Antwerp Has a population of 536,079, with the largest metropolitan area of 1.2 million people, next to Brussels in size. The port is second to Rotterdam in Europe. Hosted the Summer Olympics in 1920. First settlement soon after the Year zero, Was once the sugar capital of Europe, importing the raw commodity from Portuguese and Spanish plantations on  both sides of the Atlantic when slavery was in fashion. Soon thereafter in the 1500's became the richest city in Europe. The Reformation religious revolution erupted in Antwerp with violent riots in 1566. Suffered during World War II. Starting in the 1990s rebranded itself as a world-class fashion center emphasizing  avant-garde clothes. So I joined the beer tour. Belgian pale ale is the pride of Antwerp.  Gained fame in the Liege exposition of 1905. Best known is De Koninck. As expected, was led by my Blue-bar Pigeon. Another kind of bird. The Cathedral of Our Lady (Antwerp) began construction on 1521, and at a certain stage, was the

We leave the Westin Grand Munich tomorrow for Copenhagen.  The hotel itself is now more and more appreciated.  We walked around the neighborhood, led by my Blue-bar Pigeon and passed through a supermarket, where we purchased some suckling pig. The season for those giant white asparagus has just started, and I'm trying figure out how to have a meal of them.   The WGM is also convenient to the various transport modes taking you to downtown Munich.  This photo is to the city, and note that snow-topped mountain range.  Alas, we decided to just stick around the WGM for there are shopping areas and a nice market.  One of those been there and done that experiences.  For example, when I was here seven years ago, I caught the U4-Bahn into Odeonplatz and took the usual touristy photos. Was led around by my Blue-bar Pigeon. Saw an almost black tulip, which reminds me of where we will be in a few days. Had a truly great lunch at Schuhbeck's. Read the details and view my grilled octopus, tr