I had the opportunity to sail on a river cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam on the Danube through the Main-Danube Canal and onto the Rhine. Instead of writing a long diatribe, I would like to present you a photo essay (don’t worry, I wrote a whole journal book of stories that I cannot wait to read years from now). Right before leaving, I was able to acquire my very first Leica, a D-LUX typ 109, from a used camera website. I’m very new with the camera, but I hope we have many prosperous years together.
Budapest, Hungary
St. Stephen’s Basilica
The views from the top of this church are spectacular. The penny smashing machine taking my 400 forints, not so much. I’ll forgive them this once.
Vienna, Austria
St. Stephen’s Cathedral
The cathedral was consecrated in 1147. Can you believe 1147?
Melk Abbey
This might be one of my favorite captures. Also, one of the most beautiful libraries I’ve ever seen! You could smell the books as clearly as sizzling bacon.
Passau, Germany
If I had a dime for every dark alley photo…
Regensburg, Germany
This old stone bridge was built in the 12th century and put Regensburg on the map for those people moving goods from the Rhine to the Danube.
Nürnberg, Germany
A beautiful afternoon with these goobers!
Bamberg, Germany
A beautiful rose garden at the Neue Residenz.
Würzburg, Germany
The Würzburg Residence, home to the Prince Bishops and a current UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Wertheim, Germany
Stolpersteine. There are over 100,000 of these stones throughout Europe. They are placed in front of the last known residence of the person named on the stone. I have so many feelings about these stones.
Köblenz, Germany
Riesling tasting in the Lower Moselle… delicious!
Kinderdijk, Nederlands
There are 19 windmills here and they are wonderful.
Amsterdam, Nederlands
Vermeer’s The Milkmaid at the Rijksmuseum
Of course, I took hundreds of photos! Making this photo essay was incredibly fun and made me feel like I was back there. I leave you with this: “It’s dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.”
Mar Tells Mini Tales 
Travel is the best education! Good job, Frodo! We had an amazing time. You’re a wonderful traveling companion!
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Excellent overview of the trip. The photos captured its essensce. As I was on this trip too, and took many pictures and videos as well, I appreciate how you distilled it into your selected photos here. The trip was one big adventure. Bilbo Baggins said he didn’t like adventure because it made him late for supper. We weren’t late for supper too often and I enjoyed the times Paulette and I dined with you and your family. I always thought a good definition of adventure was it’s an attitude towards discomfort. But now I realize you can have a great adventure and still not stress too much.
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