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Thur. 11/7
The city of TRIER had its origins over 300 years before Christ, and was established by Romans in 16 BC.
It eventually evolved as an important city of 100,000 population with harbor on the Moselle waterway.
Under the guidance of our excellent guide, Wolfgang, we visited the palatial KAISERTHERMEN (Imperial bath
complex of the Romans), and which had never been completed as baths. The Porta Nigra (Black Gate) is a
towering Roman gateway built about 200 AD, the largest and most imposing surviving gate from ancient times.
Near the bustling market square with its share of historic fountains are the DOM (Roman Catholic cathedral),
a huge edifice spreading out with portions built in the 4th, 11th, and 12th, and cloisters in the 13th
centuries. Less imposing, but very lovely is the ST. GANGOLF church nearby (the church of the common man).
The PALASTAULA a 4th cent. Roman Imperial Palace with walls 11.5 ft. thick, stands nearby, and is used
today as the only Protestant church in the city of 95 RC churches. We were delighted when our guest lecturer
later this afternoon turned out to be our very own Wolfgang, who gave a most interesting slide lecture on
Roman life in TRIER. We dined this evening medieval style at the 15th Cent. Burg castle in LONGUICHER, where
we were entertained by minstrals playing a variety of period instruments.
Fri. 11/8
We started the day leisurely cruising the Moselle to our berth in COCHEM. Later, under very cloudy and cold
conditions, we visited this pretty town, to see the ENDERT gate, one of only 3 remaining 17th cent.
town gates. The medieval wall and most of the 14 gates had been destroyed by the French. We visited Market
Square and St. Martin church, amazingly plain in the land of sumptuous cathedrals. We were taken by small
busses to the huge REICHSBUG CASTLE dominating the hill above the town with a commanding view of town and
river. Built in 1000AD, destroyed in 1689, and finally rebuilt in the 19th cent. it now belongs to the town
of COCHEM. It is furnished in massive medieval style with much intricate woodworking and inlay work.
This evening we were taken in small groups to various local vineyards for wine tastings and dinners.
Ours was at the Schneider-Andres Winery where we were warmly greeted by the owner and his wife and were
feted with excellent wines and food. A most enjoyable evening.
Sat. 11/9
The sister towns of AHRWEILER and BAD NEUENAHR are attractive, chic and trendy. They are located in the
AHR river valley, its mild climate protected by the peaks of the EIFEL MTS. BAD NEUENAHR is noted for its
healthy springs and expensive spas. The upscale APOLLINARIS spring water was discovered here, and a huge
bottling plant attests to its popularity. AHWEILER is still protected by its fully conserved Roman ramparts.
Lovely timber framed dwellings line cobblestone streets, and the imposing Church of ST.LAURENTIUS is
beautiful both inside and out.
We had been docked today in the town of REMAGEN, and visited the remains
of the infamous Remagen Bridge of WW II fame. On Mar. 7,1945, US 9th
Armored Div. reached the last intact bridge over the Rhine, and prevented the German defenders from
demolishing it, enabling US forces to cross over on the march to Berlin. Unfortunately, the bridge
collapsed on 3/17 of its own accord, killing 28 American soldiers. We viewed a 20 min. tape on the
happenings in 1945 and climbed to the top of one of the remaining towers for an overall view of the area.
Later, we were given a very insightful lecture on contemporary Germany aboard ship. Tonight, our crew
members presented a hilarious show for us.
Sun. 11/10
During the night we crossed the border into the Netherlands and have docked at DORDRECHT. We are experiencing
typical low country winter weather – dreary, cold and windy. We drove to KINDERDIJK where 19 windmills built
around 1740 still stand. While they are not currently in use, their owners must agree to keep them
operational should the situation arise necessitating their help in pumping water from the canals.
We also visited the George C. Marshall Museum which contains an extensive collection of authentically
restored WW II military vehicles. DORDRECHT is a charming city with its many canals and narrow curvy
streets. Many of the old houses are built leaning outward (for taxation purposes) which gives the appearance
of opposite structures tumbling into one another in the narrow lanes. Of course it rained as we took an
afternoon stroll, as it has done almost every day since boarding our
bateau. Thankfully, the inclement weather hasn’t prevented our seeing and doing all we’ve planned.
Mon. 11/11
We disembarked at BRUINISSE this morning and motorcoached to the charming fishing town of ZIERIKZEE.
The narrow cobblestone streets are lined with small, neat attached homes and shops and the entire area
gives off the aura of cleanliness and orderliness. Our excellent guide pointed out the high water level
of the devastating flood of 1953 which destroyed the dikes that crisscross this lowland and claimed the
lives of 1,800 people in the Province of ZEELAND. Because of this, the DELTA WORKS PROJECT was enacted,
a marvel of hydroengineering of dams, dikes and bridges to control flooding. We visited the project and
marveled at the technology as we viewed a film, then toured a part of the dam itself.
We remet our bateau,
now docked at the tiny hamlet of VEERE, and later proceeded to MIDDELBURG, the county seat of Zeeland
Province. This attractive town was heavily bombed during WW II but fortunately, the restoration was
completed with due regard for the historic architecture. The MIDDELBURG ABBEY was founded in 1123 and
eventually taken over by Norbertine Fathers and enlarged over the centuries to include 2 churches, several
cloisters and numerous buildings that served the needs of the town. During the Reformation in 1574,
the Catholic monks were expelled and the Abbey was taken over by the Protestants. Today, the enormous
complex is used as the seat of the provincial government. The Captain’s farewell cocktail party and special
dinner were celebrated this evening.
Continue...
This trip to the Rhine River was made October 31 - November 16, 2002 by a New York State couple.
Your comments are welcome.
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