Day 19- Bacharach- Burg Stahleck

Today we left Belgium for Germany. We were all very excited that we will finally get there. So our first place once we got over the border was to go to Cologne Cathedral. What a spectacular church. Very majestic! So majestic, the boys all wanted to climb right up to the spire.....533 stairs later, and that was just to get up. The stair case was very narrow and a spiral one. We were very puffed when we got to the top. The view was magnificent. We even went into the part where the bells are and guess what the bell rang when we were in there which made Marilyn scream! It was very loud. Now for the 533 steps back down. Once down we walked through the fussganger zone (walking mall), checking out all the shops and cafes. Josh had his eye on a berliner and of course for old time sake i had to have a bretzel.

We made our way to the Schokoladen museum (chocolate museum). It was an ok museaum where we got to see chocolate being made and wrapped, but we only got one small wafer with it dipped into a little bit of chocolate for a sample. The shop at the end was the best thing. And of course we didnt leave empty handed!!! Sorry everyone, there wont be anything left when we get home.

Now on our way to our accommodation for the night in a castle!!! Yes thats right a real castle in a town called Bacharach on the Rhein. Castle Stahleck is its name. As we were driving our way around, the boys said how cool it would be to live in that castle on the hill. Little did they know that that was our home for the next few nights. We are staying in the round tower with beautiful views of the Rhein. The accommodation isnt great, its a youth hostel and our room has 5 bunk beds in it. At least we have our own toilet and bathroom.

Once we settled in, we walked down the hill to the town. Its such a beautiful town with lots of old German buildings. We found a place to eat. Josh and Marilyn had schnitzel, Paul had steak and Daniel had pomme frits (french fries). It was a lovely evening but a tiring walk back up the mountain to our very own castle (and a bunch a noisy kids running about-it's school holidays here still for 6 weeks).