20110904 river cruising all day toward Belgrade, Serbia

The morning started a little slowly, given the extra hour during the night. We spoke with people from Northport, Michigan during breakfast. The dining room staff gave out champagne, causing Gerry to remark that he hadn't had anything to drink in the last four hours.

The ship entered the lock at Iron Gate Dam #2 and waited until MS Ukraine pulled in with us. Then we were both lifted about 20 feet and exited onto the next leg of the Danube.

The programs directors, led by Istvan the Hilarious, gave presentations about their lives and their parents lives under communism and compared communism and capitalism. Very revealing, very personal remembrances which I won't attempt to pass on.

Then a balkan food demonstration was conducted in the lounge, which I'm staying out of, choosing instead to have some quiet time in the cabin, reading, typing up these few notes, and doing a little organizing.

Later:

Lunch was as nicely done as ever. All buffet today, but a great selection. Lots of talk around the table since everyone was alert and not worn out from running around on the beach.

We continued cruising upriver. Galley tours were given. We sat in various places around the ship taking pictures. We then passed through the double-lock at Iron Gate Dam #1, raising us 32 feet. On exiting the lock, we entered the old gorge of the Danube. Now, the dam waters cover the rocks below (since 1990, when you could finally sail the rivers from Amsterdam to the Black Sea). There's a tablet on the gorge wall that is a tribute by the Emperor Trajan to his people that built the road through the gorge, now underwater.

We continued to take pictures and have fun. We signed up for various optional tours in Hungary. We worked so hard we were almost hungry by the time dinner came around. After dinner, there was karaoke in the lounge. We survived a few songs and then we to bed.

Tomorrow should be fun in Belgrade, Serbia.

Owen Photos    Dolores Photos