Tuesday--Passau, Germany

Tuesday, August 28th
Passau, Germany

          I put some more photos on the blog this morning.  But before I talk about today, I must mention last night’s entertainment after dinner.  They brought a group on board from Regensberg.  There was a male and two female singers as well as their pianist.  The sang opera, Broadway show tunes, and some classical music.  They were FANTASTIC!
          We arrived two hours earlier than they had planned this morning in Passau.  As we sailed in there was some fog rising from the Danube as the water was warmer than the very cool air.  Temperature early was in upper 50’s but it warmed up rapidly and fog burnt off.  So at 2pm now, the skies are a beautiful deep blue and temperature in mid 70’s.  What a day!!
          Passau  is known as the City of Three Rivers as it lies where the Inn & Ilz Rivers meet the Danube.  It is also on the border of Austria so when we leave this evening we will no longer be in Germany.  In fact we can see Austria just few miles from here.  Passau was an important medieval center for the salt trade and during the Renaissance period became famous for making high quality knives and sword blades.  It is also where Adolph Hitler grew up but no one talks about that.  No fighting occurred here during WWII but it received some bomb damage near war’s end.  Passau’s population is currently 50,000.
          The first activity scheduled for us today was to leave boat at 11am for an organ concert at St Stephen’s Cathedral.  The old part is Gothic style but was added onto by an Italian architect in Baroque style.  The concert was to start at noon.  As we were early, we decided to hike up the hill to visit the castle that was built in 1200‘s.  Oh, my, 320 feet above the river and there were lots of steps and steep path to get up there.  But the view from there was incredible.  The 3 rivers that meet here are of different colors and you can see that from up there.  We found some of our boat friends already up there.  From there back down, across bridge, and into the old part of town.  We would just meet the others at the cathedral for the concert.  St Stephen’s Cathedral is beautiful and boasts the world’s largest organ.  There are actually 5 organs that can be played by one organist.  We really enjoyed the 30 minute concert.
          After lunch back on the boat we met at 2:15pm for a 1 ½ hour walking tour of old part of Passau.  Our guide went too far into history and wore me out after about an hour but I stuck with it.  The tour ended at the Cathedral again and we were on our own then for free time.  Of course, I stopped at bakery and got an apple strudel for later tonight.  It is now 4:30pm and I am sitting on our balcony writing this.  I cannot tell you what a wonderful day it is here weather wise.  The old part of Passau is very interesting but the view from our balcony of the Danube and castle on the hill on the other side is fairytale like.
          We sail at 6pm for Melk, Austria.  After dinner tonight there is a passenger talent show.  No, Rebecca will not be singing.