FAMILY EXCURSION TO DENMARK

              

On 4th May 2012, taking advantage of a one-week mid-semester break for Mike and Joanna, our children, our family decided to undertake a one-day excursion to the Baltic Sea at the German-Danish border.

Our 15-year old daughter, Joanna, pointing in excitement to the still surface of the Baltic Sea

We thought it would be a welcome change from my "triangular sphere of activity" ---home, therapy, church. It would also offer us the excitement of crossing the 18km stretch of the Baltic Sea from Fehman in Germany to Puttgarten in Denmark. We got all set and left home around ten o'clock in the morning.

Map showing the Baltic Sea between Germany and Denmark. Notice the red line between Route 1 and E47. That narrow part with the inscription "Fehmarnbelt" is the point where we crossed into Denmark.

The 147km journey took us barely ninety minutes by car. Hailing from a riviera district in Ghana I am naturally used to ferries and water bodies. The system of boarding the ferries was excellent. The dual-carriage way expanded into about eight lanes. Nobody was required to alight from their cars. Tickets were purchased from toll booths. Cars buses and trains board the ferry in their respective lanes after which the vessel sets sail.

The M/V Prins Richard ferry belonging to Scandlines, one of the vessels which plies the Baltic Sea between Germany and Denmark

We boarded the beautiful 142-meter long M/V PRINS RICHARD which has a 364-car and 1,140-passenger capacity. Besides, it also ferries a train of about four coaches in length. 

A passenger train on board the ferry.

The main deck of the ferry is like a little downtown, having shops, restaurants and cafeteria. The observation floor was where the children enjoyed the most as it gave them an unhindered view of the sea and other marine vessels.

Martha, flanked by Mike and Joanna, on the observation deck of the ferry.

The 18-km distance took us 45 minutes to cross.We visited some of the nearby towns such as Puttgarten, Roedby, Maribo and Lolland, returning only 135km shy of Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark.

Joined by Elder Appiagyei (standing right), our Driver/Protocol Officer at a tourist center at Puttgarten in Denmark

We treated ourselves to some Danish meals, rested for a while and hit the road again, crossed the sea and returned to Hamburg before 19.00hrs, early enough for Mike and Joanna to attend evening service.

We give thanks and praise to God for the strength and vitality given us all, especially me. Yes, the stated objectives besides, the trip also afforded me the opportunity to explore my own physiological boundaries.