Day One Hundred Thirty-Six - May 21

Welcome to Warnemunde, Germany

The loud noise was the ship docking at 02:30 Saturday morning. Three ship tours began at 06:20 for any passengers wishing to go travel to Berlin. No thank you.

Again, our port is considered a borough of the city of Rostock.

From my stateroom the train station was right there. While walking towards the train station I come across these amazily designed sand castle (statutes).

A ship tour offered passengers a visit to a microbrewery and a stop at St. Mary's Church. I may have not visited the microbrewery, but I was able to see St. Mary's Church by taking a train to Rostock and then a Tram to the Market Square. The cost for all this was 6.30 Euros. What a bargain.

St. Mary's was built as an early-gothic hall church around 1230. From 1290 it was rebuilt to a church with three naves of different height. Some of the major points of interest were the Main Altar created in 1721, the Pulpit created in 1574, the massive Pipe Organ and the Astronomical Clock created in 1472.

It was the astronomical clock that perked my interest. It includes daily time, zodiac signs, moon phases and months. In fact, the calendar on the clock is good until 2150. Long after I am gone. The clock is the only one of its kind still in working condition with its original clockworks.

As I was leaving the ship tour made its way to the church. Again, what a bargain by taking the train.

After the church it was a short walk up and down the main shopping street then it was time to head back to Warnemunde. Before leaving I saw two plaques of the ground for a couple age 63 and 60 who died in Auschwitz. Very sad.

Upon my return it was time to do a walk about here. Warnemunde is a big fishing port but there is also good shopping. Fresh fish is sold directly at the port and there are many restaurants on the harbour front.

Walking towards the beach front you see the town is protected by sand dunes. Many open beach chairs are available for rent. I am sure the beachfront is packed during the summer months.

It was a late departure from Warnemunde (22:00) as tomorrow is a sea day before we reach the port of Gdansk, Poland 280 nautical miles away.