As far as Belgium B/Reaches
The Belgian coastline is a blend of modesty and grandeur. Despite being one of Europe's shorter coastlines, surpassed only by Monaco, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Slovenia, it took me three days to traverse nearly the entire 65-kilometer expanse of this uniquely mundane stretch. Sandy dunes and industrial landscapes intertwine with hyper-urbanised promenades, attracting a peculiar mix of wildlife and humanity. Here, amidst the occasional seal, orca, or Brussels celebrity, people carry on with their affairs, unnoticed by inlanders.
The clearing in the vegetation marks the border between France (left) and Belgium (right).
The Belgian Coastal Tram (Kusttram) is the longest tram line in the world. It runs for about 68 kilometers (42 miles) along the entire Belgian coast, from De Panne near the French border to Knokke-Heist near the Dutch border.
A flock of sheep grazes next to a train parked at De Panne station, near the French border
The monument "Acqua Scivolo" in Ster der Zee Square, Koksijde, stands tall despite its whimsical charm. Years ago, residents grumbled about it blocking their view of the sea and there were even plans to demolish it. But now it seems to be doing just fine
The now abandoned Zeepark campsite used to cover 8 hectares between De Panne and Koksijde.
The campsite has a history dating back to the 1950s
On my way between Koksijde and Nieuwpoort, I came across the shrimp fishermen of Oostduinkerke. Their method of fishing, known as 'paardenvisserij' in Dutch, involves fishermen riding Brabant draft horses into the shallow waters of the North Sea to catch shrimp. This tradition dates back to the 16th century
A nap under the sun near Nieuwpoort
A seal observes humans near Ostend
Customers wait their turn under the watchful eye of a small shark in the fish market of Ostend
Ostend's pier and port.
Movement in Ostend's beach. Beyond, a cargo ship leaving port.
A mobile home, one of many in a campsite where I stayed for a night. Most residents live year-round in these mobile homes and even have a community Facebook group, I stayed in a tent. The day I arrived, they mistook me for a Chinese nomad they were expecting. Apparently, this person had left China years ago and travels exclusively on foot, sharing his adventures on social media (though I'm not sure who he is, let me know if it rings a bell). He never showed up that day.
Belgian coast, between Bredene and De Haan, and near Belgium's only official nudist beach.
Orange sunlight bathes the Bredene tram stop.
Crossing the beach jungle near De Haan
I was tempted when a tram opened its doors right in front of me. I skipped a few stops, but then guilt got the better of me, and I jumped off.
Knokke
A day of wind in the surfers' club, between Knokke and the Dutch border
Vegetation and wind in the dunes of the Zwin Nature Park, on the border with the Netherlands. Beyond, on the other side of the Zwin River, lies the Dutch region of Cadzand, where I camped the last night. Because of the Zwin River, I had to go all the way around the nature park to cross into the Netherlands, which took me 4 hours, only to realize once I was in Cadzand that the Zwin River recedes with the tide, leaving the path clear between where I took this photo and the Netherlands.