Speeding to Cologne

Off to Cologne at around 200 mph!

Yep, we finally made it to Cologne..and I might add it was not cheap. It cost $61 Euro one-way - $122 Euro round trip. I was thinking it would cost around $150 US dollars. Nope, I wrong. I was $220 round trip US dollars. We looked at each other to decide if we really wanted to spend this much money and we both said 'yes, let's do it!' So off we went.

It was worth it! The ride alone, at 200 mph, was great. On our 1 1/2 hour trip there, we were traveling backwards - remember the Southwest Airlines seats that sat backwards to the rest of the plane..same type feeling. This took a little while to get used to...kind of made your head and stomach feel a bit odd but after some time, we were fine. The German countryside was absolutely beautiful. Little villages along the way, a couple pumpkin patches, of course, the big churches and finally, the Grand Finale...The Cologne Cathedral. As were coming into Cologne, I'm looking around taking pictures and all of a sudden...I couldn't believe this structure we were coming up on. I think my jaw must have touched the floor. We have found the Cologne Cathedral. IT WAS INCREDIBLE!!!

We walked out of the train station to come face to face with the cathedral and had to just stand there a second and take it in. It was magnificent! It was so tall! It was so ornate! It was so old! It was majestic!! I had no idea this was the cathedral that everyone kept talking about. What a great surprise. Anyhow, we had to take several pictures and then check out the inside - and the inside was just as grand as the outside. And so much history. I had to buy the big coffee-table book because I couldn't take a picture that would do it justice.


To see more and read a little history, click on this link http://www.sacred-destinations.com/germany/cologne-cathedral.htm


Cologne Cathedral is the greatest Gothic cathedral in Germany and has been Cologne's most famous landmark for centuries. Once the tallest building in the world, Cologne Cathedral still boasts the world's largest church façade. The cathedral's main treasure is a golden reliquary containing the remains of the Three Magi of Christmas story fame. These relics and other treasures have made Cologne Cathedral a major pilgrimage destination for centuries. Cologne Cathedral stands on the site of a 4th century Roman temple, followed by a square church known as the "oldest cathedral" commissioned by Maternus, the first Christian bishop of Cologne. A second church built on the site, the "Old Cathedral," was completed in 818.

I thought this was TOTALLY cool! Below is a Knight..and is he SMALL! Only about 4 1/2 feet tall.

Had to include a picture of Valerie and I in front of the Cologne train station.

This little lady that did not speak a lick of English. She was working at the souvienger shop Valerie purchased her beer mugs from --- she was so darn cute!

And of course, Dirk is popular there because that's where he's from!!!