The Princess…and the Danube
Where to begin? So many new experiences in just over 24 hours.
It was over 30 degrees in Passau when I arrived and after lunch and trundling of my suitcase over cobbled streets, I gave up looking for a bus and took a nice AC taxi to the berthing area of Prinzessan Katharina. Although we weren’t able to get into our cabins, we could sit on the sun deck. There was a ramp going from that deck up to what seemed to be a higher one. Soon, a large bus arrived and disgorged a load of either very old or very fat people (or both) who staggered up and onto the higher level. I did some spend some time considering how many of them would manage to get onto a bicycle! Then the ramp was lifted and the next door boat sailed off with its load of geriatrics. Whew!
What a relief to get into my funny old fashioned little cabin- not sure how it would be as a double but it suits me! The Katharina is quite an old girl and certainly not reburbished since she was built about 30 years ago. But I like her eclectic mix of busy carpets, art deco stained glass in the dining room and lots of wood panelling. It turns out that only around 20/140 people choose to communicate in English and the rest are German. So our little introductory and welcome session was rather intimate and gamely conducted by one of the tour leaders in very broken English. He also meets everyone each evening to tell us about the next day’s ride.
The staff are mainly cheerful and a mix of Indian, Thai and Indonesian. I’m at a table with 2 Irish couples- pretty entertaining, and today I cycled with a lovely Singaporean couples.
The bright red e-bike is excellent and the paths are flat. We stopped about 15 kms along at a quaint farmhouse where the proprietor seemed to do everything. We were too full from the huge buffet breakfast but enjoyed a homemade lemon balm soda.
The river and surrounds are stunning-a lot more forested than I imagined. So we did 41 kms fairly easily and the ship awaited us at Aschach and after loading up the 100s of bikes, headed off to Linz. We did a short historic tour of the city in a small train but sadly I was too tired to fully appreciate it. You can probably tell that I’m not my usual scintillating self so I’ll post a few pics and turn out the light. Thanks so much to all of you for your messages sent in various ways it’s so lovely knowing that people care enough to read my blog💕💕
Loving your posts and adventures, we will follow with anticipation of a wee trip across the water to visit the fam. Sending our love x
ReplyDeleteWow what beautiful scenery and gorgeous weather. Sounds like a lovely way to see the area. Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteThere is one fat aging geriatric taking umbrage in Robertson Street 😅
ReplyDeleteChaz: looks wonderful! good to hear the rides aren't too onerous and that the weather is playing along. I hope the cabin isn't too close to the engine? Rifka sends her regards although she is quite pissed off you left her behind.
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