"I Was Born in Dusseldorf, That is Why They Call Me Rolf!"
So yes friends and family, here is a peek preview of the Rhine Valley photos. Marc has yet to send me everything that we took (mostly in his camera, and also he has my memory card), so here're a choice few for your viewing pleshuhh.
To explain things a little, we stayed 2 nights in the cute little town of St. Goar, which is midway between the scenic Rhine route of Mainz to Koblenz. On our first day, we lazily explored Burg Rheinfels at St. Goar itself, and on the second day we took the river cruise up to Braubach (which is pronounced Brow-bagggcchhhh super gutteral sound required) where we saw Marksburg, and then went down to Bacharach (once again it's Bah-ka-ragggchhh) which had a super pretty-slash-cool-slash creepy 13th century church ruin.
By the way, Burg = Castle, if you haven't so figured out.
The Rhine Valley itself is a super duper scenic route, and it is a route we shared with plenty of genial German old folks, middle aged Japanese tour groups, and well, not a lot else. Still, it was nice having a different mix of travelers from the usual backpacker crowd, which I am beginning to grow very sick of. Even the hostel we stayed in at St. Goar was full of families! That was a first for me. But nonetheless most people we met in that part of Germany were rather nice indeed.
Marcus says "Auf Wiedersehen!" but has no idea what that means. At the Koln-Dusseldorfer boat dock at St. Goar.
This is the small town of St. Goar. All the towns along the Mainz-Koblenz route are bite-sized, quaint, and tourist-driven (sadly). But nonetheless very charming. And the huge looming cliffs framing the towns added much romanticism to them.
Here lies Burg Rheinfels, the biggest castle along the Rhine Valley. Our hostel was right below the castle, so that was pretty cool. The castle has since been partly converted into a hotel, and a restaurant. Rick Steves' guide took us right through the castle nicely.
It was my first castle visit, and I absolutely loved it. My hair stood on ends at times, but it was part and parcel of the experience I guess, to get spooked out by castles.
Me sitting precariously on the edge of the battery of Burg Rheinfels. Behind me is the beautiful river against the dramatic cliffs. I like this photo :)
Marc threatening to fall through the cracks (though actually that is a crossbow slit - you know, to shoot arrows through, for castle defence) 
On the second day, we cruised... and past this cute town of Boppard. The bells were tolling at the church, and the sun had just shone its brilliance through the previously grey clouds when we berthed here for a while, and it was just really nice.
The cliffs that you see in the photo are covered in wineyards - apparently the slate of the cliffs keeps the berries nice and warm at night because slate retains heat better. This gives you sweeter grapes. And if you get wine from a wineyard that is on steeper areas, it tastes better.
This is Marksburg castle, the only castle on the Rhine which was never ever attacked. Not even one person tried - because it was too well-protected and well-equipped with state-of-the-art cannons and all that. It's really pretty. But too bad we didn't get to stay up there very long - we had a boat to catch back down to Bacharach.
Us two, tired but happy from the climb up to Marksburg (from which my knee is still suffering).
To explain things a little, we stayed 2 nights in the cute little town of St. Goar, which is midway between the scenic Rhine route of Mainz to Koblenz. On our first day, we lazily explored Burg Rheinfels at St. Goar itself, and on the second day we took the river cruise up to Braubach (which is pronounced Brow-bagggcchhhh super gutteral sound required) where we saw Marksburg, and then went down to Bacharach (once again it's Bah-ka-ragggchhh) which had a super pretty-slash-cool-slash creepy 13th century church ruin.
By the way, Burg = Castle, if you haven't so figured out.
The Rhine Valley itself is a super duper scenic route, and it is a route we shared with plenty of genial German old folks, middle aged Japanese tour groups, and well, not a lot else. Still, it was nice having a different mix of travelers from the usual backpacker crowd, which I am beginning to grow very sick of. Even the hostel we stayed in at St. Goar was full of families! That was a first for me. But nonetheless most people we met in that part of Germany were rather nice indeed.
Marcus says "Auf Wiedersehen!" but has no idea what that means. At the Koln-Dusseldorfer boat dock at St. Goar.This is the small town of St. Goar. All the towns along the Mainz-Koblenz route are bite-sized, quaint, and tourist-driven (sadly). But nonetheless very charming. And the huge looming cliffs framing the towns added much romanticism to them.Here lies Burg Rheinfels, the biggest castle along the Rhine Valley. Our hostel was right below the castle, so that was pretty cool. The castle has since been partly converted into a hotel, and a restaurant. Rick Steves' guide took us right through the castle nicely.It was my first castle visit, and I absolutely loved it. My hair stood on ends at times, but it was part and parcel of the experience I guess, to get spooked out by castles.Me sitting precariously on the edge of the battery of Burg Rheinfels. Behind me is the beautiful river against the dramatic cliffs. I like this photo :)Marc threatening to fall through the cracks (though actually that is a crossbow slit - you know, to shoot arrows through, for castle defence) On the second day, we cruised... and past this cute town of Boppard. The bells were tolling at the church, and the sun had just shone its brilliance through the previously grey clouds when we berthed here for a while, and it was just really nice.The cliffs that you see in the photo are covered in wineyards - apparently the slate of the cliffs keeps the berries nice and warm at night because slate retains heat better. This gives you sweeter grapes. And if you get wine from a wineyard that is on steeper areas, it tastes better.
This is Marksburg castle, the only castle on the Rhine which was never ever attacked. Not even one person tried - because it was too well-protected and well-equipped with state-of-the-art cannons and all that. It's really pretty. But too bad we didn't get to stay up there very long - we had a boat to catch back down to Bacharach.
Us two, tired but happy from the climb up to Marksburg (from which my knee is still suffering).This trip to the Rhine Valley will always have a special place in my heart. It's just one of those trips, y'know? Which sort of captured your heart, and the company you were with just made it absolutely perfect. Marc and I had a beautiful time up there, one we won't forget anytime soon.
posted by the zee at 9:02 PM
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