The Nordic Explorer - Warnemunde

The weather continued to be most kind. Autumn in the Baltic Sea is often marginal according to what we had been told. But, by the kindness of the Almighty, we enjoyed magnificent weather that had temperatures in the low twenties (celcius, of course!). The seas were calm, the full day at sea comfortable and relaxing, the company pretty fantastic, the food uncomfortably (at times) delicious......hmmm, better not say any more.

Our next port was Warnemunde in noethern Germany, a delightful seaside resort with a very extensive harbour that goes as far as Rolstock. From what we read, Rolstock was well worth a visit, but in the end, the big surprise was the enjoyable Warnemunde experience.

Our first view of Warnemunde

Many of our fellow cruise guests decided that they would take a day trip to Berlin - a twelve hour journey with some eight hours spent on the autobahn! That did not sound too enticing and having been to Berlin before, I suggested that perhaps we would be better to avoid the long autobahn ride with all its fumes, and settle for the 'taste of Warnemunde and Rolstock'.  Jan happily agreed to my suggestions.

For us it was a  more leisurely start, enjoying a scrumptious breakfast and then a short walk into Warnemunde. We were not disappointed! It is advertised as a seaside resort and while the summer season was over, we could understand people wishing to spend time here.

 

 Quiet and relaxing!

We could imagine thousands of people on the beaches here, enjoying sailing, swimming etc

 It is foremost a seafarers' town, with the harbour dominant. Sea rescue is obviously big in Warnemunde with lots of evidence how important this service is to the community. Like:

Paintings of sea rescue in action 

   Left: in olden days.

Above: in present days.

I love the contrast of the past with the present. Perhaps, it was no better illustrated then in the next photograph with commercial shipping, cruise ships, tall ship activity and recreational activities on the sea:

 

The theme also continued in the the main church, which was clearly a 'mariners' church, judging by the maritime inclusions:

 

Please click to enlarge. The carvings on this altar piece are beautiful.

Note the maritime theme on the right near the pulpit and in the picture below.

 

Even Captain Hook made his presence known. 

And no, I did not pinch his hook. Maybe Peter Pan beat me to it.

This place has lovely architecture. Everything is so clean and neat! Locals tell me it is typical  German. We enjoyed the leisurely walk through the streets, snapping photos as we went:

 

 Where are the people? Being Saturday, it looked they were all at the market.

 

  And to Jan's great delight.....more 'abundant' flowers.

Once again, the photos below demonstrate again the contrasts in Warnemunde.

Above, a new building in the style of an old warehouse, while below a trading spot for zwiebelschuppen, which I understand means, 'onion soup'. OK, I'll accept a bowl full.

 But the story about the next picture is a puzzle. Another view perhaps?

I rather like the next couple of photographs of a sculpture that depicts a civic parade. I remember as a child in the Netherlands how the community enjoyed street parades with bands and flags and whatever. I am sure that this also a great German tradition. I can't quite work out the lady at the end who it appears is the object of this parade.Maybe my German friends can enlighten me.

Wandering back to the railway station, we decided a train trip to Rolstock was too tempting to resist.

Rolstock was founded almost 800 years ago and being so close to the Baltic Sea has a rich shipbuilding and fishing history. We enjoyed a lunch in the city and made use of the wifi facilities at a cafe. The people were friendly and very helpful. Jan took the opportunity of walking into an optometrist shop with  her broken spectacles and asked if they could help her. They were most obliging and repaired this essential piece of equipment. When we asked how much we owed them, they waved the cost aside. It was their pleasure. What do we say? Wunderbar? Perhaps vielen dank was more appropriate! But we were impressed!

We had a great day and loved all of it. Back by ferry seemed a sensible way to go. We boarded a ferry full of German tourists. I tried to connect and with some difficulty had a conversation with an older man who was visiting Rolstrock. Maybe one day, I'll speak German more fluently.

Leaving Rolstock by ferry. Love that three-master!

As mentioned earlier. Rolstock and Warnemunde are active ports and have a strong shipbuilding industry like can be observed from the above picture looking towards a river boat yard.

Once back in Warnemunde we saw these two beautiful old Dutch boats and could not resist having a look at them. The one above was occupied by, what appeared a congregation of grieving people. We think it was a memorial service.

By now we were more than happy to call it a day and were pleased not to have gone to Berlin. As the sun began its journey towards sunset, so we enjoyed the view below with a drink. Proost!