River Cruise 3 May to 9 May

Tuesday 3^rd May  -  Bamberg

Before we tell you  about Bamberg we will update about  our ship changeover.  This occurred today we packed up put our luggage out  left all hand luggage in the lounge, went on our tour,came back had lunch and then changed ships.  I think a few people may have been a little put out but really it was no drama we had a few laughs decided it was a second cruise and in the end I think mostly everyone treated it pretty well.  We had the same location etc I quite liked our room better the bed was smaller and I only unpacked probably one third of our gear. 

Bamberg  -  The only day it was not a beautiful day very chilly, but we were extremely fortunate with the weather the whole way thru the crusie other than this.  Bamberg  is a town in Bavaria, Germany,located in Upper Franconia very pretty.  Fabulous guides all well educated people give you fantastic  information.  The Cathedral (1257) with tombs of Henry 11 and Pope Clement 11, a Romanesque buildiung with four grand towers, founded in 1004 and finishedin 1012 partially destroyed by fire in 1081 then a new onebuilt and consecreated in 1111, it is an absolute honour to be in these places, you do see a lot ofchurches but  they are all mlind blowing. 

Great day really despite the ship move.  We are in great company and will I am sure keep these  friendships hopefiully, everyon is busy but if you do not make an effort you would not keep up with anyone.  Our entertainer on shi p no 2 is very good so we dance until he kicks us our of the lounge. 

Wednesday May 4^th 

We docked in Wurzburg.  Our tour today was to romantic Rothenburg, about an hour and half drive from Wurzburg.  Another amazingly beautiful place and a completely walled city, I love walled  cities, like a fairytale really.  A lot of destroyed in March 1945.  It would have ben much worse of course but the U S Assistant Secretary of War John J McCloy knew about the historic importance and beauty of Rothenburg so he ordered U S Army General Jacob Devers not to use artillery in the taking of Rothenburg.  Amazing history I havekept all my info sheets I absolutley love all this info.  Lovely drive back to the ship, dinner etc – on to thenext day. 

Thursday May 5^th  - Wertheim 

Totally beautiful  little town, Sam did a bike ride tour and I did a tour of the town then stayed on in town with Ann a lovely girl from Warragul, we did some shopping then wandered back to the ship. 

Friday May 6^th  -  Rudesheim 

We did a guided visit of Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Museum, had to be seen to be believed.  Then we went by cable car to the125 foot Niederwald Monument overlooking the river.  Then back to the ship and cruised through the Rhine Gorge  with it stunning castles.   A quick change for dinner and then off to Marksburg Castle for a Medieval  banquet.  While we were gone our ship cruised  to the next town and we caught up with it there. 

Saturday  May 7^th  Cologne

The Cathedral  is the highlight of course.  There was a protest in town but we managed to stay clear of this.  I did buy the original Farina 1709 cologne.  Back to the ship for lunch and more cruising and then we had the Farewell  Dinner and the staff show they were very entertaining and lots of fun, much  dancing few hours sleep and ready for anor day. 

Sunday May 8^th – Amsterdam  

This tour was probably the least enjoyable, not fussed on Amsterdam probably a  lovely place but there is absolutely no charm or ambience with all those bikes cluttering up everything I most certainly Melbourne does not ever get ruined like this.  I know it is great people enjoy bicycle riding but  please keep it in its place not in our beautiful cities. 

Monday May 9^th – Amsterdam

We said our farewells this morning.  We have tonight here then onto Brugge (Bruges)  for three days and then on Friday we will go to Flanders to visit my Nanas’ brother’s first world war grave then on to Paris that day.