Saturday, 20 April

 Boarding the Viking Tialfi: The Hotel Diana or “D” is in a very different part of Basel from the one we were in on Wednesday night.

Our view was of very old buildings, with tiled roofs and interesting architecture. Our first morning adventure was with the coffee machine in our room. Very different from any we’d encountered before with no instructions. Once we figured it out, though, it made really nice coffee. We still didn’t know where the boat was docked -- there were three very different possibilities. Why hadn’t they just emailed us? On the tour in Zurich, we had met several other Canadians who were also booked on Viking for the Rhine cruise. They had left all their arrangements to Viking and were staying in Zurich. I think they doubted the sanity of our approach but they were kind about it. Our instructions to phone the boat for directions didn’t work and they hadn’t answered our email inquiry. Luckily, we remembered the Viking agents at the Hyperion Hotel, so we called there and they gave us the answer. Feeling more relaxed, we had breakfast at the hotel and walked to a nearby computer store for the few bits and pieces we needed for the new computer. On the way we stopped at a pharmacy for eyedrops. There was only light rain falling, but it was still chilly. We finished packing up and got a cab to the dock.

 Soon we were being well-cared-for by Viking hospitality staff. Meanwhile, we did receive an email reply, so that would have been OK. As we boarded, the sun came out for a moment. Our stateroom wasn’t ready, but we relaxed with a cappuccino in the lounge and watched life on the river. Right after the pleasant buffet lunch, we were shown to our stateroom, which is small but very well-designed and comfortable, with a wall of window that opens to give us a sort of Juliet balcony. Unpacking was followed by rest -- I wondered why I felt that I needed it and Larry suggested that I think about the last few days! We did see some patches of blue sky through the afternoon, so we know it’s still up there behind all those grey and black clouds. Before we left Basel, we were briefed on all services and introduced to the senior staff, then participated in a safety drill. At dinner, we met a group of 4 women from Nova Scotia and sat with a couple from Virginia. It was fun and interesting to share some stories.

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