My other two posts about this trip were general information. For those who are interested, here's my account of my personal highlight:
One of our earliest stops was in Koblenz. I had taken some photos of the big monument at the confluence of the Moselle and Rhine Rivers. It started to rain, so I pulled my umbrella out of my pocket. A few minutes later, I attempted to take another photo, but did not have my phone. I realized that it must have dropped out of my pocket when I was busy raising my umbrella. I walked back to where I had last taken a photo and looked all around, but the phone was not there. I was resigned to the fact that I had lost the phone, but determined that I was not going to let it ruin my trip. (Really!!)
Back on the riverboat, I approached Katalin, one of the TDs, and asked for her assistance in putting the connection to the daily schedule on my iPad mini, since I no longer had my phone. She sprang into action! She was able to see where my phone was located by using an app on my iPad, and noticed that it was moving. By that time, Sofie and Kristyna had joined us. Katalin called my phone on her phone, and a man answered. Sophie got on the phone and asked whether he preferred to speak in German or English, and when he said "English," she gave the phone back to Katalin, who told him that one of the TD, Elwira, was still on land, and near him. One of the TDs called Elwira, who then called my phone, spoke to the man, and arranged to meet him. She did meet him, and retrieved my phone. I still cannot believe how fortunate I was that it all worked out so well, thanks to the dedication of the Tauck team. Katalin later gave me a lanyard for my phone -- obviously, she didn't want to have to have through that experience again!
