Day #5 : Koblenz and the Rhine (Part I)

 Good morning! We docked in Rudesheim overnight, specifically so we could cruise the "Romantic Rhine" this morning in the daylight and see all the castles. They're dotted all over the banks the past few days - beautiful to see. Yesterday afternoon a group of about 15 of us were glued to the windows, using Apple Maps to see what was coming up. Every so often one of us would shout "castle!" and everyone would start taking pictures. It was a fun experience.  :) 

Sending pictures this morning, and stories about Koblenz this afternoon. We're taking a tour of the city, then a cable car ride to Ehernbreitstein Fortress. Should have fun pictures to share. 

The view from the front of the ship 

There are random castles (and remains of castles) everywhere

The legend of Loreley. Depending on which version you follow, Loreley was either a type of mermaid who defended herself against sailors who wanted to kill her, or a woman who jumped from the top of the rock in order to prevent being sent to a convent. Either way, the legend says she's responsible for any rough weather that happens in that section of the Rhine. 

Here a castle, there a castle.....

Castle combined with Roman ruins. It does tickle me....depending on how much you can zoom in, you can see the word "HOTEL" on the side of the building. I guess repurposing can be a cool thing.... 

Yup, more castles. 

There's a line in a Jimmy Buffett song that goes "There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning". You'll notice the building in the center is divided into a white section and a yellow section. The yellow is the bar, the white is the church. Easy access.....

Storytime! Two brothers fell in love with a woman named Angela. One brother proposed, she accepted, the second brother kept his silence and loved her from afar. However, brother #1 went off to fight the Crusades, fell in love (again), and came back with a Greek bride. Angela was heartbroken, since she had stayed faithful to him while he was off fighting. Brother #2, still in love with Angela, never said anything and she joined a convent. However, it caused enough friction between the family members that there are now two castles where there was once just one. And we think soap operas are complicated. 

Hanging out on the sun deck. 40 degrees F......COLD!