Eastern European Research Trip – All Aboard!

When I began the research for BONE FIRE, it didn’t take me long to decide that I needed to visit the area where most of the novel takes place — the lower Danube River.

After a few months of consideration, my husband Neil and I decided that a Viking River Cruise was exactly what we needed… So onward  with our journey as we step aboard the Viking River Ship Jarl!!

(Public Domain Photo, Wikipedia)

If you watch the Vikings series on the History Channel, you’ve seen this painting before during the series’ credits. A copy of it graces the wall at the head of the stairs where we descend from the reception area of the ship to our room.

And here it is! The cozy space that belongs to us for our river journey. I’m sure that none of the characters in my novel BONE FIRE had it this comfortable when they lived on the shores of the Danube!

A great place to relax, with a large flat-screen television to the left of the mirror and many movies and documentaries available with the click of the remote. (Yep, those are our feet.)

You’ll notice in this photo that our cabin is at river level. We opted to save a few dollars and do without a balcony and big windows. I took this photo as I was standing on our bed with my elbows on the windowsill!  But you’ll have to agree that we are seeing the Danube just like an ancient fisherman might see it from his dugout boat!!

Throughout the tour, I’ll showcase more photos taken on the ship, but until then here are a some of our favorite places!

The herb garden. Fresh herbs flavor and garnish our meals!

Golf anyone? If you look at the upper left of the photo, you can also see a shuffleboard court and a walking track. I loved walking while the ship was moving downriver. Always a new and lovely view! The upper deck also includes a large shaded sitting area with many chaise lounges.

Another of my favorite places — a coffee and tea bar with all kinds of flavors and creamers. You just help yourself anytime you want, not just to coffee, hot chocolate, or tea but also to an assortment of fresh cookies and pastries!!

I can’t wait to show you more shipboard highlights throughout the week. Tomorrow, we’ll visit Kalocsa, Hungary, at the junction of the Drava and Danumbe Rivers, and hop on a bus to travel to the Bakodpuszta Equestrian Center where we’ll see a Puszta horsemanship performance!

Happy Traveling!

Sue