Conversations with Myself

Morning friends!

Without further ado lets jump straight to the point.

There is so much to Germany than Berlin, Munich and Black Forest.  In northern Germany, is the less explored – country’s second biggest city, Hamburg.  We experienced why Hamburg Port is called Gateway to the world by cruise.  The Port of Hamburg lies on the shores of the Elbe River.  It is very popular to tourists.  One thing that fascinated me a lot was the floating dry dock.

And huge Container ships in port terminal, huge freighter fully loaded.

Not only is the Elbe river shores known as a place to take a boat tour through the port of Hamburg, it is also known of its restaurants and souvenir shops. Don’t leave the shores without trying their fish and ships. Its delicious, served in a cone of fake news paper. The best and freshest I had. Its possible want third serving, ha!

While still talking about the harbour lets have a look at the Elbphilharmonie concert hall.  The glass facade structure is the extension to an old brick warehouse.  The building can’t be missed when on boat cruise.  Attention catching architecture hey?.  But what’s more interesting is, Its budget sky rocketed from initial estimated €77 million to alarming €575 million. It is said that the final cost is expected to reach the crazy €600 million upon its completion in 2017.  Excuse me the engineer and project manager in me could not resist but share.

There is also The Hauptbahnhof cental railway station.  It is also strategically within walking distance of all city centre attractions. There are also shops, information points and cafes in the central station.  It is one of the most busiest and largest railway stations I have come across.

Lets go North and get to the lighter side of life.  From the largest ports, projects that exceeded budget and grand railway station to the amazing street view from our hotel room.

We spent the evening at the picturesque Binnenalster Lake.  There is something about the water that makes the atmosphere seems calming and relaxed, adding charm to the area. The Binnenalster Lake/ Alster Lake is no different.  The lake has a huge space to sit  and watch the ducks, boats and blue sky.  This lake changed my perception of Hamburg, I was in awe.

We walked from the lake to the busy streets.

This place was like a magnet.  I could not leave it.  If Cullo could let me, I would have spend the rest of my Hamburg vacation here shopping, dining and watching the city lights in the evening.

 

Walking on the streets of Hamburg.

These two always find ways to keep smile on my faces.

We went to Jungfernstieg – one of the most exquisite shopping street in the world.  Shopping! Shopping!.  Cullo gave me some space and went his merry way and left me with Momo for some eye shopping time.  I should have been consumed in luxury pieces because, when I turned around Muli was nowhere to be found.

I went crazy for 3 minutes.  The longest 3 minutes of my life.  The little girl went upstairs and I found her sitting and playing in the shoe aisle.  I was supper happy to see her.  I gave her a very warm hug.  In 3 minutes that I did not see her, I felt like there was not enough fresh air for me to breath.  My goodness!  She means the world to us.  When we count our blessings we never forget to be grateful for the opportunity entrusted in us from above to parent her.

We have seen so much in Hamburg and there is still more to see.  We are coming back to Hamburg in future.  But for now we will keep left at the fork – road to Amsterdam.

Keep well and come back and journey with us to Netherlands – the Amsterdam trip recap.

Take care,
Nez