Today we were docked in Mainz. We looked outside and it was drizzly and chilly, so we made an (easy) executive decision to skip the morning city tour. Having done a minimum of 10K steps each day, we decided on a leisurely self guided morning.

We ventured to the lounge terrace area indoors and enjoyed a lovely breakfast. There were only four of us and so it seemed we were on a private yacht. Coffee, juice, fresh buns with cold cuts and cheese, fruit, pastries and a selection of yogurt and oatmeal as well as other cereals. If we wanted there was also eggs made to order or pancakes. The drizzle stopped, but the temperature was cold and the skies overcast.

At 10:30 we left the ship and wandered into town. As is typical, there is an Aldstatt (old town) with a central cathedral. We passed a casino and a shopping mall.

In the town is the Gutenberg museum showing the history of the printing press and written communication through the years. It opens at noon so we keep walking. In the town centre is a Christmas Market; it was just opening up.

After a while (and about 5K steps) we head back to the ship. Just in time to miss the wet snow that starts to fall.

Back on board we relax for a while and then I take in a Christmas cookie workshop with Chef Bobby. He’s Bulgarian so I’m guessing his actual name is something difficult to pronounce. Chef is showing us coconut macaroons and vanille kipferl.

Rudy finds it amusing that I would like to take a cooking class 🤣.

At 6:30 pm we listen to the cruise director, Simon, talk about the next days events. We will be cruising through the Middle Rhein where castles, fairy tales and folklore abound.

Then its time for dinner and we join two other couples for a traditional German tasting menu.

See you tomorrow!