MONDAY, APRIL 14, 2014 - ARRIVAL AT COLOGNE, GERMANY, 4:00 P.M.; DEPART 10:45 P.M.

We began this day watching "the world go by" outside our balcony windows.  We were traveling on the Rhine River through Germany en route to Cologne, Germany.  Below are pictures of homes on the banks of the river.

I thought this bridge with a castle looking structure located beside it was worth noting.  I think more of the bridge is seen below.

Other traffic on the river.

 

 

 

At 10:00 a.m. we gathered in the lounge for a "Cruise Briefing" i.e. "Presentation of the 'Romantic Rhine' in detail.  Here, the Bravehearts group is gathered in a corner of the lounge.

 

 

And then there was Ford Motor Company still operational in Cologne, Germany

As we got near the city we passed under a long automobile bridge.

 

The estimated time of arrival was 4:00 p.m.  I think we made it a few minutes earlier than that and were soon docked near the Cathedral (towers shown below). 515 feet tall

 

 

The colorful houses

located in the square near the Cathedral

 

town square with its fountain

and nearby, another church

Our guide stands between two statues

 

 Looking through a lovely park toward the one of the tall churches.

A large automobile bridge; in the foreground of this picture there are 3 members of the Bravehearts group:  (left to right) Brenda, Virginia, & Holly

And the collection of love padlocks on the fence near the bridge.

The weather was somewhat unpleasant with cold, light rain, and extremely high winds blowing especially around the tall buildings.  We didn't linger very long when our 1.5 hour walking tour ended but headed back to the ship and did not leave it again that day.  We sailed at 10:45 p.m.