During national car-free day last weekend, Antwerp city used this “woman” dressed in erotic underwear to promote “riding a bike” near the riverbanks. She gave me a free photo shoot, although several shots are way too provocative to post at this place.
Come on guys, try riding a bike dressed like this 
Trust me, it was a superb experience on a perfect sunny day. More details and a 360° tour at www.monarchie.be (in English)
Spring images of Antwerp, taken while enjoying a superb Easter weekend in 22°C/70°F sunshine (please click for details)
This part of Antwerp left bank beach never was a place of beauty – one was almost forced to look the other way to ignore the huge petrochemical cluster in the background. But there was and still is an inviting, though not exactly Mediterranean river, a refreshing sea breeze, a real white sandy beach and a long, green promenade with an Olympic open-air pool and numerous restaurants-with-a-view.
Until Antwerp city decided to “remodel” these (non-diseased) trees that have lined this promenade for decades. I processed my shot to boost the menacing atmosphere after these lovely trees were cut.I’m sure your city council has more common sense.
While leisurely strolling along the Antwerp riverbanks, I stumbled upon this most unusual image. At the very location an Antwerp local (“Marc”) tragically drowned in the fast flowing river “Schelde“, family or friends had left white roses, remembering his untimely death in Dec 2007. Even more remarkable: days later the flowers had not been touched, although the old riverbanks are a place where vandalism rules.
A most touching scene I couldn’t resist photographing on this sunny day in Antwerp. [Please click for a larger image at Flickr]
While checking my daily feed reader this morning, I stumbled upon a post by photographer and blogger Di, who found a 360°C VR image site showing Antwerp historic downtown panorama shots. The Antwerp 360° VR images (in different formats) were taken two years ago by Koen Verschaeren, a local Antwerp photographer who also participated in the World Wide Panorama event with more Antwerp 360° images. I was slightly surprised to see my home like I’d never seen it before: in panoramic 360°. [image by vrantwerp.com]
Although I enjoyed the selected VR images of historic downtown Antwerp, there was something weird about these shots I couldn’t quite label, until it dawned on me: the photographer somehow managed to take those shots at a time the local streets were virtually deserted: no cars or classic bumper-to-bumper traffic, and virtually no humans. Yes folks, there are times when this buzzing metropolis goes into hibernations, although I have yet to find out when. For a more realistic view of Antwerp, check these impressive 100 hi-res images of Antwerp at skyscrapercity. Coming up soon: the 4,000 shots of Antwerp I never bothered to process myself
I’m not really sure what kind of message the owner of this colorful Antwerp bike was trying to convey. The lock was fully functional.
Valentine’s day Feb 14 2009 in Antwerp, Belgium. Clear blue sky, great atmosphere. Ran out of batteries. Please note: when someone gives you chocolates for Valentine’s day in Belgium, the kind donator is either poor, dumb or just plain brain-dead. We eat that stuff for breakfast. Remarkable quote from a twitter feed: “Valentines Day poll results: 40% of people on Twitter were having sex on VDay, but only with themselves”. Is romance really dying in these confusing days and age?
OK, so I’ve been virtually trampled, squashed by “desperate housewife” Christmas shoppers in search of that ultimate present intended to save their ailing marriage and blocked by busloads of “oh my, this marzipan looks so cute!” seasonal visitors in a frenzied shopping spree.
But in the end, while not forgetting the far from pretty economic reality, let’s enjoy these Antwerp Christmas images evoking a magic that may be profoundly artificial, but still remains much needed and appreciated by most of us. Have a merry Christmas next week.
Left: a trendy upscale fashion shop window in Antwerp’s, Belgium most expensive retail area reflects the buildings from across the street into the images of these seasonal mannequins. Right: the bright evening sunshine turns the big ferris wheel alongside the Antwerp, Belgium riverbank pier into a giant mirror, accentuated by a dramatic blue/black sky. Let me know if you care for part two. [Please click to enlarge these images]
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