HeinBloed's Cruise Guides

2011-06-15T00:01:00.000+02:00

Güstrow, Germany

2010-07-07T17:16:00.001+02:00

Willkommen in Deutschland
Welcome to Germany

Some of you asked what is so special on Güstrow because Holland America offers a shore excursion to.

Beside booking the ship's tour it's also easy to do it yourself because once per hour there is a direct train from Warnemünde to Güstrow.

Once you arrive there it's easy to find around:

Just follow the blue line. The signposts are everywhere in the city to find around.

The most important sight is the Güstrow Palace. We had no time to walk inside when we were there. But here are some impressions from the building and garden:

We continued to walk through the little town.

Here is the tourist information.

Typical in East Germany: still old and new because the property is not fully cleared so none is willing to invest.

Some cake in the VIennese Coffee House...

If you like cribs you may find this exhibition in the old school building interesting:

North German Crib Museum.

Güstrow is at a train junction to Schwerin as well as back to Rostock. So it's good to combine with another place to see.

Ribnitz-Damgarten, Germany

2010-06-29T11:13:00.001+02:00

Willkommen in Deutschland
Welcome to Germany

Let's make a ride to the Eastern part of Rostock. We took a car but all places are easy to reach by train as well.

Let's go to Riebnitz-Damgarten. If you go by train you need to allign at the West-Station.

One-way tickets are 7.10 EUR from Warnemünde and it need 1 hour incl. one transfer in Rostock. One connection per hour. If you are a party of 3, 4 or 5 you can go for 28.00 EUR but then only every two hour as the IC InterCity Long-Distance-Train connection is not included in this Länderticket Mecklenburg-Vorpommern offer. But if you are just 1 or 2 in your party you can also buy single regular fare and you have full flexibility. To buy tickets see here: http://heinbloed-cruiseguides.blogspot.com/2009/02/warnemunde-germany-warenmuritz-and.html and http://heinbloed-cruiseguides.blogspot.com/2009/02/warnemunde-germany-all-destinations.html. Once you arrived by train follow to the exit - in German "Ausgang".

As said before if you buy regular fare you can use the IC InterCity Trains as well.

Once you exit the station building you just walk straight ahead.

At the end of the street you make a turn to the left.

To the tower.

Deutsches Bernsteinmuseum means German Amber Museum.

Stay on the street until you find this entrance.

It's open 08.30 hrs to 18.00 hrs. Last admission 30 minutes before closure. Admission 9.00 EUR incl. monestry church (7.50 EUR only the museum - discounts for children, families and seniors avaiable).

There is also a nice garden around the museum.

Unfortunately we came the day very late and so they told us that it would make too much sense to spend 9.00 EUR and being out in 45 minutes. What we missed you can see on the postcards we bought.

So went towards the town. Just straight ahead out of the museum's gate.

So you follow crossing the market square.

In the red building you find the tourist information.

But let's continue to go the waterfront.

Sales of fish.

The so-called Boddenlandschaft. A landscape of interior lakes which exists behind a sand wall with many many nature and home for many birds.

If you love amber and landscape and maybe yachting you are perfectly here to have a calmer shore excursion.

You can also combine it with a bike rental and take the bikes into the trains or on buses (against payment).

So you on the way back you can visit Karl's Erlebnis-Hof in Rövershagen, which is a little show world for families from big cities to show them what you can experience on the country side.

We have no kids and so we have not visit it. There are many good recommendations but as you see: full parking. So when the weather is nice you should expect that it might be crowd.

Hamburg, Germany - Maritime Circle Line-HoHo-Boat-Service

2010-05-09T07:55:00.000+02:00

Willkommen in Deutschland
Welcome to Germany

There is a difference between the classical port cruises, canal/lake cruises and the Maritime Circle Line.

It's only 8 EUR for the whole day but it's a Ho-Ho-Liner-Service which goes every 2 hours and you do not see the things you normally see on the other port cruises and you do not get any English explanations. So if you want to discover Hamburg history it's good to use this line.

As ususally your tour starts at Landing Stages (Landungsbrücken) which I reached here by commuter rail or subway:

Just follow the sign for the boats and you cross over to St. Pauli Landing Stages. You see here all the activities on the street because it was one day ahead of the port anniversary celebration.

Some of the port cruises also starts walking distance about 10 minutes alongside the waterfront. So ask exactly for price and route and English explaination before you choose anyone and you are disappointed.

It's good to have an overview: Stage 1 is to the left and Stage 10 is to the right. We need to go for Stage 10.

Opposite you find Blohm and Voss shipyards. In their drydocks you find currently CELEBRITY CONSTELLATION and BRAEMAR.

So follow the sign to Maritime Circle Line.

Stage 10 is somehow a little hidden.

Sorry but this is our ship: a classical "Barkasse" which is a Hamburg port cruise barge.

Due to the limited numbers of departures you shoud plan your visits very carefully.

As you see the stops are fixed but the route can vary due to tide.

Toilets are available, but no beverages are sold - Do not laugh: there was a board photographer for 2 EUR (as bargain instead of 2.50 EUR...).

When you choose for another port cruise: both sides of the landing stages are the departure points.

Unfortunately here is no stop but as the first boat leaves at 10.00 hrs it is too late anyhow: St. Pauli Fish Market which is a big attractions Sunday early morning (05.00 hrs) with a lot of great market dealers.

They explain about the big ships on the way but also smaller ships like this which are accidentially on the way.

The first stop it's Ballin Stadt - the emigration museum which you cannot see due to high wall.

Since emigrants were dreaming of their new life this part of the port also called Port of Dreams - Hafen der Träume:

If you love architecture you might interested to visit IBA-exhibition which is opposite of Ballin Stadt.

Normally we should berth at the Hamburg Port Museum. But to missing berth we could not stop there.

Next stop was Hafen City (Port City) - the new living, office, amusement district in Hamburg where formerly warehouses were.

Some other options to discover the port. So you really must look for an option which meets your personal taste.

Hamburg's famous St. Micheal's Church (St. Michelis - or short just Michel) is not far away to visit. You can walk up the tower to have a great view over Hamburg.

That's typical in Hamburg for low tide.

So we were not allowed to go into the Speicherstadt - the historical warehouse district. But you might want to see the museum since you cannot go through with your boat...: Speicherstadtmuseum.

A church on a boat for crew members of the river ship crews: Flussschifferkirche.

The historical light vessel (Das Feuerschiff) is meanwhile a good restaraunt and hotel.

There are so many historical ships in Hamburg during the port anniversary celebration: no idea which one is just guest and which one is here all the time.

Another attraction is this museum freight ship Cap San Diego:

There should be a stop at Cap San Diego but we did not call.

And another museum: Rickmer Rickmers:

After 90 minutes we are back. If you are looking for a nice hotel for your Hamburg pre- or post-cruise stay with a great view to the port: Hotel Hafen Hamburg. Personally I do not like them. Great location but somehow a little bit typical Hamburg: snobbish and elite...

Have a good time in Hamburg.

Regards
HeinBloed

Hamburg, Germany - Buying ticket for local transportation

2010-05-09T07:04:00.000+02:00

Willkommen in Deutschland
Welcome to Germany

It could be that there is a need to buy tickets for public transport.

To buy tickets for intra-Hamburg destinations see here:

http://heinbloed-cruiseguides.blogspot.com/2010/04/hamburg-germany-buying-tickets-at.html

The only difference is that the machines of DB Deutsche Bahn German Railways also accept credit cards. But normally you might walk around to a subway station and cannot pay with credit card.

Some of you need to return to Kiel or you want to go for an excursion for Lübeck.

That's the way how to buy these tickets once you need to buy in Hamburg. All prices are 2010.

Tickets to Lübeck or Kiel are not available with bus drivers in Hamburg!!! So you need to buy a ticket to the next train station with the driver or you walk to town hall according to these instructions to get access to the rapid transit system:

http://heinbloed-cruiseguides.blogspot.com/2009/05/hamburg-germany-city-walk-from-cruise.html

Once you found the touch-screen ticket machines of HVV (Hamburger Verkehrsverbund - Hamburg Transport Association) you can choose that you need your menu in English by pressing the "Union Jack" (English flag):

And the menu changes to English - If you have a destination within Hamburg you may see the other instructions as above linked to get your correct ticket.

But now let's go to Lübeck and you need to find the area "Tickets for HVV-Area and Schleswig-Holstein"

Normally you want to buy a ticket from the place you are. Here I was at the Landing Stages (Landungsbrücken) and so no reason to change. So enter the first letter für Lübeck like "L".

You can either scroll for all destinations starting letter L or you add the next letter "Ü" (do not forget the two dots over the letter U - so it is sorted last in the alphabet).

Now you have "Lübeck" as option and you should select it.

See if you go to Lübeck and return: One single ticket is 11.90 EUR but a day pass is just 22.00 EUR. And if you start after 09.00 hrs on weekdays you get also the option to buy a group pass for 5 persons for just 29.40 EUR which is cheaper if you are a party of 2 upto 5. Let's take such a "Group Ticket 5 Persons" as most of you are not travelling alone.

I guess most of you want to go on "2nd class", you do not purchased annual discount passes for German Railways before so "no discount". And as most of you want to travel the same day there is no need for changes of the day of travel. So just "Buy".

So only cash (machine will change) but no credit cards if you do not have a German bank card with a chip.

Few variations if you want to go to Kiel but it worked nearly same.

For Kiel you get three different ways to get there. But if you want to go on the most direct and fastest train connections you need to choose the first option via "Elmshorn * Wrist * Neumünster".

Same way you also buy tickets für Lüneburg.

I am sure you understood.

Have a great time in Germany.

Regards
HeinBloed

Hamburg, Germany - Access public transportation at Cruise Center Altona (Alternative Cruise Terminal)

2010-05-09T06:43:00.001+02:00

Willkommen in Deutschland
Welcome to Germany

As Hamburg becomes more and more attractive for cruise ship calls a second cruise terminal will be added in their plannings.

So some cruise ships (mostly Germans but in 2010 also MSC POESIA (after her drydock stay) and CELEBRITY CONSTELLATION (before her drydock stay) will be diverted to Altona instead and we be handled at the former Ferry Terminal for the Harwich-bound ferries.

Nicest way will be to go on the port ferry boats of line 61 or 62 which leave from the Landing Stages (Landungsbrücken) and get off here:

When you reach the street level you can see here how much more you need to walk.

In future you will find here a real dedicated cruise terminal which is under construction.

So far you are still using the former passenger hall for the England ferries.

You need to get to the train station (from Hamburg Airport by train or bus) Altona and change here to bus stop F for Bus 383 which does not go on Sundays.

You should get off from the bus at "Fährterminal"

From here you see the way to walk to the former Ferry Terminal.

In this districts there are now many new restaurants. But before you go on your ship you might want to have a snack. This little fish snack bar is also open on Sundays. You get great fish soup or rolls with fish.

Have a good time in Hamburg

Regards
HeinBloed

France: Buying French train tickets

2010-05-03T22:03:00.000+02:00

Due to the vulcano ash and the strike of the French Railworkers we got stranded in Calais, France.

We used the waiting time to learn how to buy tickets (might be interesting for cruisers in the cruise ports who want to their destinations). The yellow machine for national tickets are able to communicate in foreign languages. Just touch the screen.

So you can use the instructions to learn how to buy tickets from Le Havre to Paris or from Villefranche to Cannes.

You select the language at the top. I choosed English by touching the "Union Jack" (British flag).

And a bienvenue is now a welcome.

The normal cruise would not pre-book some tickets at the machine but want to go asap: "Immediate Departure". Many of you want to go from Le Havre to Paris. I am just in Calais and want to go to Paris Nord. Cruisers out of Le Havre should choose "Paris St.Lazare" instead.

All conncections which are not sold out and open to book are displayed. In France reservation in long-distance services are mandantory so sold-out connections are not displayed anymore.

As I want to go quickly from here I choose the first of the two next options and it becomes green. As cruiser you also want to return to your ship so book a "Return Ticket".

And normally you like to return the same day. So today it would be the 04/20/2010, so touch on "20".

Next is the time of return. Let's say "6:00 PM".

Again all connections which are open to book will be displayed.

Now you are asked in which class you want to sit in which part of the travel. Let's say "2nd class" for the regional part to Lille.

Now the next part to Paris in the TGV Trein à grand vitesse High-Speed-Train. And here we choose again "2nd class".

Then you will be asked if you want for the return the same classes of comfort and I confirm by "yes".

Then you are asked for the number of travellers and as we are two adults we are choosing the "2" in the left part.

That we need to "Confirm" on the bottom.

On the right side all tariffs are shown where you need something that you are entitled to buy. On the left all tariffs are shown everybody can buy. "Pro2me" for those who like to rebook and be flexible and "Loisir" for those who can fix the trains. And now for the 1st adult. We choosed "Loisir" because it's a little cheaper. A later change costs 15.00 EUR per person.

And again we "confirm" this at the bottom.

Same procedure for the 2nd person: "Loisir".

And again we "confirm" this at the bottom.

As we do not participate to a loyalty programme of SNCF we say "No".

You get a summery of the order and with "Pay this order" you confirm. Few questions were followed how you would like to be seated but I did not want to buy the ticket so I stopped it here.

Some of you might just want to go from Cannes to Monte Carlo or from Le Havre to Rouen. Destinations which are not shown need to be found by pressing "Other destinations".

Then you enter the appropiate letters...

until the your destination appears.

On the right side you see the possible option like us for "Lille".

The next steps are the same like before for Paris. But with the regional traffic you can choose "Tarif normal".

On smaller train stations without long distance service it could be that there are only the blue ticket machines for TER Regional Traffic. They can be only operated in French.

There are two versions available. But operation is the same.

You start to push the green botton in the circle.

The actual pre-selected option is always on a blue background. We need the tickets from SNCF and then we confirm with the green botton "Billets SNCF...".

"Lille Flandres" is pre-selected. Other non-pre-selected destinations need to found on "Autres Destinations". Confirm with the green botton.

Then accordingly with standard fare "Billet Tarif Normal".

And accordingly 2nd class "2eme classe"

The pre-selection is on "Aller simple" (One-way).

We need to turn around the ring around the green botton to choose the return ticket "Aller/Retour". (Retour simple is just the single return ticket back). And confirm with the green botton.

Accordingly you need to confirm the number of persons.

If the right number is selected press the green botton again.

Then pay with your credit card or in cash.

In France you need to validate/cancel/punch the large tickets. You need to have baggage-tags on your carry-on-bags. That is the reason why you have baggage-tags here to take with you.

Dover, UK: Eastern Docks (Ferry Terminal), Taxis and Foot Passenger to Calais, France by P&O Ferries

2010-05-03T21:54:00.000+02:00

We arrived by rental car in Dover where we parked first the car because we excepted here jam packed in the waiting hall to get to France as foot passenger on P&O Cruises. But nothing although all flights were cancelled due to the vulcano ash.

For 50 GBP instead of normally 26 EUR we can go in our hour with P&O Ferries. Seafrance normally does not accepted anymore foot passengers but they did it under the special circumstances. But their queue was somehow long.

Now we tried to return the car as quickly as possible.

From here we can still get on the bus to Paris. But the two hours from Southampton to Heathrow were already enough.

We used the chance to inform us about the prices and talked a little bit with the drivers. A ride from Dover to Gatwick will be around 130 GBP and to Heathrow around 160 GBP.

We need to get over to the arrival hall to find Enterprise.

Enterprise offers to collect/deliver you at the Cruise Terminal but not at the weekends. AVIS is also here available. But they are not available at the weekend as well.

A bus connects the ferry terminal witht the train station but then we need to change the train station within London. Too much stress with all the bags.

Here you need to pay attention because the bus to the ship starts also from here. It was not very convenient. On the way to the ship you need get all off without baggage to pass the French immigration. After few yards again with all your bags for security screening. They took us directly on the ramp to the car deck of the ship and released us in front of a two-deck long steep stairways to get to the passengers deck.

Welcome to the PRIDE OF BURGUNDY. But the ride was only an hour. Much longer I really did not want to stay there.

I Calais you need to get off the ship over this endless long passenger bridge and again into a bus.

We were lucky that we did not order a car. All had closed anyway and we would not have a chance to get to their offices as the departing foot passengers were already queing in the arrival hall. I guess they would not been nicer than in the UK with their price policy.

Ooops... no more buses according to this schedule. And no taxi around.

But then one more bus came and more foot passengers arrived who need to queue up outside the terminal. The bus was not able to stop anymore where it should stop. In front of the square all the international networks.

For 2 EUR we got a lift to Calais Ville train station.

Southampton, UK: From City Center Terminal to Heathrow Airport by National Express Coach, Taxis, Car Rental, Hotels and Baggage Storage

2010-05-03T21:49:00.000+02:00

Originally we were informed that we should arrive at the Ocean Terminal (right) but our berth is today at the City Center Terminal (left).

Sailing was out of the Mayflower Terminal (left) so all guests parked their car there and need to be shuttled back to this terminal for free.

The Devere Grand Hotel is on the right side. You can store your bags there for 5 GBP per bag. You get a voucher for consumption of 5 GBP in the hotel. In the center there is the Holiday. Here you also find the AVIS-location. There is Gate 8 in front. If you are lucky it's open and you walk easily from the City Center Terminal to there.

Behind the Holiday Inn you can see the reason why you did not get any dividend from Carnival last year... We had to finance this new building.

From this distance you can see the Ibis- and the Etap-Hotel. There behind is the train station. Who likes to walk... please...

In the background you see the parking lots of IKEA. In between you maybe can identify the Europcar-National-location. The roof in front is part of the City Center Terminal.

Around 10.00 hrs we need to be from the ship. It did not make too much sense to leave earlier because National Express amended the frequency from Southamtpton to Heathrow to a bi-hourly service. The very first time in our life we did self-debarkation and carried our bags ourselves out. Outside the terminal we need to find the pick-up zone.

Here you can see the official taxi-tariffs.

There they were waiting. Because many came with their cars there were not so much business for them. When we come again on NORWEGIAN JADE in June it will become quite busy.

We booked our car with West Quay Cars. Within the city they used the meter. But for destinations outside the city you can negotiate a fixed rate. The booking confirmation came very quickly by mail.

I put my Blackberry on silent mode so I did not hear the information call that the car is in front of the cruise terminal and waited for me.

How nice: they sent a car which makes advertising for cruising.

The ride to the National Express Bus Station from the City Center Terminal was less than 5 GBP.

Welcome to National Express Bus Station.

Opposite there was a big ASDA Market (British subsidiary of Wal-Mart) - here you can also spend your waiting time.

That's the way to the train station.

And towards the IKEA you get to the port. The City Center Terminal is located adjusted to IKEA at the water.

In the bus station you find two ticket machines and one information counter. I asked for buses which are calling directly the cruise terminals: only Fred Olsen when they chartered buses. And how about Dover: only when there are embarking/debarking ships some buses call additionally the cruise terminal.

The service which connects Heathrow with Southamtpon is route 203 which continues to Portsmouth.

There was no more fascilities but the vending machines for beverages and snacks.

If you need to see the toilets you need 20 Pence.

So you should stay as long as possible on the ship and come as late as possible as also the seats in the waiting zone are very limited.

We ordered our tickets in the internet. 15.00 GBP per person from Southampton to Heathrow plus credit card usage of 1.00 GBP.

You were queing up to board. Not a knot of people like in Germany.

The baggage was handed over to the driver who loaded it into the lower compartments. Maybe they had an installed scale in their arm to check if your bags were heavier than the allowed 20 kgs...

To have more legroom we went to the last room at the emergency exit.

All seats had seat belts which you must wear. You had free WiFi on board. But nothing for the upload of pictures.

The last row was advantaged for those who had cathced the nororvirus... and a disadvantage for those sitting next: The price you had to pay for more legroom.

There was also an area in the front for wheelchair customers with more legroom.

They also provided child seat supports.

It took nearly two hours before we reached Terminal 5. They only call Terminal 4 and Terminal 5 when there are ticketed passengers i. e. you must have tickets to these terminals if you want the bus to stop there. On the way to the terminal we see all international broadcast network in front of the Renaissance Hotel to catch the haunting atmosphere at Heathrow airport where was absolutely no move on the airfield.

So they released you at the bus terminal which is connected by subway to Termianl 1 and Terminal 3. Terminal 2 is closed.

And if you need to rebook because you are too late or too early??? Change fee 5 GBP subject to availability.

Who need to get to the subway (Underground) and need to get from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3 need anyway to get under the bus station.

Ghent, Belgium: Tram between Ghent St. Peter and City Center

2010-05-03T21:33:00.000+02:00

We get off at Ghent-St. Peter Station. Most connections from Blankenberge, Bruges, Antwerp and Brussels arrive here.

The location of the train station is not very convenient for whose who like to walk to the city center like in Bruges. You need to get to the tram.

She has a separate access from the platform.

Somehow narrow and only one escalator upwards.

And only for one direction. But we arrived at the side for the city-center-bound trams. Opposite tram came from the city center.

Looked like a disruption that the tram did not go.

Tram 1 could not go into the heart of the city right now.

The tram comes from the left and from Ghent St. Peter she goes without stop in a big loop to the city center. The area in the center in downtown is suspended. And a service from the right is offered.

So take Tram 1 to Justitiepaleis and walk from here.

1.20 EUR to the city center if you pre-buy it. Or 2.00 EUR with the driver.

Also these machines are multilingual. Let's choose English.

Tickets...

1-2 zones...

I did not go alone...

So 2...

3.40 EUR cash or Belgian bank card...

5 EUR-bills were also accepted...

So two tickets were released...

... which need to be cancelled/validated/punched in the tram.

On the way back we only found this type of machine where you need to insert the money and press the green button. Only 1.20 EUR tickets were available. We had exact change.

But we used back Tram 21/22 to arrive just in front of the train station.

Taxi passengers were attracted to the official taxi tariff. No freedom for negotiations.

Who still has some time left before the return train starts: Bruno said that the cappucino was very good and I said look above to the ceiling...

Zeebrugge, Belgium: Transport Options to/from Bruges

2010-05-03T21:29:00.002+02:00

As we were unable to embark our ship in Southampton we had to embark our ship in Zeebrugge.

That's why some information are VICE VERSA...

We berthed all three times (QUEEN ELIZABETH 2, VENTURA and ARTEMIS) at the Zweedse Kaai (Swedish Quay). There might be another quay but I never was there.

The part which is dedicated to the hardware on this day is finished. So I continue with the life onboard - and around. P&O (as well as Cunard) offered a complimentary shuttle to Blankenberge.

Nobody could say that they did not know the departure time of the last bus at 16.30 hrs. To be completely safe you need to add Central European Daylight Time...

You got in the bus an overview free of charge. At the ride came to the end an agent of the bus company gave information what you can do or when the next trains would leave for Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp or Brussels.

Behind the church is the access to the city center.

But for the station you need to walk here as well.

The train station is round the corner.

There is already the clock tower of the station.

Now you see it was the train station building.

On the left side there is the schedule for the weekdays and on the right side you find the schedule for the weekend.

Here you can download a pdf-version in French:

http://hari.b-holding.be/Hafas/folders/20091213/A/FR/A-050a.pdf

Important:

The pages with an "A" in a circle on the background: Weekday
The pages with a "C" in a circle on the background: Saturday, Sunday and Public Holiday
Trains marked with a "Sun"-sign only goes during the vacation summer season

The only problem: the ticket machine only works with the Belgian bank card. So you need to queue up if one complete ship arrives. Before you miss the train: you can buy with credit card or in cash also with the conductor. Or check before the internet: http://www.b-rail.be.

Here the Bruges-bound trains depart. From there you can transfer to Ghent, Antwerp or Brussels.

We did not want to use the bus back to the cruise terminal but to try how you can get back on the coastal tramways.

Just across the street and here the trams stop.

Left is a ticket-outlet. Do not wonder if you buy two tickets. You get it on one ticket and you do not need to cancel/validate/punch. To Zeebrugge it's 1.20 EUR again.

Zeebrugge is Knokke-bound.

But here you cannot find any information we need to get back.

During the peak-season the tram runs every 15 minutes. The next day obviously the off-season starts: every 20 minutes.

The tram approched.

During the bus transfer we saw already the stop Zeebrugge Kerk (Church). It should be from here ahead of the port gate. Thereafter it should be Zeebrugge Seesluis (Sea Palace).

So we passed the port entrance.

After a very big loop which we had to go due to bridge closure we arrived at Zeebrugge Zeesluis.

We were happy that the bridge was open for cars, bikes and pedestrians.

On the top of the reclided bridge you must have the best possibility to take pictures of our ARTEMIS.

After 10-15 minutes (incl. breaks for taking pictures) we arrived at the port gate. To the church (the other stop) it would not be much more closer.

It was not too far away to Zeesluis. For me as shipspotter it was the best option to take pictures of the ship. But in the morning time it would be better.

Now we had our cruisecard. So it should not apply to us.

This was the end of our walk: we were asked to wait for a bus shuttle which would take us to the ship.

So close the tram was running from the cruise terminal. But there was no close-by tram stop and no way to walk to the tram.

From there we took the pictures of the ship.

Something about ticket purchase and trains in Belgium:

I preferred to buy at the machine.

Especially if they are multilingual.

Tickets...

Weekend Tickets... it's a Saturday...

Why Ostend... I do not want to go to...

So I need to find the place by myself. Tomorrow we need to get to the ship so a B like Blankenberge...

Then an L... and now it appeared...

Interesting: 3.80 EUR for a return ticket. So weekend tickets are not available as single tickets and you get back for nearly nothing.

With the "+"-key you can get more...

Did not work... This machine only accepts Belgian bank cards and no cash.

Just interesting: Blankenberge - Brussels 14.80 EUR (single - 2010)

Blankenberge - Bruges 2.70 EUR (single)

Blankenberge - Ghent 7.70 EUR (single)

We need to buy our tickets in cash or by credit card so we missed the InterCity train.

In the regional train we found out that you can buy tickets with a credit card with the conductor.

So we paid 6.60 EUR for a weekend return ticket.

Regarding the comfort Belgian Railways has upgraded a lot compared to German Railways.

There 2nd class looked more like our 1st class in regional trains in Germany...

Disadvantage of the multilingual country: in the Flamish part they only display in Flamish. But they did.

And the walk from the City Center to the train station and options:

The market dealers on Zand started to pack their goods when we passed to get to the train station.

To say it in advance: we did a big mistake by walking on the right side of Zand towards the train station. So we could walk below the street level and see backwards how far we are already away from Zand.

But then we found ourselves at this rotary/roundabout and there was only a subway to pass to get towards the train station.

You could see it but it was still far away.

Behind the trees you see already the train station building.

So we need to walk a 3/4 loop like with a clover-leave intersection before we arrived the lower level. Another option would be to walk a small detour to reach directly this subway.

And if you want to get to the city: 3/4 loop upwards and you are in front of the rotary/roundabout.

But it's well signposted - somehow.

Only stairs up or down. So no good choice for mobility reduced people.

But you were well protected from the bike-riders.

The view from the train station side.

Or you rent a bike to discover the city. It's possible at the train station.

Who does not like to walk through the subway should keep right and walk on the right side Zand-bound. There are no stairs and no subway.

Alternatively: a cab to the market square for about 8.00 EUR.

Or by bus for 1.20 EUR (pre-purchase at the machine or 2.00 EUR with the driver - prices of 2010).

All city center-bound buses will call Zand and Market Sqaure.

Or do you prefer to use a taxi like us as we were going form our hotel to the ship with all our baggage:

The Port Agent and the hotel receptionist told us that there is no private limousine service or so-called mini-cars available. They charge the rides by meter. For full day tours you can negotiate a fixed price. At 07.30 hrs we were nicely surprised: Full leather VIP equipment...

Unfortunately not much too see: ARTEMIS in the background. And the meter show around 48.00 EUR at the port gate.

The driver took care of everything. We were listed as potential embarking guests. Everything is alright. The ship was not finishing the clearance and our driver need to be back in Bruges at 08.15 hrs. Before he was able to unload our bags we got the notification that he could come directly to the pier. Who likes to pre-book the taxi: Taxi Snel

Ghent, Belgium: Impressions

2010-05-03T20:47:00.000+02:00

We were in Bruges but it became so crowd that we decided to move to Ghent.

In the internet we downloaded already a walking tour in Ghent which was provided by the tourist information.

Due to the closure of the city center for the tram we only need to change the start- and finish place of the walk.

It was another atmosphere: Department stores where normal Belgian doing their shopping and much space to walk and to breath...

Not like a clean-sterile atmosphere like in Bruges. Erotic pictures had nothing to do with pornography.

Somehow we liked it better.

You could walk 50 m and more without seeing one chocolate store. Not every inch of a vacant front of a house must be changed to a chocolate store.

We felt much more comfortable here. May it was because it was not like an outdoor-museum. It's a university city with many young people who enjoyed the life. This was somehow infectious to us.

You can see the same things what you also can see in Bruges.

Remember the canal boats in Bruges? In Ghent they were all decorated with flowers.

Obviously you get some free drinks - or was it just a charter???

We liked it here.

Someone remember the prices in Bruges? Here is Ghent you get more for less...

A very nice flower shop.

Next to it there was the Brooderie.

Something for fans of organic bread and homemade cakes.

Pepper from the mill and milled salt.

The red pepper soup was made of true red peppers. And the mozzarella on whole-wheat bread made you full for little money. The white raddish was not dried out but juicy and fresh.

What a shame that we did not stayed here. They also offered bed and breakfast.

In the window there were human dolls to advertise for the sweets.

And outside you were invited to test them.

Here you could buy a DIY-model of TITANIC. They did not have an OASIS OF THE SEAS. But Bruno did not allow the purchase because he refused to carry it or to finance an additional extension of our house.

The purchase of an historic model of a SeaLink-ship he prohibited too.

What you can do with this spider-web I let your phantasy decide... I knew whatfor I would use it...

They had a nicer relationship to flowers in this city.

Bruno discovered a coffee store. I was willing to buy him a manual coffee mill like in old fairy tale books but he wanted to have a coffee machine which costed as much as a cruise. I let him choose to come with me on a cruise again or if I better look for a single-cruise.

What I liked very much with Ghent: there could be many different styles of architecture next to eachother without bad influence to each other. That's maybe why it was not as monotone as in Bruges.

Can you picture Belgium with out French Fries (wondering why they are calling French Fries and not correctly Belgian Fries). They were here since 1898.

Looked very historical to me.

The smell of fresh herbs in the center of the shopping mile.

Only the tourist information itself was somehow discretely hidden at the back side of the building.

Currently there was the problem that the construction work in the main walking mile made it difficult to walk along until summer 2010. It was worth to go for 30-45 more from Zeebrugge and additionally 15 minutes from the train station.

Ghent remembered me to Heidelberg, Tübingen etc.: Cities with a traditional university and many young people who celebrate their single-fare-well-party like here.

And here the female version. That was why we liked it more in Bruges. We felt there much more younger than in Bruges...

Bruges, Belgium: Impressions

2010-05-03T20:39:00.002+02:00

Due to the vulcano ash and all flight-disruptions all over Europe we had no chance to embark our ship in Zeebrugge. So we stayed the day before the next day embarkation in Bruges.

The night receptionist told us to go to Zand because the weekly market was hold. You could smell the roasted chickens for which people were queing up. And here we started our Plan B. We contacted already P&O on Friday that we will embark maybe in Zeebrugge if we would have no chance to make it right on time to Southampton. We got all necessary information of the port agent whom we should contact ahead. He registered us at the port gate as we would not have any cruise cards. So we did all sightseeing which were planned for Sunday during our call in Zeebrugge one day ahead. And while the ship is in port we will enjoy the ship.

We downloaded a walking tour suggestion which you can find on the website of the tourist information in internet.

By coincidence we passed also the Chinese restaurant of my grand uncle. But now I understand why he always bought duvees in Germany when he visited us. As the restaurant did not open yet and letting my parents first come to see them again we did not try to go in.

We continue to walk.

From the three international Belgian chocolate brand I prefer Neuhaus

The Belgian girl friend of one my employees told us to see this place to have a true hot chocolate milk: The Old Chocolate House.

A true treasure box for chocolate lovers from outside.

... and inside...

Above there is a nice tea-room.

Then we made a big "mistake" by ordering an all-in-cover.

There are my chocolate-pallets and you need to put them into them into the hot milk and stir yourself. We should not have any breakfast in the hotel. The white mousse au chocolate was a dream but nothing for 11.00 hrs in the morning.

You got a small beater. And you can order the chocolate pallets in white, milk or dark chocolate. In the summertime this cup will be enough for a whole family. But in winter I can handle it alone.

I felt so sorry that I was stuffed. Who has the honor to represent Belgium at the Shanghai World Expo 2010 must be good: Dumon but no way to try any bite more.

Let's continue with our walk.

If you want to buy the best souvenirs you just must follow Japanese tourists. You are in Heidelberg or Rothenburg ob der Tauber: just follow Japanese signposts to buy the best of the country like here with Belgian lace: Irma

Something for people with a good memory: keep this boat in your mind for later (when we are in Ghent).

The Belgians are good gourmets and you can smell in all streets the smell of Belgian waffles. Why did not we have them for breakfast???

Käthe Wohlfahrt

German Christmas romance all over the year - now also in Bruges for all who did 14 countries in 4 days but had no chance to see Rothenburg ob der Tauber.

The ride on a canal boat costs 6.90 EUR for 30 minutes... just keep it in mind for later (when we are in Ghent)...

Regarding the food I think personally that the Belgians are the better "French"...

So you should go to the first best store to buy something but to watch and try in few stores before you buy finally somehting. You get addict.

Another option to Godiva and Neuhaus on the international market: Leonidas. But that's a question of personal flavour and taste. Ask three different friends and you get three different answers.

With so much chocolate in Bruge you need a hearty alternative. It was so jampacked in Bruges around noon that we "escaped" to Ghent.

Here our impression from Ghent can be found.

Later the afternoon we returned from Ghent and continued to discover the city.

In the afternoon Bruges appeared in another kind of light.

Wow - we found one modern building in the old town of Bruges but totally hidden in a side lane.

After a short afternoon nap like we have on a ship as well we went early out fir dinner. We did not want to continue the second half of the walk as it was very chilly.

It's possible to experience on Sunday as many stores were open.

Finally in the light of the sunset.

All the details we were unable to see in the morning.

Something to make SOME US-cruisers upset...

But it was no erotic bakery just a normal chocolate store.

As we would normally have dinner on board and we did want to spend too much for dining out as we did not know which additional expenses are waiting for us in case we get "stranded" in London. But we made it to a tourist trap for Scotsmen and Englishmen which explained the prices and the taste of the food. But even the Englishmen need to add salt.

To be tired enough to get a good sleep we made another round...

For those of you who dislikes chocolate another Belgian speciality...

75 different types of beer in De Bierpoort in Bruges.

Hamburg, Germany - Access public transportation at Hamburg Jungfernstieg (Noble Shopping District and Canal Cruises)

2010-04-14T14:25:00.000+02:00

Willkommen in Deutschland
Welcome to Germany

Jungfernstieg - the former footbridge of the virgins - today's noble shopping district with upgrade historic department store like Alsterhaus.

In the future when the subway from the Cruise Terminal has been completed you can just get very easily to Jungfernstieg.

Jungfernstieg is just at the Southern End of the river Alster which looks more like a lake on this map. Hamburg Cruise Center is located just South of it where buses 3, 4 and 6 terminate.

Once you arrive from the Cruise Terminal on Metrobus 4 (towards Wildacker) you get off at U S Jungfernstieg.

To the right you NORMALLY can see the River Alster if there would not be the construction site for the subway. But it would be your access to Subway, Commuter Train (incl. Airport-bound trains) and Alster Canal Cruises.

So guess you would be at Hamburg Cruise Terminal and Metrobus 4 is coming before Metrobus 6 comes and you need to get to the airport: just hop-on and get off at U S Jungefernstieg and follow the white S in a green circle until you get on the platform.

You see also from here you get every 10 minutes to the airport.

But it's important to find the platform section marked with this sign.

The train goes to two different destinations.

So it's important to know that only the first three cars of the train go to the airport.

If you have a lot of baggage: just behind the driver's cabin at the ends of the first and third car you can easily try to stow your baggage.

Maybe you missed to get off at Central Station to get on the bus to the Cruise Terminal. On weekdays you have a good chance to get a bus from here to the Cruise Terminal. On weekends you need to walk out towards "Rathausmarkt" and find Metrobus 3 towards HafenCity. But it's only a short walk. On weekdays you get off towards "Jungfernstieg".

Still continue to "Jungfernstieg"...

"Jungfernstieg"...

"Jungfernstieg"...

"Jungfernstieg"...

"Jungfernstieg"...

"Jungfernstieg"...

Once you are surface you see already the bus stop for Metrobus 4 Cruise Terminal-bound.

You must take the Metrobus 4 towards "HafenCity".

So you see not all Metrobuses 4 go to HafenCity - some also go to Central Station (Hauptbahnhof/ZOB).

It's important to know: ONLY MONDAY TO FRIDAY METROBUS 4 GOES TO HAFENCITY - on other days: reverse your direction: walk to the church and there are Metrobuses 3 and 6 which take you to HafenCity on the other days. Just few yards.

But when you made it right you should be in front of this bus.

Hamburg, Germany - Access public transportation and HoHo-Buses at Hamburg Cruise Center

2010-04-13T18:32:00.001+02:00

Willkommen in Deutschland
Welcome to Germany

Welcome to Hamburg Cruise Center which is located in Hafen City - Port City former "Docklands"... a fast growing office, residential and entertainment area...

To check if your ship arrives Hamburg Cruise Center you should visit this website:

http://www.schiffe-in-hamburg.de/de/_calls.htm#today

If there is an "H" (stands for Hamburg Cruise Center) in the column marked with "L" (stands for Liegeplatz - berth) then your ship will arrive here in Hafen City

Once you arrive by bus from Central Station or from the City Center you must get off here: "Marco-Polo-Terassen". Be sure the driver will get you off the bus. It's the last stop. Have a look to the orange tower in the front.

From here you see the distance to the Cruise Terminal to the right.

But here from the Promenade Deck of QUEEN MARY 2:

You will find taxis and car rental companies like Europcar and Sixt as well.

From the arrival bus stop to the flags is the way you need to walk to the Cruise Terminal.

If you need to go from the Cruise Center you need to walk to the black SAP-Building.

On the right side in front of the SAP-Building there is the departure bus stop for the City- and Central Station-bound buses.

It's close.

Here you find three bus routes starting from here:

In the waiting hut you find a map of the bus lines but also showing all attractions in Hafen City / Speicherstadt (Historic warehouse district) around.

Here you see the next buses leaving from here:

Metrobus 3 will get you to Rathausmarkt (Town Hall Square). Frequency 10-20 minutes. But if you do not mind you should walk in 20 minutes and enjoy the walk...

See here:

http://heinbloed-cruiseguides.blogspot.com/2009/05/hamburg-germany-city-walk-from-cruise.html

The first section of the walk.

Metrobus 4 will get you to Rathausmarkt and Jungfernstieg (Noble Shopping District and Canal Cruises):

Some impressions:

http://heinbloed-cruiseguides.blogspot.com/2008/12/hamburg-germany.html

But Metrobus 4 does not run on weekend from HafenCity.

Metrobus 6 will get you very close to Rathausmarkt and the main shopping street Mönckebergstraße and Central Station (for ongoing connections to the Airport, Lübeck, Lüneburg or Berlin). Goes every 15-20 minutes. (2010 schedule).

You do not get all tickets to all destinations with the bus driver.

Just for Hamburg and Lüneburg:

A ride to Central Station and City Center Destiantions will be 1.30 EUR and a ride to the Airport will be 2.75 EUR incl. all transfers. (2010 prices)

Just in case you are planning to go to other places you need to learn how to buy your tickets:

for Kiel and Lübeck:

http://heinbloed-cruiseguides.blogspot.com/2010/04/hamburg-germany-buying-tickets-at.html

for Berlin:

http://heinbloed-cruiseguides.blogspot.com/2009/02/warnemunde-germany-berlin-buying.html

And you need to pay cash. Opposite you find a bank "Hamburger Sparkasse". An ATM is in the entrance hall. Do not take 50 or 100 but 60 and 110. The driver will "kill" you if you pay 1.30 EUR with a 50 EUR bill...

So like here Metrobus 6 to U Borgweg will take you to Central Station for your flight back or your shore excursion to Berlin, Lübeck or Lüneburg...

Few things to know if you are on the bus...

There is a display showing the next stop.

Buses only stops on request like here for the next stop ("Wagen hält") "Rathausmarkt (Petrikirche).

Metrobus 6 does not go directly to Rathausmarkt. But it's just one block.

And only few yards to Jungfernstieg. So do not waste time to wait for the next Metrobus 3 or 4 if Metrobus 6 is the next.

All buses will make a small detour to the the "Miniature Wonderland". It's a real attraction. I do not know if you can see the queue...

To request the bus to stop at the next bus stop press on "Haltewunsch"

or "Stop"

To get off at the right station at Central Station (Hauptbahnhof = Hbf) see this blog posting:

http://heinbloed-cruiseguides.blogspot.com/2010/04/hamburg-germany-access-public_13.html

For fans of HoHo-Buses:

Two lines published their routes at the bus stop so you can easily stop them:

Hamburg-City-Tour

and

Blaue Linie

There were also other HoHo-Buses coming around but I could not find further information on bus stops. Maybe if I am there again for my own cruise in May 2010. Then I will update.

Hamburg, Germany - Access public transportation and HoHo-Buses at Hamburg Central Station

2010-04-13T17:43:00.002+02:00

Willkommen in Deutschland
Welcome to Germany

Welcome to Hamburg Hbf (= Hauptbahnhof = Central Station)...

You might be on a cruise calling Hamburg, Kiel, Warnemünde, Travemünde - you might on transit to the airport... Let me ease you finding around Hamburg Central Station:

There are two connectors between the platforms (1 and 2 are not in the hall - but underground aside...).

They are yellow marked on this map:

One connects "Steindamm" and "Mönckebergstraße" and the other "Spitalerstraße" and "Kirchenallee" - The Spitalerstraße-Kirchenallee is also called "Wandelhalle" and here you find all services like tourist information and ticket sales.but also many stores which are also open on Sunday and in the evening.

When you need lockers for baggage storage you must go to "Spitalerstraße"-"Kirchenalle"-Connector (= Wandelhalle) - on the platform you need to go to the end of the alphabet (The platforms are subdived into sections! White letters in a blue cube).

Let's go out towards "Kirchenallee" to the right.

Platform 1 and 2 are outside the station hall in the underground.

That's Kirchenallee side: CAUTION PICKPOCKETS and BEGGARS. Just say "NEIN" (like 9 in English) when you are asked for money. Do not put out any wallet at this place.

Subject you are coming from the airport you arrive from the underground station (platform 1 and 2) but once you are on the surface you see left the entrance to the station hall.

To the right you see several bus stops for Ho-Ho-Buses.

Most companies start and terminate their routes here. So you can go from one stop to the next and check which route and offer is the best for you.

Let's go to the other side: "Spitalerstraße" - which is No. 2 shopping mile in Hamburg.

If you go out and go straight ahead you are just on the way to Rathausmarkt (Town Hall Market - about 12-18 minutes walk).

If you see inside the road: pedestrian zone and all shopping.

Take a look to the left towards.

Here you find a bus stop for Bus 112 which I like to use as "cheap" way to discover Hamburg. Bus 112 takes you to Landungsbrücke (Landings Stage), St. Pauli - Reeperbahn (Adult Amusement District)...

... and to the St. Pauli Fish market which is hold on Sunday EARLY Morning (best time to visit 05.00 hrs).

There are also few Ho-Ho-Buses going from here. But I think it's better to do it from Kirchenallee side.

If you are going to the beginning of the alphabet along side the platform sections you get on the connector to "Steindamm" and "Mönckebergstraße". Due to space limit: you need to know: Platform 1 is at "Steindamm" and Platform 14 is at "Mönckebergstrasse". A very nice way to see the Landungsbrücke (Landingstage) is taking the Subway (white U on blue cube). U3 is going surface and you will have the best view to the port.

Let's go platform 14-bound and you find the exit to "City Mönckebergstraße".

If you would not be in the tunnel but surface you would see all the major department stores in this street.

But if you still follow the tunnel it's important to find the right side of the escelator (left the bridge).

and here you see all buses leaving for Rathausmarkt (Town Hall Square) if you are lazy to walk 12-18 minutes straight ahead. The Rathausmarkt is just behind the church to the right...

Best is taking 4, 5 and 109 to go Rathausmarkt and Jungfernstieg (for Noble Shopping District and Canal Cruises). But as said 12-18 minutes walk. Bus 6 takes you to the Cruise Terminal but it stops one block apart from Rathausmarkt.

Do not take the 30s bus - even they are the next. It's a rapid bus: additional surcharge requested.

Some of you are coming from Rostock (Warnemünde), Lübeck (Travemünde) or Kiel to see Hamburg.

Do you see that there are two trains on the left track???

Have a closer look: the train in the rear shows LÜBECK HBF and the platform display shows KIEL HBF...

So pay attention that you get to the right train:

Kiel-bound trains start from the "Spitalerstraße"-"Kirchenallee"-Section of the platform
Lübeck-bound trains start from "Steindamm"-"Mönckebergstraße"-Section of the platform

Just make sure that you are boarding the right train and do not get off at the wrong ship in the wrong town.

So you see the C (platform section): ABC for Lübeck and EFG for Kiel.

Normally you should not make anything wrong.

Just note: Same can happen to Rostock-bound trains which need to share the platform as well.

Some of you just came by S1-Commuter train from Hamburg Airport for the Cruise Terminal. The stop ahead of Central Station is Berlner Tor. Here you should start to sort your belongings and the next station which will be announced will be Hauptbahnhof (Central Station)

Once you left the platform. Follow the sign to "U2" on red square.

Still "U2" on red square.

And again "U2" on red square.

If you scroll to the top you see how it looks like surface.

Once you get up and make a right turn and at the street a left turn you are at this stop:

All Metrobuses 6 showing "Metrobus HafenCity" will take your to the Cruise Terminal. Frequency 15 minutes during the day time. Other show "U Rödingsmarkt" but will not take you to the Cruise Terminal.

If you arrive from the Cruise Terminal on Metrobus 6 you should NOT get off at "Hbf/Mönckebergstraße" - beside you do not mind to carry your bags two stairways down and from platform 14 to platform 3 for the Airport-bound commuter trains.

Stay and get off at "Hbf/Kirchenallee

then you are closer to platform 3.

If you do not mind to carry your bag one stairways down you should go to the rear of the bus to cross the street towards this building.

Again: That's Kirchenallee side: CAUTION PICKPOCKETS and BEGGARS. Just say "NEIN" (like 9 in English) when you are asked for money. Do not put out any wallet at this place.

The airport-bound trains are leaving from platform 3.

Just follow "S1" (white S1 in a green oval circle)

The frequency should be every 10 minutes.

No escelator down. This will be fastest way to the airport-train.

If you have more baggage and you need an elevator you need to go to the front of your bus and crossing the street:

Again: That's Kirchenallee side: CAUTION PICKPOCKETS and BEGGARS. Just say "NEIN" (like 9 in English) when you are asked for money. Do not put out any wallet at this place.

On the connector "Spitalerstraße"-"Kirchenallee" there is an elevator on the left side.

BUT if you are coming from "Spitalerstraße"-"Kirchenallee"-connector you need to walk all the platform along to the "Steindamm"-"Mönckebergstraße"-connector, because only the first 3 cars go to the airport.

Where you see the sign with the plane and "S1" - there the cars for the airport stop. But do not worry: subject you are in the wrong car. You will have few minutes to change the cars in Ohlsdorf where the train will be split up. They will make a bilingual announcement in German and English.

If you have much baggage with you: For this route they use brand new trains. But they forgot to install racks for the luggage. Best would be to fight with bicycles and wheelchairs their compartment at the beginning of the 1st car and the end of the 3rd car (in front of the driver's cabin).

Hamburg, Germany - Access public transportation at Hamburg Airport

2010-04-13T16:33:00.002+02:00

Willkommen in Deutschland
Welcome to Germany

Subject you arrive by air and need to get to your cruises out of Hamburg or Kiel you need to know where to find your buses:

The cheapest way to get to Hamburg Cruise Terminal or to the City Center (Central Station = Hauptbahnhof = Hbf, Town Hall Market = Rathausmarkt and Shopping Area Jungfernstieg) is the commuter train (S-Bahn - white S in a green circle). It's just 2.75 EUR a ride.

When you collected your baggage you find these signposts.

Follow to the white S in a green circle.

All trains goes every 10 minutes to the City Center but only every 2nd train is going to Wedel outside the peak-time. So you can go on any train if want to go to Central Station and City Center only. From the Central Station you can get connected to all further train connections incl. Kiel or Lübeck (although both places are well connected by bus directly from the airport...).

Just continue to the trains.

On the way to the platform you find the ticket machines.

Here you find the instructions how to buy the tickets if you want to go Hamburg City Center, Kiel, Lübeck or Schwerin:

http://heinbloed-cruiseguides.blogspot.com/2010/04/hamburg-germany-buying-tickets-at.html

After buying your tickets follow the white S in the green circle to the platform...

Here you see the platform and the train waiting...

You can check the stops on the way and the estimated travel time:

Hauptbahnhof = Central Station = transfer to Hamburg Cruise Terminal and Kiel, Lübeck and Schwerin-bound trains.

Jungfernstieg = Shopping District = 5 minutes walk to Town Hall Market (Rathausmarkt) and Canal Cruises on River Alster

Landungsbrücken = Landing Stages = The port attraction in Hamburg

Reeperbahn = St. Pauli Adult Amusement District

Königstraße = Old Fishmarket = The attraction on Sunday Morning at 5.00 hrs

To "Wedel", "Blakenese" or "Altona"... all trains are going to the City Center...

For this route they use brand new trains. But they forgot to install racks for the luggage. Best would be to fight with bicycles and wheelchairs their compartment at the beginning of the 1st car and the end of the 3rd car (in front of the driver's cabin).

When you are coming back from your cruise it's simple "S1 Hamburg Airport". At the major stations in the City Center and at Ohlsdorf (junction and seperation station) and Hamburg Airport all announcements are bilingual (German/English).

Just check at the boards if your flight is leaving Terminal 1 or 2 to go to the right direction.

To find your bus you need to go towards Terminal 1 arrival level and see the bus signs.

There are three stops: A for the local buses - B for long distance buses like Kielius to Kiel or Trave Liner to Lübeck - C for courtesey buses for parking and hotels

Find B to get to Kiel (or Lübeck).

Kielius is the regular scheduled bus service for Kiel. TraveLiner is the regular scheduled bus service for Lübeck and KielExx is the scheduled shared taxi service to Kiel (but only on pre-booking on higher rates than the scheduled bus).

Here you find the schedules.

Check for this yellow-green bus from the AUTOKRAFT company if you want to go to Kiel or Lübeck.

A single ticket is 17.50 EUR (only cash - ATM just at the exit from the baggage claim!!!)
Return is 30.00 EUR. (2010 prices)
Discounts for children and families.

http://www.kielius.de/de/id840.htm

But you should know:

If your time and mobility allow: For 30 EUR 5 persons can go by train to Kiel.

There are combined tickets for bus plus taxi delivery in Kiel: 4.40 EUR per person.

BUT

a) it's a shared taxi ride from Kiel Central Bus Terminal...
b) you will have problems to order the taxi for your return from the Cruise Terminal to the Central Station if you do not have a cell phone working in Europe or on a cruise ship and you do not speak German
c) an individual taxi costs only 5.00 to 6.00 EUR between Cruise Terminal and Central Station - the driver will be able to order one for you directly to the bus

It's displayed "4550 Kiel ZOB" (ZOB = Zentraler Omnibus Bahnhof = Central Bus Terminal) which is located next to Kiel Central Station:

http://heinbloed-cruiseguides.blogspot.com/2010/04/kiel-germany-around-central-station-to.html

Your baggage can be loaded in the bottom of the bus.

Taxi ranks are just outside Terminal 1 and 2. Just follow the sign. A taxi to the Hamburg Cruise Terminal will be around 30.00 EUR (meter - varies to traffic and day and time of the ride).

Here is a general map showing the locations of the Terminals (1 and 2) and in between Airport Plaza. All public transport are leaving from Airport Plaza - Terminal 1 area.

If you need a baggage cart: Have a 50 (Euro-)Cent or 1 Euro-coin for deposit. Return the cart after use and insert the chain from the other cart to connect the carts and you can get back your coin.

Hamburg, Germany - Buying tickets at the Airport Commuter Train Station machines

2010-04-13T15:49:00.002+02:00

Willkommen in Deutschland
Welcome to Germany

Once you arrived at Hamburg Airport you need to buy tickets to get on the train towards Hamburg Central Station (Hbf = Hauptbahnhof), City Center/Town Hall/Shopping District (Jungfernstieg) and Cruise Terminal (HafenCity Marco-Polo-Terrassen)

On your way to the platform of the commuter train (S-Bahn / white S in a green circle) you will find the ticket machines which looks like this.

The newest generation accepts cash but also credit cards - but credit cards are not accepted for all kind of tickets.

To get the English menu press the "Union Jack" (UK-Flag)

Express ticket selection: Top 5 tickets in Hamburg
All DB offers: Nationwide Railways Tickets
further tickets: All Hamburg Region tickets (incl. places like Lüneburg)
Schleswig-Holstein tickets (SH-Tarif): All tickets if you want to go to places like Kiel or Lübeck

As you will find also these ticket machines at Central Station or Jungfernstieg these instructions might be helpful for you to get your tickets.

For you the most important information is on this sticker if you want to go to the Cruise Terminal (or City Center): Single Ticket Zone 3.

So press "Single Ticket Greater Hamburg Area [3]".

Now you can get one single ticket for 2.75 EUR which you can pay cash or credit card.

If you need a ticket for a child press "Single Ticket Child (aged 6-14)".

There is no 1st class in the S-Bahn commuter trains and there are no rapid buses on the way to the Cruise Terminal, so you can ignore "Rapid bus/1st class".

But if you are not travelling alone you might need additional tickets so you can press "+ Another ticket".

Now you see that the price for two tickets appeared: 5.50 EUR instead of 2.75 EUR before.

If you do not want to go directly to the Cruise Terminal you can go first to Central Station and store your bags there. It's better for you to buy a day pass so you can move all the day around and doing sightseeing and return to Central Station to collect your bags and to continue to the Cruise Terminal. You can also go to the Cruise Terminal and try to drop-off your bags before you are checking-in and do some sightseeing and return then to the Cruise Terminal.

If this is your plan you should better buy a day pass which is only 5.40 EUR for rides after 09.00 am. Press "9 o'clock all-day ticket Greater Hamburg Area [T3]" like on a previous screen.

If you are not travelling alone but have a party of 5 or less you better buy a Group-Day Pass for 9.20 EUR for rides after 09.00 am. Press "9 o'clock collective ticekt 5 Greater Hamburg Area [F3]" like on a previous screen.

If you want to go to places like Kiel or Lübeck you need to buy tickets which you can find if you pressed Schleswig-Holstein tickets (SH-Tarif) (see above screen) at first.

You need to press "Destinations A...Z".

If you need to go to Kiel you press "Kiel" (same with Lübeck accordingly):

If you are going by train the route will be "via Elmshorn, Wrist, NMS 19.70 EUR" which need to be pressed. (The Kielius Bus will you take directly to Kiel for just 17.50 EUR... so if you want to kill time and spend a little time in Hamburg on the way to Kiel you go by train. if you need to go as cheap and as fast to Kiel to catch your ship you better go with the Kielius-Bus).

"Single Ticket" = 19.70 EUR

"BahnCard" = annual national discount ticket - does not make sense to buy if you are just for one day in Germany and have only a regional train ride.
"Tageskarte / Kleingruppenkarte" = Day Passes or Mini-Group Passes - will be explained later.
"Übergang 1. Klasse" = Usage of 1st class if you have already a vaild 2nd class ticket - (just as reference 29.55 EUR in 1st in total).
"Fahrradtageskarte" = Bike Day Pass

"Child" = 6 years upto 14 years (included)
"SH Card" = annual regional discount ticket - does not make sense to buy if you are just for one day in Germany and have only a regional train ride.
"1st class" = if you like to use 1st class
"Season tickets" = does not make sense for your one day use.

So if you just are travelling alone you could buy 19.70 EUR in cash. Machine will change.

The price for Lübeck from Hamburg will be: 11.90 EUR on the direct route via Bad Oldesloe.

If you are going alone to Lübeck and coming back on the same day you better buy a day pass - 22.80 EUR. Here it's shown for Kiel for 30.00 EUR.

If you are going in a party of 5 persons or less you can also buy a mini-group day pass (in German: Kleingruppenkarte - translated as collective ticket):

For Kiel it's 30.70 EUR and for Lübeck it would be 22.80 EUR.

The Mini-Group-Ticket is valid after 09.00 hrs on weekdays.

The first connection after 09.00 hrs from Hamburg Central Station to Kiel would be 09.20 hrs (arrives Kiel at 10.36 hrs)

If you want to go earlier which means before 08.30 hrs from the airport you better contact me personally as this will become more a specific issue than a general one.

If you want to go to Kiel and you are a party of 5 or less but you are not travelling alond and you do not need any public transport in Kiel (like to the cruise terminal) you can save 0.70 EUR by buying an all day regional train pass which is valid after 09.00 am on weekdays.

It costs 30.00 EUR but you can also book it in internet as an online ticket:

http://heinbloed-cruiseguides.blogspot.com/2010/04/warnemunde-kiel-lubeck-hamburg-germany.html

Advantage of online-ticket you can do it at home and have all you need ready out of your printer.

Disadvantage: no change - no refund

But if you want to buy it at the machine it works with pressing All DB offers (see previous screen):

If you want to go to Lübeck the regular day pass of SH-Tarif is cheaper!!!

Here you choose RED: special offers / Collection (Bahn-Tix Rail&Fly) / Laender Tickets and further offers.

Choose either between "Leisure and special offers e.g." or "Collective tickets e.g."

Press "Laender Tickets"

Press "Schleswig-Holstein und Hamburg" (but this ticket is also valid for Schwerin which is in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Mecklenburg-Western Pommerania))

BUT IF YOU ONLY WANT TO GO FOR SCHWERIN OUT OF HAMBURG OR LÜBECK YOU BETTER CHOOSE "MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN". IT'S CHEAPER.

Press "today"

Press "No bike ticket"

And this ticket is also available with your credit card... so if you have problems to buy the mini-group-tickets for Kiel in cash - just buy this ticket which is also valid for the journeys to Kiel.

BUT IF YOU HAVE NO CASH AND NEED A TICKET YOU CAN PAY BY CREDIT CARD THIS WOULD BE AN OPTION TO THE MINI-GROUP-PASSES TO KIEL..

The prices for going to Schwerin by Länderticket Mecklenburg-Vorpommern:

18.00 EUR for one person
26.00 EUR for a group of max. 5 persons
28.00 EUR for one person in 1st class
48.00 EUR for a group of max. 5 persons in 1st class

Kiel, Germany - Around Central Station to find the bus to Hamburg Airport and Kiel Cruise Terminal Ostseekai

2010-04-10T12:55:00.002+02:00

Willkommen in Deutschland
Welcome to Germany

Finding around Kiel Central Station / Bus Terminal (Hbf = Hauptbahnhof / ZOB = Zentraler Omnibus Bahnhof)

what you need to get from the Cruise Terminal Ostseekai to Hamburg Airport or vice versa.

Coming from Hamburg Airport by Kielius-Service you will arrive in a very central spot of Kiel. Just few yards before you arrive ZOB (= Bus Terminal) you see left the town hall incl. tourist office.

There in the front is the port tower and if you make a left turn here and walk 15-20 minutes you are at Ostseekai Cruise Terminal.

Then the bus makes a right turn. On the left side you see the garage and in the ground floor you see the bus terminal and straight ahead at the end of the street the Hauptbahnhof (= Central Station)

The Kielius-Service can also be booked with a taxi waiting for you.

You can book with the driver when you enter the bus a taxi for yourself or to book a taxi ticket which includes a shared-taxi-ride.

The shared taxi is an 4.40 EUR surcharge per person and way to pay with your bus ticket (one way 17.50 EUR / return 30.00 EUR / Kids - 14 yo 9.30 EUR/18.60 EUR / Family (2 adults and 2 kids) 42.50 EUR/74.60 EUR - all rates of 2010).

Before you book a taxi you should know that an individual taxi from Central Station to Cruise Terminal is about 5.00-6.00 EUR. So if you go by 2 it's cheaper to book a separate taxi instead of a shared taxi.

Just tell the driver when you buy your ticket at Hamburg Airport. BITTE BESTELLEN SIE MIR EIN EIGENES TAXI ZUM BUS IN KIEL. VIELEN DANK. (Just in case the driver's English is weak).

And if you return tell the driver to drop you off at the Kielius-Bus. If you use the shared taxi to get from the Cruise Terminal to the Bus Terminal you better should learn German and have a cell phone with you to pre-book. But costs of phone call with international roaming might me more expensive than using an individual taxi to the Bus Terminal. ZUM KIELIUS-BUS AM ZOB BITTE. (Just in case the taxi driver's English is weak). You need to find the B4 Bus Stop

which is just in front of the escator to the parking decks.

Some cruise lines offer Shuttle Service for embarking or debarking passengers like MSC, Costa or AIDA. But not all of them are complimentary.

But if you do not want to walk 15-20 minutes to the Cruise Terminal Ostseekai, do not want to spend the money for an individual or shared taxi you can walk over to the Central Station.

Look to the right. You need to walk towards the bridge to the shopping center.

42 - you missed the bus to the Cruise Terminal... so you have 15 minutes (during the daytime at the weekdays) to find the right bus stop.

The view from the bridge: left the train station. The buses to the Cruise Terminal depart from the central platform (clock) but at the rear.

So walk to the rear.

Find the Bus Stop B3 for buses 41 and 42. So you see every 15 minutes...6 minutes transit time... 2.20 EUR for a single ride to the Cruise Terminal SEEGARTEN OSTSEEKAI.

So here is the right bus.

When you are coming from the Cruise Terminal you arrive at bus stop C3 in front of the shopping center.

So if you face to the front you see on the right the Shopping Center Sophienhof und on the left the train station.

So if you need to get the train to Hamburg for shore excursion you need to walk to the left.

But if you want to go to Hamburg Airport you need to go to the Bus Terminal (ZOB) and turn more to the left.

Walk one block on the left side and make a left turn and you see the Bus Terminal there.

And if you are looking for an Internet-Café. When you wait for Bus 41/42 towards Cruise Terminal you see this at the corner:

Warnemünde, Kiel, Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany: Buying Online-Day Passes (Ländertickets and Schönes Wochenende-Ticket) for regional trains

2010-04-02T05:39:00.010+02:00

Willkommen in Deutschland
Welcome to Germany

From April 01, 2010 you can buy

Länderticket Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
(Day Pass for the State of Mecklenburg-Western Pommerania)
Länderticket Brandenburg-Berlin
(Day Pass for the States of Brandenburg and Berlin)
Länderticket Schleswig-Holstein
(Day Pass for the State of Schleswig-Holstein)
and
Schönes-Wochenende-Ticket
(Happy-Weekend-Ticket)

as online-ticket.

The advantages:

You can pre-buy the ticket in English with your credit-card and make a print-out from your computer at home. You do not need to queue up and wait until other cruisers found out how to buy the ticket and you miss the train.

So you just leave your ship and board the train.

All you need is the print-out and a credit card for proper identification.

The disadvantage:

no change - no refund - but even you buy it at the train station at the machine or with the counter - but you have more time to think about if you go or not (wheater... personal condition).

BUT IF YOU ARE SURE THAT YOU WILL GO YOU SHOULD DO IT NOW.

You start here with your booking:

http://www.bahn.de/i/view/overseas/en/index.shtml

YOU CAN CLICK ON ALL PICTURES TO ENLARGE!!!

This for a standard Länderticket Mecklenburg-Vorpommern which is valid after 09.00 am on a weekday for a group of 5:

Enter:

- SET Single journey
- Rostock
- HAMBURG
- Date (click on little calendar)
- 09:00
- Departure
- DELETE "Prefer fast connections"
- SET Local transport
- 5 Adults
- 0 Children 6-14
- 0 Children 0-5
- ALL adults "No BahnCard"
- Travel 2nd class
- "Search"

Some remarks:

The relation Rostock - HAMBURG just ease your input as your keyboard might not have an "ü" like in Warnemünde and limit a pop-up with some options but it's also valid if you are going Warnemünde - Lübeck or Schwerin - do not worry!!!
Pay attention to the calender: our week starts with Monday!!! Just to avoid wrong date as the ticket does not allow any changes and any refunds.
Always enter 5 adults even you would use the golden rule 2 adults (parents or grandparents) with all children of one family if you are the "Trapp-Family".

Correctly 26.00 EUR is shown.

Click on "Purchase"

Now you see the difference to the normal fare:

26.00 EUR against 158.00 EUR x 2 (Outward and return)!!!

Click on "Purchase" next to 26.00 EUR.

You can leave all settings and click "Proceed".

If you buy for someone else and you do not go with the party you should follow the instructions accordingly.

Click "I wish to book without logging in" and "Continue booking"

- CLICK "I wish to book an online ticket and accpet the AGB"
- Enter the creditcard details you want to show to the conductor for proper identification
- Your personal data
- Enter the payment data
- CLICK "Delivery of Online Ticket"
- DELETE Newsletter
- CLICK "Continue"

Some remarks:
AGB stands for Allgemeine Geschäftsbedingung which are the small-prints (Purchase conditions)
This works only print out plus credit card - it must not be necessary the one you are paying with. But you will not have a German Railways discount card (BahnCard) or a German Bankcard (ec-/maestro-Card) nor a German ID-Card (usually) - so use a credit card for identification and presentation.
Phone number without blank etc. 001AreaCodeSubscriberNo.
Make sure to allow pop-ups to get the print-out as pdf on your screen

Some VARIATIONS which work:

For Länderticket Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Single:
1 adult instead of 5 adults on the first page (18.00 EUR)

For Länderticket Mecklenburg-Vorpommern 1. Klasse (First Class):
Travel 1st class instead of Travel 2nd class on the first page (46.00 EUR)

For Länderticket Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Single 1. Klasse (First Class):
1 adult instead of 5 adults on the first page and
Travel 1st class instead of Travel 2nd class on the first page (28.00 EUR)

For Länderticket Brandenburg-Berlin:
Origin Berlin and Destination Neustrelitz (27.00 EUR)

For Länderticket Brandenburg-Berlin 1. Klasse (First Class):
Origin Berlin and Destination Neustrelitz and
Travel 1st class instead of Travel 2nd class on the first page (47.00 EUR)

For Länderticket Schleswig-Holstein:
Origin Kiel and Destination Schwerin (30.00 EUR)

For Schönes-Wochenende-Ticket:
correct date (Saturday or Sunday)
and Origin Rostock and Destination Berlin (37.00 EUR)

YOU SELECT ANY CONNECTION FOR THE DAY OF TRAVEL AS LONG AS THE FINAL PRICE SHOWS.

Have a safe trip in Germany.

Regards
HeinBloed

Rostock Seaport, Germany - Getting around by public transport

2010-03-28T23:27:00.009+02:00

Willkommen in Deutschland
Welcome to Germany

This information apply only to guests of

SAGA RUBY of June 11, 2010 (Friday)
EURODAM of July 10, 2010 (Saturday)

in 2010.

Warnemünde can only accomodate two larger cruise ships. If there is a third one of the larger cruise ships need to go to Rostock Seaport.

Unfortunately there is nothing around but port.

Have a look to this map:

http://www.rostock-port.de/index.php?id=37&L=1

Warnemünde is at the mouth of the river Warnow to the Baltic Sea in the North of the map.

07 and 08 indicate the location of the regular cruise terminals in Warnemünde
01-04 indicate the location of the berthes for smaller cruise ships

If you move a little South East of the interactive map you will find

41 which is the location of the Rostock Seaport berth for cruise ships.

DIstances from Rostock Seaport:

20 minutes by car to Warnemünde (12 km = 7 miles)
20 minutes by car to Rostock (13 km = 8 miles)

MOST CRUISE SHIPS WILL OFFER COMPLIMENTARY SHUTTLES TO WARNEMÜNDE OR/AND ROSTOCK DOWNTOWN.

In case you have alternative plans here are the instructions to get around.

SCHEDULE INFORMATION ARE BASED ON THE 2010 SCHEDULE.
BUT HERE ONLY GIVEN FOR EURODAM CALL ON JULY 10.
SORRY SAGA-FOLKS... YOU ARE NOT THE TYPICAL DIY-CLIENTS...
Should anyone on SAGA RUBY need information: you see my e-mail-address in the header. Contact me and I will add the information accordingly.

WELCOME TO ROSTOCK. It's not a cruise terminal like in Warnemünde and normally there are no passengers ships berthing here.

If you go ahead you will find Ost-West-Straße. If you face to the right and see the building you will also find a small car rental company where you also can pre-book a taxi.

HERTZ will also deliver cars to Pier 41 against fee (15.00 EUR plus tax - but please make sure how to return the keys when you communicate with them. There is no key drop box like in Warnemünde).

See here to book cars: http://heinbloed-cruiseguides.blogspot.com/2009/01/warnemnde-germany-car-rental.html

BUT IF YOU NEED PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION YOU NEED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN.

And before your reach this market a right turn. This market is dedicated for Scandinivian truck drivers and sailors. Be sure you find all kind of alcohol there.

Next there should be a small Post branch and an ATM.

Followed by a bus stop which is important if your ship does not provide a shuttle service and you want to go to Warnemünde (or also to Rostock if the train does not run).

You can download a route network here:

http://www.rsag-online.com/content/download/326/2087/file/LNP%202009%20HRO.pdf

Important for you:

Bus 45 towards HP Lütten Klein (Commuter-Train Station Lütten Klein)
From here you get to Rostock Central Station or Warnemünde by S1-commuter trains.

the schedule is available here:

http://www.rsag-online.de/var/rsag-online/fahrplan/aktuell/pdf_haltepunkt/45_B_SEEH_2.PDF

departure time from here:

07.49 hrs, 09.07 hrs and then 04 minutes past the hour from 10.04 hrs on Saturday

Once you arrived in Lütten Klein the situation looks like this:

On the side where the buses stops the Warnemünde-bound trains depart. (during the day time every 15 minutes).

On the opposite side which you can reach by using the subway the Rostock-bound trains depart.

When you return from Rostock or Warnemünde you must find Stop H where Bus 45 Warnowblick-bound departs.

So you see it here in the relation to the train station.

Last connection on Saturday:

18.36 hrs from here and very last 19.26 hrs
i. e. last connections to meet this connections from Warnemünde 18.22 hrs or 19.07 hrs
i. e. last connections from Rostock 18.16 hrs or 19.01 hrs

But now back to Rostock Seehafen:

The best way to get to Rostock City and Central Station for connections to Berlin, Schwerin, Lübeck, Güstrow, Bad Doberan (Molli-Train), Wismar etc. is taking the commuter train (S-Bahn).

If you continue to walk few steps more you see left this scenario with the Commuter Train (S-Bahn).

S3 will take you from here (Rostock-Seehafen Nord) to Rostock Central Station:

07.06 hrs, 06 minutes past the hour from 09.06 hrs until 22.06 hrs EXECEPTION 14.03 hrs and 16.03 hrs on Saturday
TRANSIT TIME TO ROSTOCK CENTRAL STATION 18 MINUTES (in case you want to continue to places like Berlin, Schwerin, Hamburg, Lübeck, Wismar, Bad Doberan (for Molli-Train))

Getting back from Central Station:

34 minutes past the hour until 21.34 hrs

Once you arrive back you see already the sign

and make a right turn and later at the end of street...

you make a turn to the left where your ship should wait for you.

Scroll down to get explainations how to buy tickets at the ticket machine.

Due to the long gap between 07.06 hrs and 09.06 hrs you might want to take the bus to Rostock but there is no direct bus!

Opposite of the train station you find this stop:

Bue 45 Warnowblick-bound:

Here is the schedule to download:

http://www.rsag-online.de/var/rsag-online/fahrplan/aktuell/pdf_haltepunkt/45_A_SEEH_1.PDF

06.39 hrs, 07.32 hrs, 07.52 hrs, 08.52 hrs and then 50 minutes past the hour.

On Saturday the bus continues as Route 14 to Dierkower Kreuz so you stay on the bus until you arrived Dierkower Kreuz and change to Tram 3 to Rostock Central Station (Direction Neuer Friedhof).

Arrival times at Dierkower Kreuz:

07.09 hrs, 08.01 hrs, 08.21 hrs and then 21 minutes past the hour

Connections to tram 3 at Dierkower Kreuz:

07.14 hrs, 08.10 hrs, 08.30 hrs and then 30 minutes past the hour

Arrival times at Rostock Central Station (= Hauptbahnhof = Hbf)

07.24 hrs, 08.21 hrs, 08.41 hrs and then 30 minutes past the hour

The bus also stops if your arrive at your berth to the right and leaves a minute earlier than above indicated.

To buy tickets if you take the train:

There is only an older machine which does not accept any credit cards and change is very limited.

So if you like to go to Berlin, Lübeck, Schwerin, Wismar you better buy the ticket online and choose the daypasses as described.

http://heinbloed-cruiseguides.blogspot.com/2010/04/warnemunde-kiel-lubeck-hamburg-germany.html

All others need to have Euros and have to follow these instructions for destinations like Rostock, Bad Doberan (for Molli-Train), Güstrow

First you need to identify the code number for your destination.

like Rostock Central Station (= Hbf = Hauptbahnhof) = 340 (it's valid for a tram ride to the city center as well. It's an integrated tariff)

or Berlin Hbf = 964

or Schwerin Hbf = 371

.The left column is generally for adult fare - the right column for reduced fare for children and dogs.

So if you enter the number 340 at the keypad for Rostock and press the left column "DB Einzelfahrkarte VVW" you get single tickets for 1.70 EUR.

If you press "Tageskarte VVW" you can get a day pass for singles at 4.50 EUR (but 2 x single @ 1.70 EUR = 3.40 EUR if you just want to go to Rostock and come back...)

or "Gruppentageskarte VVW" you can get a group ticket for 5 persons at 13.50 EUR (would make sense with a party of 4 or 5 as this would be cheaper than single tickets for a return trip).

That's very important: you need to stamp/cancel/validate the ticket the first time.

Same would work with Bad Doberan (for Molli-Train) or Güstrow. Check the number on the board.

Tickets to Schwerin:

And if you press now additionally "DB Hin- und Rückfahrt" you get a return ticket for 36.00 EUR.

Just to show you regular fare and how to buy tickets...

But a day pass (Saturday without time restrictions) would be for singles 18.00 EUR (28.00 EUR in 1st class) and for a group of 5 26.00 EUR (48.00 EUR in 1st class). Just press "DB Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Ticket"

1 is the group option
2 is the single option

You can buy these passes in advance. So you need to enter the date of travel.

If you like to go 1st class you should press now "DB 1./2. Klasse".

But said before: better you buy this ticket online before. If you put now a 50 EUR into this machine you get 24 EUR in change back!!!

If you like to go to Berlin the cheapest way will be "DB Schönes-Wochenende-Ticket" which is valid for a group 5 and includes rides in public transport in Berlin as well.

1 = Schönes Wochenende Ticket.

But said before: better you buy this ticket online before.

If you have more questions how to get around from Rostock Seaport: do not hesitate to ask.

Regards
HeinBloed

Cozumel, Mexico - Ship's Tour Tulum and Beach Break

2010-02-20T15:49:00.000+01:00

For 09.15 am all guests which need to be transferred to Playa del Carmen were requested to meet to Celebrity Central. What a great construction that you can use it to both directions.

You got against presentation of your tickets - and only against presentation of the tickets... your tour number stickers. That was no allocation to the buses.

Unfortunately Celebrity blew the unique chance to offer the most perfect customer service: Instead of the remark "Please note that inclement weather may cause seasickness on ferry. Please take necessary precautions." on the tickets they could have a nurse there who explained during the waiting time that this was not a conventionally ferry and more sensative persons who had already problems on the cruise ship with the most little movements should have one of the seamovement-pills. And should I call now the weather service and ask if we had inclement weather which might have consequences to the ferry service???

But was also well managed: who lost his ticket got immediately a replacement slip.

No - it' Wedenesday the 13th - so it should be good.

Were these signposts from a private tour company??? According to the tickets the local operator should be International Travel Operator SA de CV. Not mentioned on the signpost and Celebrity either.

One from Celebrity was here to direct the way.

That was by the way the boats which they used for the ferry ride. Experts would know now what you should expect. And those of you who expected a conventional ferry will have a big surprise. By the way the boats of the competitors looked much more cared.

The only advantage: the boat was berthing next to us at the pier. That was why we did not see more from Cozumel but the way from our pier to the pier of the high speed ferry and vice versa.

Better than walking to the public terminal.

You better sit in the rear and in the center. Was much closer to the toilets. The TV-show was for distraction reason.

For safety and emergency we got bags...

After 45 minutes we arrived at Playa del Carmen.

Looked nice the beach next the the passenger terminal.

None from Celebrity to see.

After we were reading all signs from private tour operators we finally found at the end of the street our group. Again no signpost for Celebrity of International Travel Operator SA de CV.

Should be the right one. Here they allocated the guests to the different buses.

Who was Aiomar again???

For the next time we just remember that there was an information booth to book something more private.

In our bus we found out that there were a lot of German speaking guests. I guess the situation in the other bus might be the same: why could not Celebrity offer a public German group??? We could indicate in the internet that we preferred German but accepted English. On the TV-screen and in the printed lists there was no option to ask for a foreign language operated tour.

The lunch boxes for the other groups were transported in the laundry containers to the buses. I hoped that there were only food items inside which did not need any refrigerator...

Opposite is the airport for all who refused to return on the high-speed-ferry. Should be 600 USD incl. VIP-service to your ship...That was plan B of the private tour company which I contacted but on our expense.

Here you get one more number to see the different groups in the different buses.

The buses were very comfortable and well air-conditioned. Who disliked it very breezy should stay in the front.

Let's go to Tulum.

Something has changed for the last two years since we were here... Looked more civilized...

We were pushed in transit through Lapis jewelry Center. I thought, that was not here two years ago. Supposed to the be last toilets in whole Mexico... let's say before your reach the Sites of Tulum.

We did not have so many buses in our memories.

Inside nice and cool.

Here we were informed how Mayan language works as far as we wanted to order a named pendant. But we would loose 20 minutes from our time for the visit as they need it to make the pendant.

The toilets were clean. On the flush did not work properly. Very nice was the complementary beverage dispenser... In hot countries it is extremely important to get back in your body what you lost.

Ahh... we should proceed directly to the cashier.

For those who were too lazy to walk there was a shuttle available for 4 USD. We used it the last time as it was a moddy piste after the rain. Meanwhile the road was tared and it was dry anyway. So we walked.

By the way: that was a clear signpost: bus number and the company. We booked with Celebrity and not with unknown company.

During the walking time from the toilets in the jewelry store and the cashier they must have erected some toilets there.

We had pass anyway as we had a group ticket.

The way we were taken trough Tulum we call in German pig's gallop. We had no time to read any instructions.

We remembered this sign from our last visit. But now we just passed.

Through the wall we had to walk nonstop.

Quickly we were positioned to get explaination from one single point. Katie and Charlie did not understand anything so they looked around by themselves. We followed them few minutes later.

We had luck with the weather.

The beach was still beautiful like two years ago.

Here you can stay a while.

The signpost looked new.

At 01.30 pm we should be back at the bus.

Many were too lazy too walk and took the tractor bus.

And the toilets were not destroyed while we were inside... so no mirage but reality.

Here a chewing gum-tree was growing... (should be a rubber tree... someone who misused the internet... might have translated condom tree).

By the way: next time when we go to Tulum again I will order a German speaking tour guide. If Celebrity would really take care of their customers then they could order us a local German-speaking guide in Tulum.

Looked more like improvisation.

Other companies ordered professionals for their guests.

Before we continued we got some water. The ride should be ten minutes. But unfortunately we had to add seven minutes because three guests were late. We rode and rode and more than ten minutes and then the bus made a u-turn.

When he met another bus of the same company...

he made a u-turn again and continued to the same direction like before all u-turns. They offered the tour every 21 days. How could it be that the guys do not know the way???

Meanwhile it was 02.10 pm and we had not arrived yet. Originally we should leave at 03.00 pm back for the ferry. What kind of beach-break incl. lunch was this???

Finally we made it: Aki'in Beach Tulum.

To make it possible that we can enjoy a little the beautiful sandy beach our departure was rescheduled to 03.30 pm.

It was a shame. Unfortunately we could not enjoy the beach. Before we packed we called the shore excursion desk: No... you only need to take your swim suits with you... Towels will be provided and changing rooms are available. But this was a lie... die tour guide did not know anything about it and let us know that no towels will be provided.

And the changing rooms... who like public viewing...

True changing rooms with hooks and a seat were not available. Showers and toilets: yes...

The buffet was nice but not very rich.

Nothing special you cannot get in Boston or Darmstadt, Germany as well.

The tortilla were so uniform shaped that it was clear that they were not handmade.

One soft drink was free. Alcohol was available to buy.

Massage on the beach was very fine: one dollar per minute. One German tourist mixed up something: he wanted to have some pictures and booked a 5-minute-treatment. The therapist asked another client who booked her already if she would accept a 5-minute-break. After his five minutes he wanted more and treated her like a prostitute. The other male travel-mates were screaming and celebrated the (doubtful) hero and took pictures. The request of the therapist to clear the bank was not attended by him. The group leader had no success either. I hate such habit.

Here we should have stayed longer.

At least feeling the water when we do not have any towels with us.

Was not this place just beautiful?

The crab was fed up to the back teeth when so many photographers came and returned to the sea.

Due to the other tourist my time was extremely short. So I asked Guadalouope from Argentina to let me have the massage while I was sitting so I could see the sea. She asked why and I explained that she can the wonderful sea every day but me just today and therefore I did not want to lie with my face down. I standed all the time next to her and absorbed already her Kharma she was radiating with the other customer. It was as good as the massage itself. Who ever booked this shore excursion: before you see the buffet make sure to book an appointment with Guadaloupe...

At 04.30 pm we should depart from Playa del Carmen... could be a little tight.

We arrived and were driven like cattle through the village. I tipped the driver and kept the tip for our tour guide... So I made sure that he will stop at a pharmacy to buy some pills agains motion sickness. After that he deserved his tip.

An USD-ATM... Should I had known it earlier I would not spend the 6 USD on the ship.

Katie invited all others with a round of pills agains motion sickness. A lot of our cruise-mates appreciated. One thing Celebrity should have taken care of if they use a fast ferry.

On the return journey bags were handed over too. In the last rows there were some half-died bodies...

The high-speed-ferry had also something good: I could transfer my pictures by WiFi free of charge... subject you were close enough to a port...

Die Schnellfähre hat auch was positives: ich kann mit dem kostenlosen WLAN Bilder übertragen... sofern wir in Hafennähe sind...

17.40 Uhr kommen wir in Cozumel an. Um 17.45 Uhr sollen wir an Bord sein.

05.40 pm we arrived in Cozumel. At 05.45 pm we should be back on board.

Ich lasse mal alle anderen vorgehen. Alle anderen Schiffe sind leider schon weg.

I let all others going first. All other ships left already.

I was upset because we were back so late. But we were not the last group arriving at the ferry terminal.

Mich ärgert es, dass wir erst so spät zurück sind. Aber wir waren nicht die letzte Gruppe, die am Fährterminal eintraf.

Oben auf der Brücke wird schon alles für das Auslaufen vorbereitet. Mit einem Schub aus dem Horn jagt man mich in das Schiff.

On the bridge they were preparing everything for the sailing. With a blow out of the horn they get me quickly to the ship.

When I came the second gangway was already stowed away.

Als ich komme ist eine der zwei Brücken bereits eingezogen.

Wir sollen endlich an Bord.

We should finally get on board.

None was behind me on the pier.

Nach mir ist keiner mehr am Pier.

Celebrity was unlucky because we went already to Tulum with Carnival when we called Calica. Therefore we were able to compare. Here our guide explained us how the Mayan language worked and not just as much to order something in the jewelry store... He had a folder with him.

In this folder there were drawings of the appearances around solstice so we could picture it how it was at each single spot. We envied our guide because of the great paintings. He tried to get us some replicats in Tulum but without success. Our Celebrity-guide had only himself with him...

We came in the afternoon. It was not as full and warmer. Our guide took the time to stop at the wall we need to pass and allured the iguanas by feeding them with blossoms.

Then he picked for some blossoms that we had a chance to feed them ourselves.

In total it was much more calmer that the iguanas ran on the grass. One corner of Tulum we had not seen so far and again this time we had no chance to see. Next time again with Carnival and as afternoon excursion from Calica: it was shorter and better...

Coxen Hole, Honduras - Private Tour "Best of Roatan"

2010-02-20T14:10:00.000+01:00

What a pity that the stay in this port was very short. But it was also nice to arrive and to leave a port during the daylight.

With paiagirl (Frances and Eddie from cruisecritic.com) and Katie and Charlie and ssCRUISERS (Scott and Sandy) and rolloman (Rolleigh all from cruisecritic.com) we had a private tour with Victor Bodden.

We booked Victor Bodden due to recommendation of BamaGal53 (Kathy from cruisecritic.com) who was in our roll-call for the final sailing of NORWEGIAN DREAM but finally canceled.

On the left side the taxis were waiting for guests.

Francisco was waiting for us with his minibus. It was very convenient on our tour: you could just be quite without being blamed for not being entertaining. I was allowed to decide with whom and in which language I was talking to someone. There was no need to have just one opinion: Each of us was able to have a different opinion and share it with others and without rated as general opinion.

A victim of the last storm...

It was the "Best of Roatan"-Tour and you can add options to this tour.

Do you remember James Bond's THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN??? There was a little waiter who was called Schnick-Schnack: Hervé Villechaize. He played also in the TV-show FANTASY ISLAND. Some of the outdoor shots should have been made here.

We were taken at first to a observation point. There you can see the cliff where the water broke.

The name of the place was THE VIEW suggested itself.

Francisco was a so-called taxi-guide i. e. he was driving and guiding. The other tours we made we had a tour guide and a different driver. You could feel this in your wallet. But it should be very difficult to find a German speaking tourguide on Roatan. With the help of the tourist office I had contact with a German speaking tour-operator. But they did not want to quote unless I could offer them a busload full of guests.

We drove to a resort.

Looked nice to spend 10 USD for a beach day. But Francisco told us that there were nicer resorts.

For practical reasons: where it was nice there was a resort.

To us it made a good impression.

For a cup of coffee and the use of the restroom there was no need to pay 10 USD because they hoped to acquire new customers who might be interested to invest in a time-sharing-project.

Really pity.

Nicely maintained.

Hope it should work out the next time.

We will keep this resort in our mind.

It was occassionally quite narrow.

Up on an observation point two policemen allow Kate and Charles to have pictures with them. And it was nice: not like Egypt when they opened their hand... A Gracias was just enough.

Over this muddy road we went down the observation point.

Not a very representative quarter.

Less inviting.

We continued to the Monkey Business which costed now 5 USD admission fee. At the time of booking it was 2 USD but Victor kept us informed about the new prices.

In theory credit cards were accepted. But the authorisation network did not run so you could only pay in cash.

Who was expecting the infrastructure of a zoological garden might be disappointed.

You see some animals like you would see in the nature. In a tight atmosphere - but without the need to do a long jungle tour.

If the airlines will restrict more and more the carriage of baggage Scott will have only two alternatives: a small compact camera or a cruise for nudists... A true professional will go on a nudist cruise before he would waive his photo equipement - or???

Somehow sweet.

You could also go into the cages to see it from the view of the animals.

So you had the chance to take pictures without any fence.

Which language he might speak???

This was possible as well.

Here I wanted to get quickly out... As nice as they sit on the bar... as bad it was to get hit by them on a natural way...

The little knew how to open a purse and what to look for...

You had only access with a guide to make sure that nothing will happen.

By the way: my I introduce Victor Bodden himself.

We continued to Roatan's Butterfly Garden. The admission fee was 7 USD. But here the card reader did not work either.

Looked nice but dangerous... he was not a pure vegetarian.

Everybody who thought that I have bats in a belfry (or in German: to have a bird...) were totally right... indeed I had a bird and it is fun. Some of you who all I wrote as well...

Many of the birds were fed until they could be released back to wild life.

The bird took German lessons with Katie...

The parrots were found partly without any feather. Here they can recreate from their trauma. One of the parrots recognized his tantalizer and bited off a piece of his finger.

The fawns will be released to walk around in the park when the park was closed. They were released and came back because they were not anymore accepted by their mother.

We continued to the butterfly hall. There were odd ducks like me.

Did he look as odd???

Finally to the butterflies.

This visit was worth.

We continued to Westend. But as it was raining we did not like to walk around.

There were few nice shops here around.

A stay with sunshine with a short bath in the Caribbean Sea would be very nice.

But it should not be this day.

We continued to another resort which was open for further time-sharing-investors.

Here were beach life - come rain or shine.

The beach bar was very busy.

We did not go to the water... but put our feet into the water... but you see other did their swimming.

A nice waterfall to feed the pool.

Cheers!

And another resort was on the way back to the cruise terminal.

Puerto Limón, Costa Rica - Private Tour Cahuita and Tortuguero National Parks

2010-02-20T14:01:00.000+01:00

It was raining dogs and cats the day we arrived in Puerto Limón. To make sure I just called Gaby if the tour will start due to this weather. We knew her from egyptnic (Nicole and Harald). You can check her website http://cahuita.npage.com. Currently her website is in German. The English version is under construction. But she also offers tours in English.

As Gaby is a small operator she was not allowed to enter the port area. So we need to get outside where she waited for us. Because it was raining dog and cats and due to her draft CELEBRITY EQUINOX could not berth at the cruise ship quay the walk to the exit was extremely long. A shuttle was not offered by port or ship. When we walked back to the ship there were taxi which returned from tours who offer for 1 USD a shuttle service. Whenever you mention Gaby's name you was directed to the exit to fid her.

That was Charlie Soto's bus. Other cruisecritic.com-members booked a tour with him. I did not take too much attention as Gaby might charter the bus from them.

But then the bus driver asked what we were doing in his bus... I have not entered yet so far...

O. K. Let us say it this way... the shape might be very similiar so you can mix up the buses... it was a mini-bus as well somehow...

The first point was a Chiquita banana-plantage.

But a stay was not recommended if they were spraying.

Gaby helped us to get closer to the ecology and economy of the country. And the consequeces for environement and men.

But we preferred anyway to buy organic bananas.

She showed us how they manipulated the plant to get them ready for the market.

Next time I should have some wet tissues with me for the worst case I touched something there around.

A millipede was crossing the road. But I was unable to count if it was really "milli" (1,000) as a car was approching.

When we arrived at Cahuita-National Park it was raining dogs and cat again. We had luckily our Aquapac with us so that we could protect the camera against water somehow.

At least there was Coke... welcome in the rain forrest...

The weather changed from one minute to the next. But what would be a rain forrest without rain?

It was not allowed to take them as souvenirs.

Last chance to see a rest room...

But it was good that I took Immodium (lactose intollerance - nothing to do with norovirus...). So there was no need for me to use one. I think this restrooms were sponsored by Tranquility. Here you had a good chance to aquire new customers by giving them some samplers. I discovered a market gap as well: I would organise in German senior residences as therapy to keep them busy circles who are crocheting the cover for rolls of toilet paper on hat shelf. And these I would sell with a roll of toilet paper for a lot of money. So I could refinance my next cruise. Who likes to run when you sit already to the cashier to ask for some toilet paper???

The first bird to see...

In this area it was forbidden to swim as the waves were too rough.

They gave extra warnings... but totally harmless for non-swimmers - or???

Gaby said that the best would be to use umbrellas.

It looked this way if your tour become wet... and the palm as well...

Such nice blossoms were the highlights of the tour.

Gaby would be the death for each hotel director on a cruise ship... She touched everything that we can make acquaintance with it.

A termite net.

There were no highways but termite trails...

She looked that we did not destroy of the infrastructure of the termite.

The transferred so much knowledge: best would be to have a voice recorder with you. I cannot remember so much details what she gave us. Something was special with this tree: maybe it was the red colour...

A wesp net.

Richard was also very excited about the motives he could for his camera.

I always wanted to know how you get coffee into the package...

But I became speachless when she unpacked coffeebeans and explained the further processing steps... Only a coffee mill and a coffee machine was missing to offer a coffee tasting.

Gaby told us how she rescued this plant as she get lost from the ground during a storm. Without being fixed again she will not survive.

I was surprised that Tarzan was able to swing from one liane to the liane. It reminds me more to jackstraw. Before he decided which liane should be the best the bad boys should have caught him.

We should attend the beauty of this tree... Ahhh... I was grown up in a big city: no idea what she was telling about...

She took the injured crab. Only because she had no first-aid-bag with her she was not sewing the missing leg to the leg etc. etc.

Something was very special... best would be to make the tour and ask her again... I forgot it... (Appendix: it was a Noni-plant which should have a good influence to your health.).

Do not ask me what was so special with this trunk. I had so much nature for one hour like I had for I had all the last two years.

We walked already 0.6 miles. Because it rained and the sandy way was wet it was like walking 6 miles... Why cannot there be a zip line avaialbe in this national park???

Finally howler monkeys were discovered.

That were the crabs who obviously lived as vegetarians.

Only when you were absolutely silent you had a chance to see them. The locals who wanted to walk to the beach only thought that we had a cooccoo and just walked while we moved on our tiptoes when we passed their holes.

At the Suarez Creek we arrived the point of return.

We walked so far away to this bay. How do I get a taxi???

Looked like rain again.

The weather made me desperate.

Gaby walked and checked for animals which we could take pictures of.

Here normally a river flows into the sea. But at the moment it was dry time and so the water of the river ended before it reached the sea.

More birds.

We finally returned...

And again a crab.

A little capuchin money opened a bag with snacks. As nutritionist for monkeys the bag of unroasted and unsalted was approved by Gaby for consumption.

With some sun we left Cahuita National Park. We hoped that it would stayed this way.

There was no lunch-break in our schedule. Who need a lunch should better book a tour specialized for American guests who preferred to have a lunch stop. We took some organic brioches from the Aqua Spá Café this morning. A Tupperware-box which we had with us was very practical.

Due to the rain the order of the places was changed and so it fit perfectly that it was just lunch-time... By accident the patties-salesman came along our way and Gaby bought us some.

The did not just looked like handmade they tasted handmade. We made a good exchange: Patties for organic brioches.

We stopped at the fruit store which was already pre-advised by egyptnic (Nicole and Harald).

All of us were full but the fresh fruits were too inviting.

If you think how long the fruits need until they are with us and how much they are... and here fresh from the harvest...

They cut off all kind of fruits which we might not know from home.

Richard offered me some water apple... but I am from the Odenwald area... apple area pure... if he could convince me???

They opened a coconut for Katie and Charlie tried an organic banana.

Also some boiled corn cob was offered.

The freshly cut pineapple which Bruno tasted: just sweet - convenient sweet - no acid feeling when you eat it.

Should we try another coconut or not... but if would not had the patties before... I was so full...

As we had again such a great bus which a had bench facing to the rear Gaby could show and explain us a lot during the ride...

The next cruise with a Pacific Costa Rican port (like Puntarenas) can be booked without addtional approval. Just now there was an outbreak of a vulcano which was closer to the Pacific than to the Atlantic. Bruno was so fascinated that Gaby as Geologist was able to tell so much about it. She told him of the idea to make a landbased round-trip from vulcano to the next. That was too much for me. I decided to do a single-cruise while he is doing his vulcanos.

We continued with Frederico on the canals of the Tortuguero National Park... If you hear him talking his name should be typical Austrian like Franz-Joseph or Wolfgang Amadeus.

It was raining dogs and cats again and I was surprised that they did not cancel this part of the tour.

When they returned we did not like to start. Look at the roof: looked like fixed with tape only... we did not have too much confidence in these kind of ships...

But honestly we were happy to see that Frederico came with this boat which looke much more stable... but like a duck... somehow...

You could board quite comfortable over the bow of the ship.

We had so much space and were well protected against rain so each of us had its royal box of its own....

Others might get closer to the objects... but with this rain...

But in contrary to Venice I could afford a private tour with driver... and a little comfort was quite appreciated.

Watching this I was quite relaxed that our ship was closed and we did not need any ponchos.

There was also one size larger and closed but somehow I think that you will loose the contact to the nature...

But you can get XL...

and XXL like the ship's tours were using them... I doubted that you can stop spontaneously and make a U-turn to have a closer look to the animals.

Somehow I was quite happy that we did not take a taxi back to the ship because the rain started.

In the beginning it looked like watching plants only... I was not a fan of salad, vegetables and fruits... Only nice for a bouqet of flowers...

"Yes - we have no bananas! We have no bananas today..." I doubt that this good old song was composed here...

For just a moment the rained stop... so we opened all walls... They were barely above and it started to rain gain... as we had enough space we could let them open.

I knew him from Panama City. Looked like he followed us.

Outside a ship from Dole came to load bananas.

One family who was doing camping escaped unter the tent.

In German we say for odd fishes: all the sloped birds - but this will not fit here as they do not look like fishes.

Even the birds escaped because it was too wet...

Only the kid had fun and excercised for Acapulco from the bridge...

Gaby got a natural banana which could propogate in their "natural" way: So you had bananas with cores.

As it was Sunday and there was soccer transmission on TV none from the coast guards showed up and checked us like someone told us.

A sloth was hanging around... but was that not naturally???

And an iguana... Frederico drove and discovered for us all the animals Gaby was explaining us... Would it not be easier to put an GPS-receiver on the animals???

There were three bats (you are never too old to learn new things... although I know Bat-Man since I am child... now I know what it means... never had an occassion to translate this word before...) on the ant trail were hiding while sleeping.

To avoid any disappointments when you visit this canal they made sure that you cannot be disappointed as this boy arranged some animals to see.

Also a little caiman (with an i - has nothing to do with Cayman Islands) was part of the show.

Was the coon not just sweet...

Should I check for Katie if the coon was protected by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) - or if they a coon will have a new home in Salzgitter, Germany with a dog and a cat???

He also showed us an ocean turtle which were protected here by several projects.

The rain did not stop.

You can get here Licher Pilsener (A German beer brand): Where you can find a kingfisher you can get a glass of Licher Pilsener around (Licher Pilsener made the kingfisher very popular by TV-commercials in Germany.

But then we got some apish thing to see in the nature...

Before we reached the port she offered us one more time a nice view to our ship.

We returned to the place where we started an impressive tour this morning. But now here were many of the street kids who touched you to reach their aims. Gaby told us not give them anything... and to gave her all we had... ha ha ha... no - she offered us a tour which you cannot get in this form with others and gave us impressions we Europeans might not be able to get them again so soon. The tour was worth.