Last day Germany

Today was our drive back to Germany. As we boarded the bus we felt a communal sigh of relief to be going home. We had little expectations for the day, expecting to spend most of the day traveling by bus and some by boat. But we drove through a beautiful countryside and were able to see Queen Beatrice's home, she just abdicated the Netherlands throne last month.  Then we stopped at a lookout point of the Rhine, here there is a fable that the Loreli siren who sings and causes ship wrecks on the Rhine. 

After a treacherous drive down into the valley we boarded a boat for the trip upriver and during the next two hours we counted about twenty castles, which date from medieval times. Here are a few.

This one was actually in the river for taking tolls.

What a spectacular cruise!

And just when we thought nothing could highlight the day our director took us to another Rhine lookout and offered our arrival into Rudesheim by cable car from the mountainside into our village. 

Me, with my trusty nametag.

Chuck enjoying himself, while holding on for his dear life.

We arrived into the cutest village yet and walked through the alleys of town to our sweet little hotel.

There was a couple dancing here in the afternoon.

After our final meal with our group, we exchanged lots of emails and hugs. We're collapsing into bed to sleep before our early morning trip to the Frankfurt airport tomorrow.

View out our window this evening. Good night and good bye Europe. We had a wonderful time.