They're Destroying this Town in Belgium 🚜 The March Of Progress?

Belgium has many cute towns, but Doel is being destroyed. Gent, however, has a rich history and beautiful canal system worth exploring.
The Way Away is Josh and Ashley Brown, husband and wife world travelers. Our mission is to bring the world closer by showing the uniqueness of our cultures and promoting unity around the world. Subscribe to our channel to watch our daily travel vlogs.
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[@hannofranz7973]

I notice this deep love and cultural identification that I have with Central Europe in particular for being a German. As I've been living in Spain for 26 years, I have sort of get disattached to Germany in many ways but I definitely feel at home in Central Europe with all its ancient history, its culture and languages. Speaking various Western and South-western European languages makes me feel at home everywhere between Hamburg and Madrid.

[@DutchNomadFamily]

Antwerp! I worked in Antwerp for many years and loved the night life. Good old memories to this city 😳... beers, love and friendship for life. Thanks for bringing back these memories. Geniet ervan!

[@WAYAWAYWithAsh]

+Dutch Nomad Couple aww that's a good reason to love a city. The memories made there will always make a place special.

[@DutchNomadFamily]

WΔY ΔWΔY It sure does, but please don’t tell Angela 😂.

[@jackf1841]

You didn't do Antwerp justice. It's actually the greatest and 'hippest' city in Belgium! It's a fashion capital with a great historical center, and awesome docklands area. Give it another chance :-)

[@annainaspen]

When in Ghent and at St Bavo’s checkout the Ghent Altarpiece. It is one of the worlds masterpieces. It has had a storied past. If anyone one has read or watched Monuments Men it is in both the book and movie.

[@toobydude41]

Once again you present a somber, or at least less glamorous side of a city/location with such dignity and respect. I guess I'm a little ambivalent about the fate of such towns like Doel. Definitely feel for the displaced residents. Hopefully those people are faring well wherever they're ending up. That part of the video was striking and haunting, and of course, brought to us impeccably. And..lest me forget that sweeping stunning intro!!

[@WAYAWAYWithAsh]

+scott a I assume the people in the town were payed to move but I'm not positive. That's how I'd like to see it. Compensation would help when starting a new.:) -Ash

[@wimve4719]

@scott a Thank you for your comment, it is very considerate. I live like a few miles from Doel and spent a significant part of my childhood there. It was rural, nice, quiet with a thriving community. Honestly, as a Belgian, this feels like an utter disgrace with a lot of disrespect for the people who live(d) there. A precedent exists ... not the first town that has to go under to money driven industry. I can only be but disgusted by this kind of practices (and no, it was not gently handled by either government or industry). Things like this make me angry ... and I don't want to be angry.

[@svendeckers1964]

They were indeed payed.

[@walterverbeeck6929]

For the love of god... IT AIN'T FRENCH FRIES its from Belgium! And you forget to visit so many things in Antwerp like the railway cathedral, the cathedral with the Rubens paintings, the house of Rubens, the royal palace (once owned by Napoleon) and some other old places and the MAS.

[@anbar708]

Danke u frieten zijn niet van frankrijk

[@annainaspen]

Yes, almost everyone knows that Frites came from Belgium. In America and the WAYAWAY are American, they are called French Fries. In Europe I call them Frites and when I’m with American friends I call them French Fries.

[@traveldiaryclub3290]

just been to belgium for a week. Brugge was absolutely adorable.

[@WAYAWAYWithAsh]

+Ra://Travel Diary we loved it:) Its such a unique town I'm so glad you got to experience it. -Ash

[@kathylecluyse7820]

Sorry to break the news, but Doel isn't the first town to be swallowed up by Antwerp's haven :(

[@dhrvb]

Indeed : Wilmarsdonk, Oorderen all gone.

[@stevengoethals40]

I lived about 5 km away from Doel. I spent most of my youth there. Good memories. Where you parked your car... that used to be a restaurant where i worked for 5 years. And that little road you walked on with the gras on the side used to be the most idylic little street in the town. A shame to see it all gone now. erik0.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/pict7103i.jpg

[@ThomasKossatz]

Hi, Ash & Josh, Remember? "For everything, there is a season." Buildings, Villages and cities come and go. Kölln (Cologne) is built on the ruins of an ancient Roman colonie ("Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium"). The Dome of the Rock is an Islamic shrine located on the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem. It was built on the site of the Roman temple of Jupiter Capitolinus, which had in turn been built on the site of the Second Jewish Temple, destroyed during the Roman Siege of Jerusalem in 70 CE. In Germany, some hundred villages had to move aside for brown coal mining. In many countries homes and churches diappeared in artificial lakes created for hydroelectric power plants. We may be sad that old buildings have to move aside for progress, however: How much worse is the brainless destruction caused by war ! 1944/45 1200 German V1 cruise missiles and V2 -rockets hit Antverp, up to 7000 people died, irreplaceable works of art and architecture got destroyed. The same is of course true for too many other countries in Europe.

[@belleke18]

The plans for Doel are not 20 or 30 years old, those plans have been on the table since 1963. Not they are going te leave Doel as it is and not destroy it.

[@cecizeni]

The intro to this vlog with the music and beautiful scenery shot says you put time and care into your videos which makes them so cool...I look forward to them everytime 😊

[@WAYAWAYWithAsh]

+Cindy Duran we try and put as much effort as we can when making 5 videos a week. Thank you for noticing.:) We love the encouragement-Ash

[@gayleswellness2225]

I wonder what keeps the people who do live there--there. I love how Josh strives to get pronunciation, history, etc, very precise and Ashley just wings it. I've said it before authentic Spontaneity! Love it most!

[@jenniferpollentier4801]

I’m a student in Gent, it’s such a beautiful city! I watched your other video’s about Belgium and I was thinking ‘Why don’t they visit Gent???’ And I’m happy I found the one visiting Gent haha :) loved it!

[@tamaraaelbrecht1718]

Update about Doel: The Flemish Government has decided in 2019 that Doel will no longer be demolished. So this little town is saved and will continue to exist.

[@WAYAWAYWithAsh]

Wow that’s cool!!

[@cashout._jelle]

2 jaar geleden heb ik daar men lentefeest fotos gedaan

[@AmisterdanCL]

I came by indication of the Travel and Share, and do not forget to come to Brazil. I'm signing up for your channel now.

[@caryncorgi4580]

Thank you so much for showing us Belgium! I have family ancestry there and I found it oh so interesting!!! I have the same feelings about 'progress' it can be hard to swallow, I don't think I will make it there in time to see it. Thanks for the great footage, as always!

[@susanwelter4000]

So strange to see a town slowly disappearing... I’m not sure how I feel about it either. Kinda sad, I guess. I really feel for those people who would prefer not to leave.

[@WAYAWAYWithAsh]

+Susan Welter yeah it would really suck to be pushed out of your home where you made memories. It's already a big commitment to live there. The closest store is not even close at all. Super hard and interesting situation. -Ash

[@susanwelter4000]

Thanks Ash & Josh for reporting on the communities of the world 🌎

[@RichardRenes]

Something similar happened here in the Netherlands with the port of Rotterdam. In the 1960's, the town of Blankenburg was evacuated and demolished to make room for more industrial area. Right now, a huge chemical plant is built where Blankenburg used to be. Monumental houses were moved though.. the Oliphant estate for instance, has been reconstructed, using the original bricks, in the Zuiderpark in Rotterdam, where it still exists today.

[@imketys]

Gent was almost right the first time you said it, you just have to make the g sound a little softer.

[@WAYAWAYWithAsh]

Ahhhh so close!

[@LaneVids]

Just found you guys through Twitter. You guys have great content! Can't wait to watch more! We love traveling when we can with our kids. I wish I would have traveled more when I was young!

[@WAYAWAYWithAsh]

+Lane Fournerat🎉 Welcome to #WayFam!!🎉 Super happy you found us.:) -Ash

[@Viper-jk2pf]

Look at what's happened to Detroit. A ghost town of abandoned houses and buildings and not that many years ago it was thriving... Sad. ...

[@TheMusicGuard]

Love Antwerp, probably top 5 fav city in Europe. So underrated, great nightlife too.

[@wesleydhanis3304]

Antwerp is definitely an underrated city and I feel a bit sad that you don't know any locals who could have shown you the better places. Traffic is horrible at the moment in Antwerp though, so that might've clouded your judgement and altered your timeline to visit it. I didn't see many footage of the actual city center, just the waffle you had! Next time feel free to message me or try and get to know some locals to show you around. I can assure you, Antwerp has A LOT to offer and is very much underrated!

[@Kris_M]

Yeah, totally with you. Entirely possible they didn't visit the historic center of Antwerp at all, a missed opportunity. I guess we can't blame them though, traveling the world and always finding the 'right places' is not gonna be easy.

[@mumblic]

They were at the "Groenplaats" but then when directly to the "Meir" (shopping street), so actually they went the wrong direction! I live in Antwerp and I agree, if you have not much time go to Gent or Brugge. If you have more Antwerp is fine

[@EricandAmanda]

Waffles are my favorite! Great tour of the city. We will keep in mind during our travels.

[@MoreTravelPlease]

It's really sad that they are destroying what must have been such a beautiful little town and all that history. Also unrelated question-I feel like you guys often say that you wish you had more time in places, and I always wonder, why don't you just stay longer? I know this trip you have already booked things and are renting a car, but why stay in Belgium only a week instead of like a month? (Of course Belgium is super expensive, but same idea for other cheaper countries as well)

[@sylvani1]

Doel is not going to disappear immediately. they are busy with studying alernatieve plans to expand the port of Antwerp. including four alternatives showing that they can still keep the village. the first time when you pronounced "Gent" it was almost perfect 😁. I was born and raised in Gent. and I still living there .the castle that you have seen is called "gravensteen" too bad you did not go inside because it is a very interesting museum on how criminals and people with psychological problems were treated (tortured) in the middle ages.and not only that, there's a whole history connected to this centuries-old Castle. and hey ... What city can say that they have a medieval castle in the Centre of the city. that on itself is already unique

[@aasigraa]

It's weird to me you 'just stopped by' Gent :D. It's the most beautiful city in Belgium :p. (it's also my city I live by ;) ). But Gent really is alive!! Great food, great people, great vibes and beautiful buildings!

[@katepotter4042]

I grew up in Charlotte, NC. Which BTW is built on gold mines! Nowadays the city is unregcognizable to me because of how much it's grown since I lived there. I always love old buildings and hate to see them get torn down. Now living in Alaska, there's not many old buildings.

[@ScoutsmeisEksteRusty]

I am from Gent! Thanks for liking ming city! :-)

[@wimve4719]

I truly love the fact that you actually made this vlog. I live maybe 10 km away from Doel and have fond memories of it. I spent a lot of my youth there. Seeing it falling prey to ... whatever you like to call it ... is devastating. It's a disgrace. I still have a good friend living there, well, for as long as it lasts. Not one of our finest hours. Thanks for sharing this with the world. Nonetheless, I hope you enjoyed your stay in Belgium!

[@WAYAWAYWithAsh]

Thats crazy you live so close to Doel. Im so glad you liked and found our video. We'll never forget our visit there. We really did enjoy your country.:) -Ash

[@wimve4719]

Yes, it is quite ... I would call it, disturbing ... Anyway, glad you enjoyed our little country. It has more to offer than meets the eye ... :-). Oh, and I shared the vlog on FB and got quite a few reactions on it. Happy Travels! W.

[@thomasfailure3612]

Nice aerial view of Antwerp.

[@MegaApiapi]

I can't believe you visited my city! Also the smallest waffle shop. That's insane😱 btw I feel like I'm stalking you guys because I just found this channel.. ..

[@WAYAWAYWithAsh]

👀

[@crammy7]

Gent is considered to be the best hidden turistic town in Belgium. Did you know the united states and britain signed a peace treaty here in 1814 to end the war they had ???

[@proandiknow9740]

You guys Need to stop and continue at the same time its not possible to make every country you visit is flawless and amazing I am always enthusiastic about your new video because I explore more and more about the world and the specific traditions of the countries

[@WAYAWAYWithAsh]

+proandiknow haha. Thank know. We always want to stay longer, but there is so much to see.

[@yagi3925]

FYI: "Doel" is pronounced as "Dool", not "Dol" or "Dole". A Dutch OE equates an English OO. And, by the way, Doel is not the first place to be swallowed up by Antwerp's industrial facilities. You have to bear in mind the Antwerp habor is in the top 10 of the worlds's biggest ports. It's simply a global monster. Bear that in mind when you visit Belgium.

I asked if you where coming to Ghent and you said no , I could have guided you in the city. To bad. But I'm glad you liked it.

[@alteredillusions100]

Awesome video! Doel and Gent are on my list now :)

[@Erulin68]

Cemitaries over here work different then in the U.S. We don't have 'eternal rest' anymore, you pay for 15 years, then you can extend it for another 15 but after that your coffin gets dug up and whatever remains gets chucked in a mass grave.... If they had continued to let peoples graves stay there for ever, sooner or later all of Belgium would have been full of graves.

[@lifeasiknowit8905]

I'm from Gent! i live near Castle of the Counts or Gravensteen. a pity i didn't meet you guys when you were here..next time you come i can give you a tour..

[@removedastars]

Love the gorgeous drone shot at the beginning! What are the rules with flying in Belgium? I wanna get shots like this in Cambridge next time I go but the UK is strict like the US when it comes to UAS.

[@WAYAWAYWithAsh]

Sadly all the rules are changing to be quite strict and they are changing fast! If you're unsure it's best to look it up before you fly as it can change quickly from place to place.

[@guillaumtje]

Gent is also a city with a lot of universaties and colleges, i now live there 5days a week to study and i really love it but my hometown poperinge is also very nice!!

[@conradmeaders8449]

That is so sad. That is such a cute little historic town if you look past the vandalism.

[@hurguler]

You guys don't need to conquer every castle. Drone shots are more than enough.

[@UngodlyDeity]

If you ever get the chance to visit Ghent again, do stop by the Jenever bar and jazz club. both fantastic ways to enjoy the evening.

[@WAYAWAYWithAsh]

Oh man a Jazz club would be awesome to visit. I would really love that. -Ash

[@PlayItAgainTubeSam]

You didn't visit Erps Kwerps, Denderbelle or Boemerskonte ?! :p

[@timtense]

You pronounced Bruges correctly. I must say Bruges is really nice but a bit of a tourist trap. Totally worth visiting but everything is overpriced and kinda crowded. But still worth a visit.

[@michaellejeune7715]

Tim Tense You really have to know what places to go to, especially for lunch/dinner. But there are real affordable gems in the centre. Ask a friendly local. ;)

[@timtense]

Michaël Lejeune thanks for the info!

[@Qsaws_]

If you're not sure about being in the flemish/dutch region or the wallon/french region just look for bikes, flemish people love their bikes.

[@realser9]

Fantástico 💖🙌

[@ichizato]

1:40 great lighting on Ash, beautiful!

[@nivarovaroni3333]

Hey guys, I really like your videos. But honestly, next time you come over to Belgium, take more time for every city, bring some more cash (castle gravensteen is worth a visit) and contact a belgian who's willing to give you more information. I would be glad to help you out. Again, the video is nice but there are to many mistakes in it. I've seen other videos by Americans visiting Belgium and they're not better at all. I've the impression you guys are to shy to ask information. 😉 Always welcome to our beautiful little country.

[@livijabalsyte2563]

You guys have AMAZING videos. None joke.

[@frouchitude1916]

Next time... come see "Durbuy".

[@taiqidong9841]

Oh god, Liège waffles are eaten without any freaking topping!!! You want topping? Eat Brussels waffles and feel free to put on it whatever you want, but Liège waffles are eaten pure, strait, like a good whiskey.

[@Qsaws_]

The castle is great from the outside but not that interesting inside, youy didn't miss anything except maybe the view from the top of it. The boat tours are pretty cool and you learn a lot about the history of the town.

[@WAYAWAYWithAsh]

Phew!! Thank you. I'm kinda glad to hear we didn't miss out. -Ash

[@teehtravel8354]

Gent is our favourite

[@WAYAWAYWithAsh]

We were really impressed with Gent. It was super cool and we almost didn't go. -Ash

[@teehtravel8354]

WΔY ΔWΔY we were the same. Wasn't a place we was visiting and turned out to be our favourite place in Belgium

[@christianwouters6764]

Didn t you notice how filthy that waffle machine was? I was raised in Antwerp but fled away because of the criminality, the filth, beggars on the street, traffic jams, public constructions that never get finished...no Antwerp for me anymore ! Maybe it is now more agreable there because of corona.

[@riccardoattilia8219]

Antwerp isn't really that bad. It's a nice city with some bad areas, but i find really annoying that many locals say it's the best city in belgium and that is perfect and the rest is crap. I didn't find it perfect at all and i was quite disappointed. I do think it has some amazing night life and cultural events.

[@sheenabrant]

Its such a shame about the town its History so why destroy it so sad and I agree Josh it did look Apoloclyptic great Drone shots another good vlog very informative xx

[@WAYAWAYWithAsh]

+Sheena Brant thanks Sheena! It is a bit sad.

[@mumblic]

Visiting "Doel", that's getting of the beaten path to the max! ;-)) I believe they will demolish the church, but keep the "orgel" (pipe organs ?) + plus the windmill

[@ahmetcalisan]

Great drone shots!

[@WAYAWAYWithAsh]

+ahmetcalisan thanks!

[@acikgozgorkem1]

GREAAAAAATTTt:))))))))))))))))

[@carolijn8958]

I am disappointed. Awesome that you went to see Doel, but I live in Antwerp and this town has been greatly neglected by you. The medieval center with its majestic cathedral and its twisty streets, the castle and beautiful spots at 'the schelde', the vibrant cultural- and night life are fantastic though

[@yagi3925]

"The Schelde", really? It's called the Scheldt in English.

[@mrboutsky]

I don't think that doel is a tourist attraction

[@mplewp]

You didn't visit the Antwerp Cathedral / or my house :P i feel offended xD

[@robchristian7546]

Did you have a "drone with a cam" to taking the aerial video of the cities.

[@WAYAWAYWithAsh]

We do have a drone but in bigger cities it's hard for us to fly it. There are many factors we have to consider.

[@86Armida]

Well, some update on the subject of Doel. The people haven't given up the fight and it is actually for once looking good for them. In fact, a few months ago they had the first birth in years and years. So things are looking up.

[@WAYAWAYWithAsh]

Wow! That's so cool! Thanks for the update!

[@mariohoogers666]

Not only that, the government recently decided not to tear it down anymore. It's going to be preserved and possibly even rebuild.

[@ExperiencedGhost]

The name of the town that will be destroyed is DOEL.

[@karakallaromain5378]

The most smiling girl i have ever seen :D

[@ronnmc5401]

Strange, I live in Antwerp but the places you visited are not in the city, to bad because it is the most beautiful city in Belgium next time visit the city for real

[@robsteries]

Doel is safe now

[@ericburbach632]

Should have gone to medieval Hulst a short ride away

[@MsCuberdon]

Ghent is the place to be!!

[@ericburbach632]

You were so close to me !!!!!!

[@nxxxx9601]

Damn I am living in Gent but I missed u guys ...

[@oliverturk3068]

for some reason ashley reminds me of what a cowgirl would look and sound like... :)

[@BelgianWaffleAirsoft]

oei oei da zullen de mensen vant T'stad nie zo leuk vinden eh hahah

[@dijleveld]

The village of Wilmarsdonk has been completly swallowed up by the port of Antwerp accept for its church tower. The old tower standig in between shipping containers looks pretty eery. spookdorpen.nl/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Wilmarsdonk_2.png

[@hiitsme8623]

Come to 🇩🇪 please.

[@bertboonen983]

Another cool town in Belgium is Mechelen (Malines)

[@yagi3925]

Called "Mechlin" in English.

[@solangealves8553]

What's the day that you post video?

[@WAYAWAYWithAsh]

+solange alves wed-sun.

[@solangealves8553]

WΔY ΔWΔY thak you very mate

[@garfieldt]

sad you didn't see more of Antwerp

[@medk4977]

They have the besr CHOCOLATE🍫🍫

[@HenryDorset]

So, you know what movie to watch - In Bruges

[@ardaaktas1555]

Çok güzel sin 😘😍😘

[@gulistanmalik6]

Thanks

[@WAYAWAYWithAsh]

+Gulistan Malik thank you for watching:) -Ash

[@Qsaws_]

If i had to reccommend just one town to visit in Belgium it'd be Ghent, it's like Brugge but "real", Brugge feels like a fake town.

[@WAYAWAYWithAsh]

We visited there as well. It was a great city. Thanks for the suggestion. -Ash

[@dutchseawolf]

Gent is dutch language

[@yagi3925]

Correct. The English name of it is Ghent.

[@AbhishekDuggal]

Ashley's smile reminds me of my ex-girlfriend

[@MsCathy42]

This is what Trump tried to do in northern Scotland to build his golf course club. Many left due to the police bullying, following Trumps order. A few of the people did win but not many. Trump also destroyed the sand area near the ocean.

[@ardaaktas1555]

İlk olarak yorum

[@ilkayGALATASARAY]

Hey i born in Gent i so happy that you come to my city but i miss Turkey i leave know 4years in Antwerpen but i gonna move back to gent close to my familie and friends and make everthing good and start a new life and dont forget Gent is from the Turks😀 funny that you also come to antwerpen but gent is better and the firstkastel its not speacial good choicel .d yeah i little bit high i smoke 2days ago also where you was walking behind the water Gent nice video like always beyenin yukarda kalsin

[@garfieldt]

Gent is from the Turks😀 and you wonder why people don't like you...

[@ardaaktas1555]

İlk olarak yorum 😍😘

[@saulhudsonbelg]

2020 Doel still excist

[@WAYAWAYWithAsh]

Yeah they successfully saved it!!

[@saulhudsonbelg]

@@WAYAWAYWithAsh Well, some goals have already been achieved, for example, the cemetery is now safeguarded because it has become cultural and historical heritage. But the battle is not quite over yet. But hey, thumps up and hope for the best. Greetings from Belgium.

[@gerardmerchiers4046]

What a pity that you spent so much time in showing some of the ugliest spots of Belgium. There is sooooo much more and really nice things to show in my country. Not good. Who will be attracted to come to Belgium. How can you call trappist monks a sect? Please do some research before venturing into giving explanations and making commenrs comments. Otherwise, I watch all your videos and I really like them. Thanks.

[@JeanGenie92]

Really? This video really made Belgium a place I want to go now! Everywhere they showed looked really cool, especially the abandoned town!

[@yagi3925]

"How can you call trappist monks a sect? Please do some research before venturing into giving explanations and making comments". Really? Please do some research into the definition of the term "sect" before making comments. What you mean is "a cult". A sect is just a religious school, there's nothing derogatory about the term. You're confusing it with the concept of "cult", under the influence of the Dutch and French termes "sekt/secte", I assume.

[@CarlosAlberto-go1mx]

😆😆😆