Trip Day 15 - Regensburg

Thursday November 28

Even though we didn’t start until 9:30 am with the walking tour with a local guide, time had gone fast because of all the things one has to do.  

Yes, we can’t let the crew down who always worked so hard to prepare food for us. It's open seating for every meal and we get to chat and know people from all across the USA. Everybody is so nice and of course with some people you have an instant connection. 

Our favorite stops with the ship are the ones where we can take walks anytime, where we are close to things to see.

The Stonebridge is a landmark to find our way back. Our guide is a nice young student and he is excellent with his knowledge about the town. Here is a selection of the photos I took in a hurry.

Cars in the inner cities are usually restricted and walking in the streets is fun. Love the decorations over the streets.

We didn't go into this church during the tour but in our free time James and I went into it later.

The guided tour ended at the Christmas Market. Soon we found out that the stalls here just took cash. I realized that I didn't bring cash, only card.

Note: Regensburg seems to be the only town on this trip were the stands have their own Glühwein cup and you needed to bring it back to the stand you bought it.

We had some nibbles at the market but found lunch had just started at the ship. Our waiter offered this (German) wine and enjoyed discribing it to us. And yes, it was quite nice.

At 2 pm an Educator came on board to discuss "German Education System". At the same time the trip leaders took those who wanted to the Thurn & Taxis Christmas Market. This was the only one on the trip where you had to pay an entry fee. James and I preferred to relax and play our card game. 

Port Talk and dinner were a bit earlier this day because at 7:30 pm we all walked to St. Cecilia Church which was not very far. Actualy it was a nice walk. Was this once a door into the city?

St. Cecilia!

Here we were treated to a concert by the Domspatzen Choir Concert. The concert was arranged by our travel company just for us. 

The "Regensburger Domspatzen" are very famous and probably the oldest boy's choir in the world. It was founded in 975AD. 

The concert, a bit more than an hour, was a wonderful treat and we walked back to the ship with a spring in our steps.

The walk to and from the church was really good for us. We try but are not always successful to get enough steps. This day I managed to get 14,206 steps. Fitbit thinks that it is 6.09 miles. Not bad, not bad.

Night, night.

Trip Day 14 - Passau

Wednesday Nov 27

It is about 7:30 am and it doesn't look much like the day has started. Well, the ship is still going and so it will be a leasurely time.

After breakfast (way too much delicious food) at 9 am there is a Christmas Themed German Lesson in the Lounge. It is done by Esther, one of the Trip Leaders, and she is doing it very well and funny. Everything with humor.

Right afterwards the other 3 trip leaders are doing a little skit about a tourist couple behaving like tourists should not behave in a different country and a waiter who also should not behave how he should. It was hilarious.

At 10:30 am the weather had not much improved but the confluence of the three rivers was in site. We did manage do go outside to see it properly.

Here is the little park we are going to be walking in just a little while.

Yes, here we are in the park on the tip of that peninsula and the confluence of the River Danube, River Inn and River Ilz.

We are continuing with the walk exploring the town. 

In a town like this the river of course plays always a big role. 

And high water is a major event and concern. 

A Bavarian Advent decoration. 

A quick look into the house for the bishop. This is just the staircase to other floors and the ceiling.

And then the church not far. The St. Stephen's Cathedral. To be honest, one can only look and be amazed. And pray of course.

Oh yes, and then in front of it, or around, there is a Christmas Market. OMG, I had forgotten to bring cash. No cards expected. Well, we thought that it is no problem. Could not find a bank. Or ATM. Finally there was somebody to ask and this is funny ... it happened that we were standing almost in front of it at that moment. How embarrasing. 

But at least we could go back to the market and get one of the half meter bratwursts. 

And then back to the ship. It is so much fun to have the GPS because we are not afraid to take a different way back. 

It was a very nice walk! 

At 3:45 pm a local person came on ship and talked with us about local Christmas traditions in this region. Even though Germany is not tiny, there are different traditions in different areas. It was very interesting. I had a little talk with this lady afterwards and since I had the feeling that she would like and appreciate it I gave her one of my previous year's Chrismons. Yes, she really liked it.

There was an inner circle party at 5 pm, at 6 pm the ship continued again to Regensburg, 6:45 pm the Port Talk and at 7 pm dinner. Presentation of the food is incredible as showed here too 

After dinner followed the entertainment of Christmas Carols and Karaoke. Surprisingly that was a lot of fun too.

When we came back to our room we found "towel art" on our bed, congratulationing us on our anniversary. Earlier at the bar we had ordered a drink each (other then beer and wine which is always free) and another guest sitting with us grabbed the bill insisting on paying it. He had been upset that we had not received anything special from the company. I wonder now whether he had complained about that on our behalf. Well, I don't think we will have time to open this bottle. We barely finished the welcome one we had found in the beginning.

We thought this was nice. Happy Anniversary from us to each other. We think every day is special and thanking the Lord.

Wishing you all a good Humpday night!