Matt & Suz

Matt & Suz cruisin' the Main.

 

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Faust beer

Matt is glad to learn how they deliver Faust beer to the pubs...

... and the motto: "Faust. That's between us." (???)

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Miltenberg am Main

That means we've sailed to the town of Miltenberg on the river Main (pronounced "Mine"). It's a very picturesque, small village and unfortunately it's a Sunday so the only shops open are pubs and ice cream shops.

 

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Castles on the Rhein

Today is all about castles! This morning we visit the Marksburg castle, high on a hill above the town of Braubach. Built around the 12th century to defend the Rhein River, it is now restored and a pretty interesting museum. We toured the dining room, bed chambers, blacksmith shop and armory (see Matt below with a sword!).

Then we are back on the boat for an afternoon sail down the Rhein, passing scores of castles on both sides of the river. Finally the rain has stopped, making for a very pleasant afternoon on the sun deck snapping photos and relaxing.

 

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Pub crawling with the family!

When in Cologne ..... and when the children are of legal age .... !

 

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Cologne, Germany

We've sailed down the Rhine into Germany and are spending a very rainy day in Cologne Germany, in the southwest part of the country. Koln, as it is spelled and pronounced here, is fascinating to me primarily because during World War II it was carpet-bombed by the Allies due to its strategic location, and the only buildings left standing were 5 houses and the Cathedral of St Peter, which was constructed ... well, started in the 11th century and finished in the 19th century. Not sure why it took over 600 years, but anyway, it was mostly spared in the war. And a good thing too, because it is the most massive gothic cathedral we've ever seen (makes Notre Dame look puny).

We also visited a nearby museum devoted to Roman artifacts found in Cologne. This was an important city in Roman times, and the Romans built a walled city here to defend the Rhine. As a consequence, whenever they dig for a new subway they uncover tons of ruins, including what's shown in this picture above: this is the floor of a dining room, all done in mosaic tiles. It's a huge floor and was uncovered intact! Incredibly impressive.

Roman tombstones.

 

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Kinderdijk!

Back in Kinderdijk (we were here last year too!) to see the centuries-old windmills. The day was heavily overcast but didn't rain on us.

The inner working gears of a windmill built in 1738.

Back on the boat now for a day-long cruise into Germany.

 

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Another Day in Amsterdam

We sleep late, then head across the street for a Full English Breakfast at an Argentijn Steakhouse in the Netherlands. Very worldly, eh?

Off to the Museum District to take in the Van Gogh Museum, newly renovated since Debb & I were here last.

Then we took our time wandering along all the canals as we made our way back. The weather cooperated beautifully: mostly sunny, occasional cool breeze, temps in the 50s/60s.

 

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Amsterdam!

After a loooong flight we land in Amsterdam at 10am local time (3am Central!). We take the train from Schiphol Airport into central Amsterdam and check into our hotel. Then off to find lunch at the VOC Cafe on the riverfront, where we have local fare served by Kiona in a 500-year-old shipping office converted to a pub.

Then a couple hours walking through the touristy streets of the city, checking out the smokeshops, bars and streetlife. Susie took "walking around" video that should be fun to see.

We're tired but trying to stay awake through an early dinner and then to sleep!!

 

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