Cologne, Germany.......
We awoke late today and after breakfast listened to a few briefings about some upcoming ports and our choices for tours on those days. We stayed on board until after lunch when we donned our headsets and set out for our tour of Cologne's cathedral. Meanwhile the landscape of Germany slowly passes us by. We are impressed by the number of campers that hug the shoreline enjoying what must be German summer while it seems awfully cool to me.
The city of Cologne (Köln) has long been one of the largest and most important cities in Germany since the Romans inhabited it close to 2000 years ago. Today, Cologne is Germany's fourth-largest city with a population close to 1 million and is the economic and cultural capital of the Rheinland. The city also enjoys its status as one of the major traffic enters of Europe, the center of the German Roman Catholic church and an important tourist destination in Germany.
Cologne's history as a city began when it became a Roman city in and around 50 A.D. The city as really positioned at the intersection of the river Rhine with one of the major trade routes between the East and West. Because of this Cologne was able to grow and prosper.
It was not until 1475 that Cologne became an Imperial Free City under the Holy Roman Empire. In 1801 Cologne and all the territories on the left bank of the Rhine were officially incorporated into the French Republic under Napoleon's empire until 1815 when it became part of the Kingdom of Prussia.
We met today's local guide, Frau Doktor Uta Frendal, as we board our coaches for the short trip to the cathedral. She has a charmingly bemused way about her with her lank ponytail, tortoise glasses and beige raincoat. I instantly like her. She is consumed with enthusiasm for her beloved birthplace, Cologne, so much so that I think her mind is racing two paragraphs ahead of her commentary.
The cathedral is dark, stained with years of soot and foreboding in appearance. The construction of the huge gothic cathedral was started in 1248 but abbandoned around 1560 and not finished until 1880. The Cathedral houses a sarcophagus, an ark really, whose front is solid gold, the rest being silver with gold overlay that is said to contain the bones of the Magi or the Three Kings. The presence of this relic has made Cologne Cathedral a major pilgrimage destination, especially during medieval times.
But it is also magnificent, rising 500 feet, a stalwart reminder that life needs to go on after war time. This is an active Catholic church and there is no entry until after 2PM. While we wait, Frau Utta fills us in on a bit of history. The cathedral suffered fourteen hits by aerial bombs during World War II. Badly damaged, it nevertheless remained standing in an otherwise completely flattened city. The twin spires were an easily recognizable navigational landmark for Allied aircraft bombing.
Inside everything so is massive, linear and vertical. It is hard to imagine that some of the stained glass is over 700 years old. The sarcophagus is magnificent, brilliant carved gold. So, all in all, an impressive church, but for all its magnificence, hardly welcoming.
Frau Uta next guides on a short tour of the Romano-Germanic Museum to describe Cologne's Roman origins and see some impressive artifacts from tombs and the Roman entry gates to the city.
Having been sufficiently culturally educated for one day, we head off in search of Cologne's specially brewed Kölsch beer, the champagne of tap brews. Served in rather small 6 oz glasses, a shot was enjoyed by all while we added a few newcomer stragglers from the ship to our table.
For some reason or another we decide we need to visit the chocolate museum located just north of our ship at the pier. We have twenty minutes to arrive before closing time and we set off at a great speed, considering we are not exactly sure of how to get back to the river. We three ladies are moving at an Olympic pace, but not so the two husbands. Every time I look over my shoulder it seems they are another 50 yards behind.
Once we pass our ship at the pier we know we are close. I send the others in to stake out the ticket line while I wait on the street to intercept the guys. Well, at one point, I have a pretty clear shot of the path down to our ship and I can't see them. It dawns on me what has happened....."Hey, Doug, do you know exactly where this chocolate place is?...Neither do I...So let's just get back on board and get a drink!..."
So the three single ladies have a nice time touring the chocolate factory, tasting a piece or two and buying Paul's mother some chocolate filled with liqueur that I know she will love and viewing vintage candy boxes.
But I have a surprise....Son Max's father-in-law, good guy and friend Mike Lukert, tapped me on the shoulder while we were in the chocolate factory. We knew he and Marlene were cruising from Basel to Amsterdam on another line but had no idea we would cross paths, and certainly had no idea we would actually be able to see each other. How nice!
On our return, we can see our husbands silhouetted in the bar windows. Of course, they confirm our theory of their absence, but we admit that the chocolate factory, aside from any tastings, was not their thing.
We are freshened up in a jiffy and ready to hear a trio of two violins and a guitar play a medley of both classical and popular tunes. They were really good and it was most enjoyable. Paul, who has purchased every crummy CD from every questionable artist we have ever heard, declined to spring for 20 Euro for this collection.
This is a gala dinner tonight, so for all the foodies I will publish the menu:
We awoke late today and after breakfast listened to a few briefings about some upcoming ports and our choices for tours on those days. We stayed on board until after lunch when we donned our headsets and set out for our tour of Cologne's cathedral. Meanwhile the landscape of Germany slowly passes us by. We are impressed by the number of campers that hug the shoreline enjoying what must be German summer while it seems awfully cool to me.
The city of Cologne (Köln) has long been one of the largest and most important cities in Germany since the Romans inhabited it close to 2000 years ago. Today, Cologne is Germany's fourth-largest city with a population close to 1 million and is the economic and cultural capital of the Rheinland. The city also enjoys its status as one of the major traffic enters of Europe, the center of the German Roman Catholic church and an important tourist destination in Germany.
Cologne's history as a city began when it became a Roman city in and around 50 A.D. The city as really positioned at the intersection of the river Rhine with one of the major trade routes between the East and West. Because of this Cologne was able to grow and prosper.
It was not until 1475 that Cologne became an Imperial Free City under the Holy Roman Empire. In 1801 Cologne and all the territories on the left bank of the Rhine were officially incorporated into the French Republic under Napoleon's empire until 1815 when it became part of the Kingdom of Prussia.
We met today's local guide, Frau Doktor Uta Frendal, as we board our coaches for the short trip to the cathedral. She has a charmingly bemused way about her with her lank ponytail, tortoise glasses and beige raincoat. I instantly like her. She is consumed with enthusiasm for her beloved birthplace, Cologne, so much so that I think her mind is racing two paragraphs ahead of her commentary.
The cathedral is dark, stained with years of soot and foreboding in appearance. The construction of the huge gothic cathedral was started in 1248 but abbandoned around 1560 and not finished until 1880. The Cathedral houses a sarcophagus, an ark really, whose front is solid gold, the rest being silver with gold overlay that is said to contain the bones of the Magi or the Three Kings. The presence of this relic has made Cologne Cathedral a major pilgrimage destination, especially during medieval times.
But it is also magnificent, rising 500 feet, a stalwart reminder that life needs to go on after war time. This is an active Catholic church and there is no entry until after 2PM. While we wait, Frau Utta fills us in on a bit of history. The cathedral suffered fourteen hits by aerial bombs during World War II. Badly damaged, it nevertheless remained standing in an otherwise completely flattened city. The twin spires were an easily recognizable navigational landmark for Allied aircraft bombing.
Inside everything so is massive, linear and vertical. It is hard to imagine that some of the stained glass is over 700 years old. The sarcophagus is magnificent, brilliant carved gold. So, all in all, an impressive church, but for all its magnificence, hardly welcoming.
Frau Uta next guides on a short tour of the Romano-Germanic Museum to describe Cologne's Roman origins and see some impressive artifacts from tombs and the Roman entry gates to the city.
Having been sufficiently culturally educated for one day, we head off in search of Cologne's specially brewed Kölsch beer, the champagne of tap brews. Served in rather small 6 oz glasses, a shot was enjoyed by all while we added a few newcomer stragglers from the ship to our table.
For some reason or another we decide we need to visit the chocolate museum located just north of our ship at the pier. We have twenty minutes to arrive before closing time and we set off at a great speed, considering we are not exactly sure of how to get back to the river. We three ladies are moving at an Olympic pace, but not so the two husbands. Every time I look over my shoulder it seems they are another 50 yards behind.
Once we pass our ship at the pier we know we are close. I send the others in to stake out the ticket line while I wait on the street to intercept the guys. Well, at one point, I have a pretty clear shot of the path down to our ship and I can't see them. It dawns on me what has happened....."Hey, Doug, do you know exactly where this chocolate place is?...Neither do I...So let's just get back on board and get a drink!..."
So the three single ladies have a nice time touring the chocolate factory, tasting a piece or two and buying Paul's mother some chocolate filled with liqueur that I know she will love and viewing vintage candy boxes.
But I have a surprise....Son Max's father-in-law, good guy and friend Mike Lukert, tapped me on the shoulder while we were in the chocolate factory. We knew he and Marlene were cruising from Basel to Amsterdam on another line but had no idea we would cross paths, and certainly had no idea we would actually be able to see each other. How nice!
On our return, we can see our husbands silhouetted in the bar windows. Of course, they confirm our theory of their absence, but we admit that the chocolate factory, aside from any tastings, was not their thing.
We are freshened up in a jiffy and ready to hear a trio of two violins and a guitar play a medley of both classical and popular tunes. They were really good and it was most enjoyable. Paul, who has purchased every crummy CD from every questionable artist we have ever heard, declined to spring for 20 Euro for this collection.
This is a gala dinner tonight, so for all the foodies I will publish the menu:
AMUSE
Alaskan King Crab Cake
with Pico de Gallo
SOUP
Clear Oxtail with Beef Chester Stick
Sancerre, Henry Bourgeois, France
STARTER
Sautéed deep sea scallop
caviar sauce/beetroot/wine risotto
Chardonnay Reserve Domaine La Baume,France
SORBET
Raspberry sorbet
MAIN COURSE
Grilled beef tenderloin "Rossini"
Foie gras/truffle gravy/turned vegetable/potato gratin
or
Broiled sea bream fillet
bell pepper beurre blanc/sauteed spinach/mashed potatoes
Chateau Lyonnat, Lussac Saint Emillion AOC, France
DESSERT
Nougat gāteau
Passion fruit sauce
Napoleon Brandy
We have pushed off from the shore during dinner and are now pulling away from Cologne. Our 'enthusiastic' table heads up to the top deck to watch the skyline disappear. How interesting to see the 700 year old spires stand head to head with the modern apartment buildings.
There is lots of posing for pictures and general frivolity. Here is a small hot tub (capacity 4, fewer if portly) on this deck. Three ladies are doing some sort of water aerobics/synchronized swimming routine while their cocktail glasses ring the water's edge. Three guys are waiting patiently for a turn but give up after a while....Now was that nice, ladies? Tomorrow I hope the guys have the moxey to haul the gals out after twenty minutes.
Our laughable intention was to stay upside until we pass Frankfurt at midnight but that did not happen. I just happened to look out at 12:18 and did not not see a thing worth reporting! Tomorrow in Rüdesheim!
Awesome Post. Small World
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