After a morning visit to Mainz, the cruise ship is underway again, its progress assisted by the rapidly flowing Rhine. It is not long before we arrive at our next port of call.
We have been promised a train by our Tour Director, and sure enough, the Winzerexpress is chartered to take us, from the dock, on an orientation tour of the town.
The Winzerexpress delivered us to the door of Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum.
We were introduced to the experience by a costumed hostess, and led through the exhibits by a well informed guide. What fun! What an experience! From the simple music box to the full orchestra. From early wax recordng, to clockwork, to wind and strings. Some were really quite loud!
We could not help but notice the aged but interesting decorative ceilings in the building.
After this amazing musical experience, there was time for a quick look along the shopping street, but we didn’t want to get wet! There was strong evidence of being prepared for the tourist trade, especially in the Christmas shop.
However, we were filled with anticipation about our Rüdesheim Coffee experience. Served in special cups, they start with local Asbach brandy, add sugar, flame the brandy, then add coffee, top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Think beer hall on a smaller scale, the venue was well and truly geared to the tour groups, with an effective production line.
The wording on the drinking vessel is “Rüdesheim am Rhein, anno 1860, die Vatenstadt von Asbach” translated “Rüdesheim on Rhine, since 1860, the native town of Asbach”
We also needed a translation of this plaque on the wall – “Interesting facts about the wine they find in our house”. That was all the prompting we needed – we purchased a bottle of the excellent local Riesling for consumption at a later date.
……… and the last word, the verdict about the Rüdesheim Coffee …….. three out of four of us thought it was well worth €7.50 and ordered another. Cheers!