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The morning was again gloomy and we reluctantly wake up. It should be noted that despite the lack of breakfast in the hotel (they were not included in the price), we did not feel uncomfortable, because in the room had a kitchenette. It consisted of an electric stove and sink, refrigerator, cupboard with kitchenware and other accessories, as well as an electric kettle. So we rarely visited cafes, preferring to cook their own meals, buying finished products and other products at the local supermarket - REWE and Penny Markt. The first was a large, was divided into two floors and liked me more, because it had a huge selection of bottled beer! The second has lower prices and, therefore, slightly less range of products. Was also a Turkish supermarket next to the hotel, but we did not make purchases there.
At the weekend, and the calendar was a Saturday, we decided to go to the chocolate museum, located on the River Rhine. Just want to point out that despite the originality and a sense of the unique museum, we thought the ticket price to 8,5 € is too high, on the other hand, maybe this is just our opinion. Waiting for the opening, in front of all the people crowded under umbrellas: heavy rain and the weather was cool. Finally, the doors opened at 11:00 am, and all rushed to the checkout. Having bought two tickets, we got two little chocolates produced at the local mini-factory, it is located right in the museum.
What should be in a chocolate museum? Of course, a lot of sweets! However, we found them a little later, and the first thing the visitor - various objects that tell about the history of chocolate production. But once upon a time there was no special machines and cocoa beans were processed manually by people. Here are signs everywhere telling about the benefits of chocolate and its positive effect on the human body, but do not forget that everything is good in moderation.
In the next room that visitors can observe the production of small chocolates that we have received as a gift at the checkout. Here there is a real pipeline: the whole process, from mixing the ingredients to packing, appeared before the audience. Machines and machine shaped chocolate syrup, poured it on the forms and after curing packed in foil. At work, we found only one person - a woman watching the boxes filled with finished products. In the center of the room was a fountain with goodies in the form of cocoa tree worker hall offering all try sweets Macau small waffle plates in the melted chocolate and handed out to all. The taste - superb!
The second floor houses a display on the history of chocolate in Germany. Here you can find information about the most famous and oldest German companies: Stollwerck, Ritter Sport, Lindt. Also, visitors will see with your own eyes, how the children's photos on the packages of chocolate Kinder over time and how many different toys can be hidden in a Kinder Surprise egg.
Finally we decided to look into a special room where the working conditions similar to tropical. Visitors to show the environment in which grow and mature cocoa beans - the main ingredient in the chocolate industry. Being in a room for a long time impossible - too hot and humid climate that was not broken doors are made in a special way: first one opens and a man enters the hall, then the first door is closed and the second - can be held.
Went down to the first floor, we decided to go to a cafe - Ira ordered a hot chocolate, and I - cappuccino. Girl waitress heard us speaking Russian, decided to help with the choice of coming to Cologne city that you can visit: advised to go to Aachen and Bonn. She, like many of our compatriots abroad, came to Germany in search of a better life.
Paid off in the cafe and leave a tip compatriot, finally decide to visit the museum shop to buy sweets with family and friends. Selection in the store is amazing: different sets of sweets, chocolate pieces (cars, soccer balls, etc.), candy and other treats for every taste, you can spend a lot of time to choose a present interest. Buy a few packages of candy and say goodbye to the chocolate museum in Cologne.
After lunch, we head straight to the Cologne Cathedral - the entrance for visitors to the main hall is completely free, so there is crowded. The building is very large and beautiful: inside feels insignificant speck compared to the vast cathedral. However, inspection of only one room, we do not limit ourselves, here, you have to admire that. First, is a treasure trove, and, secondly, - an observation deck at the top of one of the towers..
Complex ticket cost 6 €, and the first thing we went to the treasury, which holds numerous religious relics of past centuries. To get into the room with the collection, we had to go down to the basement, where a very cool - always bring warm clothes! Photography, unfortunately, was banned, as in many similar places. I believe that tourists visiting Cologne, should always find time to see the treasury of the Cathedral.
Lifting up on the observation deck of one of the towers, took much more time and took a lot of effort. The elevator was not, and everyone went up the narrow spiral staircase, which could hardly disperse two large man. Every 20 meters, in my experience, placed the tiny venues where tired people could rest a bit. In general, if someone is stopped or slowed his movement, the brake the whole stream - the test is not for the weak health. Finally we reached the goal and our efforts were rewarded - a view from the observation deck was actually fine. After resting a bit on the concrete benches, the traffic down the same route. Needless to say that after such a test the strength to go somewhere else today, we just did not have.
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