerp to Halifax in Canada. The first big step of our trip, 10 days  without connection and anything to do.

The first days, we spend between Antwerp and Liverpool ports, before flowing into the great Atlantic ocean. On our way, we can still meet sailboats and ships, offshore platform and wind farms.

Then nothing. Just the freighter slowly slipping on a huge space of calm water surface. Only subtils variations : wind and  waves sound, motor of the freighter, luminous intensity; we have felt and captured this rhythms day after day.

Time is getting longer as time zones (5 in all) pass. The speed of the powerful machine is slow, just 30 km / h. It gives us, the time to observe, scan the horizon and see, with luck (patience does not always pay) some marine mammals.