Hello Baltic Sea - we are 'up here'

We are spending our first evening in Bastorf with a friendly family and their mega cool dog. The welcome outing is to the beach. With growling stomachs, of course, but EVERYONE wants to go to the beach, including our friends. So we quickly drive down and enjoy a few minutes looking out into the distance. The gentle dusk settling in, the bathing children, and the sound of the water are like a hug from the Baltic Sea. We are finally up here, we have made the long journey from Zurich to here. Our feet are surrounded by sand and waves, as if the sea is also greeting us. A wonderful moment. The children have already jumped into the cool water, dog included.

Later, we sit together for dinner with our hosts and another former Bundeswehr colleague of my husband. The reunion is warm and funny. It is Monday, August 5th, 2019. I watch the sunset from the parking lot and think. I try to enjoy the peace and the Baltic Sea air. A beautiful area and I know that the next few days will awaken some of my childhood memories. I listen to the distant laughter and play with the dog, who still greets me affectionately it seems.

That evening, we talk about all the possible destinations for the next three days. We can stay as long as we want. We have the bus schedule and plan a trip to Kühlungsborn. Tuesday is supposed to be one of the sunniest days. So we decide to have our first day at the beach in 2019 on the Baltic Sea.

On Tuesday morning, the bus takes us comfortably and quickly to Kühlungsborn. Beautiful summer weather, perfect for a day at the beach. From the train station, we enjoy walking the whole way to the beach and strolling along the shops. Our children look for a book, sunglasses, and beach toys - the usual. They want to buy everything they already own but apparently looks different at the beach :-) However, an ice cream is a must on the way to the beach. We are a bit exhausted from the journey so far and finally let ourselves fall into the warm, soft sand of the Baltic Sea. Then we all take our first dip in the cool sea and enjoy the atmosphere of the vacation, the arrival. The beach is lively, sunny, beautiful. It's wonderful to be here and watch the large seagulls, gaze into the distance, spot big three-masters and freighters, and breathe in the fresh sea air.

After a lovely afternoon in Kühlungsborn, we make our way back to Bastorf. Again this evening, we have dinner in the company of a nice family. On a beautifully decorated terrace with a view of the wide field, green meadows, and a lighthouse, life is better than on the crowded campsite. We are grateful for this location. From here, you can reach everything easily. TIP: If you want to live in a quieter place, you should do it in Bastorf. You can really get everywhere using public transportation and experience a lot or have a nice day at the beach. Therefore, our second excursion the following day is a train ride from Kühlungsborn to Bad Doberan with the Molli. Who doesn't know this charming nostalgic train with its many carriages, carrying its passengers from one romantic place to the next. According to the weather forecast, rain will be our companion. We are curious about the next day. We snuggle into our sleeping bags, the children into the rooftop tent, and quickly fall asleep. Sleeping outside, close to nature in freedom, is wonderful...

'20,000 Leagues Above the Sea...'