This morning we were SUPPOSED to get up at 6:30 to catch the walking tour of the town, but when the alarm went off, I simply couldn't move! So we had a "late" breakfast at 7:30 instead, before catching the bus for the Liberation Museum in Groesbeek, a few miles away. A very special treat awaited us on the bus. Our local tour guide was a man who at eight years old had welcomed the Allied forces to the town, and at the time, had his first taste of chewing gum and promptly swallowed it whole. He had many personal experiences to relate to us, both as an individual who had lived through World War II, but also as a guide at the museum with veterans or family members who had returned to the area, looking for fallen buddies or reconnecting to the place where they had fought.

Outside the museum (photo) four flags were flying: the US Stars & Stripes, the UK Union Jack, the Canadian Maple Leaf and the red and white of Poland. The armed forces of these four had been instrumental in the liberation of the town. Of course a huge battle was waged over the bridges here, since across it lay Germany, and the museum took us step by step through the war: why the Netherlands capitulated so quickly, the resistance fighters and the collaborators, the paratroopers landing ("angels from heaven"), the battle for the bridge, the stalemate, reinforcements and finally liberation. But the museum didn't end there, as it took us through the hardships the people endured after the war and how they survived the "hunger times". We ended in a chapel with a white dome to represent the parachutes and he said, pointing to the bridge, "Americans may think we have forgotten their sacrifice, but I want you to know, we are reminded every day and are grateful." A moment of silence for the fallen, and then as we left, we passed by a horizontal sculpture of a cemetery. Soldiers in WWII uniforms were rising out of the graves, some already totally above ground, hugging each other and clasping hands. It was to represent the fallen as they might receive each other in heaven as the Band of Brothers. It was titled, "The Resurrection".

Returning to the ship, we made our first visit to Germany - just about ½ mile, as we turned left to go right - but with open borders now, it was quick and easy.

I don't think I mentioned something awful that I did. When we arrived in Antwerp to board the river boat, our guide told us to be sure to check for all our belongings. I thought I had everything, and was eager to greet our Michigan friends who had just joined the tour group. But rushing off the bus, I left a package - ALL of our gifts to our exchange students we will be visiting at the end of the tour. I didn't even realize it until long after the bus had pulled away. Steven had promised me it would come here to meet me in Nijmegen, and sure enough, when we returned to the ship, there is was waiting for me! Phew…

We set sail at lunch and this afternoon was at leisure. D&I visited the Captain in the wheelhouse. Small groups were scheduled throughout the afternoon, but since ours was the last tour, instead of a 20 minute visit, ours lasted 40!! What a treat to see how the ship operates. The captain, Martin Beyer of the Netherlands, was jovial and took a good ribbing about the "bump" last night.

Since our visit with the Captain was extended, we missed most of the German language lesson in the lounge, but got there in time to see two hilarious skits the Program Directors put on for us: how NOT to order at a German restaurant, and what to expect in a German public restroom. Both rather vital, I would say!

And so, TOMORROW: Germany! This is the longest day of continuous sailing for us, passing lovely pastoral scenes along the Rhineor an occasional town with an ancient tower or castle. We sail 18 hours before docking in Bonn and visiting the "Bridge Too Far" at Remagen. Guten Nacht!