Dark was falling as we took the Vilshofen exit. We were late.
We exited the highway to the right (as one would expect), but the tight loop led to an underpass with too little clearance for the bus. The driver braked and stopped. Cars stacked up, impatient.
Through the gap I could see the AmaVerde tied to the pier. She was just beyond reach.
She was tied in front of us.
The driver and the guide uttered a series of curses in their native languages. He spoke Hungarian. She spoke German. In less stressful moments, English was the language they shared. She needed to catch a train. He just wanted to be done for the day. Instead, his work was just beginning. He had to back the bus out the same way we came in, between the cars, around the loop and onto the highway.
Slowly he managed. Cars continued to accumulate in our wake.
Once on the highway, midtraffic, he executed a three point turn—an astonishing feat under the circumstances—and got our nose going the other direction. From that side, the ramp led directly to the pier (no underpass).
We glided to a stop. The door opened and the guide bolted, still hopeful that she could catch her train. We wouldn’t see her again.
Before us, men in hats and lederhosen were cleaning up the remains of what must have been an oompa-oompa Bavarian-band welcome. They were quiet. One man guzzled the last of the beer, straight from a pitcher.
The AmaVerde was tied up beside them; an extended ramp was our welcome.
I thought her handsome in a crafty kind of way. She was Swiss-sturdy and low-slung, capable of passing under low bridges. Two thin decks rode above the waterline. A third was mostly underwater. She was also lock-worthy, slim in girth. The only dimension in which she excelled was length. Near the door white letters announced: “Max 162 passengers.”
A few crew members appeared on the ramp. They were smartly-clad and tasked with the job of getting our busload aboard, registered, and to dinner with haste. This they did efficiently.
Vicki and I dumped our gear in the room that was our new home. We then hustled to dinner.
They say romance should never be rushed. Whatever.
Our experience of the “Romantic Danube” had begun.
Sunset on the Danube at Vilshofen, Germany. View from our balcony on the AmaVerde.
Reservations are now being received for our April 21-May 1, 2023 excursion to Greece. Bible Land Explorers will follow in Paul’s footsteps in the classical world, with stops at Thessaloniki, Amphipolis, Philippi, Neapoli (Kavala), Meteora, Delphi, Corinth, Mycenae, Epidaurus, and Sparta. Conclude this grand tour in Athens, the classical center of it all. Click here for the brochure. Early bird discounts apply. Direct all questions to BibleLandExplorer@gmail.com