Amsterdam to Dubai and home

Had a silly coughing fit during the night and awoke to sore throat and blocked nose but I refuse to succumb to another cold. I've had my turn! Roomie is getting over her bug and tells me that she had been sipping scotch through the night!!! Don't be worried though as I'm sure she only had a thimble full left from the big bottle purchased during our initial coach tour. Plus had there been more I'm sure she would have woken me to share!!! Down to breakfast which was nothing special, but at least we had a chance to chat with D and G, and C and L. Back upstairs to grab my jacket and coach to get the 9.30 shuttle to the rsilway station where I head straight for the chemist to stock up on cold and flu tablets plus more throat lozenges. Walked back to the hotel as it wasn't nearly as cold as yesterday but still very grey skies and hardly warm weather. Final packing of suitcase and all fits without having to expand the case. Roomie had determined last night not to open her case again as she had her necessary items in hand luggage. That turned into a good idea as I'm sure we would have struck difficulty trying to close it again. As it was I packed her hair straightener in my luggage rather than attempt a quick opening and shoving in of aforesaid item into her case. D and G popped in for a final catch up and we thought we had plenty of time as our pick up transport was booked for 11.30 but just on 11 our phone rang to tell us that our airport transfer was already downstairs waiting for us. So a quick gathering up of items and down stairs to checkout. Once again there was a hold up at reception and their new computer system buggered about again and the lass yet again had to get help from the tech fellow to unfreeze the screen. What a shabby way to run a business. Anyway, hasty farewells to D and G, and C and L. M is already checked out and waiting at the van. He complained about the poor service received at the hotel so they gave him a big block of chocolate. No sign of the chocolate though or offers to share.... Hmmmmmmm. Note to self, M apparently doesn't share chocolate! LOL. Anyway, we've all had a great trip and there are already mutterings from the gang about where I'm planning to take them all next time. I'm choosing to ignore them. More LOL! Fast trip to the airport with a driver who fancies himself as a blasted rally driver, but we do get there in one piece. Roomie and I head for the tax refund area and queued for about an hour but receipts finally processed. I had already told M to go ahead as he didn't have his boarding pass. By the time we finally get to the book in counter there is no delay so straight through we go. Then it's the bag check and stand in the machine where they do the body scan. I apparently have set off yellow flashing lights so am then pat searched by a woman who told me it was the bling on my top. I tell her that it was my 'fat'. She thought that was funny and kindly said much fatter than me had gone through. So then through passport control and surprisingly Aussies were able to go through a 'quick' gate and so again no delay. We head for a cafe for a much needed hot drink and sit down. We still have two hours for our flight so now go in search of M who is likely propped in a corner somewhere quietly reading his book. Well, we can't have that, can we??? Our flight was 20 minutes late leaving but so far all good as roomie and I have great seats right up near the front however the woman sitting in front of me promptly put her seat right back, which is where it stayed for the duration of the flight apart from when she was feeding her face and the flight attendant asked her to put her seat upright. But no matter. I watched a movie had a couple of glasses of wine, had a nice chicken dinner and started watching 'The Night Manager' series that roomie had recommended. Arrived in Dubai after an easy six and a half hour flight. We were really quick to get off the plane and then had a super long walk up hill and down dale to get to our connection gate where our flight to Adelaide leaves in just under two hours. Then we have the uber long haul flight home. Can only hope it is as quiet and uneventful as the first leg. I need to make an update to an earlier comment because as we wait at the gate for our Adelaide flight, M offers us some of his chocolate bar that he was given at the hotel, but at the same time tells us that he's not prepared to share his egg and bacon sandwich he bought at Amsterdam airport! We both decline the offer of chocolate. Another note to self, Don't get between M and an egg and bacon sandwich! Bless him! Hope you've enjoyed the tour through Europe. I'm already thinking about another river cruise for 2018 that does Paris and along the Rhine, BUT whatever you do, don't tell the others...................

Amsterdam on land

Up early this morning to ensure we have our suitcases fully packed and out the door by appointed times. Amazingly all is packed away somewhere although I think both B and roomie have suitcases that can be compared to loaded springs so I don't want to be around when they open them again! Time for our last breakfast onboard and numbers have already dwindled as a number have had early flights and then there are others with later flights, but we all have to be out of cabins by 9. Farewells made to the staff and then it's time to wait for the call for our hotel transfer. B is staying a couple of days with friends and is picked up at 9 so goodbyes made. 9.30 and the rest of the gang board a coach that takes us on a five minute coach ride to the hotel Movenpick. There is almost a full bus load so you can imagine how pleased we all were to arrive at the hotel just after 9.30 am to be told that rooms aren't ready and won't be until 3 pm.... NOT HAPPY! Poor D and S are both feeling poorly and want nothing more than to get to their rooms for a lie down. M has scored a room he's the only satisfied camper in the group. J, roomie and I head off on the 10.30 shuttle to the central train station and then go for a wander up a Main Street towards the palace. Thankfully not nearly as crowded as the streets were yesterday, but unfortunately it is bloody cold and grey skies. We continue on undeterred though. Lots of window shopping and a couple of last minute souvenirs purchased. Time for a cuppa so we find a reasonable little cafe to have a hot drink and shared muffins. At this time I realize that I can't find my reading glasses and convince myself that I have left them on the counter at the hotel reception or put them in my back pack which I stored at the hotel. So, more strolling about and eventually found our way to the flower market which does not have fresh flowers, but masses of bulbs, mainly for tulips, plus the usual Dutch souvenirs. Also pass a Magic Mushroom shop and plenty of cannabis starter growing kits. Roomie found marijuana lollipops for sale but I successfully dragged her away from them!!! Still haven't got my head around how it isn't legal to smoke or possess dope but it is so openly smoked in the street and sold in coffee shops. Maybe that's where the concept of Double Dutch came from as it makes absolutely no sense to me whatsoever.

We then meander back towards our starting point, go into the information office at the railway station to ask them to call the hotel for the shuttle bus for us, get the shuttle and back to the hotel. thankfully we now have rooms allocated as it is about 1.30. Head out to a nearby Subway shop for lunch. Back to the hotel to eat our lunch. Down to reception to see if my glasses have been handed in but no success. Finally retrieve our suitcases and our opinion of staff at this hotel is not good as the concierge were clearly not going to bring our suitcases to our too many time soon but I'm quite sure they would have had a pre paid porterage fee provided through our Travelmarvel booking. Travelmarvel will be hearing from a number of us over our dissatisfaction with the booking in process, room readiness, reception staff professionalism and concierge lack of actual service. However at this point I have later gone back to reception to again ask if my glasses have been located and when I get another negative response I ask the lass if she can provide a phone number for the one store I made a purchase at earlier in the morning. I had the store receipt but it had neither an actual address or phone number. Thankfully she found the number very quickly and offered to call them for me. She couldn't have been more helpful and as luck would have it, my glasses were at the shop. So back on the hotel shuttle I go and then find my way to the store where I was very happily reunited with my reading glasses and case. Have no idea how I lost them, can only imagine that somehow they fell out of my bag when I pulled my wallet out. Anyway, happy ending! I then walked back to the hotel which was a bit if a hike but was good exercise and I successfully dodged all cyclists which was no mean feat. It was jolly cold though. I am told that the temp never got over 8 today! Back at the hotel, it took a bit of faff ing about but I finally contacted all our group to arrange to meet in the bar for dinner at 7 pm. S and J are heading out tomorrow at 7.30 for their Singapore airlines flight and won't be joining us for dinner so I probably won't see them till we are all back in Adelaide. While waiting for the others M and I are able to share a quiet drink in the bar. D is feeling a lot better so I'm really pleased that she is up to joining us at dinner. As it transpires, we all have a really nice meal and agree that we've had a great holiday. No one wants a late night so agree to catch up at breakfast. It's been a funny sort of a day that we've done quite a bit of 'hurry up and wait' and then wandering about without any real purpose. Not sure that I have any real interest in ever coming to Amsterdam again. Tomorrow is travel time so this is my last chance for a good night sleep in a proper bed for about the next 40 hours.......

Amsterdam

We are now on the Amsterdam canal and there is a lot of industry and office buildings along the way. Very misty at times, especially where the canal has high 'walls' of greenery and trees and we can't see the countryside. Mind you it is still very dark so not sure there is much to see anyway.

We had quite a sleep in this morning and didn't get up and moving till about 7.30. Forecast is for max of 10 but by breakfast, the sun is shining and blue skies. It feels lovely and warm next to the windows. But back to our cabin B and I reluctantly head as we can't put it off any longer... It is time to start packing the suitcases. Ye gods!!! Where did all the extra 'stuff' come from and his is it ever going to fit? Anja has offered to come and sit on suitcases and I'm tempted to seek her out. I can only wonder how roomie us managing on her own. However it may all have a happy ending as I have left out the clothes I am likely to need in the next 2 days so that they will be packed last, and I've even remembered to leave some room for the toiletry bag. It is now B who I am worried about as we actually had to lift her bed to slide her suitcase back under it! LOL! We decide to do a quick reccy off the ship which is berthed very close to the main railway station. It is quite an ordeal to not only dodge the traffic on the roads, but to keep out of the way of the blasted push bikes. It's like dodgem cars as the cyclists have right of way over everything as far as I can tell. To add to our drama we also had to cross tram tracks but somehow re managed. B needed to find an ATM which was duly located and I stood guard. Not that we were really worried, but there had been lots of reminders about pick-pockets and ATMs are not always the safest locations. What I don't like at all is the often over powering smell of dope. Anja has explained the difference between what is available at cafes and coffee houses, and I will be sticking to cafes! there are also heaps of back packers and groups of English tourists around. The streets are very crowded and I'm ready to head back to the ship which we do. Time for lunch and then we head off across the nearby bridge to get on a glass topped boat for a tour of the canals.

As the sun is still shining brightly, it is a lovely way to spend the afternoon. Klass is our guide.

After our boat ride we are then taken on a walking tour of the red light area and narrow alleys and lanes. We are given 20 minutes free time near a flea market that holds nothing of interest to me, however M has purchased another baseball cap to add to his collection. I can only look on in amazement when I see him sporting a black baseball cap emblazoned with the word Amsterdam across the front brim, and covered with green marijuana leaves!!! He is such a boy!!! The whole area is dirty and clearly focussed on cheap tourist dollars so I'm very pleased when it is time to get back on the coach. We then are shown a number of different key buildings. The crowds of people everywhere are amazing. Apparently the weather is so unusually fine for this time of year that it has brought every one outdoors. I'm hoping the streets are less crowded tomorrow when I have a free full day in the city!

Due to a road closure, traffic is exceptionally heavy and we seem to move only a couple of car lengths every few minutes at one stage, but finally we are out if the heavy city traffic where we have a short photo stop at a windmill, that someone still loves in, but isn't operating. The only other windmill we saw earlier has been converted into a brewery.

My homework tells me that approximately 45% of the Netherlands lies below sea level. Apparently there are nearly 1000 old mills still in existence but full control over the water level is still not fully achieved. We certainly saw that while on the canal trip, where many buildings have significant leans on them. No wonder some people choose to live on houseboats! Back to the ship and time for a cuppa and then off to dinner for our last meal together of the gang all together. It has been a great cruise and we've seen and experienced so much. M was in fine form and wouldn't let us leave until we had heard his repertoire of jokes, all the ones that A would have been shaking her head over, saying 'Oh Mike...'. What a fitting and precious tribute to her. And with I leave you on the last night of our European Ruver cruise. It has been a blast! Goodness knows what tomorrow in Amsterdam with a full day on dry land will bring...

Remagen

I have started with the remaining photos of yesterday's beautiful cruise along the Rhine Gorge. These were taken from our cabin. Never any shortage of something else to see on the coastline. Early morning start at Remagen as we need to be on our coach at 8.15 am. It is dark and forecast isn't good with a max of 10 and likely rain. However undeterred we head off rugged up and ready for whatever happens. Cloud is very low and as it is still quite dark, not good fir photos but we do the best we can. We arrive at Konigswinter for our tour of Drachenburg castle (Dragon). We travel up the hillside in a two carriage funicular (like a tram is the best way to describe it).Schloss Drachenburg is a private villa constructed in the late 19th century. Baron (he bought the title ) Stephan von Sarter was a banker and then stockbroker who clearly had a huge need to be noticed and had it built in only two years (1882-84) but never lived there. Something about selling shares for the Suez Canal (I'm sure we'd call it insider trading today) when he knew they were a losing proposition, and his name being bandied about in unkind words meant he moved to Paris. He never married and had no heirs so his nephew sold it and over its history was a boy's school; holiday campsite; and fir a period was one of the 'schools' for Hitler youth. Now state owned they have attempted to restore it to its original grandeur. It didn't fare well during WWII bombings but they've done a good job, albeit that I found it very dark and unwelcoming throughout. On a better weather day, I'm sure the views would have been amazing.

Back on the coach and now it is raining, not heavy but sufficient for brollies and hoods up on rain jackets. It us about half an hour ride to Bonn which is a very modern city. It is the former capital of West Germany. The history of the city dates back to Roman times. In about 11BC the Roman army appears to have stationed a small unit in what is presently the historical centre of the city. Between the 11th and 13th centuries, the Romanesque style Bonn Minster (church) was built. We were shown the university building, the previous Orangery which is now a Museum of Music, the City Hall and market plaza. Ludwig van Beethoven was born in Bonn in 1770 and we were shown the building he was supposedly born in. No free time at alol so back on the coach and straight back to the ship just in time for lunch as we set sail again for Amsterdam which is about 22 hours away. We probably should start thinking about packing suitcases but it is way too daunting so instead B and I sit on our beds in our cabin watching Cologne pass by. We also had the benefit of a lovely sunset as once we set sail the blasted sun came out and we had blue skies for the rest of the day!!!

It is the Captains farewell reception tonight so we get ourselves all glammed up and head to the lounge where we are given a glass of champers and greeted at the door by the captain, tour director and hotel manager. Captain Punisha does not have good English so his speech is a bit hard to follow but once we are all gathered and enjoying our bubbles and canapés he introduces all the staff and then announces that this is in fact the Diamond's last cruise for the season, so we are all absolutely thrilled that we were able to do this cruise. Mind you, we then wonder about those who had booked later advertised cruises. Anyway, our ship's next season is likely to start in Feb or Mar next year so thats a good lesson for future cruises to avoid extreme ends of advertised sailings. River levels and accessibility in Europe are critical. Time for dinner and it's great to have roomie back in our number as she has been feeling poorly for the past couple of days however still no sign of S but J assures us she is on the improve. It is absolutely no fun at all being unwell on holidays and unfortunately coach tours and ships are not the best when one person is sick and then spreads the lurgy throughout. we all have a good diner though and lots of laughter as usual. Now time for a disco in the lounge that the hotel staff are hosting. I'm soooo ready for bed but manage 10 minutes. At one point the disco is stopped as we hear an announcement that there is a medical emergency on board and the ship has to berth at a very nearby spot fir a lady to be taken off by ambulance. Not as dramatic as the previous occasion where a doctor was lowered onto the ship from a bridge, but not good news for the lady, that's for sure. So drama over, music restored and I'm off to bed!