Skip to main content

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.
-

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

THE ENIGMATIC PHIL SPECTOR

The first presidential debate of Donald Trump and Joe Biden ended up in a near tie.  Both lost.  However, it was an unmitigated disaster for Biden, who just might be too old to win this re-election. For Trump, it was a reinforcement of what he does all the the time, lie.   There will be significant calls for the Democratic Party to work out "something" to replace Biden as their presidential candidate.  Suddenly, Kamala Harris, Gavin Newsom and Michelle Obama are added to the spotlight.  But what can "legally" occur at the August Democratic Convention? The situation is different on the Republican side, as Trump is the Republican Party, and no matter if he gets 4 years at his felony sentencing on July 9, or even if the Supreme Court determines he is not immune next week or later, he will be the presidential candidate. Trump is a damned boastful liar and convicted felon, but that is the only option for Republicans.  His vice-presidential choice now become...

ON THE MATTER OF PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

Hawaii today celebrates King Kamehameha the First Day as a public holiday.  Next Monday, June 19, or  Juneteenth,  is a Federal holiday.  However, 22 states, including Hawaii, do not recognize this as a public holiday.  Four of these will begin to honor this day next year, not Hawaii.  Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery.  Here are the Hawaii holidays, and note three that only we have: New Year’s Day: 1st day in January Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: 3rd Monday in January Presidents’ Day: 3rd Monday in February Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Day: 26th day in March Good Friday: Friday before Easter Easter:   Calculating Easter Memorial Day: Last Monday in May King Kamehameha I Day: 11th day in June Independence Day: 4th day in July Statehood Day: 3rd Friday in August Labor Day: 1st Monday in September Veterans’ Day: 11th day in November Thanksgiving Day: 4th Thursday in November Christmas: 25th day in December There are  11 paid Fede...

THE TRUMP ENERGY PROGRAM

From  Time  magazine, I begin with a slew of Trump topics.  You can read the details. The unpopular Big Beautiful Bill is now in the House . The only truly effective anti-Trump person:  Elon Musk. The Trump Gaza ceasefire proposal . The July 4th Free American Anti-Trump Protest planned across the USA . This site began as a renewable energy and environment blog, and has evolved to just about any subject.  I try to keep Wednesdays for sci-tech, with perhaps a monthly focus on energy.  More recently, I've drawn from the  Energy Matters  info sent to me by the American Energy Society.  I'm inserting direct quotes this time to eliminate my predilections for more credibility. This service starts with some broad topics. - Fossil fuels: Helium is locked in a supply crunch, and prices are surging. - Renewables: Congress will probably pass new renewable fuel standards for 2026 and 2027. - Policy: President Trump is now focused on Califor...