Passau

I drove my car from Regensburg to Passau, where I boarded the river cruise. The drive to Passau was enlightening. As I drove along, I could see that the cars and their occupants were different than what I had seen in Germany. The cars were, in most cases, old and beat-up and the people did not look German. Since the road to Passau will also take you to the Czech border, I guessed they were Czechs.

I usually do not have problems or feel the least bit insecure during my travels... BUT  I did find it  a bit disconcerting to see two groups of young men drinking beer in the rest stop at 10.30 in the morning. Since it was a parking place, not a restaurant, I cut my stay short and got back on the rod within minutes. I am sure that the guys were harmless and would not have bothered me... just vacationers having a bit of fun.... but why take the chance especially when alcohol is involved.

Passau – a university town - is perched on a hill. Everywhere, there are steps leading upward. I tried to resist them and remain on level ground, but the sites at river level were somewhat limited. So I climbed the stairs… and I am so glad that I did.

I wandered for a couple of hours first around the town square, then in the numerous alleys and small streets. When I tired, I stopped for a cup of coffee and a bite to eat. The architecture was well worth the climb… beautiful buildings, wonderful wooden doors….