On the last travelogue post, we were in Andernach, Germany...So Many Castles, So Little Time.
After spending the day in Andernach exploring we met up with a group of "new" friends for a lovely dinner. The group consisted of a Brit, a German, a Canadian, and 3 Americans. It was great fun comparing viewpoints on so may things. The one dinner companion that spoke German told us the server wanted us to be "aware" that a large party was coming in, so we might want to settle our bills....hint, hint. No parties ever came in and we staked out our real estate until near closing time.
The following morning, however, we were back on the road to head south to the city of Koblenz.
While Koblenz is only 12 miles SOUTH of Andernach, we were confused why the GPS sent us north. Huh?? That can't be right. THEN it sent us to the other side of the Rhine. As both Andernach and Koblenz are on the west bank, we considered the possibility that perhaps the GPS was trying to sabotage our day. We considered briefly, just turning around and figuring it out without GPS help but figured we'd find it eventually. The thing about Germany is that it is only about the size of New Mexico. At some point you are bound to come to a river or road that is familiar.
After a number of twists and turns, we drove back over the Rhine and we did, in fact, get to Koblenz.
If you ever take a trip along the Rhine, this city is one to make sure to see, It is a unique blend of historical and modern.
My husband had been there several times and wanted to go up to the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. He had been there in September and thought the tour was interesting and the tram ride was great for getting a bird's eye view of the region.
As luck would have it, and by that I mean bad luck...we maneuvered our way up the winding, twisting roads to the top of the bluff where the fortress sits, only to find out it was closed. There were still plenty of things to be seen in the area but no tours and no tram for me. In lieu of that, we made our way over to the St. Kastor Basilica and the Deutches Eck (The German Corner) where the Rhine River and the Moselle River converge. On the point of the rivers meeting is a monument to Wilhelm I (AKA William I)
 |
| Crabby Pants standing next to Le Pouce by Cesar next to the Ludwig Museum of Contemporary Art |
On the day I was there is was cold and dreary but still very fun to walk around the Basilica, the monument and the promenade. Despite the fact that the fortress was closed, there were still a number of people milling around the church and the Ludwig Museum of Contemporary Art.
After spending a considerable amount of time just looking around, we made our way into Koblenz city center. There were 5 (at least that is what we could find) Christmas markets to keep us occupied for quite a while.
 |
| Are you someone famous? |
As I mentioned, Koblenz's city center is an interesting mix of quaint and charming (as most historic European cities are) and very modern as well. After stopping at a cafe on one of the side streets for lunch, we continued on to a modern mall to warm up and have some tea/coffee. The cafe had a lunch crowd waiting for tables or we might of just parked there.
Normally, I try to avoid malls but on the occasion of both of us being half-frozen we decided that would be a great place to hang out for a bit.
 |
| I didn't take a pic of the mall so this is off the Internet |
One of the things we discovered while sitting at the Starbucks, is that owners can bring dogs into business establishments. Not just service dogs, mind you. While we sat looking out the window at the children ice skating on an adjoining rink,several people came in to have coffee with their pets.
 |
| kids skating on the mall's ice rink |
BTW...You will notice some of the pictures are clearer as those were taken in September by my husband when he had the good fortune to be there on a sunny day.
Posts
23 comments:
It is surprising that dogs are allowed everywhere in Europe. And in Paris they aren't very good about cleaning up after their dogs. 600 people go to the hospital in Paris every year from slipping on dog poop.
Cheryl, I'm enjoying your trip. Germany is a beautiful country, and I love that church in your slide show. Such detail...
I was especially surprised because the dogs were in a food venue. Not that a little dog hair on my apple cake would of kept me from eating it.
NO kidding?? I have never heard about that statistic referrring to poop injuries. YUCK!!! I guess it I go to Paris I will not be seeing the sights as much as watching my feet.
Thanks, Linda. I am so glad you are enjoying these. It's sort of a roll of the dice as to what readers want to read about.
I really enjoy visiting the countries of western Europe. There is such a charm to them but there certainly are some culteral differences that take some adapting to.
On my first trip to Munich I learned about the privileges German dogs get while riding the subway. Having grown up during the Cold War, a visit to the former east Germany would be interesting for me. Did you see anything about the reunification?
That's a funny thumb. I certainly would have taken a picture of it. The nail looks pretty good and not chewed on. I think a finger and nose would make an interesting piece. thanks for sharing.
I liked the slide show in fact I liked all the photos, Germany does look like an interesting country to visit, not sure if I will ever get there but who knows I am still young. 50 is young right, if not than I am in trouble....................we have by we I mean me and Tim have only started travelling in the last few years and hope to do a lot more of it.
That statue. Seriously? I thought we had some BAD public art here!
My husband thought visiting what used to be on the other side of the wall as interesting as well. He went to Berlin not long after he got over there.He took a lot a pictures which were fun to see. There are sections of the wall still in place. On the west side of Germany we saw a monument made up of a section of the wall as well. Overall though, Germans don't tend to talk much about any negative history. For example the whole subject of "you know who" is ix-nay.
In retrospect I should of posted the picture of my husband standing next to the thumb to give a better idea of the size of it. My husband is 6'5" and the thumb is quite a bit taller than he is ...probably around 8 ft or so. It seemed out of place in such as setting within eye shot of a church built in 836.
Thanks, Jo-Anne. I am glad that someone is liking this slideshows. I took all kinds of pictures and have no place to display them.
Yes, 50.... in my opinion ....is young. You still have plenty of time to travel to lots of interesting places. Of course, you live in an interesting place,, too.
Koblenz looks amazing. I don't have much to add to the conversation. I just think it looks stunning. But what is the thumb meant to symbolize? Is it a tribute to Fonzie or a warning not to have your thumb up your butt?
AND it's placement is just so odd. The Ludwig Museum is in an historic house that was built by the Teutonic Order in 12 hundred and something and sits next to a church that was built in 836...so where that thumb sits/stands (or whatever a thumb does) just seems weird.
Not a clue as to what it represents. Even Google doesn't say other than Cesar seemed to like his hands portrayed as "bigger than life". The original statue of the thumb is in Paris and is 40 ft. tall. He also has his hand sculpture in Saudi Arabia called The Fist. See, I thought Crabby Pants' joke was spot on...thank God, Cesar wasn't into other body parts.
Penguins eh?
"The Art of Being Conflicted" has been included in the A Sunday Drive for this week. Be assured that I hope this helps to point even more new visitors in your direction.
http://asthecrackerheadcrumbles.blogspot.com/2014/01/a-sunday-drive_12.html
Aren't those penguins cute? I might of rented a pair of ice skates if they had adult size penguins available. It's been a lot of years since I was ice skating so I probably would need one.
Thank you so much for including TAOBC on your site. I appreciate any help in acquiring new readers. I think it is great that your blog introduces blogs to possible blog readers,
They made a monument to Megan Fox's toe thumb? That's so kind of them!
http://musicallmorning2.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/megan-fox-thumb.jpg
Love the pictures, love the slideshow. Super jealous. But I think you already knew that.
Oh, dear gawd...what is up with that? I think that is one of the few cases that I would endorse plastic surgery. I wonder if there is a procedure for thumb-oplasty.
*wistful sigh* I have GOT to visit Germany at some point in my life. Been putting it off for the past four years, really...Lovely photos! :D
Hi Barb!! Have you been here before? I love to see new names. (but if you have been here before and my terrible memory is failing me..I beg your forgiveness.)
This was the first time I have gone in the winter and found pros and cons to it. I am glad to have gotten the chance to compare though. My last trip was to Germany (based in Munich) and then onto Switzerland and Austria. This time the Netherlands and Germany. Very different type of trips.
I think it is a lovey place to visit so I hope you get a chance to go. The regions are all so different as well, so it's difficult to get a real feel for the country in one visit.
(BTW...do you have a blog?) I am always looking for new blogs to read.
Everyone loves the GPS, but there have been many times where it doesn't work or brings you somewhere out of the way crazy! (This happens to my parents when they used the GPS and it said, "You have reached your final destination." My dad said, "Like Hell we have!" The GPS was programmed for a bed and breakfast... but instead it brought them to a cemetery!)
Ok, the finger picture? I had to take a double look, because .... umm.. yeah... glad it was a finger. Lol.
The markets look like fun and I love that the dogs were able to come into the shops. I wonder what would happen if someone actually brought a cat in there?
Loving the pictures!
Great post! I'm giving it a "thumbs up!"
Why thank you, Debra. I am hopeful your thumb isn't a giant thumb that is a gross abnormality such as the one that Crabby Pants is standing next to.
Post a Comment