Prague to Berlin and Beyond Part 2
Dresden, Meissen, Torgau So, on we went to Dresden. We had hit on the stern port quarter, as the stern swung around, coming round a bend, but no damage to the props, just knocked the generator askew, somehow. Was there really a fire???, don’t know, but it sure smelled like it?? The next morning, they put a diver in to do an underwater weld, and information as to what happened was very sketchy. Every evening before dinner, we had a briefing for the next day and I actually asked Martin, our cruise director, what exactly had happened and got a “nonsense” response. The generator was repaired and was working, by the next night. Will take a short break here to talk about the cruise, itself. Am I glad I did it, YES!!!!!!, loved seeing all the places. But, would I take another river cruise, probably not. Funny, but I really missed the sea sounds and the feeling of being on the open sea. While the Elbe in this area is very scenic, it is also quite boring…..I mean just how many grazing cows can you take in one day. Somehow I never get bored, looking at the ocean. And, I did miss the multi-venues, where, if something interesting isn’t happening in one place, you can always go somewhere else! On Clara Schumann, there was one place only for smokers…. on a usually freezing cold and damp, upper deck. They had a piano player, Gregor, on board who was quite good, but he played in the lounge and the music was not piped up. Enjoyed talking to him though, when he came up for HIS cigarette breaks. He had worked in Dubai and had loved it……great stories. Thank God, for the people we met on board. The group we hung out with most frequently were Chris and Louise from Johannesburg and their friends, Ian and Linda from England. Many other delightful people on board, and no one that you really wanted to throw overboard, by the end of the cruise. The following pictures are all from Jeff’s collection.
While ship’s capacity was in the 120’s there were only 60 some people on board. Thought the food was fair and the service, excellent. But we understood that no staff had been cut for this trip, and, had the ship been full, I wonder how the service would have been???? Open seating at lunch and dinner and always found pleasant people and good conversation.
The cabin was cosy, to say the least, but it seemed to work quite well. Plenty of hot water, even at peak shower times, and, as long as the very stubborn shower curtain was pulled around, nothing else in the bathroom got too wet.
Our Cruise Director was Martin and Adrienne was his assistant. She was delightful, but he was a bit overly pleased with himself.
And THEN, there was the incessant Bing, Bing, Bing…….”Good Morning, Ladies and Gentlemen…..Last call for Bus 1, Bus 2 will be leaving in 15 minutes” This went on all day….announcing tours, special events, like the one Bingo game, the couple of lectures, lunch, dinner, briefings, etc. Louise was ready to rip the loudspeaker out of the wall. We were all adults, everything was printed on a posted program, so unless there is a change…..LAY OFF THE Bing, Bing, Bing.
OK, back to Dresden. No question that it is a lovely city, but somehow it left me cold. Skipped the morning city tour and just walked a bit on our own. After lunch, I went back in with new friends, Neal and Frank…..did a transportation museum and then saw a film about Dresden before the bombing……some great clips from old opera performances and showed a very sophisticated city, but, it was a very sanitized presentation. Did not see ONE swastika or anything referring to the Nazi’s, and those symbols must have been everywhere.
Afterwards, I went on by myself to see the “New Green Vault” Museum, which I had missed on the morning tour. This was absolutely beyond words and a MUST, when in Dresden. The treasures in this collection are beyond description. No photos were allowed, more is the pity, but here are a few on-line
http://www.dresden.de/dwt/en/sights/the_old_city/historical_green_vault/132010100000156471.php
Jewel encrusted miniatures, goblets, EVERYTHING, beyond imagination!!!!
Dresden Pictures
After the Green Vault I went up on a sort of esplanade above the river, and took this video. Clara Schumann is docked almost out of sight
Dresden video
The next day, (Thursday, the 6th) we were supposed to sail on to Meissen, but the ship had to be inspected, so back on Bus 2, we got. At this point I truly envisioned that this might turn into a bus cruise of the Elbe. Really loved Meissen. Just a charming little city and the weather was wonderful, for a change. After the tour of the Meisen Porcelain Factory, which was fascinating, we bussed into town for a walk. While at the factory, we got the news that the ship had been cleared to sail
Much fun….so lovely to walk through in the sun and GREAT shops. But, unfortunately…..no time to shop, as we were running very late. We were promised that there would be plenty of time in Wittenburg for shopping. But no one saw anything the least bit inspiring, “shopping-wise” in Wittenburg. So, back to the ship for a late lunch and off we sailed again heading for Torgau.
Meisen Factory Video
Meissen Walk Video
Supposedly, the china has one “S” and the town has 2??? or is it the other way around?
Meissen pictures
Leaving Dresden video
This video was filmed that afternoon, enroute to Torgau, somewhere near Riesa, I think
Elbe Video
In Torgau, we were supposed to have a walking tour to see the Monument to the first meet-up between US and Soviet Forces in 1945 and other points of interest. But, as we got there well after dark, the tour was pretty much pointing in the general direction and saying “its somewhere that way”. After stumbling around for a bit, our intrepid little band did find it.
Again, these are Jeff’s pictures, as my camera was having flash problems that night. The ship spent the night there, and we were then, pretty much back on schedule.
Gee, can’t imagine who erected THAT monument, can you :wink:
Dresden, Meissen, Torgau So, on we went to Dresden. We had hit on the stern port quarter, as the stern swung around, coming round a bend, but no damage to the props, just knocked the generator askew, somehow. Was there really a fire???, don’t know, but it sure smelled like it?? The next morning, they put a diver in to do an underwater weld, and information as to what happened was very sketchy. Every evening before dinner, we had a briefing for the next day and I actually asked Martin, our cruise director, what exactly had happened and got a “nonsense” response. The generator was repaired and was working, by the next night. Will take a short break here to talk about the cruise, itself. Am I glad I did it, YES!!!!!!, loved seeing all the places. But, would I take another river cruise, probably not. Funny, but I really missed the sea sounds and the feeling of being on the open sea. While the Elbe in this area is very scenic, it is also quite boring…..I mean just how many grazing cows can you take in one day. Somehow I never get bored, looking at the ocean. And, I did miss the multi-venues, where, if something interesting isn’t happening in one place, you can always go somewhere else! On Clara Schumann, there was one place only for smokers…. on a usually freezing cold and damp, upper deck. They had a piano player, Gregor, on board who was quite good, but he played in the lounge and the music was not piped up. Enjoyed talking to him though, when he came up for HIS cigarette breaks. He had worked in Dubai and had loved it……great stories. Thank God, for the people we met on board. The group we hung out with most frequently were Chris and Louise from Johannesburg and their friends, Ian and Linda from England. Many other delightful people on board, and no one that you really wanted to throw overboard, by the end of the cruise. The following pictures are all from Jeff’s collection.
While ship’s capacity was in the 120’s there were only 60 some people on board. Thought the food was fair and the service, excellent. But we understood that no staff had been cut for this trip, and, had the ship been full, I wonder how the service would have been???? Open seating at lunch and dinner and always found pleasant people and good conversation.
The cabin was cosy, to say the least, but it seemed to work quite well. Plenty of hot water, even at peak shower times, and, as long as the very stubborn shower curtain was pulled around, nothing else in the bathroom got too wet.
Our Cruise Director was Martin and Adrienne was his assistant. She was delightful, but he was a bit overly pleased with himself.
And THEN, there was the incessant Bing, Bing, Bing…….”Good Morning, Ladies and Gentlemen…..Last call for Bus 1, Bus 2 will be leaving in 15 minutes” This went on all day….announcing tours, special events, like the one Bingo game, the couple of lectures, lunch, dinner, briefings, etc. Louise was ready to rip the loudspeaker out of the wall. We were all adults, everything was printed on a posted program, so unless there is a change…..LAY OFF THE Bing, Bing, Bing.
OK, back to Dresden. No question that it is a lovely city, but somehow it left me cold. Skipped the morning city tour and just walked a bit on our own. After lunch, I went back in with new friends, Neal and Frank…..did a transportation museum and then saw a film about Dresden before the bombing……some great clips from old opera performances and showed a very sophisticated city, but, it was a very sanitized presentation. Did not see ONE swastika or anything referring to the Nazi’s, and those symbols must have been everywhere.
Afterwards, I went on by myself to see the “New Green Vault” Museum, which I had missed on the morning tour. This was absolutely beyond words and a MUST, when in Dresden. The treasures in this collection are beyond description. No photos were allowed, more is the pity, but here are a few on-line
http://www.dresden.de/dwt/en/sights/the_old_city/historical_green_vault/132010100000156471.php
Jewel encrusted miniatures, goblets, EVERYTHING, beyond imagination!!!!
Dresden Pictures
After the Green Vault I went up on a sort of esplanade above the river, and took this video. Clara Schumann is docked almost out of sight
Dresden video
The next day, (Thursday, the 6th) we were supposed to sail on to Meissen, but the ship had to be inspected, so back on Bus 2, we got. At this point I truly envisioned that this might turn into a bus cruise of the Elbe. Really loved Meissen. Just a charming little city and the weather was wonderful, for a change. After the tour of the Meisen Porcelain Factory, which was fascinating, we bussed into town for a walk. While at the factory, we got the news that the ship had been cleared to sail
Much fun….so lovely to walk through in the sun and GREAT shops. But, unfortunately…..no time to shop, as we were running very late. We were promised that there would be plenty of time in Wittenburg for shopping. But no one saw anything the least bit inspiring, “shopping-wise” in Wittenburg. So, back to the ship for a late lunch and off we sailed again heading for Torgau.
Meisen Factory Video
Meissen Walk Video
Supposedly, the china has one “S” and the town has 2??? or is it the other way around?
Meissen pictures
Leaving Dresden video
This video was filmed that afternoon, enroute to Torgau, somewhere near Riesa, I think
Elbe Video
In Torgau, we were supposed to have a walking tour to see the Monument to the first meet-up between US and Soviet Forces in 1945 and other points of interest. But, as we got there well after dark, the tour was pretty much pointing in the general direction and saying “its somewhere that way”. After stumbling around for a bit, our intrepid little band did find it.
Again, these are Jeff’s pictures, as my camera was having flash problems that night. The ship spent the night there, and we were then, pretty much back on schedule.
Gee, can’t imagine who erected THAT monument, can you :wink: