Today is an 'at sea' day as we sail along the Elbe nearing the end of our five days on the river Elbe. Elva and I had breakfast in the lounge and staked out the rocking chairs. As soon as they were dried off we claimed two and even a blanket and despite the chill and breeze behind the Plexiglas shield, we watch the river shore go by. Soon we were joined by Tracy and Ross and also Gerard and Norman. There was good camaraderie, warm drinks of hot coffee, tea, and chocolate. Lots of reviewing of the trip and talk of future plans to travel. And there was, most of all, beautiful scenery as the river flowed more deeply into the gorge.
Ross and Tracy - The Kids!
Gerard from Birmingham England, traveling with his dad, Norman from Coventry.
Clare and Rosemary, our new good friends from California.
The train runs in only one direction on each side as the river banks are narrow before the forested hill sides rise from the shore. Gradually the hillsides turned into cliffs and finally the very tall sandstone 'mountains' that give the area its name. Sebastian gave a very detailed commentary about the hills, the geological composition and how the two early explorers said it reminded them of Switzerland and then wrote a book called the Saxon Switzerland.
First view of the Bastei Bridge, which happens to be one of the 1,000 Places to visit Before You Die!
The hike up and across, however, might kill you!
The weird rock formations were left in the sandstone as the sea retreated millions of years ago. We docked in Bad Schandau which is the place the climbing is most accessible. Since it is only about 18 miles out of Dresden and we were there on Friday it was quite busy. Although hikers and rock climbers could be seen everywhere, Viking was smart enough to put us all on buses and take us safely up to the National Park.
I may look a little strange in this jacket. It has 24 pockets and between cameras, phone, extra batteries, water bottle, and map I was pretty well full up!
Elva on the other hand always looks elegant!
Looking to the town far below at a bend in the Elbe.
On one of the distant formations we could see climbers beginning the ascent of the
higher part of their rock. The formations all had imaginative names. Very imaginative!
A key formation is The Bastei and the Bridge that leads to it. Bastei is a Bastille and the rock has a flat front and is thought to be fortress like. It is now collapsing and so cordoned off. We did walk on the Bastei Bridge and I also continued down to the Königstein castle. It looks to be complete more or less when seen from the river but is accessed from above by way of a steep uneven stairway, partly natural rock, and a hanging bridge. Gerard and Ross knew that made me nervous so of course they had it bouncing and swaying right away while I was in the path between them!
The pirates carved steps into the rock to reach and create attack positions high over the river.
We also saw where pirates had carved holes into the rock to support
catapults. They used these to attack ships that were slowing down as
they entered the bend of the river.
We had a good view of the Bastei Bridge once we reached the 'castle'.
At the castle, which was carved out of the sandstone and also had some walls built of it, we were actually above it. We waked on an open grating type structure and looked down into places where robbers and murderers were imprisoned in this hard to reach place outside of the capital city.
It was all quite beautiful and reminded me of Starved Rock in Illinois.
Along the walk we stopped at various viewing platforms and then I went into a small art gallery at the hotel within the park. There were various sketches, paintings and studies of the rock formations and a short history but it was all in German.
We took our bus down through the village and boarded our ship for one last time.
We enjoyed the late afternoon Scenic Cruising.
It is abandoned since the formation of the EEU, or Common Market, was formed in 1993.
All too soon it was time for the Captain to don his elegant white uniform, for the champagne cocktails to be served, and the farewell speeches to be given. Everyone was thanked, everyone was applauded, and everyone felt a little sad to see it end.
The cruise was too short! Five nights was not nearly enough to get to know every one on board and to just relax. Although everyone is going on to Prague which is the end of the trip officially, it is just that the river does not go there, only about half are continuing to Poland and we are the only two being independent for a few days before joining another trip!
Last minute packing and early bed since we all set off again in the morning for our short drive to Prague...the golden City!
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