Helen's Home World: Cruising Life

Saturday, October 21, 2023

Cruising Life - on the Blue Danube?

I had planned to do a post about each place we visited on our cruise but decided in the end that could be pretty boring so I'm going to do a recap and let you all know a little about life onboard. This was our second cruise with Amawaterways. I think the first time we went with them it was because they were affiliated with CAA/AAA so we got a discount and because they have small pools on their ships; many other river cruise companies don't. Last time we cruised the Rhine River, this time we did the lower Danube River.

This itinerary, Gems of Southeastern Europe, would see us visit locations in five countries in addition to Romania, we had stops in Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Hungary. The Lower Danube is not as populated along the shoreline as the Rhine so this meant we often had long bus rides for the excursions, as a result, the cruise sometimes felt a little rushed. On our Rhine cruise, we sometimes got back in time to enjoy tea before dinner, that never happened on this cruise.

Our first two stops were in Bulgaria where we visited Veliko Tarnovo and Vidin. Amawaterways always has multiple excursions. Some for more active passengers include hikes and bike rides but usually there are walking tours that are divided by mobility, active, regular and gentle walkers.

Baba Vida Fortress

Orthodox Chruch

Veliko Tarnovo

Tsarevets Fortress

Pronounced Vidin

The following day it was the scenic cruising day, most every itinerary has one day spent cruising the river. On this cruise we sailed through an area called the Iron Gates between the Balkan and Carpathian Mountains, we ended the day in Serbia at the Golubac Fortress. Unfortunately, this was the only chilly, rainy day we had on the cruise so sitting on deck with a cocktail was not really in the cards.

King Decebalus, last king of Dacia

Golubac Fortress

Golubac Fortress is called the most preserved medieval fortress, actually I would say it is the most restored. The European Unition spent 8.5 million Euros to restore the fortress including rerouting the highway that use to run right through the ruins.

The next day we would be in Belgrade, Serbia. Amawaterways also offers cultural excursions. Here in addition to our walking tour, we visited the Nikola Tesla Musuem and went to a Serbian Brandy tasting.

Church of St Sava

Nikola Tesla

Danube and Sava Rivers

Amawaterways has added a Sip and Sail before dinner, during this time the cruise manager will brief on the activities for the next day. Some specialty drinks, a different selection each night, are included for free as are the wine and beer at meals. They also have what is known as the Chef's Table. It is a small restaurant, where a set wine pairing menu is served; you can book one evening dinner here. If there is availability, you might get a chance to go twice but it is the same menu throughout the cruise. Following dinner, there are often entertainers brought onboard, usually folk groups, dancers, musicians or singers. There is also a piano player onboard to keep things lively in the evening. Please ignore my singing in the dance party video.

Sip and sail Cocktails

Dance Party

The next day, we went on a tour of Novi Sad, Serbia and in the case of my sister and I to a Croatian wine tasting. The others in our group went on the tour of Novi Sad, Serbia and then on a tour of Vukovar, Croatia. In Novi Sad, the guide explained to us that all the bridges were relatively new. All the bridges had been bombed in 1999 by NATO during the Yugoslav war. NATO bombed this city without the concurrence of the UN Security Council, not that they needed it, but it was the first time that had happened. I was in the military then, how quickly we forget our history.

Amaverde in Novi Sad, Serbia

The last full day saw the boat docked in Mochacs, Hungary. We visited Pecs (pronounced Pesh) a city founded by the Romans nearly 2000 years ago, where we saw St Peter's Basilica and the Christian catacombs. This was one of two occasions where the ship docked to drop us off on our excursions and then sailed to another location to pick is up.

St Peter's

Christian catacombs

Inside St Peter's

AmaVerde sailing in to pick us up.

The last day had us sailing into Budapest, Hungary where we would disembark; some passengers were on the Grand Danube cruise and so had another 7 days onboard. There's a Captain's Farewell Dinner on the last night, where they introduce all the staff and crew. After our luggage was loaded on our buses, we would have a bus and walking tour of Budapest with lunch in the busy Grand Market before heading off to our post cruise in Vienna.

View from Fisherman's Bastion

Hero's Square, Budapest

Grand Market

This post is longer than I had planned so we'll leave off here, except to say this was not a part of the world I was familiar with so getting to see it was quite interesting. I would love to go back to Belgrade as there was a beautiful waterfront and to Budapest as really, we only had a few hours there and there was so much to see. Next up, our post cruise in Vienna.

1 comment:

Molly the AiredaleOctober 22, 2023 at 7:38 AM
So much beauty! Love the photos and I wish I had that rope swing in my backyard. Looking forward to more of your wonderful adventures!
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Agility Blessing

May the tunnels not have too much suction,
May the course be fun and fast.
May your dog not stop to say "hello" to the photographers they pass!
May the table not be too slippery,
May the chute house no scary beasts,
May all the yellow parts be touched with one little toe, at least
May the wind be always at your back,
May no bars fall on the ground,
May the A-frame have no stop sign on the top,
May the judge's whistle never sound.
May your dog obey all correct commands,
And ignore the ones that are wrong.
May your heart be light, your feet be sure, and the bond with your dog grow strong.
At the finish line, may great joy abound, regardless of your score,
You have your dog, your dog has you, and who could ask for more?

Written by: PJ Hughes

What is a Title!

Not just a brag, not just a stepping stone to a higher title, not just an adjunct to competitive scores. A Title is a tribute to the dog that bears it, a way to honor that dog, an ultimate memorial. It will remain in the record and in the memory for about as long as anything in this world can remain. Few humans will do as well or better in that regard, and though the dog himself doesn't know or care that his achievements have been noted, a Title says many things in the world of humans, where such things count.

A Title says your dog was intelligent, and adaptable, and good natured. It says that your dog loved you enough to do the things that please you, however crazy they may have sometimes seemed. And a Title says that you loved your dog, that you loved to spend time with him because he was a good dog, and that you believed in him enough to give him yet another chance when he failed, and that in the end your faith was justified.

A Title proves that your dog inspired you to have the special relationship enjoyed by so few, that in the world of disposable creatures, this dog with a Title was greatly loved, and loved greatly in return. And when that dear short life is over, the Title remains as a memorial of the finest kind, the best you can give to a deserving friend, volumes of praise in one small set of initials before or after the name.

A Title is nothing less than love and respect, given and received, permanently recorded.

Written by Sandy Mowery, Wisconsin

The Last Battle

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.

You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.

We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end

And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.

Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;

We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

Author Unknown

Beyond the Rainbow

As much as I loved the life we had and all the times we played,

I was so very tired and knew my time on earth would fade.

I saw a wondrous image then of a place that’s trouble-free,

Where all of us can meet again to spend eternity.

I saw the most beautiful Rainbow, and on the other side

Were animals of every sort as healthy as could be!

My own tired, failing body was fresh and healed and new

I wanted to run with them, but I had something left to do.

I needed to reach out to you, and tell you I’m alright

That this place is truly wonderful,

Then a bright Glow pierced the night.

Twas the Glow of many candles shining bright, strong and bold

I knew then that it held your love in its brilliant shades of gold.

For although we may not be together in the way we used to be,

We are still connected by a cord no eye can see.

So, whenever you need to find me, we’re never far apart,

If you look beyond the Rainbow and listen with your heart.

Do you think the time is right?

May I say goodbye to pain filled days and endless lonely nights?
I've lived my life and done my best, an example tried to be.
So can I take that step beyond, and set my spirit free?
I didn't want to go at first, I fought with all my might.
But something seems to draw me now to a warm and living light.
I want to go, I really do; it's difficult to stay.
But I will try as best I can to live just one more day.
To give you time to care for me and share your love and fears.
I know you're sad and afraid, because I see your tears.
I'll not be far, I promise that, and hope you'll always know,
That my spirit will be close to you wherever you may go.
Thank you so for loving me. You know I love you too,
And that's why it's so hard to say goodbye and end this life with you.
So hold me now just one more time and let me hear you say,
Because you care so much for me, you'll let me go today.

I Loved You Best

So this is where we part, My Friend,

And you'll run on, around the bend.

Gone from sight, but not from mind,

new pleasures there you'll surely find.

I will go on; I'll find the strength,

Life measures quality, not its length.

One long embrace before you leave,

Share one last look, before I grieve.

There are others, that much is true,

But they be they, and they aren't you.

And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought,

Will remember well all you've taught.

Your place I'll hold, you will be missed,

The fur I stroked, the nose I kissed.

And as you journey to your final rest,

Take with you this...I loved you best.

-Jim Willis

The Price We Pay

There is a cycle of love and death that shapes the lives of those who choose to travel in the company of animals.

It is a cycle unlike any other.

To those who have never lived through it's turnings and walked it's rocky path, our willingness to give our hearts with the full knowledge it will be broken seems incomprehensible.

Only we know how small price we pay for what we receive; our grief, no matter how powerful it may be, is an insufficient measure of the joy we have been given.

Suzanne Clother