Arriving in Koblenz (Latin for confluence) we are treated to the most amazing gondola ride over the river up to a hilltop fortified fortress. (8 euro return) Staying onboard was a much better choice and I’m pleased we did this.
Today, Koblenz is the most prestigious wine region in the country with about half a million wines produced from the two famous cultivation areas, the Rhine & Moselle, Riesling being a speciality. Koblenz also hosts the German Army Forces Command headquarters.
We brave the cold to walk to the top of viewing platform on the fortress plateau which is an amazing expanse of green space with wide paved walkways. From the river you’d have no idea any of this was up here. Once again I’m pleasantly surprised by how the Germans make use of the outdoors. We could learn a thing or two from them.
Our ship is docked right on a waterside promenade with a huge bronze statute of King Wilheim I, who unified Germany in 1871 and established the German Empire, outside our cabin window.
After a brisk walk at the top of the cable car and a stroll along the dockside it’s back into our cosy cabin to relax before hot pumpkin soup & salad for lunch.
I feel like a million dollars lying on my bed watching the cold tourists wander by, stopping for that amazing photo shoot. Everyone is all rugged up in jackets, hats, scarfs and gloves.
I’m coughing the most I have so far on the trip. Just wish I could clear my lungs of all that crap in them. Finished antibiotics last night so lets hope I start getting better, not worse!
The lounge ran out of food at lunch today, perhaps because more people stayed on board than expected.
I take the opportunity to have a rest and an hours sleep.
By 4.30pm I’m up and enjoying a coffee and ½ biscuit from the café bar. One thing the ship could improve on is having a varied selection of afternoon tea - have had the same every day! We took the last biscuit between us although there are plenty of others just returning from a walk in town.
As the sun is shining we sit inside in the sun. Pam elects to walk over to the statue and take photos of me out hanging out our window. We are so pleased we chose to pay the additional fee to get an opening window, although it’s hardly been opened due to the intense cold.
It’s much warmer now than earlier but I’m staying put out of the wind, as much as I’d dearly like another brisk walk before dinner. My chest/lungs are suspect and I still have a big few days ahead.
The waterfront is alive with people, many admiring our ship. Runners, families, coffee drinkers & tourists stop to gaze. This is the first time I’ve seen most people without hats.
A Viking van pulls up and I think our 3rd Master has arrived to relieve the Captain in the busy waters ahead. The crew unloads many boxes into the van but take little onboard.
I give a 45 minute lecture on the European Union in the lounge a miss and opt for the comfort of my cabin and my second book, “Tulipomania”. Another apt title from the ship’s library, the first being, “An Unfortunate Death,” set on a cruise ship on the Rhine. I’ve had fun identifying the various characters amongst our fellow passengers and assigning them clandestine identities. When I saw the odd couple holding hands I knew the book was written just for me and our cruise. I enjoyed it immensely!
Dinner tonight was:
Pumpkin 3 ways - cold fried, cold soup, cold mousse
Crepes with pineapple and veges.
Cheesecake (best desert yet on trip).
There’s time to sit and relax with other passengers, enjoying our bubbly and Baileys in the lounge.
By 11.30pm I’m in bed and the ship sailed at 3.45am.
No comments:
Post a Comment