Hanging on a boat and some more walking.....

Just hopping around through town

So the the day began much the same as the last...amazing breakfast and lots of coffee.  The only goal of the day was to take a boat ride.  The rest was kinda up in the air.  We decided to first take a short stroll to the Cathedral again to walk through it and see the inside.  We got there and had just enough time to take in the beauty before we got kicked out for another mass or prayer thing.  Not quite sure which this time.  Anyway, worked out ok for us since we were ready to be on the move again.  We took a different route through town which led us into the more modern "shopping district".  It was alive and buzzing with people and there were tons of sales going on.  I picked up a couple little items to work into my wardrobe which has been feeling quite limited and repetitive since I have been wearing the same clothing for almost 3 months now!  Yep I have been gone for almost 3 months...can you believe it!  It's going by so quickly.  As we continued to walk I finally realized what the true end goal was...the Stieff  store.  Jennifer had one from when she was quite young and still after all the years of love it was still around and so she wanted him to experience that too.  Such a sweet thing...so Dante

A boy and his tiger

carefully searched through his options and decided on a snuggly tiger who spent the rest of the day with us on our adventure.  After the store and the shopping district we made our way back to the river to check out a boat tour.  As we walked Dante did a lot of hopping over posts.  We kept warning him that those hops might not end well but he kept going and didn't hurt himself.  We got to the boat tour location and the timing was pretty good...we were about 30 minutes before the next departure so we bought our tickets and waited to board.  Once on we found a great table by the edge and in the shade.  The kids ordered some Fanta and

Cheers!!!

we had some local beers before the ride got started.  As you can see the kids were happy so life was good.  The boat ride was really nice.  I love seeing cities from the water.  It just gives them a whole different look and feel.  Cologne had a few big bridges in the city too and they are all really different so going under each one was neat.  I really enjoyed just sitting on the upper deck, taking in the views and chatting with the kids.  It was such a nice respite from all the walking around.  The city has a lot of cool buildings that you can't really fully appreciate until you see then from a distance and the ride down the river was the perfect vantage point.

Under the bridge.

 Especially for these new modern ones they have that are shaped like upside down L's and hang out over the water.  They are apparently super expensive to buy and it is where all the rich football players live.  After the boat tour we were all a bit hungry...some verging on "hangry"(if you don't know what that is just ask me).  We found a spot for lunch...refueled for the rest of the day and headed out for more walking.  We decided to wander our way to a dance museum since Guliana (the oldest daughter) is very into it.  Along the wander we went through the main square that I had been at last year only it was empty this year and last year it was

The Original Cologne 4711

the location of my very first german festival of the trip!  It was kinda weird seeing the whole bit empty.  As I have stated time  and time again sometimes you have to get lost to find something.  Jennifer and I had heard there was a glockenspiel, saw it on the map but just hadn't really been able to work out where it was.  It wasn't a high priority in viewing so we didn't put too much effort but each time we were walking in that direction we tried to see it.  Well finally by complete accident we stumbled upon it and it happened to be going off when we got there so we got to watch it.  The other fun bit was it was in the top of the Cologne 4711 (the original cologne of the city) factory building.  Double surprise...it was great.  We popped in and checked out the factory a bit too.  Such a neat find.  Those are the moments I love most...the little treasures you stumble upon along the way.  After that we just kept walking in the direction of the museum.  Now I must remind you here we do not know exactly where we are going but that is not usually a problem..feeling our way places is usually easily done.  Especially on the last day because you have a feel for the city.  Well unfortunately that was not the case this time.  We were in a different

That is what Lost looks like.

    part of the city which was really neat to walk through but not always for everyone when you don't know exactly where you are going.  We had 2 maps, a phone and asked for directions and we still kept getting lost.  In the end we did finally make it and to our credit it was not well marked and was off the beaten path a bit up inside a big office looking building.  We did have one stroke of luck upon our arrival...oh wait maybe 2 it was still open for another hour and the admission was free that day.  There was some great dance photography inside and some really interesting dance videos.  Guliana enjoyed it and that was the main goal.  The other little ones got a treat when we went outside after and there was this big man made lake outside that had bumper boats in it.  They quite enjoyed that spraying and smashing into each other.  The walk back to the hotel was

Good bye Cologne....its has been lovely

easy and enjoying an adult beverage and some snacks in the executive lounge was much needed and greatly appreciated by all.  We just sat and chatted while the kids played kings, counts and knights with empty pop bottles.  Gotta love their imagination.  As the night drew to a close we pack up our bags and got into bed.  The night then took a turn towards a teenage slumber party when Jennifer, Guliana and I found ourselves doubled over in hysterical laughter over who knows what.  I was in tears, and Guliana could not breath.  It was probably one of the best moments I have had in quite a while.  It reminded me again of what true friendships are and how much they can warm your heart and fill up your buckets.  The next morning we said our goodbyes sadly and I headed towards the train to head to the airport.  I shed only a small tear knowing that I would see them again soon and feeling so grateful for the time we spent.  I love that we had this adventure together and can't wait till we get to do it again.  I have a feeling they will be back over here at some point again.  Now it's back to spain for my final bit there....more to come.