Category: Travel
The Majesty of Koln
The German city of Koln or Cologne is just a short train trip from Papenburg, where we were staying. A city renowned for it’s Eau de Cologne and it’s imposing Cathedral. Kolner Dom or Cologne Cathedral is the third largest church and the tallest cathedral in the world.
During WWII, Cologne lost 93% of it’s population, mostly due to evacuation. Most of the thousand year old city center was destroyed by allied bombs. Despite recieving 14 hits from the bombing, the Cathedral still stood among the desolate landscape. There is a legend that the Cathedral was such a doo landmark for the BRitish and American bombers that they secretly conspired to not destroy it. The repairs were finished in 1956, but the Cathedral is in a constant state of repair.
The Cathedral’s sandstone facade gets it’s grey appearance from exposure to acid rains. Among the saints and apostles covering the outside are also gargoyles, grotesques. Out of sight on the Cathedral’s roof are statues of John F. Kennedy, Nikita Khrushchev, Charles de Gaulle, a buxom Tanzmariechen, one of the high-kicking women dancers at Carnival parties, a local boxer, a handful of soccer players and the billy goat mascot of the FCKoln. The goat is named Hennes and Hennes IX is the latest incarnation. In 2018 a small gargoyle of Pope Francis was added very quietly. It took the locals a week to spot him.
Exploring The Marktplatz: Bremen Cathedral
The medieval market place in Bremen features many old and interesting buildings. In addition to the Rathaus, The Cathedral of St. Peter has 1200 years of history. Among it’s many treasures are the remains of the old choir stalls built in 1630. The oldest portion of the cathedral dates bate to the 11th century.
Exploring The Marktplatz: The Guild Hall
Schutting sits across from the Rathaus. Built in the 1530s, it also had the first coffee shop in the German territories. Currenlty it houses the chamber of commerce.
The Flemish Renaissance building features the Bremen Merchants’s coats of arms and the Holy Roman Imperial Eagle.
Beyond The Marktplatz: Muhle Am Wall
On the way back to the train station, you can find The mill “on the wall” is built on an octagonal base built in 1898. There have been a succession of windmills dating back to 1699.
The Rathaus
A Unesco World Heritage site, the Bremen Rathaus is one of the most beautiful buildings in Europe. The brick gothic hall was built in the 15th century. This incredible building was designed and built in 1400. While a large protion of Bremen was destryed in WWII, the Rathaus was unscathed.
Bremen’s Knight Roland
Bremen is an amalgam of the old and the new. The historic square or Marktplatz features a huge statue of the Knight Roland, which symbolizes the rights and priviledges of the Hanseatic City. Hanseatic refers to a medieval merchant’s guild. Roland was a protector of the trade group.
The Brementown Musicians
One of my favorite Brothers Grimm fairytales was The Brementown Musicians. Even though the title characters never made it to the town, you can still visit them in Bremen.
In the classic tale, a donkey, a rooster, a dog and a cat escape their respective abusive farmers and set out to become a famous group of musicians in the free city of Bremen. Along the way, they see a lit cottage and peer in the windows to see a band of thieves counting their ill-gotten treasures. They decide to scare the thieves and take over the cottage as there own. Once the thieves are chase off, they spend the rest of their days in the cottage, never making it to the city.
Next to the Rathaus or City Hall in Bremen is a scuplture depicting the musicians. Be sure to rub the Donkey’s leg for good luck.
In front of the Rathaus is the Hole of the Brementown Musicians. Toss a coin into the hole and hear one of the animals. Just look for the signs.
All around the town are representations of the musicians.
Ackbar Returns
After a full 15 months of travel from The US to Canada to Panama Canal to Germany to The Netherlands to France, Ackbar and I have returned home and now it’s time to sort through thousands of photos and memories. We spent a month in Papenburg, Germany from April to May of 2022.
Papenburg, Germany is situated on the Ems River in Lower-Saxony. For Disney fans this is where the Meyer-Werft Shipyard is located and the Disney Cruise LIne ships – Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and Disney Wish have been built. Each ship starts it journey along the Ems to the North Sea on it’s way to new adventures.
A charming city of canals, windmills and sailing ships, Papenburg is a delightful escape from Germany’s more metropolitan cities. With a population of about 40,000 people, the city has a very laid back feel. There is something for everyone here, fine dining, shopping, culture events and historic sights.
The Rathaus is Papenburg’s City Hall. Located on the Haupkanal, this Neo-baroque building was built in 1913.
One of six sailing ship replicas on display in the canals of Papenburg, The Freiderike is situated outside the Rathaus. These stand as a symbol of the area’s rich shipbuilding tradition.
Meyer’s Mill, erected in 1888 is between the canal and the city park.
Muhle’s Mill is near the city center.
We can’t talk about Papenburg without talking about the many wonderful restaurants. Be sure to brush up on your German as many of the residents do not speak English. Despite the language difference, we managed to dine at these restaurants on multiple nights and eventually made friends with the owners who remembered our favorites.
Wirsthaus am Zeitspeicher has excellent wienerschnitzel
https://www.wirtshaus-am-zeitspeicher.de/
Adriatik had an amazing filet
https://www.restaurant-adriatik.de/
Olympia had the most delicious Beef Stroganoff
https://www.olympia-papenburg.de/
Bellini served Italian favorites, I highly recommend the Filet Gorgonzolo with Pasta.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063545115044
Mediterra served us a memorable meal in their upstairs dining room.
https://www.mediterra-papenburg.de/
Papenburg has a convenient train station where you can roam around Germany and Europe. We visited Koln and Bremen from here.
The Rise of The Resistance
SPOILERS AHEAD – YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!
The newest Star Wars attraction at Disneyland and Walt Disney World is the most technologically advanced ride ever.
After you’ve maneuvered The Millennium Falcon to safety, explore the temple ruins and current Rebel Base.
Board your own Transport and get ready! I’ve got a bad feeling about this.
After narrowly escaping the Empire, you have one final foe to face.
If you are planning to visit Disneyland or Walt Disney World, plan your day carefully. Rise of The Resistance is a hot ticket and there are limited opportunities to enjoy it!
Travels With Ackbar 