Saturday, Cruising up Main River

Saturday, August 25th
Cruising up Main River

           We had some rain showers last night but did not hear them.  At 10:30pm had to rap on wall as our neighbor’s tv was too loud.  This morning we were docked in north (industrial part) side of Wurzburg, home town of our Dallas Maverick’s star, Dirk.  The “try to catch up” plan for today is bus people from here to Nuremberg for tours.  So people left boat at 10am, have 2 hour bus ride to Nuremberg, do tours, and will reboard the boat at 6pm this evening in Kitzingen, which is only about  40 miles further up river from where they were dropped off.  As river is narrow (I guess about 200 yards), our cruise speed is not too fast plus there are more locks to get through.  We did not leave the boat again and skipped seeing Nuremberg.  Again, 8 hour touring days is just not what we bargained for or enjoy doing.  We just passed through Wurtzburg city center area and went through a lock there.  Guess what?  Yep, another castle on hill top overlooking the city.  Now back in countryside with vineyards lining the hills on one side of the river.  RVing is popular in Europe and there are many little RV camps along the rivers.  Their RV’s are smaller than most American “land yachts”  however.  Now approaching another lock.  It appears we are raised about 8 feet in these locks, and indeed, are similar in theory to Panama Canal lock system.  
          The lady who fell down plank while getting off boat yesterday had 4 four surgery on ankle broken in two places and some tendon damage.  She was overweight which did not help her during fall.  She will be in hospital for 10 days before her insurance arranges way back to the States.  Not a good way to spend vacation.
          We have really enjoyed the river cruising today.  It is 4pm and going through another lock.  I believe our destination is very close now.  In Kitzingen we will pick up the 150 or so passengers who went on the Nuremberg tours today.  That is scheduled for 6pm and then continue sailing up river at 6:30pm.  Tomorrow we are to be in Bamberg which is where we were suppose to be yesterday.  Still behind schedule.  Got letter in cabin from Viking Cruises saying we are getting $500 per person off another Viking cruise in 2013 for the hassle of being delayed on this cruise.  Doubt we do a river cruise next year.  Maybe I can trade it in for a free drink???  BTW, the bartender gave me free drinks again last night for my birthday.  I will give him another 10 Euro note tomorrow.  Roman, doctor I call him, has been good to us.  I gave him 10 euros the other day and also gave our cabin stewardess the same.  Just bonuses, not part of the tips they will be getting at end of the cruise.
          Probably be adding more photos to the blog.  I have them about uploaded.  Apparently, some people can see them and some not.