2016/05 Europe cruise - Rhine Gorge |
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Way below us, but well within crossbow range, we could see our ship, moved upstream to meet us at Braubach. Our first rain of the trip
had begun that morning, not a problem while we were in the castle, but a shame as the next part of our trip was through the very scenic Rhine Gorge. Our sun deck had now become a drizzle deck and those of us who braved it were wearing a lot more clothes.
The Rhine used to be the northern limit of the Roman Empire, so the towns on the south side built fortresses to defend against the German barbarians to the north, but in the Middle Ages noblemen built castles on both sides. The Rhine’s trade routes brought riches but also pirates and invaders. Along the gorge we were rarely out of sight of a castle and could often see two or three. We tried to get pictures of those and the pretty villages and churches, but the day became steadily wetter and murkier. This was a shame; long ago I’d been lucky enough to travel along this piece of river on a sunny day, but this was Sandie’s first time.
Some castles were ruins; others were now romantic hotels. Trains ran on both sides of the river. The river was busy with barges and cruise boats, always something to see. I’ve tried to capture a feel for the place with the big picture.
The most scenic section is from the Lorelei Rock to Budenheim. The legend is that the Lorelei maiden used to sing and lure boatmen onto the rocks at the foot of the high cliff. In reality it’s an area of fast water on a tight bend and requires close attention by any boatman.
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Rhine Gorge |
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Towns are tucked in between the hills and the river with pretty houses and churches, often overlooked by ancient castles, some ruined and some restored.
The Rhine gorge is an important trade route so we passed dozens of barges on their way downriver, and watched trains passing us on both sides of the river.
But it was good to see that there’s a healthy population of birds along the river, like these cormorants, relatives of the guys that hang out across the river from our house in BC. This white wagtail hitched a ride on our boat.
By the time we reached Budenheim I was the only person left on deck and I was glad to come inside and learn all about brandy and 
chocolate-laced Rudesheim coffee, or at least to drink some.
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Mittel Rhein (1.43) |
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This is Schloss Briebach, constructed in Wiesbaden 300 years ago by a count and countess as two palaces, his and hers. The central rotunda was added later, used as a ballroom. Hundreds of years later Elvis would make Wiesbaden even more famous when he was stationed close by.