Rhine River Cruising

After touring the windmills, we cruised on the Rhine River all afternoon and evening. We apparently cruised all night and docked near Cologne in the morning after breakfast. We rode buses into Cologne and had a walking tour, mainly to see the cathedral because it was Sunday and all museums were closed- except for the chocolate museum. After lunch we all went to the chocolate museum, which has very interesting displays that tell about where chocolate beans come from and how the beans are processed into chocolate butter and chocolate syrup. Chocolate candy and chocolate drinks were a big hit in Europe over the last 250 years after it was found in Central America. The Museum has very nice displays on the hard work that chocolate growers do in tropical countries, how the chocolate is transported to Europe and how it is processed into candy bars and other treats. The museum has a small working chocolate processing “factory” that shows how the beans are roasted and crushed and separated from the bean shells and melted. The chocolate candy ingredients are mixed and poured into molds and cooled and wrapped with paper or foil, and then pop- out comes a little chocolate bar for each guest waiting in line. Judy and I had visited the museum on our first cruise 10 years ago but we enjoyed it for a second time. 

Two towers of the Cologne cathedral

Entrance to the cathedral covered with carvings

Stained glass pictures showing Bible stories

Old chocolate press to separate chocolate butter

Old chocolate shop with many chocolate treats

We cruised again all night and woke up at another town, Koblenz, where we visited Marksburg castle on a hill overlooking the Rhine. The castle was constructed starting in 1250, with additional sections added over time. The family that controlled the surrounding villages and lead mines built the castle as a stronghold and a refuge from any attacking enemy. There were many castles (homes) built along the Rhine to protect the ruling families for each region who controlled (taxed) the farmers and trading ships and wagons. Nobody protected or helped the farmers and workers.

God promises to be our stronghold and our refuge, our defense and our shield. This is one of my favorite pictures of God in the Bible. He wants us to trust him and make him our tower of refuge during our lives- because we never know when troubles and attacks will occur. I hope you make Jesus your castle (stronghold) in times of trouble and your protector (shield) and helper when you are attacked.

Entrance to the castle with a strong gate

Lower defensive wall and castle tower

Kitchen and storeroom for food during siege 

Strong armor and shields for protection 

Warriors prepared for battle

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress, and my deliverer, my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my strong hold.” Psalm18:2 was written by David, king of Israel.

We cruised up the Rhine river all afternoon, watching beautiful villages and castle ruins and vineyards along the steep hills of this section of the Rhine. The top of the ship is a sundeck with an awning for sunny days and we sat or walked the track as we watched the scenery and to the churches and the old houses in the towns. We also enjoyed our lunch and our dinner, looking out the full length windows as we continued upstream on the Rhine river.

 

Beautiful town buildings

 

I would like to sing praises to God in this church

 

This an old paddle wheel ship from 1910

The vineyards are planted on steep hillsides

Rivers are the moving parts of the living world that God has made. Almost all cities are built along rivers because they brought water to drink and provided a way for ships to bring trading. River valleys provide flat land for pasture and crops and orchards. Psalm 1 says that if we delight in God we will be like a tree planted by a river that will be fruitful and will never dry out and will prosper in whatever we do. I hope you have the living water of salvation and forgiveness and eternal life in Jesus.