Rhine Spring Cruise
Tour Date April 23, 1997@
It was initially scheduled to enjoy the Rhine cruise on April 24, which was a main objective of this Europe journey, however, we changed to try this cruise one day ealier, because of fair or little cloudy by TV weather forecast broadcasting. When we arrived Frankhurt am Mein on the previous day, it was cool with temperature of 0 degree C nevertheless in late April. It was still cool in the next morning, leaving hotel "Steinberger Frankhurterhof" to Frankfurt cenral station, and this climate was one month behind, comparing with that in Tokyo, Japan. As we took breakfast leisurely, we missed the train to take the Rhine cruise ship starting from Mainz, and we decide to go to Bingen by train to take the next cruise ship there. We found another mistake, i.e., such cruise being out of service till May and we had to wait in Bingen for two hours.
Rhudesheim is at the opposite riverside, which is most popular town for tourists. It was difficult to distinguish such town, due to the large river width, and we could see distantly a big goddess statue of "Germania", which was constructed by the nationwide donations as a symbol of re-unity of Germany in 1883.
We took photos of the pier in Bingen, and we walked around the town, waiting the next ship for two hours. This town was calm and comfortable without many tourists. This town was established in Roman era and destructed completely three times, resulting scarce memorial ruins. Bingen was restructed by pedestrianwalking area in 1977, and was getting smart and lively town.
We could see so-called Mouse Tower, when boarding after two-hour waiting. This tower was constructed as a toll gate for Rhine passing ships by Mainz Feudal Lord, and "Mautturm" meaning "Toll Gate" had been called as "Mauseturm" meaning "Mouse Tower" in a parody way.
The next castle was "Ehrenfels" ruins, initially constructed as a toll gate. Many castles along the Rhine were constructed as tollgates, where owners still lived as habitants.
We were patient for being on the top deck
, against a little cloudy chilly weather.
The next cruise stop to Bingen was Assmannshausen, which was famous for a production place of good red wine. This town was fascinating, as wooden frmed houses are stood in the center. We wolud like to stay at the private-house looking hotel, sometime.
The next castle was "Furstenburg" ruin, which was constructed also as a toll gate in 1219, and was played to increase the powerof the neighbor due to too near location to Mainz territory. And this was destroyed in 1689 by French Army, remaining only the tower.
The weather was getting fair from cloudy condition, and it was good for enjoying a river cruise.
We would like to be on the deck in a better weather. The winds was still chilly, however, and we wanted have warm drinks inside.
This was lovely-named Bachrach Pier, and we could see "Stahleck" Castle on the top of the hill. This was constructed as a residence in Rhine region, in 1142, by Pfalz Feudal Lord. This castle was destructed completely by French Army in 1689, remaining nothing due to the explosion of gunpowder storage. Existing young generation house was reconstructed on old foundations, offering nice view of Bachrach Town.
New green leaves of trees were beautiful, because of a fair weather, and we thought that this view was matched to that in early, and mid-April season.
The next castle was "Pfalz" in the middle river sands, approaching as a warship head shape. This was allowed for the general admission, and there might be a lighter service. At the middle of the hill, we could see "Gutenfels" Castle, where nice typical view of Rhine river were often introducedin books and TVs.
The next one was "Schoenburg" meaning "Beautiful Castle" at the town of Oberwesel. This was widely known as towers -wines town, where 18 towers were still remaining. This town was fascinating with old memorials, although the destruction by France in 1689 and big fire damages were present.
Meanwhile, we could see famous "Loreley" at last. Without flags on the top of the rocks, it looks as an ordinary obstacle of the river. The rock was, however, 130 meter high and the river was only 112 meter wide, compared with 520 meter width in Mainz. This spot was the most critical point for Rhine passing by rough stream and only few-hour sunshine in this valley.
The weather was getting much better and accordingly we enjoyed nice views with very fresh spring greens. We heard the world famous "Loreley" by Schiller and Silcher on the deck and laughed so childish popularity. We took several photo shots with the "Loreley" name plate as back views.
We arrived at the final destination for that day, seeing St.Goarhausen at the opposite riverside. From May, i.e., in high season, this cruise would be in service down to Koblenz via St.Goarhausen. We made mistakes even by advanced cheking of Thomas-Cook Time Table Book.
It was still one O'clock in the afternoon, we wanted to visit Beethoven Birth House in Bonn, by taking suitable train along the Rhine. But anyhow we enjoyed the Rhine cruise to some extent as expected.