LÜBECK
KIEL
Finally, the sight of the SEA....rather than the usual rivers that I have seen in my 6 mths here...The night train(Nachtzug) was nice: I was in the top bunk of the triple deck, but there was clean bedsheet, a pillow and a blanket & a nice trainmistress who woke me up 30min before my destination, so its worthy to pay 20€ for the seat. But then, the ride was rather bumpy, & i believe it is bcoz the cabin was small. Bumpy train rides also occured when I was in the quiet zone cabin in the normal ICE trains. Next time, I shall choose to sit at the grossraum (big carriage) to enjoy a peaceful Long ride. Can't wait for my next CNL train to Dresden(since my seat number is 6 again, I will get the top bunk again...I like the topmost bunk bed!)
First stop: Hamburg (oki, it was too early at 4:30am, so nothing much to do except head to McDonald's for a really early breakfast). Then, I walked to the Harbor which was close to the Hbf & saw the floating Xmas tree, some night lights of Hamburg before boarding my IC train to Rostock. Will visit Hamburg again, just not so soon, coz winter season is not really a nice time for sightseeing...
Reached Rostock and saw the coast of the Baltic Sea! The town had just awoken and the Kröpelinerstrasse was rather empty. But I managed to see the sunrise from the port and wow, it was indeed very nice to smell the sea breeze...... Of course, fotos of the Rostock University & Rathaus were not to be forgotten.
Next stop, Lübeck, the pointy city with the very poiny Holstentor (& a little bent).
The old historical UNESCO town was once protected by 4 gates, only which the Holstentor & the Burgtor remained to date. The Rathaus, the Kirches & even the old Hospital had pointy roofs.
The streets were crowded with people hurrying for their post-xmas sale.
Niederigger Marzipan shop sells the most delicious hrrmp: Marzipan berliners(donuts)! And indeed the Marzipan doesnt taste artificial, and the shop lady told me, 100% Marzipan, minimum sugar!!! Got myself a nice pink marzipan pig to wish myself good luck for the year, which the lady also told me that germans buy these pigs and eat them on New Yr's Day (and I will follow her instructions & eat my pig on 1-Jan)
I thought I wont have to see anymore Weihnachtsmarkt, but in Lübeck & Kiel, they were pretty much still functioning, & I went to get the last bite of the nice tasty Mandelns!!!!!! And to clarify about the Seafood & Fish Fantasy, nope, I didnt see many Fisch restaurants in any of the 3 cities, surprisingly, there were many Block Haus selling Moo Moo meat, & I went into one and had a very delicious bbq veal lunch in Lübeck.
Final stop, Kiel, the largest city in Schleswig-Holstein.
Here, the city center is located right beside the port & harbor where large ships call upon. The Kiel Canel, German Navy, alte Rathaus were the nice sight there. Oh, and Denmark & Sweden are just across the sea (Kiel is really at the Northern Tip of Germany). I also managed to see the glorious sunset at the Baltic sea coast of Kiel.
Finally went back into the shopping center for some warmth & more food to bring onboard my annoying 5.5hr ICE train ride back home. A really long day spent at 3 important coastal areas of Northern Germany.
