Hamburg, my favourite city in Germany.

Final day in Hamburg and I've declared it is my favourite German city however, I must add it is the only German city I've visited thus far.

Public transport isn't that hard in Hamburg

Hamburg has many good points, it is big, but this does not mean it has lost its own personality. The people are friendly, helpful, humorous and proud. It has a U-bahn underground, with a great bus network along with rail connection to the airport. The past is not forgotten however does not dwell on it.

Today we saw our first references to WWII and also the bombing that destroyed and killed so many.  Our first stop was St. Nikolai Memorial (former site of St. Nikolai Church) which was destroyed in the air raids in 1943.  There is a lift that took us up the 73 meters into the bell tower to see over the city and harbour, unfortunately for us it has been surrounded by scaffolding for maintenance. The view we were able to get was still great.

Rathausee

The surprise for us was the museum on site, underground.  This covered the beginning of the church but had most interesting information on the destruction of Hamburg by the allies in WW2.  It was interesting to learn that the curators of the museum have no blame for the bombing of the city and have a realisation that it was needed to stop the Nazi war machine.

It was then back on the subway and then a walk to Planten un Blomen and the tropical house. We even saw gum trees in the tropical house. We realise when we see things like this we're a long way from home when an everyday eucalypt tree is protected indoors.

After a heavy shower it was back to Henri Hotel and later a visit to Sala Thai, one of the most impressively decorated restaurants we have been in.

Tomorrow - Berlin.