The Rhine Valley

[This is the 3rd post today - they've piled up as I haven't had internet access recently]

When I arrived in Rothenburg (my previous destination), there were 3 women checking into the hostel ahead of me. That night, when I went on the Night Watchman's tour - there they were. The following night, when I went to dinner at the English COnversation Club - there they were again! (although, not as a part of the club).

When I got to the Rothenburg train station to leave, I probably shouldn't have been surprised to see them there. Then, when they got off at the same connecting stop as me, I decided to find out what their deal was.

Me: "Didn't I see you 3 at the hostel in Rothenburg"
Them: "Yeah"
Me: "Where are you going now?"
Them: "Bacharach"
Me: "Really? So am I. Small world. Where are you going after that?"
Them: "Amsterdam"
Me: ... "Really? Wow - small world. So am I. So, where are you 3 from?"
Them: "Singapore"
Me: ... ... "Wow - really small world"

So, I chatted with them a bit, and found that they were following Rick Steves' book through Germany too. :-)

Anyways - My last stop in Germany was the Rhine Valley - famous for wines & the castles that line the Rhine river. It's definitely a busy place - there are barges & ferries cruising all over the river (not to mention tourist cruise boats), and trains are constantly running up & down tracks on both sides.

I went for one of the famous cruises on the Rhine - from Bacharach (where I stayed) to St. Goar (about an hour away). The cruise was ok - you looked at castles along the way. When I got to St. Goar - there were the Singaporeans again!

We wound up going to the same castle - the only castle in St. Goar: Rhinefelds. I toured the grounds. It offered some good views of the river & valley. But, I was more excited to get to the tunnels under the castle. Most are closed off, because they're pitch black & really easy to get lost in. But, there are a few that have been mapped off (but, they're still very very dark - only a few slits of light in the wall).

I made my way down a stone spiral staircase to a tunnel that was 30-40 years long. It was completely dark in there - no light at all. I thought about turning back (because I didn't have a flashlight, as they recommend that you bring with you). But, I didn't want to pass up the opportunity, so I proceeded by using my camera's flash to light the way. Every few feet I'd take a pick & get a glimpse of what lied ahead. Obviously I made it through, since I'm writing this. :-)

Later that evening, I took the cruise back up the river to Bacharach. Bacharach's a small, quiet town. There is really nothing to do there in the evening - everything pretty much shuts down by 9pm. So, I grabbed dinner (schnitzel with some of the local wine - which was great), and headed to the B&B to go to sleep.

Today was pretty quiet. Woke up, and had breakfast at the B&B. It was a little awkward, since I was the only guest at the time & the little old lady was waiting on me hand & foot. The food was good, though - her husband has bees & makes honey, and she made strawberry & apricot jams.

Then, it was time to make sure I had had a ticket up to Amsterdam (this train required reservations), grabbed some lunch, bumped into the Singaporeans again, and then bought some of that awesome wine.

As I write this - I'm on my way to Amsterdam; my last stop before I come home.