Kiel, Germany

Harborside statue

Our overnight sailing took us to the port of Kiel. I expected a dumpy port town with nothing much to see or do. The terminal was beautiful with a completely enclosed entrance much like a jetway. Would that we had had that the night previous! The city furnished a handy booklet that outlined things one could see and do with 1 hours time, 2 hours time, etc. It included a convenient map. 

The Church of
St. Andrew and St. Nicholas

After connecting to the free wi-fi in the terminal and dealing with a few hundred emails, we took off on a jaunt to explore the city. We walked to the old market and found the Church of Saint Andrew and Saint Nicholas, named for the patron saints of fisherfolk and sailors. It had a lovely triptych behind the high altar and a huge rood hanging at the entrance to the chancel. The baptismal font was commodious as well. 

A small part of the Sunday flea market

Venturing onward into the city we came upon an enormous flea market that stretched for blocks and blocks. The church we had just visited was nearly empty at the time for Mass to begin. The flea market was packed. One could procure nearly anything. I’m sure it rivaled the world’s largest rummage sale in size. Craig found a multi-band radio that he could not live without. I found a Starbucks and had the latte that I could not live without.

It appeared that it might rain again so we headed for the ship and had lunch there although there were a multitude of food offerings at the flea market. The skies cleared without raining upon us so I went out to explore more of this city.  

In the botanical gardens

I happened upon the old botanical gardens which were lovely. I have no idea where the new gardens are. The climate appears to be propitious for hydrangeas and roses. There was an enormous hospital complex with clinics for every thing medical including human genetics. As part of the local university there was a barrista academy.

An array of astilbe

Kiel was a base for the Nazi u-boats. There is still one moored there which is now a museum curiosity and was used in the film Das Boot. There is also a memorial to all the sailors who lost their lives in two world wars irrespective of the country they served.

All in all it was a charming and interesting city. I had thought of taking a shore excursion to Lübeck. Reading the reviews of same the conclusion was that Sunday was really a dead time there. I’m happy that we opted to stay in the port and discover some things about which I’d never heard.

The after dinner show was the final for the dancers and singers of the ship’s troupe. It was based on Alice in Wonderland, Little Red Riding Hood, and Sleeping Beauty. Included were lots of special effects and lighting tricks so we were quite entertained. 

Statue before the art museum
 looking suspiciously like an American bison.