You Are Not Forgotten

Happy Holidays Everyone

Who would have thought

Before we left on our trip, there was the possibility that the cruise portion of the trip would be cut short because of 100 year lows on the Rhine River. Eight days later, we were unable to go to the final port on the cruise because the river was so high that the ship could not get under a couple of the bridges.
All n all the cruise was great, in spite of the rain, we made it to all the markets along the way. Colmar was closed due to high winds, but we still went shopping and toured the city.

The trip to the Basel airport was a a little longer ride since we didn't make the final port, but it wasn't bad. The bus dropped us off in front of the terminal and when we entered we were in France, but the time we got to the ticket counter to check in, we were in Switzerland. The airport has three entrqnces, one in Germany, France and Switzerland.

We left Basel 30 minutes late, but still managed to make all our connection, so after about 12 hours of airports, layovers and connections we made it home.

The next adventure is Scheduled for Feb we we do our winter trip to Mexico.

Black Forest & Colmar FR

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This morning we started with a drive to the mountains and the Black Forest. Once we got to the right altitude it was snowing and continued the whole morning. The trees and hills were beautiful. On the way back we stopped at an older inn that now has exhibitions of glass blowing and cuckoo clocks. Of course, ours will arrive in Feb or Mar.

Lunch was back on the ship with a brief rest and then we were off to Colmar France to see our last market and drink the last of hot gluwein.

Kehl DE / Strasbourg FR

Another overnight sail ending in Kehl Germany, upon leaving the ship we drove 5 minutes crossing the riverand entering Strasbourg France. Once we finished the city tour on the bus we walked into the city centre only to find that the whimpy french had closed the christmas market due to expected high winds. We walked the shops near the market (in the rain again) and returned to the ship at 2:30, spending a restfull afternoon relaxing.

Tomorrow is the last full day before the flight home.

Rudesheim

We arrived in Rudesheim just a little after 4 and by the time the gangway was set people were waiting to head to the market. The way things are goung, it is going to be extra suitcase time on the way home. We have been out two days and I have come back with two full backpacks, of course I have yet to get anything for myself.
We were happy campers by the time we got back to the ship, we found a stand selling the chocolate dipped strawberries on a stick that we like, milk, or dark chocolate.

Tonight is a glass blowing demonstration on the ship, we are hoping it is our friend from white Wertheim.

Heidelberg

Today the visit was to Heidelberg. It started off with a tour of the castle and then it was on to the markets. We spent the better part of 5 hours in the three christmas markets there, of course it was still raining today, so by the time we returned to the ship we were happy to be warm and dry.

We rejoined the ship in Speyer around 3:30 for a late lunch and then walked into Speyer for our 4th market of the day.

Back at the ship during dinner we surprised Martha with a birthday cake and everyone in the dining room and kitchen sang Happy Birthday.

Rudesheim

We arrived in Rudesheim just a little after 4 and by the time the gangway was set people were waiting to head to the market. The way things are goung, it is going to be extra suitcase time on the way home. We have been out two days and I have come back with two full backpacks, of course I have yet to get anything for myself.
We were happy campers by the time we got back to the ship, we found a stand selling the chocolate dipped strawberries on a stick that we like, milk, or dark chocolate.

Tonight is a glass blowing demonstration on the ship, we are hoping it is our friend from white Wertheim.

Lunchtime

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This morning , after another overnight sail, we left from Koblenz for a short bus ride to Marksburg Castle, the only one in the area thar was not damaged during the war.

We are now cruising again on or way to Rudesheim, scheduled for a 4:30 arrival. once we are docked it will be market time again.

Whike we are cruising they have set up a lunch in the lounge consisting of regional food and FREE BEER. Greg is upset cause I get free beer and he has to pay for his coke. He wasn' t willing to accept my solution to that problem.

More from Rudesheim later

Christmas Markets Galore

Today was our first day of the markets, of the 7 in Cologne we have been to 5 so far. We may go back out after dinner for #6, but we have been told that #7 is very far away and in mostly local artisi items, so we decided to pass on that one.

As luck goes the first market was fine and then the rest of the day there was anything from a light drizzle to rain, being the die hards we are it didn't matter, we still made our contributions to the local economy.

There are a few pictures I will add later after I get them imported from the camera.

Don't count us out

Just because we are on the river doesn't mean we are out of touch. Lynn has to satisfy her little sisters need to communicate and Greg is trying how to figure out how to communicate with the locals. Really he is working on the phrase MORE GLUWEIN PLEASE.

Day 1- Kinderdyjk

After sailing overnight we ported at Kinderdyjk at 7 AM. Kinderdyjk is a UNESCO site preserving 19 of the remaining windmills left in the Netherlands. There are currently only 1000 remaining of the original 10,000.

We will be sailing all afternoon to Cologne for the first of the markets.

The sun has come out and it is about 50 degrees, not what you would expect for the North Sea.

We have arrived

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After a very smooth overnight flight from Pittsburgh, we are now in Amsterdam. Our flight was great, very smooth and no screaming kids.

The Viking Helvetia will be our home for the next week, the ship is approx 340 feet long and 35 feet wide. She has three decks, we are on the top, and she carries about 150 passengers and 60 crew.

The weather in Amsterdan is partly sunny with a temp of about 38. It is not to bad until the wind starts to blow then you realize how cold it is.

It is now time for lunch, so bye for now.

FINALLY, it's time

After months of planning and anticipation, we are off today. Our flight this afternoon will get us to Amsterdam at 9:20 tomorrow morning, that's 2:20 AM Eastern time.

Greg and Lynn are already in Amsterdam and will meet us at the ship. Todays report from them is nice weather, clear but chilly. At least the rain has abted for awhile, but I am sure we will see some while we are there, if not some snow.

We will try to make a post daily, but they may come a couple at a time due to the ships access to satallite based internet access while cruising. We have learned, look for a Micky D's they always have wifi.

Good News

Mother nature has cooperated, In the update from Viking this morning it stated DUE TO RECENT RAIN THERE WILL BE NO INTERRUPTIONS TO OUR CRUISE. Not only does that make up happy, but I am sure all the bargemen who lively hood depends on the river are thankful to go back to normal loads also.

The adventure starts Sat for us and our friends are leaving this evening for a couple extra days in Amsterdam. I think they really just want to smell the air coming out of the coffee houses. We will meet up with them on the ship Sunday.

Latest update

In the latest letter from Viking, they are saying that due to the rain in Germany this week there may be only minor or no alterations to the tour schedule.

We have been watching a few web sites that report the river levels and those show a considerable rise in the water level in the last couple days.

The rain is continueing, so we are hoping all will be back to normal by the time we join the ship.

Another update

In the latest letter from Viking, they are saying that due to the rain in Germany this week it there may be only minor or no alterations to the tour schedule.

We have been watching a few web sites that report the river levels and those show a considerable rise in the water level in the last couple days.

The rain is continueing, so we are hoping all will be back to normal.

One More Week, Still Low Water

By this time next week we will be on our way to Amsterdam.

Our friends are leaving on Thursday, so they can get in and rest up for

the adventure. I guess they plan on being worn out from so much shopping.

 

The Rhine is still low, as noted in previous posts, however is is now raining in Germany.

It will take a lot of rain to bring the river back up in a week, but we can still hope.

If the water is still low we will make the best of it and just drink more gluwein to make up for the

inconvience.

 

The suitcase is about ready, it is ever harder  to figure what to take since rain is forcast and we will

be spending some of the nights in a hotel, that lessens the chance of being able to get things laundered. On the ship you can drop them in the AM and they are usually back in your room before you are.

 

Stay tunes, the posts start next weekend, unless Greg puts something up Thursday or Friday.