We docked in Warnemunde at 6am and departed at 11pm to allow time for people to travel to Berlin.  We have been to Berlin before so went several different places in the local area instead.  Rostock was another typical Hanseatic town with a large port, and a large industrial area, which had major aircraft manufacturing plants before and during the war – hence it was a target for RAF bombing, and again the damaged buildings have been restored.   

Most of the towns we have visited have many statues dotted around the old town, and also fountains or water features.  But here the water and statues were combined and the kids loved climbing and splashing. 

We then travelled into the country area and visited a huge red brick cathedral at Bad Doberan.  We have seen a lot of churches of course so I think GD was a bit ‘churched-out’.  However we have never seen a church built completely of red brick, both inside and out,  and I was fascinated with its structure and the statues inside which were very old, very unusual and quite unique.  The church has applied for UNESCO World Heritage status so I hope it is granted as this really is something special.

Then a short trip on a steam train and time at Kuhlungsborn seaside resort town.  We were intrigued with the beach baskets for hire which stretched as far as we could see along the beach …… but no customers today as it is a bit cool and damp – the first wet day on our cruise so we have been very lucky.