Two Girls, One Boat

A photographic and anecdotal travel log of the adventures of two girls and their first visit to Europe.

[2girls1boat]

Once we had docked at Rudesheim for the evening, we went into town for a special dinner at a local restaurant. The dinner was in a lovely little courtyard and featured traditional German fair. Once dinner had finished, the real fun began ^_^

The first picture is of a five person "shot glass bar" that was filled with schnapps and after a drumroll and a countdown everyone drank together from it. This happened several times and I can tell you resulted in much hilarity. 

The second picture is of one of the wonderful staff conducting several guests who were provided with different sized cow-bells in a rousing version of Edelwiess.

The third picture is, yes, a conga-line formed behind a oom-pah-pah band - one of the best things ever. It wound through the restaurant several times and was a blast. 

The fourth picture is of our Program Director, Rene, singing "I Can't Help Falling In Love With You". Absolutely all kidding aside, beautiful singing voice. It was a wonderful way to cap the night off. 

We had the best time in Rudesheim. 

Once we had returned to the ship, we made our way back up to the sun deck to spend some time enjoying the lovely weather we've been having lately. The crew was in the back celebrating a recent promotion and we stopped to congratulate and chat with a couple of the absolutely WONDERFUL members of the crew. 

Particularly with the Captain, Tomasz, the Chef, Dimitar, the Concierge, Lucia, and the Program Director, Rene. They are all just lovely people, so nice to talk to and all have an awesome sense of humor. We've actually gotten a chance to talk to all of them several times and just find their company very enjoyable. 

The Captain, who is always delightful, was nice enough to ask if we would care to join him up at his table for the Captain's Farewell dinner at the end of the cruise, so now our entire party will be sitting up with him for our final night here! 

-M

[2girls1boat]

After visiting Heidelberg and returning to the ship for lunch, we made our way to the sun deck to spend the afternoon watching the shore as we cruised down the Rhine towards Rudesheim. 

The first three pictures are some of the lovely old buildings we were able to see as we went along. The last is of the two delightful (and hilarious) gentlemen who were playing shuffleboard and explained all the rules to us. We had a blast cheering them on and just enjoying the company of a lot of the wonderful people on board. 

-M

[2girls1boat]

We made the drive via bus (which by the way, are the nicest buses I've ever been on, hands down), from Worms up to Heidelberg. The shining point of the visit had to be Schloss castle. I literally can't even describe how amazing those ruins are. We took probably about a hundred pictures of the castle and grounds, but since we're trying to pare down, I've only posted three for you guys for now. A big shot of the ruins from the outside, one of the castle wall from the inside, and then a close up of the gorgeous sun clock that's on one of the towers. The place was stunningly beautiful. 

The last photo is a shot of Heidelberg from the outer wall of the castle that overlooks the whole city. 

-M

[2girls1boat]

Guten morgen, everyone! We're in Germany now and will be for most of the remaining trip (until we reach the Netherlands on the last day). 

This morning we woke in Worms, Germany and had some really neat views right from the ship, but we loaded up to leave for our next tour right after breakfast so didn't get as many pictures as we might've liked since we wouldn't be returning to the ship in the same location, but rather further down the Rhine at Gernsheim. When we got there we boarded right away and continued on our cruise. More on that later :)

-M

[2girls1boat]

Another set of pics from last night when we started cruising back down the Rhine. The sunset was absolutely gorgeous over the water. Couldn't have asked for a more beautiful night. The other picture is one of the small towns we were able to see as we cruised past. 

The last photo is what it looks like when you go down through a lock. That's the view just from outside our balcony. You don't realize how close it gets until you're in it. Literally could reach out and touch the walls of the lock as we went down in the water. So cool.

-M

[2girls1boat]

I had a long post to go with these. And it were good, too. But then tumblr was a butt and had an error so it didn't post. Sooo... instead, the quick version since we're getting ready for dinner now. 

The top photo is of the flags outside the European Parliament. The second two are from the Cathedral of Notre Dame. Both of which are in Strasbourg in Alsace, France. The Cathedral is indescribably beautiful and the rose window is four stories tall and across. 

The last is from the crew playing a footie match that we cheered for from the Sun Deck, it was a FABULOUS way to pass the afternoon. 

Love you all! -M

[2girls1boat]

Hello everyone!

Here's what we woke up to this morning to see just outside our balcony. We're docked in Kehl, Germany, but literally just across the river is Strasborg, France. 

-M

[2girls1boat]

The top photo here is the cemetery honoring the dead from the Colmar Pocket Campaign, which included American, French, and Moroccan soldiers. Incidentally, the Moroccans were the most feared by the Germans due to their knife skills. 

The second photo is some of the spent shells and ordinance used during the campaign in one of the nearby towns. 

Fourth picture is of the American Memorial to the dead that the French erected out of respect to the men who helped to liberate them. 

The last picture is from the spot where Audie Murphy had a one-man stand protecting the 19 men that he had left out of his original 126. He protected them from the advancing German Army using only his M16, his radio, and the .50 caliber from atop a burning tank and with it, halted the German advance. (Pretty badass. Most decorated soldier of that campaign. And the dude was 19 at the time. Pre-Hollywood, kids.)

-B

[2girls1boat]

Here's some pictures from our trip out to the Black Forest and a picture from the hike we took while we were there as well. The first picture is from the oldest farmhouse in the region; and the stag on the hill is a beautiful bronze statue. 

For a cool story, check out Stag's Leap. Absolutely lovely. 

-M

[2girls1boat]

The view we woke up to this morning from our balcony; absolutely gorgeous. There were swans just swimming near the boat all day long. 

[2girls1boat]

Our lovely little room on the ship! Everything fits here perfectly actually and we're kind of loving the way it's set up. Plus the fact that those big french doors open right out onto the water is lovely. 

The staff is delightful and so helpful. This is going to be a great home-away from home for the next few days :-D

-M

[2girls1boat]

The view from our balcony last night :) 

After a shower, a nap, some food, and getting our bag back (apparently one of the few of the 3,000 that British Airways lost that was returned the same day) we both felt a lot better. 

-M