Geoff Hom's blog: October 2015

Gosh, by this time even I'm starting to forget what we did on the trip! May this blog help us remember, even decades from now.

Vision: A trip on the Danube River with Mom, who was recovering from brain cancer (primary CNS lymphoma). June 2015.

Last time (Day 5), we had finally made it to our cruise ship, the AmaSerena. Today (Day 6), the boat would actually move. But first, breakfast!

Mom enjoys a view of the Danube. On the sill is her cane: It transforms into a chair.

Here's (one of) my plate(s) for breakfast. I like the plating. Note my 4 beverages. From left to right, I think it's tomato juice, a smoothie, cranberry, and a mix.

So cute!

After breakfast, we had a chance to explore Vilshofen, Germany, where we were docked.

The Danube! It may not look like it, but the day was very bright.

Very bright. Or I have a hangover. (Mom, I didn't!)

"Settlers of Catan," the king of board games. Settlers is originally from Germany, where board games are much more popular than in America.

Auntie Nancy touches the Danube. Isn't it pretty?

That's our ship, the AmaSerena! Honestly, it doesn't look as nice in this photo as a big ocean liner. However, on the inside, the AmaSerena was quite nice. Also, unlike an ocean cruise, we never had to worry about seasickness!

On Day 1, Mom fell in Heathrow and her pinky started bleeding. She lost part of her nail, but by this time it had healed okay. Whew.

We had a nice German-themed lunch. Meanwhile, the ship finally moved (it works! whew!) and we sailed to Passau.

Woah! How'd the ship get so high?! Ok, we arrived in Passau, then hiked way up here. =)

A panoramic of Passau. Note the intersection of rivers.

To get to the vantage point above, a guide led our group. At the top, we split up, as some would stay for a drink, some would return right away. I dawdled a little, then I tried to catch up with the guided group. Just go back the way we came, right? But this path on the left looks neat, and I'll bet it connects up later….

A couple wrong turns later, I found myself on this road, all alone. Photo op!

Basically, there was a road that led up to the vantage point, but it came from the other side of the hill. So I ended up going down the wrong side, then tried to find my way back…

I should mention that each tour had these awesome walkie talkies. Everyone wore special headphones, and we could hear the guides even in a noisy environment.

So, I'm working my way back to where I think our boat is, and all of a sudden, I hear our guide on the radio! Where is he? Where's my group?

That's them, crossing the bridge! (The guy in the hat, on the right.)

They finished crossing! Wait for me!

Thankfully, tour guides often stop, to talk about the sights. With a little jogging, I caught up. Whew!

We wandered the streets of Passau.

The guide spoke of a beautiful church, so we headed there.

The church was white, and big. Again, I'm reminded of "Pillars of the Earth."

The detail in the ceilings is incredible. So much work. But it lasts hundreds of years. Was it worthwhile?

After this, I had free time. So, I went on a quest/mission. There's a card game I like, "Hanabi." I wanted the special German versions. I had a lead: It might be at a drugstore(?!) on the other side of town. Trek time!

Along the way, I saw this cafe, which reminded me of an old friend.

Here's the drugstore! Doesn't look like much….

This is (part of) their boardgame section. Wow.

Found it! Incidentally, "Hanabi" is Japanese, meaning "fireworks." I'm glad they kept the name in the U.S. and Germany. (It's a German-made game.)

Actually, this version of Hanabi is basically the same as in the U.S. I knew there were two other versions: An extra-large version, and an extra-small version. Long story short: I was told the extra-large version was at another drugstore, further across town! Trek again!

Along the way, I saw Woolworth?! The defunct mega department store?! (Check the link for more info.)

In hindsight, I really should have checked in Woolworth for Hanabi. Anyway, the other drugstore was nearby, and (long story short), I found "Hanabi Extra"!

Then there was this "funny" part where I got back to the dock, right when the ship was leaving without me. But it came back. (And I was way on time!)

Ok, time for dinner!