Hamburg

We arrived in Hamburg and headed to our hostel. We've booked a variety of different accommodation for this trip and here we'd booked a family room in a hostel. We were a little early to check in and so parked outside. I suddenly felt very very old as scores of school kids and young people came out and we're hanging around. Nick and I seriously added to the average age, even taking into account the boys!

After a shower (no such luxury for us on the train), we decided to go to Miniatur Wunderland in the old warehouse area. Nick and I were not overly excited about visiting the worlds largest model railway but we figured the boys would enjoy it. Oh my! How wrong we were. It was seriously impressive. From the model football match going on to the model airport with planes landing and taking off and of course all the trains too, it was really incredible.

The lighting kept changing from day to night as well so all sorts of other details were seen as well. There was even a miniature Lindt chocolate factory which gave out miniature chocolates too - Zach thought that one was really good!

The cafe was like the coach on a train so as if we hadn't spent enough time on a train that day, we had dinner there. 

We decided on a sightseeing day on Wednesday. Lots of U-Bahn rides and walking - the Rathaus, the Alster lake, a walk along the canal and down to the harbour.

We lunched overlooking the sea and then took a boat ride around the harbour.

The boys were getting fed up towards the end so we got off in the old warehouse area and wandered around a little before heading back to the hostel. The littlest boys ate pizza while watching the football on the big screen and Nick and I chased Reuben round the hostel to stop him running out of the front door while he grinned and flirted with girls, impressing them with his plinky plinky shoes. 

Thursday started a little chilly but we decided to head back to the water and the Maritime museum.

A really good museum with plenty to interest Zach and loads of information in English too. Reuben wasn't quite as interested but those pesky teeth seemed to be bothering him again.







We had lunch overlooking the water and Zach and Reuben devoured an enormous pizza while Nick and I virtuously enjoyed salads.

All that was nullified when after a little walk, we decided to go for Kaffee und Kuchen while Reuben slept. Another evening, another football match - this time Germany so everywhere was full of people in football shirts and with a variety of accessories in red, black and yellow. Happily for our American friends, the USA also got through. 

Friday morning came (Reuben had slept through til after 5 every morning in Hamburg - not usual but much appreciated) and after a great big hostel breakfast of bread and accompaniments, we left to go to the seaside. 

Just hanging out in the hostel