The Adventures of Dave & Cass: December 2011

Our drive from Holland back to Germany didn’t really go as planned – knowing we had a decent drive ahead we packed up early and were off. We stopped in at a supermarket for supplies and were then directed by Jim to the A7 – the only road to Hamburg. Problem was it was closed as Groningen for roadworks. So we had to fumble blindly along side roads until we eventually got back on track – about an hour later!

Further along the way Mulder decided to get thirsty and put his fuel light on. No problem we’ll stop at the next petrol station, problem was it wasn’t for 110kms. So we ended up taking a detour along the small country roads praying Jim’s directions would work – always a risky bet.

Eventually we made it to Hamburg but by now it was 4pm too late for any more adventures until the next day.

The Rathaus

Courtyard of the Rathaus

Welcome to the Chilehaus

After yesterday’s hiccup we needed an early start to catch up on Hamburg. We purchased a 24hour group Hamburg Card – great value and included public transport too and negotiated the bus U and S bahn system of Hamburg.

First stop was the Jungfernsteig home of the Europa Passage – where all the ritzy and famous shops are.

From here we walked into the merchants district to visit one of the city’s most famous building s- the Chille Haus – not sure if it was named because it housed chillies (but I’m gonna go with it)., but it is famed because of its shape – its basically designed to look like a giant brick ocean liner coming to a point at its bow and complete with balconies looking like decks on a ship.

See how it kind of looks like a ship...?

Next was a trip back to the very centre of the city to tour the Rathaus – this I know definitely doesn’t translate to a Rodent House (although some may disagree) but it was actually the town hall – home of the Hamburg parliament and senate. We were led through the very opulent rooms on a guided tour and had it explained that the buildings foundations were actually wooden stilts as Hamburg, like Venice is built on canals ad has a very high water table. Stone foundations would sink but wood if completely covered by water and not exposed to air will not rot. Hence it is extremely important to control the water levels in the city with a series of flood gates.

The stairs to the government chambers

...more governmental rooms

Once finished with all of the serious governmental affairs of Hamburg we were hungry and headed to a local pub on the wharfie side of town for a massive mea of schnitzels and beer – neither of us could finish them!

To continue our sightseeing we had hoped to take a cruise on Hamburg harbour however the only tour in English was at 12noon which we had sadly already missed. On the upside we were forced to take a more upmarket cruise on the Binnenalster and Aussenalster (inner and outer lakes) and the canals of Hamburg.

Dave decides he can be a boat captain

We boarded a St Geog (no “e” – not a typo) steam boat with a flat bottom which allowed us to access some of Hamburgs less accessable canals with many mansions backing onto them, some of Hamburg’s prime realestate. There were also 100’s of locals enjoying the afternoon, rowing the canals and sailing the lakes.

A mini Sydney to Hobart

After seeing some of Hamburg’s glam it was time to see its grunge. We took the U-Bahn to St Pauli to visit Hamburg’s infamous Reeperbahn reportedly Europe’s biggest redlight district. Unfortunately so soon after Amsterdam the place was really cheese and over-rated – like a bigger version of

Cavil Ave

with more beggars and homeless people and their 3-4dogs. We did skip the nearby Herbertstrasse – a street lined with brothels that’s off limits for men under 18years and women of all ages.