Hello, it's been a while. This is our Viking Rhine River Cruise and Vienna break away. Just seeing if I remember how to do this. Ideas for packing are prancing in my head. Clothes survey complete. A few decisions left to be made.
6/26/24
We arrived on the ship yesterday around 6:15 pm. Went through our Safety Drill, dinner and un packed.
Today we had two excursions. One at 8:30, got back just in time to grab lunch on the ship and ready to go out to the afternoon excursion. Here they are:
This morning was a visit to the Black Forest. While it is a large farming community, their two primary commodities are Glass blown art of every kind and Cuckoo clocks. They began making Cuckoo clocks as a winter activity for income when they were not farming.
The view of the farm land.
The village of Colmar
Farmhouse
Glass blower in action.
There were 4 buildings. One for glass work, woodwork a Biergarten and a hotel.
Next we went to a memorial site and actual site of where Audey Murphy created his stand against the Germans. The French and US troops were working together to reclaim Colmar and other areas from the Germans. The story of Audey Murphy is pretty amazing. As a 19 year old he received the Medal of Honor from both the US and France for his heroic actions in this battle.
American gun
Garden at the museum.
Showing US and French flags flying together.
A gas tank that was dropped from an airplane
Displays of our soldiers. They were not used to winters.
Never heard of dried plasma.
items that were used by the troops
A picture of a citizen gleeful for their liberation from the Germans.
A memorial to the US and French troops.
Scenery from the memorial of the countryside.
At the top of this hill is a cemetery for French soldiers.
These are the logos for all of the US troops that fought in this theater.
A memorial at the site that Audey Murphy sat on the top of a tank fending off 4 German tanks and beat them all.
More tomorrow.
ps food is great.
We have gone through 2 lock on the Rhine river and I understand we have 9 more to go.
6/27-Wednesday
Well a slight kink in things. Ken tested positive for Covid, highest temp was 102.
So I skipped today's excursion to walk to the town pharmacy to get a couple more Covid tests. Ken commented that he figured me hauling half the medicine cabinet paid off.
So I did a little of my own site seeing as I got lost trying to get back to the ship.
I had a map. And the mooring address of it came to that. They were having a heat advisory at 85 degrees, yes really.
Got room service for Ken. But I guess as I understand they treat Covid like flu. Wash your hands and wear a mask.
A look at our ship: Viking Sygn.
Look what I found on the main street . Yes Woolworth
The crew said people from the ship always stop there.
One of two churches as in wandered.
I believe this is the cathedral
The path way back to our ship. This is a pedestrian bridge going over the river Rhine.
A park next to where we were moored. Art in the park.
Top deck of our ship.
The menu for lunch Thursday. So I could show Ken to pick what to bring him.
Well Thursday into Friday, 3AM, I wake not feeling so good
Positive covid, but not having the fevers like Ken. Asked the ship crew about room service. But they said they treat Covid like the Flu. Each your hands ans wear a mask.
But we skipped the excursion to Speyer. Waited and went to breakfast when no one was there. Worked well.
We will see if we go tomorrow.
June 28, 2024
Today was to be a walking tour in the city Speyer. Neither of us felt like going. Slight temps for me, Ken still fatigued and runny nose. They don't really do room service, so I would go eat in a secluded corner and then bring food back to the room for Ken. What a way to spend a vacation on a River boat.
June 29, 2024
A day on the river seeing castles along the way.
Ehrenbreitstein Fortress
This fortress dates back to 1100. Positioned in the city of Koblenz and the Eifel Hills. It was a strategic locale built on a previous fortress. This one we are viewing today was constructed in the early 19th century to protect against the Frech. After our gondola ride to the top, our guide was dressed and portrayed John Humfrey a lieutenant colonel in the British Corps of royal engineers.
The entrance to the fortress. Our guide spoke as he was the Lieutenant Colonel from the Royal British Corps of Engineers.
The internal walls of the fortress. To fortify, there was grass on the tops of the walls.
Here is a map of the fortress and where there were tunnels for easy entry and exit .
July 1, 2024 Kinderdijk Windmills and Dutch cheese making
We got off the ship earlier than the rest to go to the Dutch Cheese farm. A short walk through the town before we got to the farm. Quaint, old town.
Here is where the cheese making begins. They have all of their own cows for milk production. They do all of their own breeding of cows as well.
This is where they start cooking the milk . Unfortunately they were not processing any cheese while we were there .
Here they separate the cheese ( thicker milk) from the thinner liquid. This thinner liquid they sell off to another place for use. Here also they decide if they are adding any herbs or spices to their cheeses. They primary cheese is Gouda here in Amsterdam. We were able to test fresh and aged and several other types. One was made with Nettles, yes really. I tried it but did not care for it.
The different colored coverings are the different cheeses. The coating is plastic and is applied with a sponge allowed to sit and reapplied 5 or 6 more times. They are turned each time.
Here are the cows and yes he has them all named.
Babies are taken away from their moms a couple of days after birth. They are cared for by the staff.
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