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Getting there is half the fun.
Actually the title is not totally accurate, since we aren’t really on a raft like Huck was. This is a very nice boat, river barge, tourist magnet, and allows you to float (with motors) down the Rhine River, and see the beautiful country sides of Switzerland, France, Germany, and Holland.
We met our travel partners in the parking lot, and were glad we got there early so as to miss some of the TSA wait time that we factored into our journey.
We left Houston as the rain was coming in. (Oh, did you know we have gotten a lot of rain lately?) We left as it was starting to rain. The day started with a very pleasant surprise at the airport. When we got in line for the TSA “experience”, we found out that we had been upgraded to TSA Pre Check. Very nice indeed. It may be worth $85/5yrs. (If I travel twice during the year, that would be worth $8.50 per trip. Very much worth it.)
We ate breakfast, went to the gate, and waited for the silver bird to come get us and haul us to Washington.
There we went to our departure gate, and were ready for our 7.5 hour flight to Zurich. On the first leg, I was able to read and recycle my magazines I brought for times such as these. (3 Pop Photography, 2 Consumer Reports, Zymurgy) Reader’s Digest get tackled later, perhaps floating from port to port on the Rhine..
Not many pictures today. Airports are airports, airport food is airport food, and we visited with the couple we know and are traveling with. We are having a very relaxing time so far. I only have one observation, and that is, I miss you Lufthansa. (Sorry Dean). Believe it or not, I was able to get some emails read, some emails answered, and questions answered.
You can imagine my surprise when we go to the hotel gathering point and saw this sign. We have left Texas, during one of the worst flooding periods anyone can remember. We were supposed to be taken to Basel to board the ship, and begin our cruise. Evidently, they have been having similar issues here. The Rhine is too high, for the ship to get to Basel. So, we go to Strasbourg to get on,
Welcome to Avalon
We left high water. The water is too high for boat to get back to Basel.a three hour drive instead of 1.
After clearing customs, and meeting at the hotel, we had a day to tour the city of Zurich. We took a 4 hour bus tour and saw the Old City, saw some places on the lake, and had a very relaxing time. The city is very CLEAN. Everyone it seems takes care of their stuff, and if you aren’t keeping your stuff clean and neat, they will mention to you that it is not looking good and perhaps you should spend some time in your garden.
We enjoyed seeing the Old Town, all the quaint shops for clothes, chocolate, shoes, very old and expensive hotels. All were very nice. From the bus, we got to see an overlook of the city, the Lake, and stopping at a park, we got to enjoy some local food, Brat & Bread, only they had a different name for it. Of course, having your internal clock messed up, you don’t know if you are eating breakfast, lunch, late dinner, or snack. Of course, it got dark, we slept, sun came up, we called it morning, and Thursday began. Only my watch (CDT) still said it
Town Square shops
The old town city square. Festive gatherings occur here now was midnight, and we were being served breakfast. So, at 2:30PM local time, you should probably say it was lunch.
A “quick” 3 hour bus ride to Strasbourg and we arrive at the ship. Time flies by when you are comfortable and get in several cat naps.
Our bags were already in the room when we boarded. A brief hello in the lounge area and were dismissed to our rooms for 15 minutes for the schedule update for tomorrow, and night meal.
The meal was delicious, choice of salad, soup, chef’s dish, dessert along with coffee, tea or beer. Chef’s choice was a seafood cake thing similar to a crab cake. Very good meal, and then retire to our room for a shower, and good night’s rest.
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