Moose &
Deb Cruise The Rhine May 2014
Never
having been to Europe I was thrilled when my adventurous Dad invited me to
navigate the Rhine River with him on a boat cruise. One on one time has been
elusive among the two of us. I would be one of a contingent of 10 travellers
from my hometown.
My husband
Eric said, “I hope neither one of you gets pushed out the cabin door into the
river!”
Day One
& Two Amsterdam
We arrived
in Amsterdam to rain and wind. No spring dresses will be worn meandering down
the beautiful, picturesque streets or pattering through the willowy halls of
museums. We fitted ourselves out with layers; t shirts, sweaters, jackets,
hats, umbrellas. Wishing I had packed boots and a down jacket. The weather was
quickly over looked as we took in Holland’s sophisticated, modern capital and
its rich and fascinating history. Amsterdam’s architecture, cafes, restaurants,
streets, squares and canals averted our attention with its charms. Dad and I
visited the Van Gogh museum, Anne Frank’s house, did a cruise of the inner city
canals, bus toured around the city and had beer with a couple of charming,
grizzled locals.
By 4
o’clock on the second day we were on our boat meeting the captain and crew and
settling into our tight but comfy stateroom. We stayed on the second floor of
three and rocked our nights to sleep at river level. Lying in bed I could see
the stars as we moved by. If I listened carefully I could hear the swoosh of
the river water under Darth’s breathing apparatus as we cruised along from one
beautiful city to another.
We argued
weather the curtains should stay open all night or shut and if the sliding
doors to the river could be opened while we slept. Maybe he was worried I would
push him out.
Day Two
Koblenz-Rhine George- Rudesheim
Barbara,
the cruise director, called us the loud Canadians but we took no offence. Its
good to know how to laugh with your belly contorting, a quality passed down to
me by my Dad. He lives his life to its fullest with honesty. When he is mad he
can be grumpy and let you know, when he is happy everyone around him can’t help
but be happy too!
Koblenz is
2,000 years old. The age of everything filled me with reverence. I loved it,
touching the stone trying to absorb the energies of those who passed before me
working, living, loving, fighting and dyeing in these beautiful places.
The
dramatic Rhine Gorge is the most beautiful stretch of river and not to be
missed, high rising cliffs with ancient castles. We sat watching mesmerized as
we passed one magnificent castle after another while sipping fabulous crisp, dry
German Riesling from the area.
In the
quintessential Rhine Valley town of Rudesheim we visited Siegried’s Mechanical
Musical Instrument Museum. We saw large and small self-playing instruments
built from the 18th to the early 20th centuries. The town
was delightful with narrow cobblestoned streets, open-air wine gardens and live
music. We sipped hot drinks with local liquor, coffee and whipped European
cream.
Day Three
Cologne Germany
Cologne is
one of Germany’s largest cities and capital of the Rhineland. It straddles both
sides of the Rhine and is known for its soaring, twin-peeked gothic cathedral.
We took a guided city walk that included a Jewish Heritage walk and a tour of
the Cathedral. The experience was breathtaking! I was not expecting all the
Roman sights and was struck by the Roman Games floor that had been unearthed.
Instead of moving it a museum has been built over and around it and you can
peer down through the glass to view it imagining the dancing and activities
that might have happened on it. The Jewish town being unearthed right now
dating back to Roman times was also a highlight to take in and I wished I had
more time to stay and absorb the history and culture. Dad and I walked together
over the cobblestones back to our ship.
Day Five
Mainz & Heidelberg
This
morning I woke up again at 4 a.m. and quietly slipped out of our room. The rain
had stopped the day before and the sky was clear except for a large, full,
yellow paper moon. I went outside up to the top deck and spent an hour walking
the deck as I watched the moon go down and the sun rise up. I watched as we
smoothly maneuvered the confluence of the Rhine and Main Rivers and pulled into
Mainz with origins dating to around 38BC. By these standards my 51-year-old
self and 83-year-old dad are merely spring chickens.
A local
guide walked us around Mainz along the river, through the old town, and to the
captivating Gutenberg Museum. I could have spent much more time at the museum
learning about Gutenberg, the man who invented modern printing and soaking in
the ancient printing presses and books.
In the
afternoon we travelled to Heidelberg, home of the oldest University in Germany
and visited the imposing ruins of Heidelberg Castle. The castle towers
magnificently over the city. Standing in the castle surrounded by stone it was
easy to envision castle life, the comings and goings of its inhabitants.
Day 6
Strasbourg France
Strasbourg
sits on the border of France and Germany blending the cultures of both
countries. It is the capital of the Alsace region and seat of the Council of
Europe and European Parliament. We visited the red sandstone Gothic Cathedral
with its ancient murals, stained-glass windows and fascinating astronomical
clock. Sat at Christian’s Patisserie
eating cake and sipping hot chocolate. We also toured the La Petite France
district; exploring the large historic square in the heart of medieval
Strasbourg. We took a bus excursion into the Alsace wine country and tasted
four unique wines to the region. The most interesting part was driving through
the medieval fortressed towns and their beautiful stone gates to reach the
winery.
Day 7 Colmar
& Breisach
Today we
started in Colmar the birthplace of the father of The Statue of Liberty. Colmar
is a beautiful small French town. A maze of cobble stoned streets lined with
centuries old half-timbered houses. I bought cheese and a croissant at a local
market.
In the
afternoon we took a bus tour through the Black Forest. I felt I must have been
moving through a movie scene, as the landscape was so picturesque and pristine.
Green pastures, thick dark forest, wild flowers abundant along the roads,
bubbling streams and at the top black forest cake, cherry schnapps and cookoo
clocks created by a local wood carver.
To say we
were tired in the evening would be an understatement.
Meals on
the Ship were delightful, mornings and lunch a buffet and evenings 4-5 course
meals with wine.
Before
dinner cocktails in the lounge, dinner in the dining room and back to the
lounge for conversation about our days and dancing if you could muster any
energy.
Dad started
out a little stiff in Amsterdam, possibly the flight and cold wet weather, he
refused to miss a single excursion the whole trip and was noticeably nimbler by
our last day on board. The second night we even managed a few dances that left
the boat a twitter and had the American’s questioning me during the next day’s
tour if he was my partner. I laughed and replied no my soon to be 84 year old
Dad.
Dad, I had
the trip of a lifetime with you. You opened my eyes to Europe. Eric is in
trouble now because soon I will want to return! Thank-you for the gift! I will
always remember.
Eric was
happy: neither of us got pushed out the cabin door into the Rhine!
