The Viking Embla was our home for the trip after we left Amsterdam. Here is the boat, on the Rhine in Koblenz.

Monday, July 16. Before dinner, Captain Anne Jacob Sijbranda (speaking) and some of the other ship officers introduced themselves. (Behind: hotel manager Bastian Rinner)

Our program staff: Sharon, Kris, Timea, and Radi. OK, this is cheating. This is from the CD I bought at the end of the cruise. But memories of this excellent staff belong in any trip album. Surely Mr. Viking can't complain about that!

This was meant to show low clearance above the Embla under a bridge, but it also shows maîtresse d', Adela Kolmanova, executive Chef Karl Heinz Zwanzleitner and hotel manager Bastian Rinner.

Friday, July 20. We were charmed when our cabin steward, Veli, left this artistically created swan (of towels) on our bed.

Saturday, July 21. It's an oliphant! We were even more charmed and delighted when this creation appeared in our room.

Monday, July 23. And a monkey!

Tuesday, July 24. Not sure what this guy is, but he's clearly a way-cool dude. These four were really unexpected. These nice and totally off-the-wall things were a highlight of our on-board experience.

The little sitting room in our cabin.

The balcony. We were parked waiting for a lock when I took this.

Tuesday, July 17. Before we arrived in Cologne, we had a small German lesson on the boat. Homework was to find the word with the most letters. Here was my entry, which, at 26 letters, "won" the contest. Man findet Herr Neff bei Lintgasse 16 in Köln.

Karen went to the Qigong streching/exercise sessions most of the mornings at 7 AM. Here, Radi is leading the group.

Tuesday, July 24. There was an passenger talent show after dinner. Karen sang "The Ballad of the Shape of Things".

Friday, July 27. Apple strudel demonstration. Executive chef Karl Heinz Zwanzleitner and volunteers. In the back center, I think that's the ship's musician.

Friday, July 27. Apple strudel demonstration. Sue with the almost-finished strudel. They then brought out a cooked one. Excellent!

The dining room ... taken on the last morning.

Our bags are packed, we're ready to go ...

This way lies the real world.