Seattle to Paris then Heidelberg

Our adventure started at SEA-TAC airport getting a 1st class upgrade to SFO.  Unfortunately upon arriving in San Francisco we were met with an over booked flight, they asked giving $500 vouchers but we didn’t want to lose a single day in Europe.  The flight was delayed an hour and very long, ten and a half hours much like asking Kellie and I to stay in a cardboard box to eat, watch a movie and try to sleep sitting up.  While uncomfortable we ‘handled’ it well and made it to Paris on time!

Passing through customs and catching the train into Paris was seamless.  We needed to get to Gare du Nord then walk down a few dirty and crowded blocks to Paris l’Est for our train to Heidelberg.  Quickly learning to read the train schedule we had a much more comfortable ride on the fast train even getting caught up on some much needed sleep over the three hour ride.  I have never been on such an efficiently run system, going over 300 km/h (180 mph) for the majority of the trip.

A quick ‘milk train’ run from Mannheim to Heidelberg, then an eight minute sauna walk in the sweltering German heat (we did not dress appropriately for the 90+ temps) we arrived at our hotel.  What an outstanding staff to greet us and make us feel very welcome.  Wanting to assists us in every way from a detailed map to dinner suggestions, they were outstanding.  We showered, neither of us smelled too good after twenty four hours in your own wallow, then walked down the Neckar River.  We have been in this area with Jena and Cameron a few years ago, down river towards Stuttgart.  It is so quiet, smooth and beautiful.

Great view of the Neckar River for our breakfast, leaving our bags at the hotel and then walking into Heidelberg center.  Went directly to the Castle, walked right by the Starbucks:) to ride the funicular to the King’s seat and castle.  Magnificent view of Heidelberg, the bridges on the Neckar and the castle below.  Took the English version of the tour from a very nice lady with a strong German accent.  Needing to focus intently to get all the quick facts.

Got stuck on the 55,000 gallon barrel of wine and the 138 oak trees it took to make.  Don’t drink it as all city dwellers had to put 10% of their wine into it as a tax.  Way too many different styles in one barrel for me!  It is a majestic castle towering over the town and mostly in ruins.  The parts still active and restored have inlayed wood on all doors and windows, so intricate and amazing.

Even in the heat today it is a magnificent historical city to walk through, hearing all the different dialects from tourists to the culture of the Heidelberg through its narrow main street and beyond.

Had a quick lunch at a ‘hip’ burger bar down a picturesque street before pushing out again to climb up the opposite side of the river for great views.  Crossing the Karl Theodor bridge that has been immortalized in poems and paintings we caught a breeze that cooled us through our sweat covered foreheads.  It was a worthwhile stroll up the hill to ‘The Philosophers Walk’.  It is a wonderful pathway that runs along the north side of the Neckar River that afford you some of the most beautiful views of Heidelberg.  We unfortunately left our selfie stick in the hotel and with short arms can’t really take a selfie let alone get a great background in it.  We settled for a few photos and a panoramic view.

Tired,  having moved to the nine mile mark on our fitbit, we chose to take the water taxi back to the hotel to collect our bags.  For a few euros it is a beautiful way to see sites from a vantage point not yet taken.  The castle up river, bridges across the Neckar to sunbathers getting tan and playing ball.  We retrieved our bags from the more than awesome hotel staff and began the short walk to the train station, Heidelberg HBF.  A quick train to Mannheim and we are just about to settle into double deluxe sleeping accommodations on the City Night Line to Prague.  We should be there rested and ready to explore by 9:35am.

As we stood on platform 5 waiting for our train it was reminiscent of the wonderful train adventures you read about.  Our train was delayed twenty minutes but once on board we crammed ourselves into the double compartment, brushed our teeth and fell asleep to the movement of the train.  Unfortunately the plank I was laying on with the mini puff pillow and four foot duvet was not as comfortable as first thought.  With the stopping and starting at each stop we woke a little each time.  Driving a train is an art, the smooth and sincere transitions from start to stop do not go unnoticed especially when you get a crazy driver who drives like he is keeping himself awake.   I showered and was offered a cup of coffee and tea in our room before getting to the station in Prague.  Right on time, 9:30am.