lopen door het eijlandje
The Bonapartedok is one of the two southernmost docks in the Eijlandje district. I call the straight smooth path the "runway" because it's lit by recessed lamps at night. Easy running when dry; treacherous when icy.
The opposite corner of the Bonapartedok. The docks abound with bridges. Almost all are capable of being raised or rotated to let ships pass. This bridge -- the Bonapartebrug -- is permanently left open. The woonbootje (houseboat) next to it is a party hall.
There's the Asiabrug, the Mexicobrug, and the oddly-named Kattenbrug (cats bridge). This is Antwerp's Londenbrug (London bridge). When it's open, road traffic patiently waits.
The MAS (museum aan de stroom -- museum on the current) is a maritime museum slated for opening in May 2011.
The MAS building's exterior is windowed by tubular vertical columns. During its construction, one year before the scheduled opening day, there will an open house. Unfortunately I must miss it.
The MAS is visible from some distance. Which means the view of the River Schelde from the top floors should be spectacular.
The Westhinder is a decomissioned lighthouseship. My friends at ON4OSA (the Antwerp OSA amateur radio club), probably in connection with its navy origins, regularly operated on this ship until asbestos was discovered on board.
Willemdok is adjacent to Bonapartedok. It is an exclusive marina for large, expensive, private pleasure craft. The marina is surrounded by trendy condominiums.
The southeast corner of Willemdok, on the other end of the "runway" leading from Bonapartedok.
When I took this picture, I was standing on the corner of the dock that I make a special personal "been here" touch every time I run.