Europe 2012: Rhine River

This day (Thursday, May 3rd) was the day Botho and Gisela had planned for us to cruise the Rhine River and enjoy the natural and historical sights it offers. We departed at 8:00 and breakfasted while traveling on coffee and sandwiches that Gisela had prepared. Delicious!

The Rhine River rises in Switzerland and flows north to the North Sea, forming along its course part of the border between Germany and France. Where we were cruising, Germany was on both sides of the river.

So we arrived at Boppard, our destination city on the Rhine, parked the Volvo, and took a train south, or upriver, to catch our cruise boat

Waiting (briefly) for the train

And here's our train.

Where we waited for the cruise to begin, between the river and the train tracks

10:00 a.m. There is never a bad time for a Magnum Bar!

Our cruise boat. The capacity was 400. Thankfully, there were probably no more than 40 on this boat with us.

Castles and vineyards would be standard fare for the next three hours. They grow the grapes in rows that run up and down the steep hills. With binoculars we could see a vine dresser at work, assisted by a tiny yellow one-man machine that he could sit on as it made its way up the hill, cultivating the ground between the rows. Grapes have been grown and wine produced in the Rhine River district since Roman times.

Most of the castles are not being occupied. This one is, as a hotel.

In addition to cruise boats there was a considerable amount of commercial traffic on the river. And to this was added constant rail traffic on both banks. The Rhine River valley remains today what it has been for centuries, the primary route that men take when traveling through this part of the world.

This castle is unique in that it was built on an island in the river.

Red brick was used in building both this castle and the church below. Unusual.

Ancient terraces

This is the statue of Loreley, the beautiful young woman of legend who would sit atop the cliff combing her long blond hair. The story goes that because of this distraction many men below on the Rhine would neglect their sailing to gaze at her beauty and thus fail to navigate the narrow waters below, sending them to their death.

White church, dark bell tower

The cruise ended at Boppard, where we had left our vehicle. We enjoyed a brief lunch break, and Betty found her #1 souvenir, a cuckoo clock to replace the one we had and enjoyed for years.

Botho and Gisela then took us to the city of Koblenz, to what is called "The German Corner". This spot is located at the confluence of the Rhine and Mosal Rivers, which continue northward as the Rhine. Here the flags of the sixteen states of Germany are on display, along with a gigantic statue of William the Great.