Yesterday (9 July) the Viking Ingvi left Rudesheim heading up the Rhine River towards Koblenz, Germany. The weather was cold and rainy, but viewing the castles from the lounge with Nick describing each one. It was a leisurely morning. The castles were nestled throughout the hillside of the Rhine River. Most of the castles were in ruin. Throughout the history of Germany and the Rhine River, many castles did not survive. The upkeep on a castle is thousands of Euros. Even keeping the ruin castle to the point of not falling into the Rhine River costs a lot of Euros. We were cruising up the Rhine River and having a wonderful and relaxing time. We docked in Koblenz, Germany. Koblenz is similar to most cities in Germany. It was completely destroyed by the Allies in World War II and rebuilt. Most buildings were rebuilt in the 1950s to look like the old town.
After lunch a group went to visit the only castle not in ruin on the Rhine River. It was not destroyed during World War II. The Marksburg Castle (Marksburg Castle) is only for the fit and sure-footed people. There are steep steps, dark passages and many uneven surfaces. Manny, Tim and Angie went on this excursion. I relaxed in my stateroom during the afternoon. They had an amazing time. Manny and Tim liked the Torture Room and the devices used during the Medieval era to punish people.
Last night after dinner there was a Music Trivia night. It was a great time. Manny, Tim, Angie, Genine and I were a team. We scored 19 out of 25, but one team had a perfect score. They won the bottle of wine. The trivia game was done and the FIFA Brazil versus Germany was on the television in the lounge. Being in Germany it was great for the German team to win. Manny, Tim and Angie went to a local bar to celebrate the victory.
The boat set off at 330am heading towards Cologne (Koln), Germany. The tallest Cathedral is the Cologne Cathedral. Cathedral It took from 1200s to 1800s to complete the structure. It was absolutely amazing. The beauty and majesty of this building as it towers over the Rhine River. The rain and wind on the walking tour of Cologne was tough. Cologne was completely destroyed by Allies. The buildings were rebuilt similar to Koblenz. The only structured saved was the Cathedral. It was used a point for the Allied bombers to find German towns. The stained glass windows from 1200s, 1500s and 1800s were removed and stored as well as the art work. The remains of the 3 Magi are said to be in the 1.5 ton gold case behind the altar. The remains were stolen by St. Helena and brought to Milan, Italy. The remains were stolen in the 1200s and brought to Cologne, Germany. A farmer hid the remains from the French when Cologne was overtaken. The gargoyles on the building are there to ward off evil spirits as well as to collect the rain. The rain pours out of the mouths to the ground. We witnessed this today.
The rain and wind was so strong in Cologne today. At the Cathedral Square umbrellas were being destroyed. The wind swept rain was pelting the people attempting to cross the square. As we turned the corner to get into the Cathedral the wind blow me backward. It was Mother Nature at was greatest.
Tim and Angie climbed the 500 steps in the Cathedral spire. This was a total of 1000 steps total.
Bill, Genine, Manny and I went shopping then bought tickets on the mini-train to bring us back to the boat. The train was small. The step into the train was high. Manny had to push Bill who is over 6 foot tall into the little train, then he did the same for me. We missed the 1230pm train, so we had to wait for the 1pm train. There was a shop that Manny bought his German Stein. He was so happy. After arriving near the boat, the next thing was to get out of the little train. It was a funny sight to see Bill and I trying to get out. People getting on did not wait for us to get out. They were staring at the 2 Americans attempting to get out of the little train with some dignity. We got out and headed to the boat for lunch.
After lunch Manny, Genine and I went to the Lindt Chocolate Museum in the rain. It was so close to the boat. The Schokoladenmuseum (Schokoladenmuseum) had great chocolate samples. The museum was good, but the Museum store was great. There were so many different chocolate items to choose from. After the shopping was done, we stopped for a chocolate espresso drinking in the Cafe. It was so yummy.
In the late afternoon Nick had to explain to all of us the Disembarkation Protocol. This means the cruise is going to end in the next 2 days. It was been an amazing time. Manny and I are leaving the boat at 11am on Friday. Some of the guests have a pick up at 4am. What a way to end the cruise to be up so late.
After dinner Manny and Tim went on the Beer Crawl in Cologne. They were going to 4 Beer houses and drink. I attended the classical concert in the lounge. There were 2 young ladies with violin and classical guitar playing pieces from around Europe. It was wonderful. What a relaxing way to end the day.
Tomorrow we are going to visit Holland (The Netherlands) and windmills. I am so excited.
After lunch a group went to visit the only castle not in ruin on the Rhine River. It was not destroyed during World War II. The Marksburg Castle (Marksburg Castle) is only for the fit and sure-footed people. There are steep steps, dark passages and many uneven surfaces. Manny, Tim and Angie went on this excursion. I relaxed in my stateroom during the afternoon. They had an amazing time. Manny and Tim liked the Torture Room and the devices used during the Medieval era to punish people.
Last night after dinner there was a Music Trivia night. It was a great time. Manny, Tim, Angie, Genine and I were a team. We scored 19 out of 25, but one team had a perfect score. They won the bottle of wine. The trivia game was done and the FIFA Brazil versus Germany was on the television in the lounge. Being in Germany it was great for the German team to win. Manny, Tim and Angie went to a local bar to celebrate the victory.
The boat set off at 330am heading towards Cologne (Koln), Germany. The tallest Cathedral is the Cologne Cathedral. Cathedral It took from 1200s to 1800s to complete the structure. It was absolutely amazing. The beauty and majesty of this building as it towers over the Rhine River. The rain and wind on the walking tour of Cologne was tough. Cologne was completely destroyed by Allies. The buildings were rebuilt similar to Koblenz. The only structured saved was the Cathedral. It was used a point for the Allied bombers to find German towns. The stained glass windows from 1200s, 1500s and 1800s were removed and stored as well as the art work. The remains of the 3 Magi are said to be in the 1.5 ton gold case behind the altar. The remains were stolen by St. Helena and brought to Milan, Italy. The remains were stolen in the 1200s and brought to Cologne, Germany. A farmer hid the remains from the French when Cologne was overtaken. The gargoyles on the building are there to ward off evil spirits as well as to collect the rain. The rain pours out of the mouths to the ground. We witnessed this today.
The rain and wind was so strong in Cologne today. At the Cathedral Square umbrellas were being destroyed. The wind swept rain was pelting the people attempting to cross the square. As we turned the corner to get into the Cathedral the wind blow me backward. It was Mother Nature at was greatest.
Tim and Angie climbed the 500 steps in the Cathedral spire. This was a total of 1000 steps total.
Bill, Genine, Manny and I went shopping then bought tickets on the mini-train to bring us back to the boat. The train was small. The step into the train was high. Manny had to push Bill who is over 6 foot tall into the little train, then he did the same for me. We missed the 1230pm train, so we had to wait for the 1pm train. There was a shop that Manny bought his German Stein. He was so happy. After arriving near the boat, the next thing was to get out of the little train. It was a funny sight to see Bill and I trying to get out. People getting on did not wait for us to get out. They were staring at the 2 Americans attempting to get out of the little train with some dignity. We got out and headed to the boat for lunch.
After lunch Manny, Genine and I went to the Lindt Chocolate Museum in the rain. It was so close to the boat. The Schokoladenmuseum (Schokoladenmuseum) had great chocolate samples. The museum was good, but the Museum store was great. There were so many different chocolate items to choose from. After the shopping was done, we stopped for a chocolate espresso drinking in the Cafe. It was so yummy.
In the late afternoon Nick had to explain to all of us the Disembarkation Protocol. This means the cruise is going to end in the next 2 days. It was been an amazing time. Manny and I are leaving the boat at 11am on Friday. Some of the guests have a pick up at 4am. What a way to end the cruise to be up so late.
After dinner Manny and Tim went on the Beer Crawl in Cologne. They were going to 4 Beer houses and drink. I attended the classical concert in the lounge. There were 2 young ladies with violin and classical guitar playing pieces from around Europe. It was wonderful. What a relaxing way to end the day.
Tomorrow we are going to visit Holland (The Netherlands) and windmills. I am so excited.
No comments:
Post a Comment