Rudesheim

Traveling Up the Rhine

This morning we traveled up what is considered the most romantic part of the Rhine River. from the time we woke up this morning there were lovely little towns along the tier, each with it's own distinctive castle on a high point above.  I never imagined there would be so many castles, so close together.  there was also at least one lovely old church in each village.   This is Riesling wine country, so all along we could see vineyards planted on the hillsides.  The slopes are very steep, so this must be a real adventure in farming.


When we first woke up it was raining and we watched from inside the lounge, but as soon as the rain slowed we went up on the deck so we could see both sides and up the mountains.  There were only a few people brave enough to go outside, so we got a great spot in the bow to take pictures from. All the while, our cruise director narrated so we would know what we were seeing and a few of the local legends.


We docked in Rudsheim this afternoon and a trolley shaped like a little train took us into town. First stop was a wonderful museum of mechanical instruments.  All the instruments were pre-electricity and many had been restored to playing condition.  There were several that actually played sounds imitating several instruments.  One beautiful cabinet contained a piano keyboard with 6 violins above. The museum also included a circus calliope, an organ grinders box, an Edison cylinder record player, a gramophone, and a player piano that played music recorded by a student of Franz Liszt.  I would have loved to spend more time examining each of the wonderful instruments.



After the museum we sent to a local restaurant to try their special Rudesheimer Kaffee (strong coffee with brandy, whipped cream and chocolate). This was very good.  We sat with 2 different couples from Ohio, so now we have met and had pleasant conversations with 12 of our fellow passengers.

Our Ship (Our room is the 5th window, deck 2, just above blue)

Instead of waiting for the train-trolley to take us back, we walked back to the ship.   It was a nice walk along the Rhine and we were among the first back at the ship.  Each time we come back from a port outing we are greeted with fruit juice and hot, damp towels.   Plus, there is coffee, tea and cookies available in the stern 24 hours a day.   The ship embarked on our journey again at about 4pm.  We have several hours until dinner to relax and watch the landscape go by.  Our room has the bed facing 3 panel sliding glass doors to a french balcony.  Since this is the width of our room it gives us a wonderful view.