Including 40th anniversary: exciting journey with the Prince Willem Alexander

Including 40th anniversary: exciting journey with the Prince Willem Alexander

a special experience: the 40th shipping for people with disabilities of the DRK Rhein-Sieg

On June 23, 2024 the time had come again - the Prins Willem Alexander from the Netherlands set sail for the 40th time. With a total of 48 guests on board and 37 volunteers, including 5 from Bad Honnef, the trip from Linz began upstream towards Mainz, further via Speyer, Rüdesheim and finally Andernach.

The preparations for the trip were meticulously carried out. The day before, the team had prepared the ship for the start: food, drinks, nursing articles and bedding were stored, the luggage stowed and everything prepared for the arrival of the guests. The crew, mostly consisting of experienced members, also warmly welcomed some newcomers and offered thorough familiarization.

Sunday brought the guests on board. The President, the Managing Director and the Head of Social Work of the DRK Rhein-Sieg warmly welcomed the mostly older and frail people and their relatives. An atmosphere of familiarity and mutual appreciation spread. Old acquaintances were renewed and the newcomers immediately felt welcome.

The weather also played along when the Prins Willem Alexander stood towards Mainz around 6:00 p.m. and sail overnight. Due to the strong current, the ship took 15 hours to Mainz. There the guests awaited the Johanni festival with a fair and an impressive fireworks. The next day the trip brought the group to Speyer with his imposing Kaiserdom and a picturesque old town. Rüdesheim was the next destination where the guests avoided the heat and instead recovered on the promenade.

Thursday finally led to Andernach before going back to Linz to disembarkation. Depending on the mobility and preferences of the guests, the land courses were individually designed. The final evening was celebrated in the usual manner with an entertaining program and stimulating conversations. Everyone involved is already looking forward to the 41st shipping for people with disabilities in the coming year.

Thank you very much to the DRK Rhein-Sieg team as well as all supporters and sponsors who have made this special experience possible.

Source: DRK Siebengebirge (BW)

13.07.2024

- Nag