Big Shoes to Fill

The Dutch are hard working and ingenious people.

No doubt they leave us with big shoes to fill.

Windmills

Built to manage water levels, windmills are recognized as a hallmark of this area. The technology involved in keeping the Netherlands above water is incredible. Wind energy is used to take water out of the land. 

Stepping into a wind mill brought us into a narrow hall filled with kitchen supplies and the family's daily needs.

A family of 13 once lived in the tiny residence. In the living room/ kitchen below the family gathered for meals. The parents slept in the bed room, as defined by the area in the back with the blue wall.

Children slept in bedrooms on the upper floors.

This window view featuring more windmills reminds everyone of the important nature of the work that these windmill minding families do.

Today families still live in windmills and are paid a small sum to maintain the windmill and turn it to face the wind.

It is a Dark and Stormy Day

High winds and driving rains are whipping across the Rhine this morning.

According to the weather channel gusts are reaching 80 kph.

After the Brauhaus

While we returned to our ship via bus, it was great to see this very long line of taxis awaiting drinking guests who would soon be leaving the Markts and Brauhauses. 

T

This line continues well beyond this image.

Peters Brauhaus

This was our second stop.  How appropriate!

And the beer was good.

JFK in Koln

Many stands and businesses offer the famous Berliner jelly filled doughnut, bringing into question what JFK meant when in 1963 he famously proclaimed, "ich bein ein Berliner".

Walking in the Rain along the Rhine

To return to our ship we chose to walk along the Rhine. True to form Mother Nature provided us with rain and wind, but this did not deter us.

We are very grateful to Brenda's aunt and uncle who gifted us with an umbrella while we were in Ulm. Danke schon!

Markt Food

Pretzels, bratwurst, bier, kuchen, liebkuchen, nusse, chocolat and other delights tempt the taste buds. 

Today we tried the bratwurst at the Markt. With the wiener much longer than the bun, we heeded Brenda's uncles advice to be careful of people with bratwurst, or you might get their mustard on your clothes. It was an very tasty treat.

Roman History

Koln's name is derived from a Roman word for colony. The Roman Empire ended at the Rhine river. On the other side of the river the 'barbarians' were able to hold back the Romans.  The influence of these times remain.  Beneath the city are Roman ruins demonstrating how they brought culture, civilization and sanitation to the city. 

This tiled floor consists of over 1,500,000 tiles. 

Home for the Kings

Work on the Cathedral of Koln began in 1248, but was not completed for over 600 years, making this one of the longest construction projects ever - even longer than road construction projects in Ontario!

This cathedral is the second tallest in Europe and was once the tallest building in the world for a short time. Built on a 50 ft deep foundation, this cathedral was made to rise to kgreat heights.  The original plan for the building was found in Paris and this helped with the final building project. 

The stained glass windows reflect the various centuries if work from the 13 th to the 16 th and now modern times. Some windows were preserved during WWII, however, windows that were damaged are now slowly being replaced. 

Above is the sarcophagus and ossuary said to hold the remains of the Magi. Stories of how these relics came to rest here are varied, but this has become a site for special veneration.

Koln Gnomes

Gnomes dominate in Koln. Today they can be seen everywhere, but this was not always so.

While they circle above the Markt watching people at work, there was a time when the people of Koln worked only half the day, went home early for lunch and then slept until supper.  However, when they arose in the morning, all of the necessary work was done!  The people of the town did not understand this, but they were happy with this situation, so they did not concern themselves with it.

Until, one day, a curious woman, went out to see what happened while townspeople slept. She frightened the poor hard working gnomes, who then fled the city.

It is said that from that day on, the people of Koln had to do all of their work themselves. This staue below remembers this tale.

A Taste of the Netherlands

We attended at brief about the Netherlands today and leaned about Jenever, a Dutch liqueur 

and tasted a couple of wonderful Dutch cheeses Edam 

and Gouda.

Delightful!

Koln Weihnachts Markt

There are five Weihnachts Markt around Koln, each with its on style.  The market near the Koln Cathedral featured images of the Nativity on the outside of the stalls.

Decorated wreaths greeted visitors at this market.

While red roofs and awnings protected vendors and visitors here.

When in Deutschland

No tour of Germany would be complete without a taste of good German beer. We visit four local Brauhauses each serving their own version of Kolsch, the local style of 'fresh' beer.  Seen below Fruh is one of the oldest breweries in Koln.  

Cold beer is piped from the fridge to the seeing area and poured into tall thin glasses. It is served In specialized designed trays that can hold up to forty beer at one time. 

In a Brauhaus, the waiter is King.  Every order of beer is accompanied by one extra that is meant to be tip for the waiter. People who are considered 'bad' must stand to drink their beer and those who are 'good' can sit.  In fact there is a'confessional' near the door of the building where the Brau master will decided what type of service a person should receive.

Marksburg Castle Upclose

Marksburg Castle is a well preserved Medival castle. 

It's uneven cobblestone, gate house and horse stalls remain to give visitors a glimpse into days gone by.

The wealthy families who have lived here have left us with reminders of their lifestyle. Here is the music room, which it situated off the of the dining room.

The bed is very short (about 4 ft) by modern standards, but we were told that people were not very tall.

Marksburg castle was a strategic stronghold because of its great position on the Rhine. Today, as we are greeted by the stunning views; there are no warships in sight.

Koblenz Weihnachts Markt

The Little Drummer Boy greeted us at the entrance to the Koblenz Weihnachts Markt.

This section of the market was dedicated to local delicacies including bratwurst.

Lights between markets guided shoppers from one area to the next.

Marksburg Castle from the Rhine

 

This Medival castle was probably built before the eleventh century. This is a view from the Rhine. 

Rhine Vineyards

Vineyards line the Rhine gorge. The soil, weather and rainfall help to make this region a leader in the world for grape and wine production.

However the steep hillside creates a challenge for the people who commit their lives to this work.

The Maiden on the Rock

The Loreley is a steep rock in the Rhine Gorge. It is said that a maiden lived on the rock.  Her magical singing distracted sailors, luring many men to their death

The Castle in the River

Pfalzgrafenstein castle, built to look like a boat, was actually a toll castle.  It sits in front of the Gutensfel castle.

People traveling on the Rhine would need to pay a toll for the upkeep of this shallow river.

They Brought Gifts of Gold

The wise men still bring gifts of gold...

This clever window display was found in Koblenz.

Gluhwein

Each community has its special glasses for Gluhwein. These in Koblenz were quite beautiful.

The Elephant on the Rhine

What a cute greeting when we returned to our room! Who knew that elephants lived on the Rhine?

Stroll on the Deck

What else can you do on a grey morning, but enjoy a stroll on the deck, umbrella in hand, while Brenda takes photos?