Kiel, Germany

 

Kiel was a stop Brian had wanted to make earlier in the trip but due to the tight schedule it wasn't possible but now we had time if the weather would hold good! Outside of  Kiel is a Submarine ( Das Boot 995) and Museum ( Marine-Ehrenmal Laboe ) in Laboe which attracted Brian, being on the Baltic Sea again attracted me.

The Baltic Sea is always changing with the weather and cloud cover it can look gray and then quickly go to a beautiful blue.  Before going to see the U-boat 995 we stopped at this beach between Kiel and Laboe. Walking along the path we found this memorial. The inscription was in German I believe it was an Honor to the Naval Forces.

The sea was beautiful there were ships passing and across the water we could see the lighthouse.  Scanning then to the left there was a marine dock area with large cranes and loading processes going on.  It was hard to imagine water looking so peaceful had held so many battles. 

We left this beach area for Laboe as time was passing too quickly and we had much to see yet.  I was anxious as I had never been in a submarine before. So the adventure was on.

Arriving in Laboe we parked a few blocks away and started walking towards the beach strip.  The beach area was wonderful and although we had yet to see the sub we knew we were in the right direction.  We stopped at a cafe along the beach for tea.  We always were trying different types of food although we already had favorite German dishes.

This is the museum from the "deck" area we arrived close to closing time and wasn't able to fully explore all the museum but we did go inside and explore the room under the area this was taken from.  One of the things that impressed me was the memorials for the Americans and Japanese subs that had perished in their documented battles.  It was a point of respect for the  fallen navy  heroes of a war regardless of their nation.  I liked that .

 

Das Boot 995 was a real sub that has been set up on the beach for tours.  We went in and as we walked about the inside Brian took time to explain to me what it was I was looking at.  Which really helped make it more interesting as all the gauges and notes were in German .  I don't remember  the technical details but I do know I would never make it in these tight quarters for long let alone under the water as well.  

It takes a special person to live and work in a sub like this.

We traveled to Bremen and stayed before leaving for the Netherlands where I planned on meeting up with one more ICQ friend and visit his city of Rotterdam.

 

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