10.7.15 The Rhine River

We stopped in Rudeshiem this morning after sailing all day and night. We passed a town where some of Joseph's ancestors hail from. He is a romantic that way.

 

 

 

We are now in Riesling country. Not a wine to my taste. I'll still take a perfectly aged gin any day.

We took a trip to the music museum. It was surprisingly very nice and interesting. Not a museum of particular of instruments but more the machines that play themselves. Something you would find on a carousel and some organ grinders. The ones with collared monkeys that in movies always get in some kind of mischief. When I posed the question which came first the monkey or the organ he thought the monkey. People would often display exotic animals in the markets. Google says the monkey was added to hold the tin cup for donations freeing up both hands for the organ grinder.

We took the chairlift from the center of the town over the vine yards - some still being harvested. At the top is a monument from 1880's commemorating the unification of Germany.

Then it was up to Koblenz. The stretch between Redenshiem and Koblenz is essentially what the Rhine River tour is about. It is one medieval castle after another tucked up in the hills surrounded by vineyards and stands of trees with the brilliance of fall colors. Most of the structures have been restored from previous conflicts. When first entertaining the idea of a river cruise I imagined it would be 7 days of castles perched on hillsides. It's certainly been beautiful and relaxing. The reality is that there is one stretch of castles all destroyed and rebuilt - turned into hotels and youth hostels and towns that thrives on tourist trade.

I'm pretty sure I prefer the cycling way of seeing Europe. Out of the way back roads with great views, crazy ascents and descents, small and uncomfortable rooms,mediocre food and not another foreigner encountered in days.

But I'm grateful that I get to do what I get to do with my husband - making memories.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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