KOBLENZ

Heading to Koblenz in the early evening and early morning took us by some beautiful scenery.  I really didn't want to go to sleep.  The crew learned to put on the coffee early because I would be down there in the wee hours of the morning.

The cruise was called Castles of the Rhine, and we did see castles, lots of castles, but we also saw plenty of churches, cathedrals, and campgrounds.  The hue and cry of the passengers became "ABC" (another bloody c____).  Each was beautiful and unique and ABC was sure to please.

That is really a clock on the tower and not a water level meter.  

This is a new-construction castle built by the man responsible for many a dentist being able to go on this cruise...he invented and marketed the Gummy Bears.  I liked the niche in the side of the wall.

Home sweet home. 

The cruise was taking us by the bridge at Remagen and Walt was very interested in seeing the ruins.  He had asked what general time we would be sailing by and unfortunately it was very early in the morning.  However, one of the ever helpful crew offered to wake him in plenty of time to see them.  No need, I was up and the estimate was a bit off so Walt got to see what was left.

See the cave way up high slightly off center to the right?

 During WW-II the German forces were destroying bridges that spanned the Rhine  in an attempt to keep the Allied Forces from crossing and invading Germany.  The Bridge at Remagen was left standing, perhaps to allow German forces to cross to safety.  Before it could be destroyed, the Allied Forces fought their way across.  Adolph Hitler was so infuriated he had four German officers executed (a fifth was being held by the Americans and thus saved). 

Both German and American flags both fly from the ruins.in tribute to the men that died here.

Fresh cup of coffee in hand we headed back to the top deck....

Some of the places and things that caught out eye as we floated closer to Koblenz.  Loved the roofline on the building below.

As we approached the city there was a fortress way up on top of a hill on the other side of the river.  The photo only shows a small portion of the fort.  Fort Ehrenbreitstein is one of Europe's two largest preserved fortresses.  It was built between 1817 and 1828.  The state museum of Koblenz is located here and there are many archeological finds on display.  There is also a memorial to those who lost their lives during the World Wars.

 Koblenz itself was founded over 200 years ago by Romans who constructed a castle and named it "castle apud confluetes" which means "castle at the confluence of the rivers."  This is where the Moselle and the Rhine join and it is visible in the waters where they merge.

Street scenes  from Koblenz.

Push on this pretzel shaped door knob and walk into an aroma filled piece of Heaven.  Yes, we did take a sampling back to the ship, and the taste lived up to the aroma.

Pretty nifty manhole cover!

Look at the box/basket in the hands of the statue on the left.  That is gummy worms coming out of the box.  On the base of the statue it says "Da Gummi"

Loved the architecture on this building both from a distance and up close.

The inscription on the memorial reads
Peter Altmeir
1899 - 1972
Minister Prasident
von Rheinland-Pfalz
1947 - 1969


There is a protrubence of land where the two rivers merge called the Deuschetes Eck where there is a monument of Emperor William on horseback.

 This is only the top of the monument, as you can see from the shot taken at the topmost allowed, it is HUGE!

This view is looking down the Rhine.  The Moselle is the waterway to the left and a lower shot shows that view..

From the top, looking out the portals that were on all sides.

the views were beautiful
but so were the details
on the monument.

Too soon it was time to call this day to a close and get ready for the next adventure.  See why I need so many lifetimes?  Another one could be spent right here.....