Warnemunde / Rostock

Warnemunde is the central part of the city of Rostock which is the port for Berlin. Today many people  on this cruise had a 12 hour day -  bus plus 2 1/2 hour train ride each way to Berlin. Not us.  The breakfast area was almost empty and the wait staff were hovering.

We had an enjoyable bus trip of this town with a knowledgeable guide. He grew up in Rostock, then in East Germany, and was 7 when the wall came down. He had many stories to tell.

Rostock is an old Hanseatic town and we saw remnants of the wall and tower that were part of the fortifications. We saw some of the old East German buildings. The main square was very pleasant. The university has taken over some of the older, ornate buildings.

We had some free time and went into a church that had been pointed out to us. It was built in the early Gothic period and had been added to several times. It was huge.  There was an astronomical clock built in 1472. It had been repaired over the years but is still in working order., though has to be wound up each day at 12 am and 12pm .

In the evening we went t the Chefs Table for dinner - even fancier food than we get in the main restaurant ,  with paired wines.  I had halibut for the first time. Noel cannot remember. Afterwards we sat and listened to the pianist for a bit then talked to some people who we had previously met and who had gone on the train to Berlin.