Ba-babababababa-Bamberg!

After  a leisurely morning, which included info. about our ship change  tomorrow (diverted around low river depths), we lunched early and left via coach for Bamberg, a charming town of 70,000 untouched by the  bombs of WWII. The welcoming  blue skies and crisp breeze reminded us of Minnesota.  We toured the town on  foot and then had time for coffee, shopping, and relaxing.   Bamberg is known for its Rauchbier (smoky beer), which I have to admit I sampled but didn't really enjoy.   The canal runs through the town and the houses along it  were built ON the river, mimicking the Venician style.  

      One  item of interest is that of the thousands of Jews who were taken or left the city during WWII, only three  returned.  To commemorate those who were killed while living in or fleeing from Bamberg,  a Stolpernstein (stumbling stone) was  placed in the street or sidewalk, slightly raised, so one would actually stumble on it, read the inscription of the person who'd died there, and remember them.

   

Once back onboard, we had a wonderful lambchop dinner, followed by packing for the ship move.  Jane and I decided to make the best of it and put on oldie pop tunes.  We sang along and be-bopped as we packed, trying desparately to make room for all again.  We're going to miss the ship and this staff!