Another restful morning as we pulled out of Koblenz around 8:00 am. I got up and dressed around seven and quickly walked up the shoreline to the gigantic statue on the point where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet. It is a very Germanic statue of William the first, the first emperor of a united Germany, erected in 1897.
I first visited Koblenz in 1960 and was impressed by how the statue was not blown to bits during WWII. I was no less impressed this morning when I saw it again.
Shortly after lunch we moored in Cologne and were soon off on a two hour walking tour. As usual, every guide puts a different slant on a place. This guide was born in the 80's so all she knows of the war is that once in a while they come across a bomb when excavating.
The city today was a mass of people of all nationalities seemingly living a very casual and happy life enjoying the sunshine of an Indian Summer with music, food, drink and entertainment. They are also smoking themselves to death! Gad, the tobacco smoke is stifling.
This is certainly a very liberal city (country?), too 'progressive' for me personally, but we are the older (oldest) generation. Everything seems to be accepted: clothing, hairstyles, vulgarity, public drinking for a few basic examples. We never saw a policeman nor hordes of Muslim immigrants lurking dangerously about, for that matter we have seen not much evidence of either the whole trip.
We did see Muslim men and families seemingly integrated into German society with all the trappings of fancy haircuts and generally enjoying a Saturday in the city. My gosh, who would not want to become to Germany with all these freedoms and fun, and have a job as well? If that is the kind of life one wants, and it appears, most younger people do.
After the tour we meandered the city centre and worked our way back to the ship to relax, get the smell of a big city off of us and prepare for the very casual Captain's Dinner tonight. All that entails is a drink in the lounge, the captain will talk, we will all applaud and down we go to another excellent dinner. (The food has been the best we have ever experienced, yet in very modest but adequate portions.)
Moe is coming to life but unfit to venture out yet, I think yesterday was her worst day.
This is probably full of grammar and spelling errors, forgive me please.
For Fellette and I, it was a glorious day. Topped off by a great exchange by the cruise director and the captain prior to dinner with the passengers. This was a very trying two weeks for them with 51 hours of delay to try and catch up with, while keeping 145 guests happy. They did just that with flying colours.
Early this morning passing by my favourite statue in Koblenz.
Another illustrious German Warlord.
We passed the bridge at Remagen. This was a standing bridge when the Americans took it, the Germans tried to blow it, unsuccessfully. Some five or so days later it collapsed, after the Allied forces had utilised it the cross into Germany. I visited here in 1960 when it was still full of rubble.
bands abound on a weekend i Cologne. Lots of beer for the musicians of course.
This bridge was blown up by the Germans. Now trains cross over it about every two minutes.
The bridge has tens of thousands of 'Love Locks' on it, put on by lovers as a sign of their love.
Some locks are quite elaborate, this one since 1986.
I wonder if Florian and Oliver are still together. I suppose you throw the key away.
Captain's Party. Left to right: Captain, from the Netherlands, hotel manager, from Ireland, Oops, Fellette stepped in a hole, Cruise Director, Hungarian.
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