Once we were settled on our cruise ship, our first port of call was Warnemunder, Germany. This was our first visit to Germany. We had made the decision to not head to Berlin (3 hours by train one way) for our 12 hour day and instead joined a private tour through TJ Travel. We have never done a private tour off the ship (tours through the ship are very pricey), but were very happy we did so.
The first stop was Schwerin Castle. This castle is a hodgepodge of styles and was fun to visit.
In the square in Schwerin, there is a monument that was very amusing. It is capturing the time the people of Schwerin rebelled against a Duke by giving him a bare welcome!
After lunch we headed to Rostock, Germany. Rostock was an important place during WWII as it was where many planes were made. The city was very heavily bombed during the war and much was destroyed. However, St. Mary's Church, the home of a 15 C astronomical clock (the only working one in the world), survived. They built a wall around it during the war. The complex dials tell you the date, time and moon cycle.
We walked the streets of the former communist city and a university town.
One of our last stops was to see the Arrow Stork, housed in a university building. This stork was shot by a German hunter in 1822. It was discovered with the arrow in it. The arrow was identified as African. Prior to this time, people had no idea where birds went in the winter. This was the first evidence of migration and lead to the scientific study of it.
When we returned to the port, we took a short walk up to the longest beach in Germany. Here I am, standing in the Baltic Sea.
We also enjoyed seeing the beautiful light house, which is set back from the beach.
Our day in Germany was brief but it gave us a taste for a country we hope to visit more in the future.
Next week, we visit Tallinn, Estonia.
the stork was very very famous in northern germany, it was even in our school books ;O)
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos! Germany is beautiful....the Rhine River cruise on the "small ships" is memorable.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Pam
Thanks for sharing your day in Germany. That castle looked beautiful and how amazing that the clock survived the war.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely visit! I've never been to Germany, but Momma lived there for a little while. The story of the Arrow Stork is really pawesome, we've never heard it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice tour! Glad you had a good time.
ReplyDeleteGermany is beautiful and mom is oooooohing and aaaaaahing over the gardens at the castle!
ReplyDeleteHari Om
ReplyDeletewow, didn't know about the storks and arrows... loving these revisits to your trip! YAM xx
Oh what a wise decision to take the Cruise tour. I'm pretty sure you saw the best of the best and that sunset...WOW
ReplyDeleteHugs HiC
The lighthouse is most impressive. And like Yam, I was unfamiliar with the storks and arrows story. Fascinating.
ReplyDeleteCheers, Gail.
We love following along on your trip through your beautiful photos. That clock is just phenomenal. It looks like it was decent weather too. Just think of the work and hours that went into building that beautiful St. Mary's Church.
ReplyDeleteWoos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber
Oooooooo! thanks for the photos! I loves them all! My fav is the clock! very cool
ReplyDeleteKisses,
Ruby ♥
Thanks for sharing a part of my home country that I have not visited. I think I need to troll some airfares on Kayak. Happy weekend. Fabulous photos!
ReplyDeleteI loved Germany...so many beautiful castles, and so much green!! Such gorgeous photos!
ReplyDelete