A Weekend in Hamburg

On Thursday afternoon we returned from our 3-day trip to the Baltic Sea but only to wash our clothes and repack our bags. Because the next morning, my mom, children and I drove to Hamburg ( 3 hours) to visit my brother and his fiance, Anna, for the weekend. As soon as we arrived, we took a train ride to nearby Buxtehude, where my brother works. 

They look like brothers! Uncle Lennard and Elliot:

Unfortunately, it rained pretty heavy when we arrived and so our walk thru downtown was cut short.

But cake and ice cream make rainy days feel like summer, especially in an antique looking Italian restaurant. Elliot was too tired to eat some ice cream, but rather took a good nap.

Scenic view in downtown Buxtehude:

The next morning, we went to the harbor in Hamburg to take a cruise around Germany's largest port and "gateway to the world". We rode a paddle steamer for an hour and heard some interesting facts about Germany's import and export. 

It was chilly and a bit wet on this riverboat:

 

 

These containers look like little Lego blocks and some of those container ships can carry up to 20,000 containers. 

Back on land, Amelia saw a mine, who only moved when someone put money in her bag:

Of course, I had to eat a fresh fish sandwich:

Feeding some ducks:

The late afternoon we spent at a fun playground with a huge slide before we ate a delicious dinner, which my brother made from scratch, and then it was time for wine, gummi bears and playing cards.

On Sunday morning, we all got up very early because we wanted to go the fish market. The Fishmarket is a legend and a must-see when in Hamburg, It opens every Sunday from 5am till 9:30am only and attracts thousands of people. Many of them are still up from celebrating on the Reeperbahn the night before. Whether fish, fruit, flowers, vegetables or clothes, anything can be bought on the stands lined up next to the Elbe's harbor basin. Hawkers are willing to haggle and sweeten the deal with an extra bargain or two. It was very interesting to experience and see all the different people there. Of course, live music, beer and food is served too and so the party never ends for some of the visitors. 

And then it was time to head back to Berlin. Thank you, Anna and Lennard, for a fun weekend. We truly enjoyed it.