Still warmer today than we expected. Going up to the high 70's with rain later in the day. After a nice breakfast in the hotel, we walked to the Rathaus (City Hall) to have a guided tour. However, there was an event going on so we had no guide but were incouraged to walk through the rooms. We stopped to talk to someone as we first entered the building and later, after some interesting conversation, found out she was a member of Parliament and specialized in women's history through the years in Hamburg. I can't say this enough, we have never travelled anywhere where the people were so warm and friendly towards us. In our opinion, Germany is clean, friendly, trains run on time, everything is in it's place, and the brats and beer are fantastic.
The interesting thing about Hamburg is that it's not an American destination. However, Germans from all over the country visit Hamburg regularly. When we visited the rooms in the Rathouse, we did not have any information in English, which takes away from the experience For example, the fresco on the ceiling pictured above has walruses coming out of the sea. ???? We wish someone could have been able to explained this, or at least had some printed material. Nothing printed in English.
While walking over one of the many bridges, we found locks attached to the bridges similar to what we found in Italy. Couples profess their love by attaching an engraved lock and throwing the keys into the river. Seems to be a global thing in our experience. No, we didn't have a lock to attach! Maybe next time. :)
So, our next adventure is a harbor cruise, in English, at noon. And Only Noon! Pier 1. So we walk to Pier 1 and proceed to the harborside. No. Can't find our boat. Asked around and they told us to simply walk down to the harbor, turn right and our ship is there. So we did. No ship. Wrote out some postcards, had a cold drink. Still no ship. Kos walked up the dock and around. No ship. Finally went back to Pier 1 and they said go farther down the harbor. Farther and Farther. At pier 10 (yep #10) there stands our ship. A big and beautiful paddle wheeler.
So, this 70 minute cruise along the Elbe River was very nice. Weather in the 70's which is usually pleasant, except when there is full sun. Then it's hot. We managed to stay in the shade most of the time and met a very nice couple who we learned would be cruising with us on the Legend, but boarding in Oslo, rather tha Hamburg. We mentioned that we planned to take a walking tour afterwards and since they didn't have any firm plans, they said they would join us. Norma and David from Texas. Similar interests as we have. Bikers, cruisers, empty nesters. We agreed we'd meet on the ship.
After the tour, we headed to St. Michael's to pick up our walking tour. (after a beer an brat of course). This walking tour is free (except for a tip to the guide) and offered 2 different itinerary's. The first was historical, which we missed because of the harbor cruise. The second, more interesting, took us through the Red Light district, the crazy fishmarket, the Reeperbahn (covering the Beatles history). the Portugese Quarter, the sailor's bars. We have found these free tours to be so refreshing. Usually run by college students, a totally different perspective of the area is so interesting to us. We took our first "free tour" in Estonia and were so impressed with the knowledge and enthusiasm of the guide. This tour was no different. Our guide, Brent, was from California and came here 14 years ago to study. Met a girl. The rest is history. So not only did we have a knowledgable guide, we could understand him! A win win!
Since women weren't allowed, the men walked through the district and the women walked around and met them at the end of the street. Kos wasn't impressed. 200 windows, and only 2 prostitutes for sale. :)
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