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

There is no port large enough to handle cruise ships in Kailua-Kona, so the Pride of American is moored a mile or so out, and you need to ride a tender to shore. Had an excellent lunch with the usual assortment of drinks. We chose not to go to shore, for   we were here on the Seabourn Odyssey only a few months ago , so here are a couple of photos from that experience. Went to dinner at Jefferson's, the ship's French restaurant.  Had an excellent escargot with endive salad. The main entré consisted of rack of lamb and Steak Rossini. The piece of foie gras over the steak was really large, and fabulous. Closed with ice cream, Irish Coffee and cognac. But all that led up to my birthday cake.  I turned 83 today. We were supersaturated with food and drinks, so gave the cake to a family sitting close to us.  The young boy was thrilled. Went to see comedian Tom Foss in the Hollywood Theater. Then went dancing with Jessica Louise on her guitar in Pink's Champagne Bar. This morning,