Still Surprises

This travel day began very early this morning.  In fact, we never went to bed.  The train pulled out of Koln station on time at 02:18.  We sat together, but had to move a few times as people who had reservations for the seats, embarked.  I think we will book seats next time for a long trip like this.  Only on the last leg -- Copenhagen to Stockholm we are already assured specific seats.

I had not looked up the route from Hamburg to Copenhagen and when it was annouced that the train was going onto a ferry for a 45 minute ride from Puttgarten to the Danish border, it was a complete surprise.  How delightful that there are still surprises!

As with most ferries, we were instructed to come off the vehicle and go up onto the ferry deck.  The Scandalines run hybrid ships and like most ferries, they are the same front and back so no turning is necessary.  It was amazingly smooth and speedy both getting on and off.  Ian has decided that ocean boats are not to his liking -- unfortunate!

The Danish country side is flat and so far, mostly farmland.  The houses are stone and the fields are mostly green with winter wheat.  No cows yet.