Rad, Rad, Rhine
Morning began bright and early with breakfast, and the new proprietors at the Kranenturm Hotel were very nice people and very eager to please. They kept us full! Morning would often find us in back of the dining room on the terrace with Rhine River Views and fresh air (and often a train too). Today, this is where we met Herr Jung (Mr. "Young").
Herr Jung is an 85 year old retired school teacher and a widower. He's been the local guide for Bacharach since the early days of Rick Steves tours. He is proud of his affiliation and friendship with Rick. Herr Jung took us on a walking tour of Bacharach, giving us the history of the town and telling personal stories of his childhood in Germany during WW2. Later he took us to visit his friend, who owns an art shop. His friend is also a pianist and gladly played several songs for us on the piano. Later, Herr Jung took us on a walk up the mountain to overlook the vineyards and the town itself from a lookout tower. He guided us around for a good 2 hours, more jolly and spry than folks half his age. Our group loved him and many referred to him over and over again as "a treasure".
Herr Jung took us back to Dimitri at the hotel. From there, we boarded the bus for the drive to St Goar. Herr Jung helped us navigate traffic.
My ankle was giving me trouble. I was fine for the most part, but there was so much walking, and so much of it on uneven, hilly terrain. I was battling pain and swelling. In other words- I felt like I was falling apart! But I say that with a smile, because I was determined to persevere and enjoy my trip- and I did. I tried not to think about the pain and I made sure to elevate my feet at night. Wine also helped! I found a big black bruise on the back of my arm (about the size of a deck of cards).
Giddy for St Goar!
St Goar is a charming town. We were taken first to a store that sells beer steins. We were given a talk about the history and function of a stein. Then we were invited to shop at a discount if we wanted. Dimitri had already made it very clear to us that we were under no obligation to watch the demonstration or to stay and shop at any demonstration we might be taken to.
I had already planned to buy some beer steins for Tom and the boys, so I took advantage of the opportunity and arranged to have them shipped home.
The steins range in size and detail and of course the prices are reflective of that. You can buy a simple "standard pint size" stein starting around $30. Of course you could easily spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on them. Most of the steins I looked at were in the $60-$150 range.
The steins range in size and detail and of course the prices are reflective of that. You can buy a simple "standard pint size" stein starting around $30. Of course you could easily spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on them. Most of the steins I looked at were in the $60-$150 range.
Here's two of the four steins I bought (picture taken at home later). I bought one for each of my two sons, for my future son in law and for my hubby. I bought ones that represented the St Goar/Bacharach area. The one on the right, which I bought for my husband, represents Berlin and has a chunk of the former Berlin Wall (with certificate of authenticity) on the lid. Tom and I remember watching the destruction of the Berlin Wall on TV (with David Hasselhoff singing on top of it before it fell). I paid to have them shipped home and they arrived safe and sound, along with my cuckoo clock.
I then met up with Shirley and John and joined them, heading over to the cuckoo clock shop to look around. As is often the case, looking led to buying- again with a Rick Steves discount and arrangements for shipping and insurance. I love my cuckoo. I have it in my livingroom. It plays "Der fröhliche Wanderer" (The Happy Wanderer) on the hour and "Edelweiss" on the half an hour. Such a beautiful remembrance of my trip! A few other people bought cuckoos as well.
This is the Cuckoo I chose. I went for the blonde wood- not the traditional dark stain, but so beautiful! You can buy a cheap, battery operated cuckoo for about $80. For the weighted, traditional clocks, they start out about $150 and go well into the thousands, depending on size and detail. Mine was about $350 with tax. If I spent that much, then shipping was free. My clock is on a 24 hour wind up. The more expensive clocks might have a once a week wind. My clock plays 2 songs and has the rotating dancing couples as well as the cuckoo bird.
You're not allowed to take pictures of the clocks or the steins in the stores. (By the way, the stores are related- the husband owns the stein store and the wife runs the clock store) The owners are very nice. I got special permission from them to take the few pictures that are posted here. The pictures below are taken from the outside windows.
You're not allowed to take pictures of the clocks or the steins in the stores. (By the way, the stores are related- the husband owns the stein store and the wife runs the clock store) The owners are very nice. I got special permission from them to take the few pictures that are posted here. The pictures below are taken from the outside windows.
I also bought a low end Steiff bear. He's so cute! I call him Gunther. Of course with a German accent you say that as GOON-tuh!
After such a spree, lunch is in order. We joined many of our fellow tour mates at an outdoor cafe for lunch. I ordered chicken soup with bread and a slice of Black Forest cake. Yummy!
After such a spree, lunch is in order. We joined many of our fellow tour mates at an outdoor cafe for lunch. I ordered chicken soup with bread and a slice of Black Forest cake. Yummy!
I can't think of Germany without thinking of Black Forest cake and Gunther, my Steiff bear!
Tschu-Tschu!
After lunch we had a choice. We could join Dimitri for a hike up to the castle, or we could ride the train. A good number of us chose to ride the choo-choo, or should I say, Tschu-Tschu! It was a fun ride- more fun when we passed up our friends on the trail!
Castle~ Burg Rheinfels
The castle was amazing. Our guide, Sophie, was young, charming and knowledgeable.
Picture below is courtesy of tour-mate, Herb.
Relaxation on the Rhine River
It was hard to believe that the day was only half over!
Once the castle time was over, we boarded the choo-choo for the ride back down, while the hikers- hiked! We had a bit of a wait before the start of our Rhine River Cruise. As I walked along, minding my own business, I heard my name being called. I finally located some of my tour mates across the street, enjoying a beer before the cruise. They waved me over to join them. Who was I to say no? I sat with Pat, Lannie, Joe and Julie, and then Herb and Bucky joined us too. Pat's pina colada sure looked good- so I had one too.
Once the castle time was over, we boarded the choo-choo for the ride back down, while the hikers- hiked! We had a bit of a wait before the start of our Rhine River Cruise. As I walked along, minding my own business, I heard my name being called. I finally located some of my tour mates across the street, enjoying a beer before the cruise. They waved me over to join them. Who was I to say no? I sat with Pat, Lannie, Joe and Julie, and then Herb and Bucky joined us too. Pat's pina colada sure looked good- so I had one too.
The river cruise down the Rhine was amazing. I love the water, and the views were stunning, with the storybook villages and the castles tucked away at regular intervals along the mountainous banks. Being a landlubber from the flatlands of Nebraska, the countryside along the Rhine was most wonderful. I had to find a private place on the boat to just be in the moment, perhaps shed a tear or two at the beauty and the realization that I was living my dream in seeing these places. That wasn't something to take lightly. I had to give thanks to God for such a blessing as the one I was living.
Not for Naught Name Game
No Rick Steves tour is complete without playing The Name Game! Fortunately, I chose the right part of the circle to stand in, ha ha. I only had to recall a few. We had a few who could already remember everybody's name. Naturally they got our applause and admiration.
All for Ale for All that Ails~ say Aye!
The really fun part of the day was when Dimitri set up a wine tasting for whoever might want to join (at our own expense). We walked to the Hof Gut Bastians. We divided into groups of four and were given a lazy susan of sorts, full of wine. There was also a list that told about the wine in each glass. We passed each numbered glass around, starting with the dry wines and working to the sweet, and had a taste, rated it (I wrote the ratings down in my notebook), and then whoever liked it best finished the glass. My group consisted of Barb and Tom and Dimitri. Barb and I had an especially good time enjoying the wine and polishing off glasses. A bit later we had supper there. I had the potato soup with bread and... a full glass of my favorite wine!
Delightful Dog of the Day
Wonderfully Wacky Waterclosets
~ The Royal Flush
I have to admit that Barb and I were feeling pretty good when we left the Hof Gut Bastian! The wine tasting was a fun way to cut loose and get to know our fellow travelers a bit better. A great way to end a busy day!
Tchüss!
(Prounced Chews- German for goodbye!)
Tchüss!
(Prounced Chews- German for goodbye!)