River Elbe Cruise Part 2 (after Prague)

In blogland (as opposed to real life here in Oregon) we are time-traveling back to June. 

After our days spent on our own in the Czech Republic,  the Viking River Cruise we had scheduled began with a  night's stay in the Prague Hilton Hotel and an evening tour in Prague (this post).   The next morning, we embarked by Viking bus  to Bad Schandau in the Saxon area of Germany.  Our ship was docked there on the River Elbe. 

We crossed the border into Germany less than an hour and a half after our bus departed from the hotel.      

Bastei National Park  -- above the Elbe in Germany's Sandstone Mountains.

 Before we reached our ship, we had about three hours to spend on an excursion stop at Bastei National Park.    We found good walking paths and some lovely viewpoints of the river valley from the top of the trail and admired the craggy rock formations  formed by water erosion over a million years ago.   

 

Bad Schandeau -- across from where our room was on the Beyla

In the afternoon, we boarded the River Ship Beyla.  The picture above was the view across the Elbe from our stateroom -- I never did find out exactly what this building was, but it certainly made us feel as if we lived temporarily in a very interesting neighborhood.   While we slept that night, our ship traveled along the Elbe to dock near Dresden where we awoke the next morning.

Not my photo -- from Viking Website

We spent all of that day walking around Dresden and I am sad to say I have no pictures to show because my camera ran out of battery while we were there (I'm pretty sure the pictures I took before I realized I was out of juice were the best ones I've ever taken).  I can't even find a picture  in the public domain which looks anything like what we saw. 

It was here in Dresden where the tragic events of WWII were most evident.    This beautiful city was nearly  totally destroyed during WWII -- over 25,000 people were killed in one day of allied bombing raids.  Almost beyond comprehension.  The museum complex and Halls at the Center of the City (where we spent most of our time) are still being restored.  This is partly because following  the war, when East Germany was absorbed into the USSR, those in charge definitely did not think  architecture and history were worth remembering or restoring.  In other parts of Dresden and all of the other cities we saw in the former east Germany, there are blocks of Soviet era housing and office complexes still standing.  I'll just say they are not photo-worthy.   

Zwinger Museum area Dresden (Not my photo, from Wikipedia)

 Here in the heart of Dresden, there was construction equipment working as we walked but also much of the re-created Baroque architecture, statues and so forth are completed so it is possible to imagine what it used to be.   

(Viking Photo, Elbe River ship)

Sadly, during the ship debriefing the night before, we had learned that the water  level on the Elbe was so low that  water travel between Dresden and Wittenberg (which was to be our next port of call) had been cancelled by River authorities, so our ship would not be able to proceed.  Viking has plans in place for this eventuality  however.   There is an identical Viking river ship which takes the exact same route only from the  other end of the cruise.  So at the point where water traffic was stopped, there would be a passenger exchange.   Both ships are configured exactly alike.  The night before, we packed the little bit we'd already unpacked on our one night aboard and put our suitcases in the hall.  Had a lovely meal in the ship's dining room, charged the camera, slept well and embarked after breakfast the next morning on a road trip instead of on the water.

 Our tour stop that day was in the town of Meissen.

 

Meissen Porcelain Factory

On arrival, we were met by tour guides for the Meissen Porcelain Factory and Museum where we had demonstrations of the steps  that go into the fine craftsmanship of these beautiful pieces.    

 

In the Museum, we admired  some of the more exclusive custom creations.   I had to tear myself away from admiring the birds. The picture shows only a portion of  this installation.   

View from our state room on the Astrild

When we arrived at our port in Wittenberg we found our luggage waiting on board the River Ship Astrild in what was exactly the same stateroom and location we'd had on  the other ship -- it was a little surreal but all well handled by Viking.  For the rest of our time on this "cruise,"  our stateroom and the entire ship really became a floating hotel as it remained in this dock and we traveled by bus and motor coach to the remaining destinations.

  

It's possible to see from these last two pictures how low the Elbe was -- the water is supposed to be at least up to the green and white pole you can see on this point of land.    It was disappointing not to enjoy cruising on this beautiful river, but we understood  that a boat could not possibly travel on this low water.  Also of course while understanding that it was not under Viking's control, it was fairly obvious to us that the company knew about the problem with the water level well in advance of our arrival for our river cruise.  We were still were able to enjoy all of the amenities of the ship. Viking does do an excellent job of that.  We were able to visit all of the ports of call and take the daily excursions, but did not get the river trip we were anticipating.

It is important, I think, to be flexible anytime in traveling, whether on our own or with others -- it's not always possible to plan for every eventuality. 

We know we are fortunate to be able to do what we do and I don't take any of that for granted. 

 

Sharing these first three tour stops with the following link-ups.  Thank you to the hosts.

MOSAIC MONDAY;   THROUGH MY LENS; TUESDAY TREASURES; MY CORNER OF THE WORLD;   THANKFUL THURSDAY;  SKYWATCH FRIDAY;  and  SATURDAY CRITTERS    

Comments

[William Kendall]

Exquisite locales!

[Jocelyn]

Great pictures.

[Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie]

The photos you did take are beautiful, Sallie, and it sounds like you were able to make the best of an unexpected situation on your trip! A really interesting history there, and tragic in so many ways, but the beauty of the countryside is breathtaking. Such a wonderful trip. x K

[Linda W]

Too bad about the low water. We are in a drought here.

[Photo Cache]

Oh how wonderful. I have always wanted to do a river cruise one day. I cannot wait to read more about it.

I agree. We have to be flexible when traveling because our best laid plans don't always go according to plan.

[Michelle Keltner]

I agree that being flexible while traveling is key. Things happen and it sounds like Viking handled it quite well. Thanks for linking up.

[Regula]

The Meissner birds are amazing! Wow.

[Beatrice]

Thanks, Sallie, for sharing more photos of your travels abroad this summer. It was unfortunate that the camera battery gave out, which reminded me to charge my spare as we are leaving for our trip abroad on Friday, destination Amalfi, Italy. It was unfortunate that the lower water levels prohibited river cruising but at least the company was well prepared and had alternate plans. You are so right that things happen on which there is no human control.

[Dixie]

Absolutely lovely photos from your river cruise, Sallie.
Would love to visit a porcelain factory.
Enjoy the weekend...

[Veronica Lee]

Your cruise sounds amazing, Sallie.
The views are stunning.

Hugs and blessings

[Fun60]

You were fortunate to be travelling with a large company than can cope with the unexpected or perhaps inevitable side of climate change. I have never visited that part of Germany and fro the river the scenery looks stunning with many interesting g buildings.

[// Heidrun]

A historical Tour, especially Wittenberg remembering on Luther. And of course, I love river cruising. It isn't easy but very intensive. What an adventure. I read with great pleasure, dear Sallie.

Have a wonderful week, hugs by Heidrun

[Amy]

wow what an exciting time you had. I must say I've never heard of a viking river cruise, but I'd do it if I could.

[Pat]

I have heard that many European rivers were low in the past few years because of drought. It seems the same weather problems from climate change are occurring worldwide. I know my husband's relatives who live in northern Italy are very concerned that the Alps are warming and not getting as much snow as they need.
Your cruise does sound wonderful though. We have friends who sailed on Viking and also have all good things to say about it. You visited such interesting places. It is our dream to do a Viking Cruise one day

[tomthebackroadstraveller]

...cruising the river looks like a lovely adventure. Having seen the Antique Roadshow many times, Meissen is a name that I know.

[Jennifer Jilks]

I never thought about such cruises, and water levels. What an adventure.

[Linda P]

I felt as if I was on the river cruise myself from your photos and account. Shame about the photos taken but lost, but I'm sure your memory of that part of the tour compensates. I've never been on a cruise. It sounds a lovely, relaxing way to travel.

[ellen b.]

The changing of the ships was impressive on the part of Viking. That's too bad about your camera battery in Dresden. Smiling about those 'best photos ever' with your dead battery. Flexibility in this world of ours is important for sure. Enjoy the last few days of August!

[Eileen]

Hello Sallie

Wonderful photos from your river cruise. It is interesting how they were able to change ships due to the river's water level. The views from the river are beautiful. Take care, have a great day and happy week!