Western Europe - Day 5

Rheinfall (GERMANY) Weather Forecast -5 to 12 °C Drizzling According to a BBC weather report, Arctic storm across Europe was expected in the next few days.  The weather yesterday was fantastic and we were most fortunate. Tourists going up to the Top of Europe today would have the unpleasantness of trudging through the rain and sleet.

En route

It was a 2½ hours drive to Rheinfall, Germany. This was our second trip to Rheinfall and it looked a lot less spectacular compared to the first time. Upon reaching the falls, the first thing we did was to drop by the public lavatory, take a few snapshots and go by the souvenir center to spend some Euros.

Glacial waters of the Rhine hurl themselves over the rocks

Having taken some pictures for his wife and friends at Rheinfall, Mr Edward (not his real name) went on to the lavatory which was crowded earlier. As he was about to leave, he noticed someone washing his hands by the basin. Another man was struggling to free his bag which was caught at the doorway to the lavatory.

Unable to leave, Mr Edward helped the man to free his bag from the doorway. This took considerable heaving and puffing and thus engaged, he did not notice the second man.

After freeing the bag, Mr Edward walked on to look for his wife at which point, some instinct inspired him to check his shoulder bag. It was then that he discovered he had been robbed. He rushed back to the lavatory just in time to see another tourist picking up his pouch. The money was gone. Fortunately for him, his passport was found on the floor inside the lavatory.

En route to the restaurant, Ms Yvonne (Tour Manager) reminded us to be careful with our passport and money. She had another horror story to add. "There was one time I took an Indian family of three to Europe. We had some free time and they told me they wanted to try the public transport just for the experience, maybe stop somewhere for a cup of coffee."

En route to lunch

"I tried to discourage them. I told them how unsafe Europe was but they were determined. The husband gave me all their passports for safekeeping at the hotel. He told me they'll just carry some small change and that they'll be fine, just wait and see."

"So they went for their little excursion on the public transport. I'm not sure if they had coffee out there but they return to the hotel, safe and sound. I made them check to see if all their belongings were in order. Yes, yes, they said as they checked their pockets. The husband said that the only thing of value is his camera, which is inside the camera bag. The bag is on a sling in front of him, all the time. Here, let me show you. says he. He zipped open his bag. It was empty. The camera was gone."

We oohed and aahed like that's the thing to do, to register our collective outrage.

"If you think this is bad, wait until you reach Paris." continued Miss Yvonne. "I just receive news from another colleague in Paris. The snatch thieves are using small knives to extort from unwary tourists. They also had snatch thieves running away with luggage unloaded from coaches outside the hotel."

En route to Black Forest, past meadows and pine covered hillsides, dotted with thatched geranium decked farm houses.

Our collective indignation died down with lunch at Black Forest Pork knuckle, Chicken drumstick, German sausages, cabbage, potato fries and rice. Beverage: Beer Dessert: Black Forest cake

After lunch while most were dozing in their seats, I was wide awake and looking through the window at the passing scenery.

We were in the midst of the Black Forest, the land of  Brothers Grimm. Hansel and Gretel were lost in these woods. Rapunzel was locked up in a castle somewhere here. Snow White whistled while she work in a cottage here and let's not forget the Pied Piper of Hamelin. There were many more folklore associated with Brothers Grimm and Black Forest. What I've named is but a few. 

There were other things I remembered about Black Forest too. Back in the 1930s, there were reports of a UFO crashing into the Black Forest. This was followed by stories about Nazi UFO secrets, and German scientists using reverse engineering to discover ground-breaking technology which led mankind to the age of rocket science.

I peered into the dark woods expecting to see little green men hidden between the trees. Gosh it would be so easy to be lost in these woods. It was so thick that the sunlight couldn't get through. I mean...heck! I couldn't even see what's that dark spot between the trees over there. I peered curiously through the window. Then it occurred to me that I should first remove my sunglasses.

Oh you get the general idea. The road cutting through the Black Forest looked ominous. It wouldn't be a barrel of fun if you were driving through this neck of the woods and your car broke down. Ms Yvonne (Tour Manager) picked a fine time to talk about amber, a gemstone especially good at repelling evil spirit and maybe witches? I have such an awesome sense of imagination.

Titisee - Black Forest (GERMANY) The Titisee is a lake in the southern Black Forest.  According to local legend, Titisee is a lake from which small children came. Stories about babies coming from lakes were widespread in Central Europe.

Titus (Roman general) was supposed to have camped in this area which impressed him so much that he gave his name to it.

CUCKOO CLOCK WORKSHOP I wasn't impressed with the lake but was so looking forward to attending the cuckoo clock workshop. Michelle started purging at this point. It was something she ate at lunch.

The inner workings of the cuckoo clock was fascinating. We were shown the mechanical parts of the various function in the clock. The variety available for sale was simply astounding. From the most basic to the one which apart from the cuckoo sound and the usual chime, had a musical tune and the figurine of a woman with a rolling pin chasing after her man.

cuckoo clock workshop

The most impressive of all the clock however, was the one with a working water barrel.

Heidelberg (GERMANY) Weather forecast 10°C Cold, windy Next is a 3 hours drive to Heidelberg. It was 7 pm and the town was in total darkness. Glimpses of a dark castle was seen here and there but the general outline could not be deciphered. Dinner was Thai food, followed by a walking tour.

Old City Gate

Old stone bridge

Heidelberg is a university town

The Heidelberg Bridge Monkey holds a mirror up to those who look at it.

Old town

The Heidelberg Bridge Monkey (picture: above) dates back to the 15th century. The bronze monkey sat at the tower of the Old Bridge located opposite Heidelberg's Old Town.

The legend surrounding this curious statue tells us that it symbolizes the fact that neither the city-dwellers nor the people who lived outside the city were better than the other, and that they should look over their shoulder as they cross the bridge to remember this.

It was said that the monkey brings good luck. Rubbing the mirror will bring you money; rubbing his fingers will ensure your return to Heidelberg; and rubbing the little bronze mice nearby will bring you fertility.

I''ll have you know that I did none of the above.