België
19.05.2019 - Domain of the Caves of Han (B)
19.05.2019 - Domain of the Caves of Han (B)
19.05.2019 - Domain of the Caves of Han (B)
13.04.2018 - Probeerweekend Lembeke
Na een eerdere aanvaring met onze afsluiting thuis (kon je lezen op de pagina “over ons”) rijden we op vrijdag 13/04/18 naar Lembeke - camping Malpertuus - op amper 20 km van thuis, kwestie van alles eens uit te proberen.  Een camping waar een buurman een residentiele caravan bezit. Buiten een koude douche (boiler niet echt geschikt voor een lange douche, zeker niet op ECO-stand) werkt alles prima.  Of toch niet, de schotelantenne werkt niet. 
Bleek later dat ze verkeerd was aangesloten door een werknemer van Dicar Geel. De antenne was rechtstreeks aangesloten op het zonnepaneel in plaats van aan het 12V circuit. Bij levering werkte de antenne gezien er veel zon was en het zonnepaneel zijn volledige vermogen afgaf. Uiteraard, wanneer er weinig zon was, was er geen vermogen genoeg om de antenne te doen werken. Doch niet getreurd. Wij hebben steeds een harde schijf met talloze films mee op onze vakanties.
Lembeke is een zeer mooie locatie voor wandelaars. De “Lembeekse bossen” zijn nationaal bekend.
Uiteraard hebben we de bossen verkend. Het was wel nodig om stevige wandelschoenen te dragen, aangezien het de voorbije weken goed geregend heeft.

In de namiddag werd Dirk ‘opgeëist’ door Rik (onze buurman) om een paar spelletjes petanque te spelen!
Na een zeer rustig weekend zonder verdere problemen met de toestellen van de motorhome, keerden we de volgende maandag terug huiswaarts.
Overzicht overnachtingen
Camping Malpertuus - Lembeke: 20,5€/nacht (elektriciteit 4€ inbegrepen). Alle voorzieningen voor motorhome. Leuke gezellige camping aan de rand van de bossen.
04.05.2018 - Eerste hulp bij kamperen - Pasar
Op vrijdag 04/05/18 vertrokken we vol goede moed voor een initiatieweekend voor beginnende kampeerders. Dit op Kompas Camping Nieuwpoort, en ingericht door Pasar.  We laadden de motorhome  zoals we op een 14 daagse reis zouden vertrekken. Met volle watertank en volle brandstoftank. Vooraleer we naar de camping rijden gaan we  toch eerst langs  bij een weegbrug. De openbare weegbrug in Aalter. Kostprijs 2€! Je raadt het nooit! Te zwaar geladen; 20 kg te veel! Volgende keer vertrekken met een 40-tal liter water i.p.v. een volle tank.  Dat scheelt ook weer 80 kg.  Hoe doe je het als je met 4 of 5 aan boord bent, fietsen en speelgoed in de garage en misschien een bak bier?
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Het weekend was hoe dan ook geslaagd.  Iedereen had een mooie plek, het was stralend weer.  De mensen van Pasar deelden met heel veel inzet en geduld hun kennis en ervaring.  Regelmatig werd voor eten en drinken, koffie en koekjes gezorgd.  Op tijd en stond werd er ook goed gelachen, al dan niet met een mop of een of andere stommiteit van de leden.
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Op zondagnamiddag wandelden we richting Nieuwpoort-bad. Aan de vismijn namen we de tram gezien het toch nog een eindje was tot op de dijk. Onder een stralende hemel liepen we langs de vele kraampjes! Het was braderie in Nieuwpoort. Vervolgens gingen we op de dijk uitwaaien.

Op 07/05/18 zat het weekend er op en  tuften we terug naar huis, met een lege vuilwatertank en een beetje vers water. Geen overgewicht meer!
Overzicht overnachtingen
Kompas Camping - Nieuwpoort: Wij kregen een speciale prijs voor een comfortplaats. Een standaard camperplaats 60 m² kost in het laagseizoen 19,5€/nacht (elektriciteit inbegrepen). Voor Pasarleden is er een korting van 4€. Alle voorzieningen voor motorhome aanwezig. Prachtige grote camping met verwarmde zwembaden. Rustig. Strand gemakkelijk bereikbaar per fiets.
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E-mail: info@dmcamperreizen.be

Copyright © DMCamperreizen 2018.
All right reserved.
Sunday 19 May 2019: we leave for Han-sur-Lesse… it is cold and wet on the spot. Our place to stay for the coming days is the campsite “Grottes de Han”, just 300m from the visitor centre of the domain. No person in charge was present on arrival. Well a note at the door. We could safely choose a place. The day after, everything would be arranged.

Trams to the caves and safari cars to the wildlife park leave from the reception hall in the centre of Han. All departure times and locations are perfectly explained. Follow the correct colour on the ground and you will automatically find your means of transport for your planned visit. Just past the village square is a small supermarket, the only shop in the village. You will find everything there: fresh bread, vegetables, meat, ... to fuses and underwear.
It is now afternoon and given the humid weather we take the safari car for a tour through the wildlife park. The ideal way to see the many animals in a domain of 250 ha. to discover. There are plenty of stops where you can get out and observe the animals. The explanation (French) on the bus is also in Dutch. For example, we learn that the park's animals have been included in global breeding programs. And that many animals came from shelters, animals that can no longer survive in the wild. Many animals are still or have lived in Belgium. The Wildlife Park is also the only park in Belgium where you can see the European "big five": the wolf, the brown bear, the lynx, the European bison and the wolverine (unfortunately we didn't get to see them. They were hidden in their burrows. Usually they emerge at nightfall).

Tip: We bought a combination ticket in advance (it is cheaper online). The PassHan; with this ticket you have access to the Caves of Han in the presence of a guide, the Wildlife Park on foot and by safari car, the PrehistoHan museum and Han 1900! The museum of many old trades. We paid € 22 (however through the social service of our former employer). A passHan online costs 29 € per person and is valid throughout the season. The various attractions of the Domain can be visited on different days, which we did of course. Visit everything in one day! No, we prefer to keep it slow.
Day 2
It is still cold and drizzly weather. The heating in the motorhome is running at full speed. We decide to visit the caves. Underground weather conditions do not play any role. Do bring a sweater! You can use it with a constant temperature of 12 ° C and a high humidity. I also would not recommend making the visit in flip flops. The paths are jagged and slippery. Good footwear is not an unnecessary luxury. The tram goes to the caves. The centennial tram is very well maintained. The iron wheels make a screeching noise on the tracks when it turns corners. “De Lijn” (Flemish bus company) would be better off taking a look. The trams run right on time here!
Sunday 19 May 2019: we leave for Han-sur-Lesse… it is cold and wet on the spot. Our place to stay for the coming days is the campsite “Grottes de Han”, just 300m from the visitor centre of the domain. No person in charge was present on arrival. Well a note at the door. We could safely choose a place. The day after, everything would be arranged.

Trams to the caves and safari cars to the wildlife park leave from the reception hall in the centre of Han. All departure times and locations are perfectly explained. Follow the correct colour on the ground and you will automatically find your means of transport for your planned visit. Just past the village square is a small supermarket, the only shop in the village. You will find everything there: fresh bread, vegetables, meat, ... to fuses and underwear.
It is now afternoon and given the humid weather we take the safari car for a tour through the wildlife park. The ideal way to see the many animals in a domain of 250 ha. to discover. There are plenty of stops where you can get out and observe the animals. The explanation (French) on the bus is also in Dutch. For example, we learn that the park's animals have been included in global breeding programs. And that many animals came from shelters, animals that can no longer survive in the wild. Many animals are still or have lived in Belgium. The Wildlife Park is also the only park in Belgium where you can see the European "big five": the wolf, the brown bear, the lynx, the European bison and the wolverine (unfortunately we didn't get to see them. They were hidden in their burrows. Usually they emerge at nightfall).

Tip: We bought a combination ticket in advance (it is cheaper online). The PassHan; with this ticket you have access to the Caves of Han in the presence of a guide, the Wildlife Park on foot and by safari car, the PrehistoHan museum and Han 1900! The museum of many old trades. We paid € 22 (however through the social service of our former employer). A passHan online costs 29 € per person and is valid throughout the season. The various attractions of the Domain can be visited on different days, which we did of course. Visit everything in one day! No, we prefer to keep it slow.
Day 2
It is still cold and drizzly weather. The heating in the motorhome is running at full speed. We decide to visit the caves. Underground weather conditions do not play any role. Do bring a sweater! You can use it with a constant temperature of 12 ° C and a high humidity. I also would not recommend making the visit in flip flops. The paths are jagged and slippery. Good footwear is not an unnecessary luxury. The tram goes to the caves. The centennial tram is very well maintained. The iron wheels make a screeching noise on the tracks when it turns corners. “De Lijn” (Flemish bus company) would be better off taking a look. The trams run right on time here!
Our guide, perfectly bilingual and also English spoken, is actually a walking encyclopaedia. He guided us on foot, over a route of almost 2 km (which takes about 1.45 hours) past the impressive halls, which have been fully equipped with new LED lighting since 2018. We discovered, for example, the scarabs room, the vigneron room, the minaret room, the enormous domed room and the drapery room with its magical reflections. In the weapons room we could enjoy a fantastic sound and light show.
The Cave of Han has an exceptional construction, thanks to the beauty of the limestone deposits and the vastness of the halls, all formed by the Lesse, which completely traverses the cave.
We crossed long bridges a few meters above the river. We end the visit at the “Hollow of Han. According to tradition, a cannon shot is fired here! In the past this was done to chase away the evil spirits in the cave and reassured the visitors. We were surprised by the impressive echo in the cave, caused by the firing of the shot.
Until 2009 you left the cave with a boat trip on the underground Lesse. I still remember how, when I visited as a child, I got into a boat and marvelled at the enormous space that we crossed from the water of the Lesse and suddenly saw the sunlight in the distance. Unfortunately, this experience was cancelled due to strict security measures. Today you walk across an equally impressive footbridge, which allows you to discover the underground network and where you will find daylight at the end of the bridge.
On the way back to the village we made use of our PassHan again and visited the PrehistoHan museum.
The Cave of Han was visited by humans as early as 4,000 years ago and has revealed an impressive array of archaeological artefacts ranging from the late Neolithic to modern times. The period best represented is undoubtedly the last Bronze Age. The amount of found objects is so great that it makes Han one of the most important Western European sites for this period.
We were able to discover all these exceptional objects in a fascinating way, partly because they are exhibited in an attractive, interactive way.
The exhibition also includes a section devoted to natural sciences: geology, formation of the caves and the limestone deposits and cave fauna.

We ended this interesting afternoon with a hot chocolate. This on a terrace in the village.
Day 3
After a cold night, finally some sun. Afternoon; we take the tram (like a private tram: no one else was there, only us) to the wildlife park to visit the park on foot… a small tip: proper footwear and appropriate clothing is a must. The domain is very clean and you can see all the animals very close.
Sunday 19 May 2019: we leave for Han-sur-Lesse… it is cold and wet on the spot. Our place to stay for the coming days is the campsite “Grottes de Han”, just 300m from the visitor centre of the domain. No person in charge was present on arrival. Well a note at the door. We could safely choose a place. The day after, everything would be arranged.

Trams to the caves and safari cars to the wildlife park leave from the reception hall in the centre of Han. All departure times and locations are perfectly explained. Follow the correct colour on the ground and you will automatically find your means of transport for your planned visit. Just past the village square is a small supermarket, the only shop in the village. You will find everything there: fresh bread, vegetables, meat, ... to fuses and underwear.
It is now afternoon and given the humid weather we take the safari car for a tour through the wildlife park. The ideal way to see the many animals in a domain of 250 ha. to discover. There are plenty of stops where you can get out and observe the animals. The explanation (French) on the bus is also in Dutch. For example, we learn that the park's animals have been included in global breeding programs. And that many animals came from shelters, animals that can no longer survive in the wild. Many animals are still or have lived in Belgium. The Wildlife Park is also the only park in Belgium where you can see the European "big five": the wolf, the brown bear, the lynx, the European bison and the wolverine (unfortunately we didn't get to see them. They were hidden in their burrows. Usually they emerge at nightfall).

Tip: We bought a combination ticket in advance (it is cheaper online). The PassHan; with this ticket you have access to the Caves of Han in the presence of a guide, the Wildlife Park on foot and by safari car, the PrehistoHan museum and Han 1900! The museum of many old trades. We paid € 22 (however through the social service of our former employer). A passHan online costs 29 € per person and is valid throughout the season. The various attractions of the Domain can be visited on different days, which we did of course. Visit everything in one day! No, we prefer to keep it slow.
Day 2
It is still cold and drizzly weather. The heating in the motorhome is running at full speed. We decide to visit the caves. Underground weather conditions do not play any role. Do bring a sweater! You can use it with a constant temperature of 12 ° C and a high humidity. I also would not recommend making the visit in flip flops. The paths are jagged and slippery. Good footwear is not an unnecessary luxury. The tram goes to the caves. The centennial tram is very well maintained. The iron wheels make a screeching noise on the tracks when it turns corners. “De Lijn” (Flemish bus company) would be better off taking a look. The trams run right on time here!
Our guide, perfectly bilingual and also English spoken, is actually a walking encyclopaedia. He guided us on foot, over a route of almost 2 km (which takes about 1.45 hours) past the impressive halls, which have been fully equipped with new LED lighting since 2018. We discovered, for example, the scarabs room, the vigneron room, the minaret room, the enormous domed room and the drapery room with its magical reflections. In the weapons room we could enjoy a fantastic sound and light show.
The Cave of Han has an exceptional construction, thanks to the beauty of the limestone deposits and the vastness of the halls, all formed by the Lesse, which completely traverses the cave.
We crossed long bridges a few meters above the river. We end the visit at the “Hollow of Han. According to tradition, a cannon shot is fired here! In the past this was done to chase away the evil spirits in the cave and reassured the visitors. We were surprised by the impressive echo in the cave, caused by the firing of the shot.
Until 2009 you left the cave with a boat trip on the underground Lesse. I still remember how, when I visited as a child, I got into a boat and marvelled at the enormous space that we crossed from the water of the Lesse and suddenly saw the sunlight in the distance. Unfortunately, this experience was cancelled due to strict security measures. Today you walk across an equally impressive footbridge, which allows you to discover the underground network and where you will find daylight at the end of the bridge.
On the way back to the village we made use of our PassHan again and visited the PrehistoHan museum.
The Cave of Han was visited by humans as early as 4,000 years ago and has revealed an impressive array of archaeological artefacts ranging from the late Neolithic to modern times. The period best represented is undoubtedly the last Bronze Age. The amount of found objects is so great that it makes Han one of the most important Western European sites for this period.
We were able to discover all these exceptional objects in a fascinating way, partly because they are exhibited in an attractive, interactive way.
The exhibition also includes a section devoted to natural sciences: geology, formation of the caves and the limestone deposits and cave fauna.

We ended this interesting afternoon with a hot chocolate. This on a terrace in the village.
Our guide, perfectly bilingual and also English spoken, is actually a walking encyclopaedia. He guided us on foot, over a route of almost 2 km (which takes about 1.45 hours) past the impressive halls, which have been fully equipped with new LED lighting since 2018. We discovered, for example, the scarabs room, the vigneron room, the minaret room, the enormous domed room and the drapery room with its magical reflections. In the weapons room we could enjoy a fantastic sound and light show.
The Cave of Han has an exceptional construction, thanks to the beauty of the limestone deposits and the vastness of the halls, all formed by the Lesse, which completely traverses the cave.
We crossed long bridges a few meters above the river. We end the visit at the “Hollow of Han. According to tradition, a cannon shot is fired here! In the past this was done to chase away the evil spirits in the cave and reassured the visitors. We were surprised by the impressive echo in the cave, caused by the firing of the shot.
Until 2009 you left the cave with a boat trip on the underground Lesse. I still remember how, when I visited as a child, I got into a boat and marvelled at the enormous space that we crossed from the water of the Lesse and suddenly saw the sunlight in the distance. Unfortunately, this experience was cancelled due to strict security measures. Today you walk across an equally impressive footbridge, which allows you to discover the underground network and where you will find daylight at the end of the bridge.
On the way back to the village we made use of our PassHan again and visited the PrehistoHan museum.
The Cave of Han was visited by humans as early as 4,000 years ago and has revealed an impressive array of archaeological artefacts ranging from the late Neolithic to modern times. The period best represented is undoubtedly the last Bronze Age. The amount of found objects is so great that it makes Han one of the most important Western European sites for this period.
We were able to discover all these exceptional objects in a fascinating way, partly because they are exhibited in an attractive, interactive way.
The exhibition also includes a section devoted to natural sciences: geology, formation of the caves and the limestone deposits and cave fauna.

We ended this interesting afternoon with a hot chocolate. This on a terrace in the village.
Day 3
After a cold night, finally some sun. Afternoon; we take the tram (like a private tram: no one else was there, only us) to the wildlife park to visit the park on foot… a small tip: proper footwear and appropriate clothing is a must. The domain is very clean and you can see all the animals very close.
During the walk, panoramas and lookouts give you the opportunity to get closer to nature and animals. On the great plain we saw the great herds of deer, sheep, buffalo and przewalski horses, all living in semi-freedom, moving about.
As I said before, we could once again admire the European “big five”.
The advantage of the visit on foot is that you can view the animals longer and more closely. At certain moments you even imagine yourself on some Hungarian puszta.

The hiking trail is 5.5 kilometres long. After 2.5 kilometres - at the "Gouffre de Belvaux" - you can choose to continue on foot or to take the shuttle bus. This shuttle bus will cover the rest of the trail and take you up to the bears. From here you walk another 5 minutes on foot to the end of the walk.
We could still get very close to the bears. They were sleeping peacefully and I could feel their hot breath on my neck. They slept… until they heard the safari car approach! Then they left and hid in their cave. Too bad for the arriving visitors. They did not get to see bears. During our visit they were still working on the new bear enclosure. A large area with imitation of their habitat. Next time we will be able to admire the bears in their new environment.
After the park we visited the Han 1900 museum. Impressive! Daily life from the early twentieth century is depicted with at least 50 scenes and about 90 mannequin dolls. With a true dive into the past, the professions of the past are shown. I think they were all there: the baker, the glassblower, the scissors grinder, the brazier, the farrier, the basket weaver, the shoemaker, the cigar maker, the butcher, the dentist, the doctor, the hairdresser, the lace-maker, the fabric shop … you name it!

A nice end to the day.
Day 4
Under a bright sun we drive home.
Summary overnight stays
Camping des Grottes - Han sur Lesse: 54.40 € for three nights. All amenities included. Be careful though; there is no discharge point for gray water. However, further in the village is a motorhome stopover where you can empty your waste water tank. Very friendly welcome and despite it being an old campsite, it is very well maintained. The man (who also did the reception) is actually a cleaning miracle. Rarely seen sanitary facilities so good and often maintained.
During the walk, panoramas and lookouts give you the opportunity to get closer to nature and animals. On the great plain we saw the great herds of deer, sheep, buffalo and przewalski horses, all living in semi-freedom, moving about.
As I said before, we could once again admire the European “big five”.
The advantage of the visit on foot is that you can view the animals longer and more closely. At certain moments you even imagine yourself on some Hungarian puszta.

The hiking trail is 5.5 kilometres long. After 2.5 kilometres - at the "Gouffre de Belvaux" - you can choose to continue on foot or to take the shuttle bus. This shuttle bus will cover the rest of the trail and take you up to the bears. From here you walk another 5 minutes on foot to the end of the walk.
We could still get very close to the bears. They were sleeping peacefully and I could feel their hot breath on my neck. They slept… until they heard the safari car approach! Then they left and hid in their cave. Too bad for the arriving visitors. They did not get to see bears. During our visit they were still working on the new bear enclosure. A large area with imitation of their habitat. Next time we will be able to admire the bears in their new environment.
After the park we visited the Han 1900 museum. Impressive! Daily life from the early twentieth century is depicted with at least 50 scenes and about 90 mannequin dolls. With a true dive into the past, the professions of the past are shown. I think they were all there: the baker, the glassblower, the scissors grinder, the brazier, the farrier, the basket weaver, the shoemaker, the cigar maker, the butcher, the dentist, the doctor, the hairdresser, the lace-maker, the fabric shop … you name it!

A nice end to the day.
Day 4
Under a bright sun we drive home.
Summary overnight stays
Camping des Grottes - Han sur Lesse: 54.40 € for three nights. All amenities included. Be careful though; there is no discharge point for gray water. However, further in the village is a motorhome stopover where you can empty your waste water tank. Very friendly welcome and despite it being an old campsite, it is very well maintained. The man (who also did the reception) is actually a cleaning miracle. Rarely seen sanitary facilities so good and often maintained.
Day 3
After a cold night, finally some sun. Afternoon; we take the tram (like a private tram: no one else was there, only us) to the wildlife park to visit the park on foot… a small tip: proper footwear and appropriate clothing is a must. The domain is very clean and you can see all the animals very close.
During the walk, panoramas and lookouts give you the opportunity to get closer to nature and animals. On the great plain we saw the great herds of deer, sheep, buffalo and przewalski horses, all living in semi-freedom, moving about.
As I said before, we could once again admire the European “big five”.
The advantage of the visit on foot is that you can view the animals longer and more closely. At certain moments you even imagine yourself on some Hungarian puszta.

The hiking trail is 5.5 kilometres long. After 2.5 kilometres - at the "Gouffre de Belvaux" - you can choose to continue on foot or to take the shuttle bus. This shuttle bus will cover the rest of the trail and take you up to the bears. From here you walk another 5 minutes on foot to the end of the walk.
We could still get very close to the bears. They were sleeping peacefully and I could feel their hot breath on my neck. They slept… until they heard the safari car approach! Then they left and hid in their cave. Too bad for the arriving visitors. They did not get to see bears. During our visit they were still working on the new bear enclosure. A large area with imitation of their habitat. Next time we will be able to admire the bears in their new environment.
After the park we visited the Han 1900 museum. Impressive! Daily life from the early twentieth century is depicted with at least 50 scenes and about 90 mannequin dolls. With a true dive into the past, the professions of the past are shown. I think they were all there: the baker, the glassblower, the scissors grinder, the brazier, the farrier, the basket weaver, the shoemaker, the cigar maker, the butcher, the dentist, the doctor, the hairdresser, the lace-maker, the fabric shop … you name it!

A nice end to the day.
Day 4
Under a bright sun we drive home.
Summary overnight stays
Camping des Grottes - Han sur Lesse: 54.40 € for three nights. All amenities included. Be careful though; there is no discharge point for gray water. However, further in the village is a motorhome stopover where you can empty your waste water tank. Very friendly welcome and despite it being an old campsite, it is very well maintained. The man (who also did the reception) is actually a cleaning miracle. Rarely seen sanitary facilities so good and often maintained.

E-mail: info@dmcamperreizen.be

Copyright © DMCamperreizen 2018.
All right reserved.

E-mail: info@dmcamperreizen.be

Copyright © DMCamperreizen 2018.
All right reserved.
E-mail: info@dmcamperreizen.be

Copyright © DMCamperreizen 2018.
All right reserved.