Nomads a drift

During the morning sail to Kinderdijk, as temps dipped below 0C and snow began to fly, there was a presentation on Cheeses and other regional information of life in general in the Netherlands.  This was home for the program director so she was quite proud to share how life is lived in her land as well as working on the Viking ship. We learned some Netherlands and Vikings fun information: • It is the 3rd most densely populated country in the EU.  Where some areas are 18 feet below sea level making it is a country of canals and dykes.  Water management is a prime concern, and a department not controlled by government.  Windmills were originally designed, and continue to pump out water from the low lands (bosom) into the canals. • Field hockey is the most popular sport followed by soccer. • Parents pay 1800 Euro a year for a college student. • Everyone pays 60 Euro a month for health care. • No senior homes, however families are subsidized to help take car...

All the passengers on board were thrilled that the Cologne Christmas markets had not been cancelled!  However due to low water issues the ship had to dock outside of town and groups would have to be bussed in to the market area.  The busses provided an hour tour thru the central city for the guests before they were released to shop.  The travelers were then led on foot and ended in the Christmas Markets once they opened around 11AM. The tour walked along the river and under an elevated train rail.  The trains would pass over the river on this bridges every 45 seconds.  There was also a set of stairs up to the train/pedestrian bridge.   The steps also accommodated bicycles.  See the video above.  The tour continued into the old section of town. This area along the river was vital to the citizens of Cologne for income and trade.  It is the point on the river were the larger deeper boats had to dock, unload their goods to then be placed o...

The sail for the day was from Wertheim to Koblenz and for the Americans on board (most everyone) it was Thanksgiving Day. Part of the previous days route was via bicycle then boarded the ship in Freudenberg.  From there the ship sailed all night and all day the next day ending up in the port of Koblenz. At one point during the late mornings sailing the captain guided the boat towards the starboard side allowing a vessel to pass on the port side.  Suddenly the boat lurched and a loud crunching and scraping sound was generated.   The captain applied power to the propellers in an effort to make sure the vessel had the additional momentum to walk over the rocks and mud that laid in the path.  The captain was successful in making sure the boat did not run aground.  A great deal of muddy water surrounded the vessel as it plowed like an ice breaker through the obstruction laying just beneath the water line.  It is a good thing that this vessel is scheduled fo...

The day’s objective is to travel from Wertheim to Freudenberg by bicycle, and then set sail all night and the next day.   The day began with a slightly different challenge.  First thing in the morning, Kevin checked his phone to discover a text message from the CITI credit card company.  The first thought that went through Kevin and Theresa’s mind was that the text was a scam and there was no way we elected to click on the embedded link.  Something in the back of Kevin’s mind said to find a way to validate the text so he logged on directly to the secured Web site for CITI.  There he discovered several suspicious purchases all conducted on their anniversary.  The first was a phone order to some web site for 85 cents.  This was the trigger by the fraudulent user to confirm the credit card was a viable target.  That was rapidly followed by two airline tickets on Delta and two additional charges to yet another merchant not recognized by Kevin....

A bump in the night at 1 AM assumingely thru a lock, resulted in a 2 person crew painting from a small boat along-side the 1st level first thing in the morning. Theresa was still not feeling well and it was made worse by Kevin leaving the balcony door open all night with temperatures of 27°! When she discovered this at 4 AM it was immediately remedied and back off to slumber. When we rose in the AM and went down for breakfast, we noticed that there were frost scrapings on the parked cars.  Do we really want to venture out in this? The tour for the day was a bus ride to a Residence (palace) that was an indoor 1 hour tour followed by a walk thru the city to the ship.  Theresa was still suffering from the Budapest plague but was willing to put on the layers and see the sights.   Upon entry to the palace you had to show your ID and proof of vaccination.  Germany is serious about fighting COVID, though they are in the middle of a serious outbreak. The Prince-Bishop w...

On this date November 22, in the year of 1975, Kevin and Theresa were joined in Holy Matrimony.  Where was the person who needed to speak up on why this marriage should not have taken place?  Just say NO! The morning started as any other day on board the ship.  Spit into a test tube as the first thing you do.  Do Not brush your teeth, Do Not drink any fluids.  Put the test tube in a marked envelope and seal it.  These envelopes were then to be delivered to the front desk at the time indicated on the envelope, this was usually by 7 or at the latest 8 am. The oldy-weds awoke by 6:30 am and wished each other happy anniversary.  Theresa’s Happy Anniversary was very nasal as she now has the Budapest crud thanks to Kevin. The days included excursion would be a short bus ride towards the town center.  From the drop off site the guests marched towards the heart of Bamberg.  This little village was along a fast-flowing river.  The river was vital...