Passau

Jane and Ellen took off early this morning on the bus to Salzburg whilst Alan and I had a late and leisurely breakfast. We spent the morning lazing around the ship watching the world slip past. We started going through a few locks as we are basically climbing up the mountains by ship. They are the most fascinating technological marvel. It is quite off putting sitting in your cabin watching the walls of a lock as you move up with the water. Along the river bank are small villages scattered in the valley of the Danube surrounded by mountainous forests. There are not many river cruises on the Danube and it seems that you have the river to yourself other than the barges carrying wood and other products.

Another cruise ship alongside

Passau itself is a quaint little town with a most beautiful cathedral and many centuries old buildings.

Typical street

The catherdral has the largest church organ in the world with 18000 pipes.

Part of the organ

There is a monastery as well as a nunnery which are now hotels and restaurants. The grandest buildings are the former bishop’s houses – bishop’s in those days often had wives and fully controlled the towns. They were very wealthy – does explain the Reformation really.

Check the Roman fortifications

There are also some towers as the rich merchants used to build towers to flaunt their wealth. The taller the tower – the richer the merchant. Obviously this was centuries before cars!

Scene at Christmas Market

There was a small Christmas market that Alan and explored.

Jane and Ellen arrived back around 5.30 – both loved Salzburg. Off to the normal multi course dinner then a game of Euchre before bed.