Our first stop on the cruise was a small French village, Riquewihr. Part of the tour was in this wine cellar where we were able to sample some wine. Our tour throughout the village included sampling macaroons and watching crepes being made, which Dan treated us to. We shared four flavors of crepes with the basic butter and sugar being our favorite. Walking through town on cobblestones was manageable as long as I watched where I was going, literally. The steps down to the wine cellar was dark, so I made sure to go slowly.
As we headed back to Amsterdam, Chris & I celebrated our 33rd anniversary with a special chef's dinner in the specialty restaurant, which we signed up for on our first day. Our experience on the river cruise was tons of fun, and we look forward to another opportunity to explore Europe. Thank you Papa!
We started the day with a tour of the massive cathedral. The size of the building is only appreciated if you view it with people in the photo. The inside of the cathedral was just as impressive. The visit to the brewery was highlighted with German beer, potato pancakes and German treats. The beer was really good, especially after walking around for the day. The location of the restrooms was an issue since they were located downstairs. We found the other restroom near the front of the restaurant for Papa, so I was also able to skip the stairs. Going down stairways is a challenge for me since my balance and depth perception is wacky at times. Chris and I were able to get a photo of the two
We spent the night on the boat in Rudesheim, so we were able to return to the city. The tour included a tram ride up the mountain and explore the higher area around the city. Because Papa was unsure of his ability to walk around without the scooter, he stayed in town. I volunteered to stay with Papa and explored the area nearby. I wanted to buy a nutcracker to add to our Christmas mantle, so I was able to explore the Christmas store. I successfully found one to add to our collection. The group enjoyed the tram ride and views from the top of the city. We departed the city in early afternoon and headed for Cologne.
Chris and Sharon were in Rudesheim in 1988 with Fred and Laurie Stemmeler. Given our fond memories of this city on Sharon's birthday long ago, we ventured to the narrow streets where Sharon led the birthday parade. We met these two gentlemen and after realizing that one of them attended Marquette dental school at the same time that Chris was there for law school, we became quick friends. We enjoyed the Rudesheim coffees that included some German brandy that is lit on fire. Walking through the city and traversing the cobblestones was enough for me to wear good shoes. Since tripping is always a concern and a worry, I was aware of my need to walk with others and be near someone to hold onto.
Our travels into France included a tour and time to enjoy the city. Papa was able to drive the scooter, including shopping for a sweater. The tour included a stop at the Cathedrale de Notre Dame, which was impressive. The cathedral held the world clock, which was under repair, but still very intriguing. At the end of the tour we walked around the town and headed to the shopping area. Papa needed to buy a sweater since it was cooler than he anticipated. People watching was interesting, especially at the McDonalds where students gathered and were very social. While I was not able to understand what they were saying, their inflection within words and facial gestures certainly gave a hin
We traveled to Basil, Switzerland via Amsterdam and a KLM flight on a 747 from Chicago. My surprise of upgrading our seats to economy plus was appreciated by all. Having the extra stretch space was important since one of my Parkinson's concerns is cramping in my feet and calf muscles. Not only did the leg room prove helpful, the special treatment from the flight attendants was appreciated. The cruise ship was just as nice as other ocean cruise ships. Sammy and Connor arrived after us since they flew from St. Louis. Once we were all together, I explored the city of Basil with them. I had to be aware of the cobblestone roads and pay greater attention to the placement of my feet on the wa
