Koblenz

Friday 3 August 2012

The boat is going through a lock while I am sitting up in bed -did I mention the bed, like sleeping on a cloud, pure down pillows & doona, 1000 count egyption cotton, Molton Brown toiletries laid on in the bathroom, shall I go on? - on Sat morning, have been up to get cup of tea (no room service on Emerald deck, or Ruby, just the top one) Having a lie in as brunch is at 10 today. This is the first lock I have noticed, although there are 88 to Budapest. I think they are happening overnight, as I was aware of this change in engine speed, slowing & shuddering etc while I have been tossing, although last night quite good sleep after German version of irish coffee. Coffee, schnapps on top & then lit & whipped cream, I could only drink half!

Anyway back to start of day, arrived 7.30 in Koblenz, on the joining of the Rhine & Main rivers. We had a choice of a walking tour of old Koblenz or tour to Castle Marksburg. I chose the walking tour as I have gg grandparents who were born & married here before migrating to Australia in 1850's. I explained this to the guide & asked if she could point out possible churches which were around in those days. Sadly disappointed however, either she did not know or did not care, and when we got to the 3 possibilities, she added zilch to her usual commentary.   Tour just ok, both S & I wished we had gone to the castle tour!

Koblenz, the birthplace of my GG Grandparents

Statue of Emperor Wilhelm I looking over the Rhine & Mosel Rivers joining, Koblenz

Nice old house, Koblenz, probably not original, as Koblenz flattened in war

Koblenz, you can't have enough dormer windows

Main Square in Koblenz

Back on board for sailing on & rest of day spent sailing through the Middle Rhine valley,  castles perched on the hills to the left & right, also passed the Lorelei. This part has been the most scenic so far and of course the the hills are terraced (by the Romans apparently) & planted with reisling grapes on impossibly steep slopes, obviously getting enought for their grapes to justify getting everything done by hand, as no machinery would be able to go up that slope.

View from Koblenz side of  Rhine

Cruising the Rhine Valley

Terraced vineyards along the Rhine Valley.

Another castle

Should have seen the Loreley here but did not

Lunch on board the usual gastronomic feast,  large buffet spread as usual, but I started with the chef's entree selection of Slice of Veal Liver - grilled to perfection with sauteed onions, caramelised apple, creamy leek & mashed potato - their description, not mine, but they did not lie, wonderful! Main was pan fried turkey breast dipped in egg & cheese, served with bordeaux wine-basil risotto, tomato coulis & grilled vegetables. Wine was local reisling, of course, S even had half a local beer!  After all that, S retired for a kip & I sat in the front of the lounge enjoying the view for the afternoon.   Later on I even ventured into the gym & spent 20 minutes on the walking machine, starting to worry, don't want to have to buy new clothes(next size up) Distraught to see after 20 minutes only used 80 calories!
At 5pm we stopped in Rudesheim, a tourist trap, like German village theme park, but very cute. We took a mini train around the town, ending at Siegfried's Musikkabinet - a private collection of mechanical musical makers & boxes - really stunning collection, & guide turned them on & he was right, only one volume, full bore. They were housed in a 14th century house which had belonged to 4 knights, had a taller halftimbered part & the floor in one part was tiles salvaged from a 12th C building, they were in perfect condition, the size of cobblestones, but glazed with earthy green & brown. Wouldn't it be good if they could make tiles (or anything) now that lasted 8 centuries.

View over vineyards to Rudesheim from the bucket

Also from the bucket

Most beautiful music box in Siegfried's Musikkabinet

Frescoes on ceiling of Siegfried's Musikkabinet 12 C

All the band played in this one

Our surprise for this excursion was a "bucket ride" over the vineyards from the town to the top of the hill. This was certainly a big surprise as could not understand Anna's Austrian accent, Anna being one of the boats tour directors, a lovely girl.  Also never heard of ski lift referred to as bucket!
Wandered through the shops, wasn't tempted, due to "Made in China" sticker on most, that's the items which were marked, would have to assume not marked items made in the same place!

Tea in Rudesheimer Schloss, usual fare, pork schnitzel etc,  nice evening, met Mike, Yank who was retired from Wall Street & his wife Barbara, who had a very marked NY accent, (think The Nanny) Mike's nephew had been killed in twin towers Sep11. The yanks are funny, this chap who was not an Obama fan as he is in the 1% who the President wants to tax more, just came out with that his property tax (council rates) was $20,000 & Income tax $250,000 !!!!  PS we hadn't asked.