River Boat Cruise - Rudesheim to Koblenz

Friday 7th September 2007 Rudesheim to Koblenz (Castles of the Rhine) (Germany)

This morning we went up on deck to witness for the first time a whole host of “Castles of the Rhein”. These were amazing and the countryside and villages around them was absolute picture postcard. It was a shame that it was a little hazy and overcast but nevertheless still magnificent. At 11:30 we had lunch on deck which was a traditional German “fruhschoppen” known as 2nd breakfast! This consisted of a selection of German sausages, pork, sweet cabbage with potato and a very sweet mustard as well as the traditional German mustard. Yummy! At 1.00pm we arrived at Koblenz which is over 2000 years old and is at the confluence of the Mosel and Rhine rivers. The word ‘confluence” was later corrupted to become “Koblenz” It has the largest fortress in Europe having been built in the 12th Century. We had a quick walking tour with a guide who explained that 85% of the city was destroyed in WW2. Some the renovations after the war were in the historical architecture, and others are in the architecture of the 1950’s making it a not particularly attractive city. After returning to the ship we left again by bus for a tour of Marksburg Castle. This castle is the only one in the area which has escaped ruin and largely maintains its medieval character. It is still inhabited today. Built the 1200’s it includes an Armoury, Museum, Torture Chamber, original bedroom, kitchen, chapel and herb garden with commanding views over the Rhine, Mosel and the town of Koblenz. We were met by a tour guide who gave us a very interesting tour. Back to the boat for NZ rack of lamb which was beautiful and one of our best meals so far.

Saturday 8th September 2007 Koblenz to Cologne (Germany)

All the maps and information we need for the next day is put on our bed during dinner. Tonight we had the forms to complete and $ to put in as gratuities for the staff plus a questionnaire re the cruise and the staff. Suggested gratuities are for staff and crew 10euro per guest per day to be shared among them, and $3 euro per guest per day for the cruise manager. (1 euro is around $1:60 Australian). We are yet to determine what is reasonable.
Today we docked in Cologne (Germany) but did not have a long time here before we had to sail for Amsterdam. We did however have a walking tour with a lovely young man who is in his final year of medicine, wants to be a neurosurgeon or anaesthetist and will in fact be working at Royal North Shore early next year! The main focus of the walking tour was to the Cologne Cathedral. The relics of the Magi are kept here behind the alter in the original gold and silver container. The magi remains are supposedly the remains of the three kings who visited the baby Jesus. 90% of Cologne was destroyed during WW11 and much of Cologne has now been restored. The Cathedral was not however destroyed! Amazing really as we were trying to bomb the railway station which was right next door! Cologne is the 4th largest city of Germany and is the centre of the German Roman Catholic Church. Even though the Cathedral is beautiful there is nothing we have seen which compares with St Peter’s Basilica in Rome (the Pope’s house). Only had about half an hour to look around and I bought a silver belt.
Back to our ship ready to sail for Amsterdam and to pack up our gear as we have to be packed up & be out of our room by 8:15am. When we got to our room there was an invitation from the Captain to join him at the Captain’s table for dinner. I (Pam) did not want to go as there was a tennis match with Federer in it – the semi-finals of the US Open but Paul insisted we go. Only one other couple were invited and this turned out to be a wonderful evening. The other guests were Gabiella (the cruise manager from Munich) and Monique (the hotel manager from Amsterdam) and a lovely American couple whose luggage had not made it onto the ship (Lufthansa airline). It eventually arrived yesterday so the lady (Annette) a last had something to wear. Lufthansa had given her “emergency” gear which consisted of 1 toothbrush and toothpaste as well as an XL white T-shirt – how poor! I think I would have bought some lovely European clothing and billed it to the airline. Clothes are expensive and have not bought any of them as they now have all the autumn/winter stuff in and I rarely buy stuff in winter. Captain’s dinner turned out to be amazing with 6 courses, champagne, white wine and red wine. Have had trouble sleeping the last few days but should sleep well tonight!