Vasco da Gama July 2019, Part 4

Thursday 18th July 2019
I had been told about another little trip that I could make from here in Kiel, so after breakfast I headed back down to the water and the Fjord Line ticket office for a return ticket to Laboe, 10 kms north-west of Kiel.

Stena Germanica

Schilksee

Heikendorf for me

Color Fantasy

Bussard, with something interesting at her stern

Stadt Kiel

Heikendorf builders plate

Looking back towards the Kiel Canal entrance


The sun was shining, it was getting warm at last, and I was soon on board HEIKENDORF for a stop/start sail to Laboe. Fortunately I found a seat and enjoyed seeing people with their babies and/or dogs. I think we had about 9 stops at various small places on the way to Laboe and arrived about an hour and a half later after a lovely trip. HEIKENDORF was built in 1983 at 278 gross tons.

The little port area was busy as most of us disembarked, and all the new passengers surged on board.

Buoys, beaches and views

Beach seating


I looked at the seats on the beaches and at a few people swimming or paddling, but walked along the lane at the back of the beaches. At first there were many places offering food (mostly chips) but I carried on walking, heading for the Naval Memorial a mile or two along the coast.

Naval Memorial

Buoy and Y812


It was all very pleasant in the warm sunshine and after arriving at the end of the lanes and the main town, where the Nature Reserve started, I started to walk back and found a small restaurant for lunch amongst obviously local people, with beach views just below.

Color Fantasy sailing off into the wide blue yonder

Color Carrier

Seen in a car park

Another car park tail to tell

Victoria Seaways

Another attractive beach


Back at the little port I walked round to see the various small vessels and then back to board the HEIKENDORF again, to return to Kiel.

Heikendorf arriving

Alkor


After going through the opening bridge back in Kiel, it was time to go to Vapiano, which is a welcoming and familiar restaurant right on the quayside. Food is cooked to order and offers a wide choice. Today I simply wanted Earl Grey tea to enjoy and I sat near the bar and enjoyed that, and watched the ships and people through the huge glass windows all around me.

Freya and her reflection


I walked home and reflected on another lovely day out. Tomorrow I check out from my small hotel and head for the Central Station to meet a friend for another exploration from here in Kiel. Tonight I could start to pack my rucksack and then head to a local bar I had found and enjoyed last night, with wine, snacks, sunshine in the early evening light, and a friendly atmosphere with music to enjoy.


Ships seen: Color Carrier, Alkor, Freya, Victoria Seaways of DFDS, Color Fantasy from Color Line, Y812 ?something from the Navy?, Baltic Petrel from Limassol, Diamant with a long red hull, 2 ships in the Kiel Canal, Heikendorf, Stadt Kiel, Stena Germanica, Bussard, Bulk, Schilksee, Laboe,
Odin, Elch, Victoria Seaways


To be continued...

MEIN SCHIFF 4, 7th September 2015, Part 7

Thursday 10th September 2015
Today MEIN SCHIFF 4 has arrived in Oslo, Norway. Sailing through the fjords to arrive at the port is one of the delights of being at sea, and after breakfast we were soon out on deck to watch other arrivals. Again, it was a warm day with beautiful reflections off the mountains and vessels around.

The first ferry seen

Kongen

Crown Seaways, with Color Fantasy in the distance

Crown Seaways

Preparing to swing and turn

Prinsen

Color Fantasy was getting nearer


Local ferries were sailing about their business, the cream-coloured small ferry was heading back and forth between the port and the nearby Maritime Museum, CROWN SEAWAYS of DFDS appeared and berthed within sight, and finally COLOR FANTASY arrived and headed into her berth.

The Maritime Museum and the little ferry

Color Fantasy


I can remember arriving here on her sister ship COLOR MAGIC myself in January 2008. At the time my diary notes about the ship said:


"All was light and gleaming on board, and the Magic Promenade was just as I had pictured it, but better in reality. Three decks high, and 163 metres long, it included glass lifts, shops and eating opportunities, culminating at the stern with the Manhattan Gourmet Restaurant set above and around the Oceanic a la carte Restaurant below. This view through the high glass windows of the huge Norwegian flag was mesmerising and I loved the chance to ’sweep down’ the curved staircase to the restaurant."


Of course that design has been used successfully on many large ships since then.

The TUI Bar

TUI Bar

Hanging around in the nearby atrium


After lunch on MEIN SCHIFF 4 some of us walked around the quays towards the ferry area. We passed the eye-catching building called the Nobel Peace Prize Centre where every December since 1901 the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony for the Laureates takes place in front of the King; the other Nobel Prizes are given out in a ceremony in Stockholm, Sweden. We also passed the Town Hall with its two distinctive clock and bell towers, which was completed in 1950.

Christian Radich

Nobel Peace Prize

Drain cover

Town Hall, built in 1950

Droningen and Huldra



We bought tickets for the ferry OSLO XII which was going over to one of the small islands near Oslo, called Hovedoya. It is only 800 metres across apparently, and there are Cistercian ruins, but we enjoyed the means of getting there. It was satisfactory to discover that all the officers and crew on the ferry were female. We had lovely views of MEIN SCHIFF 4 as we sailed to and from the island.

Town Hall as we left

Mein Schiff 4 with boats out

Oslo XII

Oslo XII

Oslo X back again


Full of fresh Norwegian air we returned to the ship and went to the Diamond bubble bar for tea.

Show Bar, on my way to the Cafe bar for tea

Bull's head, on the door next to the hanging meat display

Hanging meat for the Surf & Turf

Grand piano full of bottles

About to enjoy my Earl Grey tea, with a memory


As I enjoyed my Earl Grey tea I could look further along the quay and remember being here in January 2008 in the snow. I had just said goodbye to my travelling companions after we had travelled on COLOR MAGIC overnight and then enjoyed a visit to the Maritime Museum. I photographed the PEARL OF SCANDINAVIA. My diary notes say:


"I decided to write my name and the date in the deep snow, instead of in my more usual sand, and trekked back around the harbour to the Norwegian Royal Yacht, the NORGE. Young cadets looking red-faced with the cold were sweeping snow off the decks into the sea, but were happy to talk to me. What a shame that we no longer have a Royal Yacht for our British Monarch I thought, regretting that my plans for building one by public subscription had come to nought."


I remember that I had sent a cheque to the Editor of a major British newspaper with a letter asking them to consider starting such a fund as a gift for Her Majesty. They didn't cash my cheque and they didn't start a fund. Hmm, I wonder if politics came into that decision.

Today the weather was clear and hot and such a contrast with that snowy January trip.

The Hainami Restaurant

The Cigar Bar

Mileage so far, on the television screen

View from the Bridge



We watched CROWN SEAWAYS depart and then relaxed on our ship and enjoyed the views until our departure from Oslo at 7 p.m.


Ships seen: Kongen, Grace, DFDS Crown Seaways, Prinsen, Color Fantasy, the Maritime Museum ferry, Oslo XII, Oslo X, Mein Schiff 4, Christian Radich built in 1937, Dronningen, Huldra


To be continued...