Thursday, August 17
Danube RiverToday is a full day of cruising to get from western Bulgaria to Belgrade by way of the so- called Iron Gates.
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| Iron Gates locks |
Relatively early in the morning we arrived at the iron gates dam and hydroelectric power station, A joint venture between Serbia and Rumania. The dam is approximately 60 m high and is one of the largest hydroelectric stations in Europe and the largest dam on the Danube River. To cruise past the dam we had to go through a two stage lock. We entered the lower stage and we were lifted up about 25 m. Then the gate was opened at the upper end and we moved into the second tandem lock in March we were raised around 30 or 35 m. This was the entry point into the iron gates passage.
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| So-called Iron Gates on the Danube |
The cruise through the iron gates was between two imposing cliffs on opposite sides of the river. There were very few towns on the river.
In the absence of shore excursions, We had a lecture on the history of southeast Europe, especially the Balkans. Talida, the cruise director, did a very good job of putting things into perspective.
Trying to keep us amused, the cruise offered us a Balkan delicacies snack. It was a sample of three different Balkan sausages that everybody raved about.
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| Sculpture on Iron Gates passage |
The natural scenery surrounding the Danube River is spectacular. Tree covered mountains and cliffs overlooking the river. A highway and a rail line follow the river much of the way. The highway traverses large high bridges and tunnels similar to the Pacific Coast Highway.
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| Golubac castle |
While there is no traffic jam, there is considerable barge traffic on the Danube. We see barges being pushed sometimes in tandem, going in both directions up river and down river.
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| Sunset over the Danube |
The banks of the river began to level off, and as the sun set we continue cruising towards Belgrade.
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