20071212     Koln                      Link to Pictures

Breakfast with Glenn & Lou (and Dick & Pat from Omaha - many-time Vantage travelers). Very good. A Phoenix line ship tied up outboard for some reason. 

We went ashore for the tours. In the morning we walked to the cathedral of Koln, a massive structure 457' high. It's facade is the largest in Europe. It was begun back in the 1200's but not completed till the mid-1800's. It was moderately damaged during WWII but restored 11 years later. The Shrine of the Three Maji has been the big draw for centuries, religiously. 

A panorama shot of it is available at http://www.panoramas.dk/fullscreen5/f51-koeln-dom.html

An excellent wikipedia article is at  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cologne_Cathedral

The cathedral has 10,000 square feet of stained-glass windows, some from the very early days. During WWII, they were stored in the cellars and brought out after the war again. The Allies tried not to damage the Cathedral during the war, but some damage was done to the left facade; you can see lighter stone in the pictures. With the gray day, and the cold dark stone, it's very impressive.

We went next door to the Hauptbanhof (train station). The levels below the tracks are used as a big shopping center. We found a store and bought a couple of bottles of wine each for later consumption. I did see "Lieblich" wine and must pick up some for Karl & the Pastor later.

Back to the ship for lunch. Then out to the Christmas Markt by mini-train, the biggest one of six markts in the city of a million. There were lots of little things on sale in little wooden booths. Dolores bought a bunch of them and I bought her a purse. MaryLou stocked up for her grandchildren.

We had a cup of Gluhwein (warm mulled spiced red wine) as many of the Germans were doing - taking a break from shopping. Then back by mini-train to the ship. We had a glass of champagne, listened to tomorrow's plan, and had the chance to see every one of the crew (and applaud for them). Then dinner.

It turned out that tonight's wine was complementary. Glenn & Owen got into the merlot and the ladies into the chardonnay. We all had more than we needed, then wound up talking with the commissary officer for a long time. We had a brandy (Asbach) he recommended, then we went to bed somewhat snockered.