Passau, Germany

Hello lovelies

We have had some changes to our trip due to falling water levels of the Danube river. The crew have done an amazing job in the past 2 days of trying to make sure we get to see cities, while still moving along to reach the area where safe passage is available for the rest of our voyage. This has meant a couple of bus trips after our tours as the boat has continued along the river instead of waiting for us. It has had some wonderful advantages for us.

Hello Santa

Old town of Passau

Today we got to spend the entire day in the beautiful town of Passau. We left the ship just after breakfast and headed to the town to meet with our guides. They have all been so knowledgeable.

This is one of the few towns that has not had buildings destroyed as a result of war. No changes can be made to the buildings, not even the colour of the paintwork. The buildings near the river have been built to cope with the yearly flooding. It is strange to have to be prepared for this to happen each year. Owners of the buildings cannot insure against the flood damage, so need to make sure their furniture etc is above the standard flood level.

Water levels of late

Baroque style buildings

One of the sweet things of the town are the chalk signs on door mantles. These are done by children, in groups of 3, on December 1st to bless the home. The numbers that are used represents the year, and the letters represent, the 3 wise men.

Lovely old doors here

This town also host a beautiful baroque church. The frescos on the roof are simply stunning. This church also boasts the largest pipe organ in a church in the world, there are 17,000 pipes with 230 registers.

The ceiling are spectacular

Baroque means Heaven on Earth

The huge pipe organ

Due to not being able to return to the boat we were treated to an amazing meal at a German restaurant. Apart for the sumptuous and abundant food, the view from the restaurant was amazing.

Lunch finished it was back on the bus to spend a few hours at the Christmas markets or wander the town. The markets were lovely. We also stopped at the cuckoo clock store and wandered the streets.

We did take a wrong turn somewhere and ended up in front of this very strange store selling Turkish smoking things.

Wheel in Motion and music plays

Ice sculpture

Bong anyone? Very large

Eventually the cool negative temperatures got to us and we headed for a cafe near the bus depot for a hot chocolate. It was then back onto the bus for a 1 1/2 drive to catch up with the boat.

By tomorrow we hope to be back in deeper water and being able to return to our scheduled route.

Take care all.

Our ship route

St Nick came to us last night :)

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