MESSING ABOUT ON THE RIVER Working as a freelancer means that you are free to work pretty much when you want and where you want. It also means that you can take time off when you can fit it in. So tell people that are you going away for a long weekend and what happens? They all say Wait, I was going to ask you do this, do that, etc. It won't take long (and no I won't pay a weekend surcharge). Tough, pal! So you go for it and whoosh off (in our case to visit friends in Germany's Northrhine Westphalia region). There is always the thought at the back of your head that you are not only not earning money on those days, but also spending it: but what the hell! Having arrived in Dusseldorf, we met with some good friends on day one (including a staggeringly-attractive blonde lady who has been known to contribute to this portal). On the second day, our (non-blonde) male friend suggested he take the afternoon off and join us for a boat trip, together with his charming lady. A magnanimous sacrifice by a freelancer, and as it was comfortably over 30 degrees, we decided to amble down to the Altstadt which is from where Weiße Flotte runs tours to various places. For the price of EUR 18 per head, you can take a one-hour trip along the Rhine to the town of Kaiserswerth. This has been a suburb of Dusseldorf since 1929 and was founded in the year 900 as a Benedictine monastery. It is the site of various places, including the ruins of the 'Kaiserpfalz' fortress erected by first Holy Roman Emperor Friederich Barbarossa in the twelfth century, as well as the Diakoniewerk with its Florence Nightingale hospital (the 'Lady of the Lamp' was a star pupil there). With beer gardens and other attractions on summer days, it is a popular excursion destination for the good burghers of Dusseldorf and I can't blame them. The trip takes about an hour each way and you can return when you want, depending upon the sailing times. Another bonus is the fact that the fare includes free beer. When you work out how much beer you would drink over 2 hours on a river boat during 2 hours, I think that is a pretty good deal.
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Prost! The ladies also enjoy unwinding and are grateful for the selfless trouble that you go to in order to ensure their wellbeing.
Photo link: http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd76/Textklick/Qype/7c7b295c.jpg
I can certainly recommend this line and the route and not just for the beer! Weiße Flotte is also available for charters and does themed evening voyages. Since they terminate in the Altstadt, you are well-located to continue celebrating what ever it was that you were celebrating. read more