Friday, September 19, 2014

RhineFall at Schauffhausen and Stein Am Rhine


After leaving Lucerne we caught yet another train that took us to Zurich where we have some relatives and we spent the weekend with them.
They suggested a trip to the Rhine Falls or Rhinefall in German.  We had not heard of the Rhinefall and were keen to go.

It took about an hour to get there. When we arrived we walked down a path towards the thundering sound of the waterfall.  The path leads to some steps and you climb down the steps alongside the waterfall.  Along the way down you stand on platforms that jut out into the falls and feel the force of water as it thunders past you, spraying you with water.

Over a breadth of 150 meters, several hundred cubic meters of water rush into the depths at the rate of 23 meters per second.

In the middle of it all stands a mighty rock that has withstood the elements for a thousand years. The rock can be reached on a boat tour of the Falls,. Virtually in the middle of the waterfall, visitors stand on platforms that jut out and partially hover over the Rhine.

Colin went on a boat out into the middle of the falls, right up to the rock.  He didn’t climb the steps up the rock as it was crowded with visitors.

We couldn’t believe the amount of water, as much as Niagara Falls, just not as high.  To get so close to the falls was exilerating.  It was definitely a big highlight of our trip.
After visiting the Falls they took us to the town of Stein am Rhein which is a beautiful medieval town with cobblestoned streets, narrow alleyways and half timbered houses featuring painted façades.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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