Alsace, France

Alsace is a region of France in the eastern part right next to Germany.  Our first stop on our cruise took us to several picturesque towns in this region.  We visited the Alsatian Villages of  Kaysersberg and Riquewihr.  Both were just beautiful with flowers on and around all the homes, a lovely town square, cobble stone streets and a photograph every step of the way. 

Albert Schweitzer, a famous physician, was born on January 14, 1875 in the village of Kaysersberg. He was not just a doctor though.  He studied religion.  He was an organist and studied the music of Johan Sebastion Bach.  He was also a philosopher and received the Nobel Peace Prize.  You can find out more about Albert  Schweitzer by clicking here.

Don't be confused when the information states that he was born in Germany.  At the time of his birth this area was in Germany but it was returned to France.  In fact, it actually switched back and forth between France and Germany several times.

Here are some photos of the Doctor Albert Schweitzer Museum in Keysersberg.  Just look at that building and the flowers!

Cologne Cathedral

Rolex

I bet you know that Switzerland is known for expensive watches.  There were watch shops all over Basel and our hotel had some for sale also.  We didn’t buy any but we did look and drool just a bit!  The display window shown is in our hotel.  Our room has this neat contraption that  keeps the watch “wound” by movement.  You just place your watch on the stand in the middle and turn it on.  Then it moves back and forth.  Well of course I turned it on!!

Outdoor Theater at the Munster Cathedral

What a surprise to find an outdoor theater in the square at the Munster Cathedral.  So sorry it is raining or we would head over to see The Martian.

Das Munster von Basel

The Munster Cathedral was built in the 12th century.  The architecture started in the Romanesque style and finished in the gothic style.  It was built  of red sandstone.  It is a lovely work of art inside and out.

Play Money

Beautiful Swiss Francs!  Tomorrow we switch to Euros so I need to spend it all tonight!!

Jazz in Switzerland

We headed out to dinner last evening and was surprised by a band playing Dixie Land Jazz.  I felt like I was in New Orleans!  The leader of the band came over and talked with us and told us about the festival happening in old town Basel.  We headed around the corner and down the street and found tons of people, heavily armed police and music all over the place.  The market place had a Big Band and down the street a bit we found this group playing jazz.  What fun!  Didn't stay long but long enough to enjoy a bit of music.

Getting Around Basel

Plenty of ways to see Basel.  You can ride a bike. 

You can take an electric bus,

a boat,

or another boat,

Or you can just float down the Rhine River.

Walking around Old Basel

We spent the morning walking and wandering the streets of Basel from the Market Place to the town hall and up and down the streets with shops.  We had no destination in mind, we just wanted to walk and see things.

 And OH MY...I just looked and drooled!

Caviar, truffles and Vodka...not for me

Now this is my kind of shop but I only took photos and bought nothing!

Beautiful Fruit but we still have some in our room.

The Breakfast Menu

I am thrilled the menu here is in German and English.  I have remembered just a tiny bit of German from when I lived in Germany.  I tried a few things out and people understood me so that is good but I only remember very basic words.  It is fun to look at the menu and study the words to see the similarities between our languages.  Check it out to compare...if you can...just a bit blurry.  I'll edit tomorrow with a better photo!