Litomerice and the most narrow lock the ship goes through in Czech Republic.

This town has well preserved Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance buildings within its streets and squares. Of course the ancient fortifications all these river towns needed to survive numerous attacks over the years were here as well and we had to first walk our way around them to access the city centre. Our walking tour ended up with Czech beer tasting in a tavern located in a side-street from the town hall. I must note it was morning when we toured this town and still well before lunch when I beer-tasted 3 different styles of beer. I didn't finish this tasty amber liquid.

This afternoon when we cruised a canal alongside the Elbe towards Prague, the ship had to enter several locks, the smallest being no more than 11 meters wide, just a fraction wider than this ship (15.5 meters). Apparantly the Elbe Princess was built to specifications so it can pass through the smallest of the locks on this river and has a paddlewheeler at the rear which enables the ship to sail on the low river levels of the canals, lakes and Elbe River. There have been many times where we have heard the bottom of the ship scrap along on the pebbles at the bottom of the waterway.

Various types of buildings in Litomerice.

Three types of beer.

                        Red Poppies growing in the wild. Just out from Litomerice

Approaching the lock

The back paddlewheels, the top of the ship had to be pulled down so the ship could pass under the arches.

Lock gates are closing

Water rising in the lock, the gates are about to disappear.

Just about ready to join the up-stream canal.

Elbe Sandstone Mountains, Bastei. 26th May 2016

The paperwork described a stop at the Konigstein Fortress but I think the guide and bus driver did not read this fact. Unfortunately the morning was very cloudy and the distant views over the countryside were hazy and any chance of seeing the fortress was obscured. Not to worry as we were treated instead with a climb and walk through the rocky mountain ancient fortress of Batei. A real wow-wee place which I am sure won't be far off the UNESCO World Heritage list. Apart from the amazing fact this had been a castle or fort, perched on the rocks, it was the views over the steep and narrow valley where the Elbe flows  and across the countryside to Poland and Czech Republic. An amazing place and not to be missed if anyone is planning to travel through this area.

View of Elbe River from the rock pinnacle of Bastei

Looking east

7 arches span a 40 metre deep ravine. This sandstone bridge links several rocks in an old defensive ring around Nevrathen Rock Castle

the gang

Original castle, a former wooden superstructure which linked together the buildings built on the rocks.

A bit hairy climbing the stairs

The original structures were built between 1100 to 1200

Copy of the type of medieval catapult which would have been employed when the castle was habitated.

Looks like a 'fairytale castle', just another beautiful structure along the Elbe

Having a chat whilst the ship passes through one of many locks.

View after having past through the lock. The castle is called Frankstein Castle

Magdeburg, Wittenberg and Meissen 23rd to 25th May

DH and I decided not to join the ship's tour of Magedeburg in the afternoon. Instead we walked into town to try our luck in finding a bank to convert our Aussie Dollars into Euros. Firstly after lining up at a service desk at one of the bank's for a good 20 minutes, (yes, it is not only in Australia where one has to line up for ages to be served in a bank!) we were informed they would only exchange overseas currency for their bank customers only.....bummer. I found that there happened to be an exchange counter at the railway staion where I could change our AUD. After leaving DH to sit comfortably while I headed off into the confused direction of where the station was, I managed to return hot and bothered, leg sore but at least armed with more Euros. I suppose I could say we had an interesting day in Madgeburg.

The following day I joined our Aussie travelling companions on a self guided tour of Wittenberg. DH was exhusted from our adventure into Madgeburg the previous day, so stayed on board. There are only the six of us on board the ship who has English as a first language, though several passengers have a reasonable smattering of English understanding. We are labelled the 'Aussies' and I think initially surprised a few passengers to know 6 of us had travelled so far to cruise on this ship. Our walk around Wittenberg would rate as one of the best tours, because we did it at our own pace with an audio guide to listen to at various spots of interest. It gets a bit tiresome standing around, listening to extended versions of the tour in French, sometimes German as well then a shortened spill in English.

Wittenberg is the home to Dr. Martin Luther, the founder of the Lutherian Church. It is considered to be the cradle of the Reformation. We somehow managed to get inside the Castle Church, unaware it was only open for booked tours. The orginal door to this church was were Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door. This was where he gave his sermons in the church and is now buried under the pulpit. An interesting and pretty town.

The next day we then toured the porcelain factory in Meissen. A very expensive hand crafted product, apparently a 300 year old famous craft. No purchases in the factory shop or even the 'reduced price section' either. After visiting the factory we then travelled by bus to the funicular at the base of the casle hill where we rode to the top to see the cathedral and castle of Meissen. Once at the top we then wandered down through the narrow stairways and roads past the Renaissance-style buildings to the market square. In this square is a 'Frauenkirche tower' which chimes its porcelain carillon every 15 minutes. Well, we waited and heard this tinkle. I can only say at least we heard it! A let down really! Over-all a quaint, lovely hill town. It is a pity we can't spend more time in these places, it would be pleasant to linger longer to soak up the atmosphere. However we must keep moving on as time is our task master.

Vaccum pump in Madgeburg

Tower of the castle church Dr Martin Luther held his sermons.

Ailse inside church

Statue of Dr Martin Luther in the town square, Wittenburg.

Self photo with the aid of a huge polished silver ball.

Berlin Day 3 and Potsdam

We went on bus tour of Berlin this morning. A lot of drive pasts. Victory Column, Pergamon and Atlas Museums, classical buildings near Alexanderplatz, TV Tower, another area of the Berlin Wall, this one covered in historical graffiti and Checkpoint Charlie. Returned to the ship for lunch then another tour, this time to Potsdam.

First surprise for the day was an unexpected walk across the Bridge of Spies (Tom Hanks starred in a movie about this famous bridge) and I actually walked across it too!. We strolled around the Sanssouci Gardens which was the summer residence of Frederick the Great. This afternoon ended up being reasonably hot, 30C, so I tended to seek a shady spot while our guide rattled off his spill, first in French then we would get the condensed version in English.  On the top of the grave of Frederick the Great, someone had left potatoes. Our guide explained it was Frederick who introduced potatoes to Germany and now little bread is eaten, instead various forms of potatoes. He must have loved his pet dogs as he requested to be buried alongside them! This is where I followed two women, one of whom had a little West Highland Terrier with her. I was trying to discretely photograph this loyal little dog which reminded me so much of our little one waiting for us return home. I don't think they realised they were being stalked!

Our last stop was to the Cecilienhof Castle, known for hosting the Potsdam Conference to seal the fate of the defeated nations.

Did I mention Croisi Cruises love to serve duck? Well they do! Much to my disappointment. It is not my first, second or even third choice but as I do not have any choices, duck it is. Fortunately it is in a terrine for one meal and then with a gravy as a main on a different day.

Glienicke Bridge aka Bridge of Spies. Used several times during the Cold War to exchange captured spies. It formed the border between West Berlin and East Germany.

View from driveway at enterence to Sanssouci Summer Palace

Rear of the Sanssouci Palace, over looking the fountain and pond, up past the terraced grapevines and the fig trees which are planted behind glass doors, a form of glasshouse arrangement

A group of picnicers enjoying their spot alongside the river in the grounds of the palace.

Beautiful half timbered Cecilienhof Castle

Berlin day 2 Saturday 21st May

Late check-out from our hotel. You know little things start to add up. Like having clean washed clothes packed in one's suitcase. Bonus for us, I had the use of the washing machine in  Roz's room and washing tablets from the reception.  Before our taxi arrived to transfer us to the ship, Brian escorted me to a section of the Berlin Wall which had not been pulled down. It is amazing to see first hand how people were treated after WW2 There were stories of families and friends divided and family and neighbours turning on each other. I am so thankful I wasn't living in this country and era.

Our lovely Turkish taxi driver arrived on time to collect us. We hired him to take us from the railway station to the hotel on Thursday when we arrived and asked if he could collect us on Saturday. It was great as he had a van which not only took us but our luggage as well.

We arrived at the beautiful lake, about 30 mins north of Berlin, where the Elbe Princess was moored. As the weather was warm and sunny, the promenade was busy with Berliners enjoying the popular park. There were little paddle boats on the water, along with some large day craft talking people for rides along the lake.

After dinner DH and I had an early night but were startled awake when fireworks exploded on the foreshore near us. Having spent the last few days reading about WW1, WW2 and the division of Berlin, we thought WW3 had just started! I spoke to Roger and Merrilyn about their reaction, they also thought the next world war had started. Scary thoughts but today's unrest, it has always been at the back of our minds.

Part of the Berlin Wall which has been preserved

Crystal clear waters of the Tegel Lake where our ship is docked

It was a Saturday and the parks alongside the lake where teeming with locals taking in the warm spring day. These young people were practising their type-rope walking

Interesting Paddle boat on the lake

locals enjoying a walk alongside the lake

DH's clever photography....photo of me with reflection of DH in mirror!

Fire works at night...woke us up and we thought world war 3 had started!

Me and you know who!  She didn't say very much to me, maybe she couldn't understand my Ausralian accent?

Berlin day 1

An easy day, just catching up with the washing and resting. By early evening we were ready to walk to the nearest attractions. Just DH and myself walked along the Luisenstrafe to the Spree River, then along the river to Reich stag (Parliament) building. It has been fenced off around the building, so to enter one must go security check points. Near the security entrance is a memorial to the 96 members of Parliament who opposed the National Socialist Regime and had been murdered in the 1930's. Then we walked on to the Grofer Tier Gardens where we saw the memorial to the Siniti and Roma (gypsies) murdered under the National Socialist Regime.

In the Tier Gardens is a Soviet War Memorial, just west of the Brandenburg Gate. When we visited the gate a wedding party were there celebrating with car engines revving and the bride and groom  encircled by a clapping and whistling bridal party.

Further on to the south is the American Embassy then the Holocaust Memorial. The memorial had been especially painted with anti-graffiti coating to stop any swashsticker tags or graffiti disrespecting the site. There is also a security guard patrolling the area. Whilst we we there a man was climbing on top of the columns, taking photos.

On the way back we walked through the university grounds. Many of the buildings had not been destroyed by the WW2 bombing. We both had a chuckle on a sign which after a while we worked out was 'exit' in German, but we were playing around with another interpretation....being Aussies, can you guess?

Spree River with Reich Stag and dome alongside.

The Spree River near the Rich Stag where new office buildings are still in process of completion.

Reich Stag Building (this was outside the Berlin Wall, in East Germany)

Memorial to the murdered and persecuted members of the Parliament by the National Socialist Regime.

Memorial to the 220,000 -500,000 gypies murdered under the National Socialist Regime.

Brandenburg Gate

Bride and Groom celebrating behind the Brandenburg Gate

Borussia Dordmund soccer supporters.

In the Holocaust Memorial

Giggle giggle.....directions for Aussies when they need to .....!