Cologne

Cologne

Next day we left for Cologne in Germany. We had to first take a Regional Express (RE) train to Trier in Germany just beyond Luxembourg border and from there switch to another RE train. Reservations are not required in RE trains. There was just 8 minute difference at Trier and train was on another platform and it was raining as well. Somehow we managed to catch that train. The train had few passengers.

It went through green countryside along the Rhine river. At some locations, the forest was thick and foggy. The train stopped at all the stations some of which were like ghost stations with hardly anyone to get on or off. We enjoyed the ride thoroughly. Just outside Bonn, the train stopped for good 20 minutes reminded us of stoppages at outer signal of Indian Railways. But the trains were unlike Indian ones.

We finally reached Cologne and took a cab to go to our hotel. Our hotel was Hotel Lasthaus Am Ring located at Hohenzollerning 20, Altstadt-Nord, a short distance from Cologne HauptBahnHof which means main train station in German.

After checking in we immediately went to our tour point KD Landing Peir, Rheingarten. We booked a package tour via Viator which include HoHo bus tour and Rive Cruise on Rhine river. It was overcast, drizzling and chilly weather. We had two days at Cologne so decided to do cruise on first day and HoHo tour on the next day. KD means Koln-Dusseldorf. Koln (Cologne in german) has a twin city of Dusseldorf. We had some time to kill before the next departure which we spent loitering around the place. We walked in the Altstadt area where there was a farmer's market held and few more sights. We also admired at the boats in Rhine river. Rhine river is lifeline of Germany which majorly flows in Germany. It originates in Switzerland and drains in Netherlands though. Major German towns are on the bank of this river.

KD Landing Pier

Altstadt area

Altstadt area

Farmer's market & a warrior statue

Modern rickshaws

We were ushered into a large boat along with few other guests. We sat on the deck under cover from rain. There was onboard bar which served Koln beer. Cologne or Germany for that matter is known for its beer. There were plenty of beer pubs in the Altstadt region. We admired the riverfront of Cologne. The main attraction Cologne promenade is the trio of buildings called the Kranhäuser (crane towers), which rise to a height of about 60 meters. The buildings, which are shaped like hoisting cranes, are defining elements of the skyline on the west bank of the Rhine.

Crane towers

Other buildings on riverfront

View of crane buildings

Another view of cranes

Gate1 River Cruise ship

Koln Beer

After spending some more time strolling around, we thought of going to Bonn which is half-an-hour ride. Here we did a blunder that we went a bought a ticket without realising that our EURAIL pass is valid for today for travel anywhere. We should have just got into the train but we wasted time & money in getting the tickets.

Like Cologne, Bonn is on Rhine river. It is known for the central Beethoven House, a memorial and museum honouring the composer’s birthplace. Apart from this there are other beautiful gothic and romanesque buildings. We walked all the way to riverside passing by house of Beethoven which was closed beyond visiting time. We also tasted fritters as the potato fries are known. Only after coming to Europe we came to know that potato fries or fritters have a place of pride for every city.

Bonn square

Bonn street

Food market at Bonn

Street sign in Bonn

Beethoven House

Decorative sculpture at Bonn

Bonn building

In the evening we returned to Cologne and went around our hotel for walk and dinner. We found an joint Bay Area Burrito and had familiar food.

Next day we took our HoHo tour bus starting from HauptBahnHof which straddles the iconic building, Cologne Cathedral. We saw it several times since previous day as it rises above everything but today we visited from inside. It was huge and a marvel of architecture. The carvings and decoration on the exterior was magnificent. Inside it was equally beautiful with tall pillar and decorated ceilings and stained glass depicting scenes from bible. Whole ambience was one of spirituality, tranquility and holiness.

Cologne cathedral

Cologne cathedral

Stained glass inside cathedral

Inside cathedral

After spending some time sitting in silence on the long benches we can out to board our HoHo bus. It went through its designated route and then crossed over to other side of Rhine. We got down at the stop for Zoo but instead of that we went for Cologne cable car ride. At 14 euro, one could go to other side and come back. The cable car rises above one of the bridges over Rhine and gets down at Spielplatz im Rheinpark. We ambled in the park to find a small fair going on. Had the famous Fruh beer here. The park was beautiful with blossoming trees and flowers and manicured grass. We took the cable car back to the starting point. We got onto next bus and came back to main station at Hauptbanhoff.

Koln city tour bus

Cable car over Rhine river crossing over bridge

Cable car

Cable car embarking point

Beautiful park at Cologne

View from cable car

Fruh beer at the fair

We walked down to Cologne City Museum which was good showing historical pictures and evolution of Cologne city. We walked back from there and had food at a mediterranean joint called Anya Imbiss. The walk back again showed few more sight of the city.

Walking towards ever visible Cologne cathedral

Fountain not working

Commercial district

We came back to Cathedral again and then got onto the HoHo bus again. This time we got down at Olympic museum also known as Schokoladen museum which depicted the history of Olympics and Germany's exploits. The museum was overall good and worth visiting. The museum was next to Crane towers. We had a little walk on the promenade.

Entry to Olympic museum

View of Rhine river

Crane tower again

Olympic museum

After that we were waiting for our HoHo bus but realised that time was past the last bus time. We had seen some modern cycle rickshaws and we hired one of them. Here was a cycle rickshaw with gears, disc brakes, all terrain tyres. No wonder Germany is advanced in technology. The rickshaw plied on footpath and dedicated cycle lanes and we enjoyed while our driver was sweating even in the cold. The guy was nice though. He was from Austria and he shared that he made good money by ferrying tourists. We were amused to employ a European to ferry us Indians in a Cycle Rickshaw. Wish, such cycle rickshaws could be provided to our poor cycle rickshaw pullers to help them.

We enjoying cycle rickshaw ride

When we reached back near Altstadt there was huge commotion by people wearing red jersey. On asking we came to know that the local football club FC Cologne has won some match and qualified for some tournament after 20 years. The folks were chanting, honking showing their jerseys and mufflers of the club. The celebration grew that too right in front of our hotel which is main thoroughfare. The road was blocked, huge crowd of fans drinking beer and chanting. Our hotel staff cautioned us to not venture out much and be away from rowdy crowd. The fans formed a small stage and lighted something which spew out smoke and chanted. We were amused to witness this celebration but up close to how crazy are the fans for football in Germany.

Celebration outside our hotel

Celebration outside our hotel

That brought end to our trip to Cologne.