Sunday Nov 6 Kolm/Cologne and chocolate, sweet chocolate

Sunday was a great day full of lots of walking and as usual, good food and good company.  In the morning we had a nice long walking tour of Kolm including the archaeological dig on the ancient mitzvah, the first cologne store, the amazing art gallery, the cathedral and a bit of the Roman Museum.  The cathedral we only saw a bit as mass was going on b ut it is truly amazing just from a size standpoint.  The Roman Museum was fabulous but we only got to see a part and were coming back in the afternoon but ran out of time.  They have an incredible mosiac that would put any naysayer to shame who says the romans were not amazingly talented in their art. 

The afternoon held the Chocolate Museum and we got to see vintage chocolate dispensers, boxes, how chocolate is made and packaged.  Ahh Lindt, you are my friend.  Needless to say the gift shop saw some of our money as they had beautiful little tin boxes and some flavours that I had not imagined in combination.

In the evening, we were treated to yet another amazing meal.  They offer a vegetarian option each night and two main entree selections.  To give you an idea, last night's dinner for me was Feta and Tomato Salad, Roasted Eggplant & Garlic Soup, Broiled Salmon with White Mean Paste and Tomato, Apple Strudel with Vanilla sauce and a cheese plate.  Each day I pray my pants will do up. 

Some photos from Cochem and Marksberg Castle

Saturday Nov 5 2011-Cochem a/k/a locks and lox

The weather was great again today, we keep waiting for it to get colder but so far it's been amazing.  It's about 13 and sunny today.  This morning we were into Cochem for a tour and some shopping.  I found an amazing little yarn shop where I picked up some funky aqua marine fun yarn and some mohair/wool/acrylic mix, 450 m for only 13 euros.   Mum and Peter, one of the fellows we've met on the trip, stayed in town a little longer and surprise, surprise-they found the strudel and coffee shop. 

Breakfasts on board are a great way to start the day.  They offer a great buffet with eggs, bacon, mushrooms, french toast, pancakes, oatmeal, bircher muesli, lox (fantastic!), yogurts of every sort, cheese trays that would make us cry at home for the cholesterol and so much more.  The service is great which really enhances the whole experience.  There are a number of people on board who seem to be determined to complain but for the most part, people are pleasant.  This afternoon was more time on top visiting and photographing castles and countryside.  I'm getting a lot of inspiration for a new felting project.  We just finished this afternoon's tea because you know, you must have to eat even more goodies!  All in all, the trip has been relaxing and wonderful.

Friday, Nov 4-Rudesheim to Koblenz or Castles yeah!!!

Today's trek was Rudesheim to Koblenz in the morning down the Rhine.  It's all a Unesco protected area so no bridges are built between the two across the Rhine.  There were tons of castles, keeps and more.  I think I must have taken 72 pics in the morning alone.  The weather was breezy but it was so great being up top for the whole morning.  In the afternoon, Mum and I took the trip to Marksburg Castle which is a fortress above the town of Braubach.  It has never been destroyed and is a maze of small doorways, archers slits and moats.  It was great and tons of pics however, it really tested the legs as the walk up would have been good for mountain sheep.

Evening was another great meal and a display of dancing by some local Moselle Folklore dancers.  Lots of fun but I have come to realize that I must cut back on the desserts or they will be rolling me off the ship.

Thursday, November 3 2011 Fun day a/k/a Mom making bevvies

Today was a relatively relaxed day.  We had a tour in the morning of the Heidelberg castle which was truly stunning.  The figures and the restoration work they have done is amazing.  We had a nice tour of the town and of course, some lovely pastries.  The whole trip appears to be eating, walking, relaxing and repeat.

In the afternoon, we were travelling down the Rhine to Rudesheim.  They put on a display of how to make the famous Rudesheim coffee.  Mum (Faye) volunteered and for the first time in my life, I saw my mother chug back a shot of brandy.  The coffee had brandy, whipped cream, chocolate shavings and coffee.  It was a relaxing afternoon of just cruising, having pastries and poor Mum after two shots of brandy had to have a quick nap.  In the evening, our new friends went to town on a little train to a traditional german meal but we stayed on board.  While a quiet cruise, we have met some lovely people and have managed to stay up late a lot of nights laughing and sharing stories so it's all good.

November 2 Strasbourg, France a/k/a the best gelato ever!!

Strasbourg is a lovely city but we didn't see much on our way in due to the large amount of fog.  We had a great walk in the Old Town and in the Cathedral Square.  The cathedral was lovely but so huge and gothic.  It houses an astronomical clock which we were lucky enough to see in action.  The figures in the stonework outside were stunning and it is amazing to think of what it looked like when first constructed. 

In the afternoon, we had a culinary tour in Alsace and saw an artisinal gingerbread factory plus a lovely small winery which had some amazing creme champagne and gerwurztraminer (sp?).  Some of the casks dated back hundreds of years with the oldest (not used anymore) being from the 1700s that has the family coat of arms. 

November 1 Black Forest

The weather has been great over the past few days with temperatures around 15C.  Today we went to the mountains of the Black Forest, saw giant cuckoo clocks and some great schnapps.

Today was a holiday in Germany so the shops were closed but in the afternoon, we went into Colmar, which is a village in the Alsace region.  We saw the Maison des Tetes (House of Heads, 111 on it) and some beautiful half timbered houses.  A local artist in the 2nd world war did not like working for the Germans and he did postcard art and signs for various businesses.  He always seemed to be able to get digs in everywhere with colour and satire.