Floating Down the Rhine

After we left Cologne we stopped at Koblenz.  Madeline and I went with the included excursion out to see the quite remarkable Marksburg Castle.  It is one of the few legendary castles of the Middle Rhine that was not damaged in the Allied bombings of World War II.  The outer castle walls are still surrounding this much photographed gem perched high atop the rocky bluffs along the river banks.

Different parts of the castle were added through the centuries. So the styles changed from Roman, to Medieval.  The tour was over jagged Roman cobbles entering by way of the horse gates and proceding from the uppermost bedchambers through the kitchen and down to the torture chamber.  Our guide spoke very clear English with a lovely german accent and gave knowledgeable answers to our many questions.  We returned to the Viking Europe for lunch as we sailed away down the picturesque German river.

A lunch of typical or classic German fare was served on the sundeck.  We had sausages, pretzels, and beer and lively music from Otto on his electric piano.  The commentary explained that the castles high on the hillsides were in full view of the tax collectors toll booths - lovely stone towers - on the opposite shores.  Or actualy vice versa.  If a ship tried to sail past without paying the tax collector signaled the ever watchful brigade at the castle that promptly opened fire!

The commentary also pointed out the many private castles some of which are now hotels or guest houses.  Many are being restored and some are left to remain in ruins.  Some ruins are a natural occurrance of the lack of money for upkeep and others are loud reminders of the suffering of the German people during the war.  

I skipped dinner and stayed on deck with Clarie.  She taught in Weisbaden when Bud was stationed there in the early sixties.  Clarie was living in nearby Mainz and crossed the bridge to the air base to teach kindergarten.  I was glad to see the places Bud had talked about and to do so with someone who knew them well.  She was excited to revisit, at least by sight, the scenes of her own youth. 

Surprising to me the Captain lowered the ship bridge hydrolically in order be able to pass under the very many bridges joing those living on either side.  As the sun set I went inside to join Len, Ruth and Don, in a Musical Murder Mystery game.  Tom and Delores read a script in which Otto would give a musical clue to the Who-Dun-It.  We didn't do too badly but did not have a perfect score and so did not win the champagne.