Hats Off to Passau

Shopping day in Passau before boarding our ship for a trip on the Danube which will take us all the way to the Black Sea.

Found a classic German style locally crafted black hat with colorful feathers.

Found the ideal size backpack for continued travels. Actually, if there was more time to shop I might be able to fill it. With shoes, right Peter?

Did I say shoes?

Shopping break - stroll along the Inn River.

The Inn, Ilz, and Danube all conjoin in Passau. One of the most interesting elements of this is the distinct water color-difference between the three waterways. The Inn has a cloudy hue due to the silt content while the Ilz, also called the “Black Pearl” appears, you guessed it, almost black. Last but not least, the Danube has a dark greenish teal color.  Why referred to as the Blue Danube is beyond me.

In the background is Schaibling Tower or Schaiblingturm with its high pointed cone helmet dating back to the 14th century. Today it is the best-preserved portion of Passau's former city wall fortification.

Grey day.

St. Paul Chuch

This pretty-in-pink church is in the Baroque style, as is much of the architecture in Passau.

Cafe and shops located under St. Paul Church.

St. Stephen's Cathedral

The largest pipe organ in Europe is housed in St. Stephen's. We attended the highly touted, painfully long noon organ concert. Takeaway: very last organ concert that we will ever attend. Mutually agreed, not our cup of tea.

UNDERPANTS ON YOUR HEAD PARTY

 

Seattle With Tim and Annie

 

Lunch in International District. Another old favorite restaurant is no longer on the favorite list. Covid has changed so many eateries. 

So very thankful to have them to hang out with.

And We're Off to Poulsbo

What are you wearing on the plane Annie?

Annie picked up some fancy wheels for the ride.

 

Windy City With Annie

 

Wait, this is not Wisconsin or the Minnesota State Fair. Just practicing.

Eric: Barbier - Finest Gentlemen Care

 

No beard, no problem.  Whew. 

Peter's barber, Anthony, agreed to allow me into his gentlemen's establishment for some overdue work.  It's about who you know, you know. Anthony is from Ghana and speaks perfect English which is important for communicating my particular hair needs.

In 2000, in the centre of Hamburg with a direct view of the Alster, a men-only salon was established on Ballindamm specializing entirely in male grooming. Eric was a pioneer of the German art of barbering and dedicated himself to professional beard care, manicures, and pedicures.

In 2001, Eric hired master barber Anthony Stölting, who had acquired his special barbering skills in England and France. Shaving culture and modern haircuts made the barbershop known far beyond the gates of Hamburg. The cult status of the art of barbering was born and enthusiastically embraced by the Hanseatic people.

After Eric's sudden death at the end of 2014, Anthony continued the tradition in Eric's name, and in the following years developed his very own product range especially for men.

In 2018, another stylish barbershop for the highest demands of men was opened in the heart of Hamburg's Hafencity. (Harbor City) My favorite location.

Anthony is on the right. This is the first time that I have seen him maskless. The crazy strict German rules require not only masks to be worn in the shop but a negative Covid test immediately before your appointment.

Covid Tests

Covid tests at every turn.