Trip Day 17 - Nürnberg

Saturday November 30

The MS River Adagio had gone all night ... and through a lot of locks. We arrived about 7 am in Nuremberg. We had breakfast as always and left for our tour at 9 am.

Our first stop was at the Documentatuib Center Nazi Party Rally Grounds. Bernie explained about it but I foud it very depressing.

Our tour continued into Nuremberg. It is a medieval old town with a castle and city walls and many towers. Nuremberg sits on the Pegnitz, which carries the name Regnitz from its confluence with the Rednitz in Fürth onwards (Pegnitz→ Regnitz→ Main→ Rhine→ North Sea), and on the Rhine–Main–Danube Canal, that connects the North Sea to the Black Sea. The canal (and it importance) had been Esther's topic the previous day.

The bus took us pretty much straight to the "Hauptmarkt" (city market square). This "Schöner Brunnen" (water well) is very famous. I have seen it more than 55 years ago with all those stalls sorounding it. We had family members living here and got a personal tour when we visited.

This Chrismas Market (Weihnachtsmarkt or Christkindlmarkt) is one of the most famous in Germany. This was only the second day of this year's season and it was Saturday which means there were lots of visitors. 

Nürnberg is very famous for Lebkuchen. Just like my mother used to make it with 9 spices. 

Another famous Nurenberg thing are Zwetschgenmännla or Pflaumentoffel (Prune People) and you find them often at Christmas markets. They are made from pruns and nuts as gifts to bring luck but not to be eaten. They can keep for several years.

We were surprised to finally see something to remind us of the real meaning of Christmas. Here behind glass and under roof was a nativity with shepherds and wisemen. I was happy to see it.

The crowds were incredible “bumper to bumper”. Since we were close to the Frauenkirche, we decided to go in. 

The first experience was that an organist was practicing on the organ because at 12:15 there was an half hour Advent music concert. It would have been nice to stay for it but it didn't work out.

It happened that we left the church at noon and the "Männle" did their walk when the clock was striking.

When we left the market we saw a stall which advertised "Kartoffelpuffer". How can one pass that?

I found the different sides very interesting but I like mine pure. They were quite good but not us good as the ones my father used to make.

We took the bus back to the ship. We had lunch there, probably played some cards. Don't really remember. But at 3 pm we decided that we really needed some steps. We walked off the ship and walked along the canal.

It was so nice that we walked all the way to the lock (Schleuse) Eibach. 

This is the view in the direction to our ship.

We walked to the other side of the lock but could nowhere get close enough to watch how it works. We saw this cruiseship enter into it. I had to take the photo through a chainlink fence though.

Walking back but looking back to the lock. It took too long to wait until that ship comes out.

Because of the walk (which we thoroughly enjoyed) we missed the discussion "Germany & the EU's support to Ukraine". Somebody had come on board for the "Controversial topic". Something this travel company always does and always is very interesting and informative. Sorry we were late.

Festivities on our ship since it is our last day. Captain's Farewell Drink in the Lounge. 

Port Talk like every day. 

Captain's Farewell Dinner in the dining room.

The last dessert is always "baked Alaska". 

Afterwards James was chatting inside.

I was briefly outside. There were a couple of fires burning which of course gave warmness outside and a nice glow. But we were also encouraged to try a New Year's Tradition. We were given a piece of paper and should write something on it ... a wish for next year ... something we wanted to pass or forget. Or we should write something we wanted to release from the prior year on a piece of paper and burn it. Intentions, resolutions, wishes. 

On the way to our cabin to pack we met Barbara and Rich again. Barbara wanted a photo so somebody passing was nice to be the photographer. It had been so much fun to meet them.

Packing is not my favorite thing to do but at least it is so much easier when going home. It didn't take horribly long. But it is going to be an early get-up tomorrow. Earlier in the day Bernie was nice to help us with the arrangements. Train is booked. Taxi is ordered. Oh yes, the obligatory tips envelopes are done too. All is good.