Hamburg Bus Tour and Harbor Cruise

One-Sentence Summary: On the bus tour and harbor cruise, I got great views of the city landmarks and waterways.

The Rathaus (Townhall)
This weekend I had another amazing tourist excursion. Two medical students were visiting our lab, so six of us explored the city during the day. We rode a double-decker Hamburger Stadtrundfahrten bus that stopped at various points in the city. The total ride was about 2 hours and showcased the best sites in Hamburg. We drove down Monckebergstrasse, which used to be the city of the city. It is still a very popular street with classy shops lining both sides of the street. The actual road is closed off to public traffic; only taxis and buses are allowed to drive down the street that is filled with pedestrians. We also drove down the Reeperbahn, which is not as scary when you’re on the top deck of a double-decker bus but during the tour I heard more scary stories about the area so I’ll continue to stay away.

An area that was reconstructed to look like Hamburg back in the day.

The bus tour was perfect because I got to see the outer areas of Hamburg without having to walk there. Hamburg is a pretty big city, too spread out that I don’t think my legs would survive walking the whole distance. Hamburg is a mix between old and new. There are very old parts of Hamburg, including an area that was reconstructed after The Great Fire to look like traditional Hamburg. Even the streets are cobblestone. Then there are dozens of construction sites for the new Hafencity (Harbor City), a city project involving many millions of euros. The apartments, schools, and business buildings will be located very close to the water and the center of the city, and thus, very expensive. Do I hear early birthday gift? =D I got to see where Hamburg has had its Fischmarkt every Sunday since 1703. During the summer, it starts at 5 AM and includes more than just fish, I hear. Since IBC doesn’t start until 12:30, I have plenty of time to visit the Fischmarkt one of these Sundays. Stay tuned for a Fischmarkt post in the future.


Hafencity under construction.

The harbor on the Elbe River.

The permanent theater for Der Konig Der Lowen (The Lion King). You can only reach it by ferry.

Two of many bridges in Hamburg

After the bus tour, we went on a harbor cruise of the Elbe River. It was a beautiful day to be on the water because it was sunny with some clouds, not too hot when the breeze blows your hair. Hamburg is a nice city to live and work in because there are so many waterfront properties. Many office buildings are right on the water with a beautiful view. I don’t know how good that would be for me because I would get distracted whenever I look out the window. Still, I wouldn’t say no to such a view. I’ve heard that Hamburg has more bridges than Amsterdam and Venice combined. Yay for Hamburg!

It was a full day and I’m so thankful that I have fun labmates. We’re able to get work done in the lab but also share laughs and spend time together on the weekends. Please pray that our experiments would be successful this week. Everyone loves successful experiments, especially me! Thanks for reading!

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O LORD, and You exalt Yourself as head over all.

Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone.

Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name.

1 Chronicles 29:11-13