Koblenz and Cologne

This morning coaches took us to Koblenz to visit Germany's biannual Flower Show. Whilst we were on that visit, the boat sailed on to Cologne where we joined it in the afternoon.

The flower show was different from my expectations. It occupies two large sites either side of the Rhine which are linked by a cable car. The diverse displays range from orchids in hot houses to displays of grave sites for humans and for insects as designed by children. There are many themes including evolution, the origin of foods and representations by sister cities of Koblenz.

We had a wonderful young guide, intelligent with a gentle manner and wry humour. He learnt his English by listening to Irish bands in his student days and spoke English with a surprising and entirely endearing Irish brogue. He was good looking to boot.

Some photos...

German guide with the Irish brogue

View of Koblenz and the Rhine from one section of the Flower Show

A small section of the open expanse at the show

Orchids

Crossing the Rhine by cable car

Another section at the show

From Koblenz we drove through Bonn to Cologne to join our boat which was just berthing as we arrived.

After lunch on board we took a walking tour of Cologne finishing at it's famous Cathedral.

Some of the stained glass windows at the Cathedral

We sailed from Cologne at 9pm heading for Amsterdam where we conclude the cruise. Then we will transfer to Paris by coach for a stay of three nights before returning to Australia. Our wonderful holiday is fast coming to an end.