THE FABLED MIDDLE RHINE TRANSIT

On the Norwegian Encore, the Panama Canal Transit was a highlight.  Yesterday, Sunday, the Middle Rhine Transit could well be the top scenic portion of this river cruise.  Steve, our cruise director, provided commentary throughout the four-hour journey, which included numerous drinks and an English Teatime treat.

The transit in photos.  But first, Saturday from Cologne to Koblenz.  A Japanese whiskey, Hinotori for pre-dinner.  

We had two classical music entertainers playing popular songs on the region after dinner.

The next day, for the Middle Rhine Transit, we thought we'd have lunch in Aquavit, because it offered a better view of the experience, and we could just sit there through the whole interval.

The two wines were German.

With appetizer.  Artichokes and cheese.

Pumpkin soup.

Lunch of salad and rigatoni bolognese.

The Middle Rhine River Transit begins.  After a while, these cities all seem to look about the same.  There were castles, forts, towns, fall colors, legends and more.  But these scenes are most of what you see in ads of European river cruises.

I had German white wine, red wine, warm winter wine mix of local ingredents and beer, with a Balvenie on rocks.  By then we had moved to a window table.

Transit continues.

So what's so famed about the Middle Rhine Transit?

• On the steepest banks, grapes are harvested, as have been since the time of Jesus Christ.
• Storybook villages rose along the forested shores.
• Extends from the old Roman town of Koblenze, via the Loreeli Rock.
• Acording to legend, beautiful Lorilei sat here and sang sweetly to sailors who passed by the rock at nightfall,. Transfixed by her beauty and song, he was lured to his doom.

Then on to Bingen and Rüdesheim.

Then English teatime.

By then, assortment of liquors included red and white wine, beer, scotch and a warmish-sweetish-herbish-local wine cocktail.

And the transit continues.

Finally, after six hours, on to dinner, which was prime ribeye and Caesar Salad, something you've seen a dozen times.  At our table were four others with intriguing backgrounds.  I'll talk about them later in the trip.  Walked 2224 steps today,

Tomorrow, Miltenberg and more.

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