Two days ago, we left from Newcastle, UK, on a 15-night voyage to explore the scenic river cities of France and Portugal. Today, we have arrived in the charming port city of Rouen, France, which is the first port on our itinerary.
Rouen is situated approximately 72 nautical miles into the Seine River from the pilot station, a distance that took us around 6 hours to cover. Upon picking up the river pilot, we were immediately greeted by a postcard-perfect landscape. Every bend in the river unveiled breathtaking views of riverside houses and sprawling farmland, creating a sight that truly left us in awe. However, as we drew closer to Rouen port, the scenery transformed into the familiar sights of an industrial city. The view shifted to include factories, cargo ships lined up at the docks, bustling activity of goods being loaded and unloaded, and numerous warehouses – it was a different view, but equally fascinating.
I was on the bridge for the remaining 4 hours of the 6-hour river transit. Was it just sheer luck, or was it perfect timing? I couldn’t help but enjoy the magnificent views that were unfolding before my eyes. With my phone camera, I captured some stunning photographs of the scenery as the ship gracefully sailed down the river.
The good thing was we docked an hour earlier than scheduled, providing our guests with more time to explore and enjoy the city’s alluring attractions. For the crew members, it’s our opportunity to experience fresh air and explore the city while we are off-duty, including visiting the local cafes, restaurants, and shops.
Although exploring Rouen is the most desirable activity, I don’t feel the need to do so, even if I wanted to. The reason was that the scenery I encountered during our Seine River transit earlier was more than enough to satiate my wanderlust. Furthermore, I have already visited some of the must-see places outside Rouen, including Giverny, the home of the famous artist Monet, and Paris, the city of love, and the iconic Eiffel Tower.
As the ship remains docked at the port of Rouen for the evening, I continue to be captivated by the mesmerizing views I encountered earlier. Despite having seen them multiple times, they still hold a strong fascination for me.
