Day 5: Irmi on Rügen (October 8, 2021, Friday)

Day 5: Irmi on Rügen (October 8, 2021, Friday)

Today, we had the KdF Seebad Prora on our itinerary. But first, our curiosity led us to the impressive Kaufhaus Stolz. It has 34 branches and the entire family is active in the company. The company has been in existence for 160 years and has apparently survived the GDR. The offers didn't really impress us, but they do have wool. Do I need to say more? :)

Then we headed towards Prora. I had a disturbing memory of the 4.7 km long complex, as it clearly displayed Hitler's megalomania. We reached our destination and were disappointed. The exhibition had plenty of documentation to read and films to watch, but not a single room matched the original furnishings and design.

Back in the day, it was very impressive for me to see the tiny vacation rooms with only 12 square meters for two people, which could accommodate 20,000 people at the same time. The complex was built with a concrete skeleton and then brick walls were added, but a guide explained that while it was built quickly, the execution was not intended to be permanent. The colossus was simply meant to make an impact. After the end of the war, parts of the complex were dismantled and stones and pipes were delivered to Russia, for example. So the people who were employed in its construction now had to work on its dismantling.

Since then, many investors have apparently been found and the blocks have been modernized. Expensive luxury apartments and homes can now be purchased. The windows are larger, the facades are painted, and the surroundings are landscaped. It's quite something, but I wouldn't want to live there. The historical aspect is lost.

We took a detour to the beautiful, wide beach and left this place that has lost so much of its atmosphere.

Then we went to the wonderful Binz. After a somewhat complicated search for a parking space (someone almost kissed my nose again while reversing), we walked along the promenade, admiring beautifully crafted jewelry at various pavilions. And I took a photo of my dream house. It was amazing, and with a view of the sea too. The Villa Undine would be it!!! In general, the resort architecture from the 19th century fascinated me. The old villas served as children's homes and trade union holiday centers during GDR times. The large hotels were assigned to conglomerates as company vacation homes. The pier was destroyed by a storm in 1942 and was only rebuilt in 1990.

Then we strolled to the passage. In a wool store, the wool tempted me again, but I remained steadfast. One shop followed another, and each building was so beautiful. Finally, we wanted to have a coffee, but when I went to the restroom, a poster with fresh onion cake tempted me, and we both gave in. Man, it was delicious.

And of course, we could also gossip. A man walked past us with only the top button of his coat fastened because his belly made it impossible to fasten the rest. A couple walked side by side, and Gabi commented on the woman's expression: 'Judging by her face, she could also say: Does anyone want this?'

Then we headed back home, and the muscle soreness had definitely not diminished. As we sat outside in the evening, we heard the sound of the ocean. We had chosen a beautiful place.