August 2,2024 Hamburg, Germany aboard Crystal Symphony
We were traveling down the Elbe river when I opened the curtains … cloudy but pleasant air temps.
Breakfast in our room, then we met Dieter and Kirsten at the port entrance. We met Dieter and Kirsten last September onboard Symphony. They were celebrating their 70th Crystal cruise, we congratulated them, they asked us to join them for dinner…and a fast friendship developed.
We set off with them to explore their city. Dieter and Kirsten are the most wonderful hosts and tour guides.
First stop, the Elbphilharmonie concert hall.
We ascended to the observation deck and enjoyed views of the city and river
There are more bridges in Hamburg than there are in Venice.
We visited the very impressive City Hall. It is magnificent. The first City Hall was destroyed by fire in 1842, this one was built from 1886-1897.
Both Queen Elizabeth and Haile Selassie were greeted at this stair case by the Mayor.
The scale is so great I could not fit it into my frame.
We walked along the streets near City Hall enjoying views of a nearby lake.
We drove through the St. Pauli district and down the famous Reeperbahn. The street is lined with restaurants, nightclubs and bars. There are also strip clubs, sex shops and brothels.
Local fans of the St. Pauli soccer club.
We enjoyed a lovely lunch on the River Elbe. Fischereihafen Restaurant is known for its seafood dishes and has hosted many celebrities including Karl Lagerfeld and Mohamed Ali.
Shrimp with risotto
Smoked eel and scrambled eggs on black bread
Accompaniments for Tim’s flounder
Flounder
Tuna
Traditional Hamburg dish…herring with green beans
Some photos of visiting celebrities.
After lunch we stopped by St. Michael’s Church…the Baroque architecture is fabulous …it has seven organs, super acoustics and we were struck by the brightly painted interior.
Our final stop was Annette’s home. Annette is Kirsten and Dieter’s daughter. She baked us the yummiest cheesecake, made us delicious coffee and is a most charming and sweet hostess. We had the best time on her balcony overlooking the city and river. It was perfick!
All too soon our wonderful day with Kirsten and Dieter came to an end. We passed through the St. Pauli district again…enjoying the local color.
And then we were back on the ship getting ready for dinner.
Pre-dinner found us in the Cove…
…Anna Alonso and Alexandre Pivato were absolutely perfect …her vocals, his guitar playing…pure magic.
Dinner in Waterside…as we sailed away down the Elbe…
The Duck was a big hit with the birthday guy💙
…Boyan came by to offer his best wishes…
We shared the river with some cool boats
Remi checking in
Kamel with chocolate sauce for Tim’s soufflé
…and then second dessert😊
Jennifer and Jiri adding their good wishes…
…meanwhile back in our room
Second mirror selfie of the evening …we skipped the Crystal on Broadway show because we lingered so long over dinner…however…
…Timmy’s celebration continued in the Avenue…with a terrific evening of “Jazz, Rhythm and Blues” with Carlos Rayan, The Showband Trio and special guests.
Rustam on trumpet, Viktor on bass and Dante on piano
The one and only Carlos Rayan
Do you love this shirt or what?
We had a super day in Hamburg with Kirsten and Dieter. I asked Kirsten how long Dieter has lived in Hamburg her reply “All his life, he is an original Hamburger”. Not even a whiff of irony.
Timmy had a great birthday evening on board this beautiful ship.
Thanks for following along. ♥️
