On the Rhine to Cologne

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Well we settled into our wonderful cabin on board the Alemannia and got to know the ship in the first 48 hours by being introduced to the crew at the captains dinner party. It was also at this time that we came to realise that we were the only English speaking couple on board and Alemannia is another name for Germany! No problem as we teamed up with a wonderful Germain couple, Klause and Elizabeth, who live in Brazil and speak german, portuguese and english. We had a great time with them getting to know each other over the next 8 days. We also made a great discovery! Wait for it! We discovered a lovely sparkling wine that Jenni really enjoyed and merrily drank for the next week. Miracles do happen but the wine appears to be only available in the Mosel region

Our first real stop was in Cologne and what wonderful city this was to visit and like all tours we felt we wanted more time to explore, but alas we had 6 hours and no more, otherwise find alternate transport! The Cathedral was amazing and many pictures were taken and Jenni and I were the only members of the ship to climb the 533 steps to the bell tower! Then off to have the first sampling of Cologne beer. Then back to the boat and more fantastic food on board and some more Federwiser wine for Jenni. Amazing to watch as we went through the Rhine locks as we climbed towards Cochem and Rudesheim

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Photos

Jen in the cabin
She ruled it with an iron fist after discovering the Federwiser wine

First view of Cologne
great exercise awaited us here with 533 steps up and down

Personal Guide
with our new friends Klause and Elizabeth and our personal English speaking guide in the city of Cologne

Cologne Cathedral
No photograph can do this magnificent cathedral justice

Inside Cathedral
still smiling prior to the climb up the stairs. Klause and Elizabeth decided to go to the beer drinking and left us to our folly.