Heidelberg on the Neckar (Photo-essay)

After spending my first one and half days getting used to the six hour time difference from Hong Kong in areas of Germany that are off the beaten tourist track, it was decided that it was time that I should head off to the historic university town of Heidelberg. The way my German friend had things planned, we would spend approximately two days in the town (and one night at the abode of two of her long-time friends and their two children), with a half day excursion up the scenic Neckar River thrown into the bargain.

With so much to see and do in Heidelberg, I was most agreeable to the idea of a trip to this famous city being more than just a day excursion. And this even more so when it turned out that after a rainy first day, the weather changed for the better and offered up bright blue skies that made pretty much everything seemed so much more beautiful than it previously was.

At the same time though, as I think you will agree after viewing the following photo-essay, the sheer beauty and attraction of Heidelberg shines through even on a misty, rainy day. Indeed, perhaps that kind of weather only added to the romantic feel of the place -- one that is intimately associated for people like my mother with the romantic musical of yesteryear entitled The Student Prince...

My first, mist-filled photo of Heidelberg --
more specifically, one of its sections north of the Neckar river

One way to get to the other side is to walk across
the 18th century Alte Brucke (Old Bridge)

...something that my friend and I opted for,
albeit only after a seriously hearty lunch repast
in a biergarten that also offered up a truly fresh glass of beer!

A few animal sculptures can be seen on the south side
of the bridge, including this famous bronze monkey

However famous it may be though, my Puppet Ponyo
(who, yes, accompanied me to Germany!) surely has it beat
for sheer kawaii-ness and on the cuddly quotient!

Now for the (relatively) hard part: a climb half-way
up a hill to the Philosphenweg (trans. Philosopher's Walk)

Following in the footsteps of the likes of Goethe and Hegel,
one is treated to lovely views of the southern section of Heidelberg,
including its castle on a hill, along with the old bridge

A woman who my imagination posits to be
a latter day philosopher-student leisurely surveys
(and contemplates?) the scenic vista in front of her