avatarAnne Bonfert

Summary

This article is about a spontaneous trip to the Baltic Sea, where the author and their partner explored the coastline, walked along the beach, and enjoyed the views of the ocean.

Abstract

The article begins with the author describing a spontaneous trip to the Baltic Sea, which was only a 2-hour drive away. They spent the first half of the day in Warnemünde, walking along the harbor promenade and eating a Fischbrötchen. Afterward, they headed to the beach, where they found a path that stretched along the coastline. The author enjoyed the views of the ocean across the overgrown sand dunes and took pictures of the beach, the ocean, the coastline, and the trees. They also saw warning signs telling them not to step too close to the edge, as the coastline is being washed off by the tides and rough waters of the Baltic Sea. The author and their partner decided to turn around and head back, but not before taking a scenic picture of themselves with the Baltic Sea in the background. The article ends with the author reflecting on their day trip and expressing their enjoyment of both exploring the town and harbor and walking through the forest while enjoying the views of the ocean.

Bullet points

  • The author and their partner took a spontaneous trip to the Baltic Sea.
  • They spent the first half of the day in Warnemünde, walking along the harbor promenade and eating a Fischbrötchen.
  • They found a path that stretched along the coastline and enjoyed the views of the ocean.
  • The author took pictures of the beach, the ocean, the coastline, and the trees.
  • They saw warning signs telling them not to step too close to the edge, as the coastline is being washed off by the tides and rough waters of the Baltic Sea.
  • The author and their partner decided to turn around and head back, but not before taking a scenic picture of themselves with the Baltic Sea in the background.
  • The author reflected on their day trip and expressed their enjoyment of both exploring the town and harbor and walking through the forest while enjoying the views of the ocean.

TRAVEL. PHOTOGRAPHY. NATURE

Exploring the Coastline at the Baltic Sea

Where the ocean washes away part of the land

Credit: Anne Bonfert

It was a rather spontaneous trip to the Baltic Sea. As soon as we knew we had the day off we planned on driving north. Driving north to get to the ocean. It was only a 2-hour drive and definitely worth it.

After spending the first half of the day wandering through Warnemünde, walking along the harbor promenade, and eating a Fischbrötchen or two, we had enough of city life and turned our attention to the beach.

We took the car out of the expensive city parking lot and found a cheaper place just out of town. On our way to the beach, we crossed a path that seemed to stretch along the coastline.

Credit: Anne Bonfert

And off we went.

To the right was the beach and on our left a small forest. The cold air of the Baltic Sea was blowing off the ocean but we were well dressed for the weather up here.

Credit: Anne Bonfert

I enjoyed the views of the ocean across those overgrown sand dunes. Very different from the sand dunes I’ve been on in Namibia but still beautiful.

Credit: Anne Bonfert

We passed a signboard where long and short walking and bicycle trips were written out. I can see ourselves coming back here and renting a bike to explore more of this stunning coastline.

Credit: Anne Bonfert

But for now, we enjoyed the peacefulness and smell of the ocean. I love nothing more than some salty air. Because it just reminds me to take a deep breath and slow down in life.

Credit: Anne Bonfert

The path entered the small coastal forest and we walked between tall standing trees spouting in light green spring colors.

Birds were out and about singing their favorite songs, the woodpecker was busy on some of the stems and a few locals were walking their dogs.

Credit: Anne Bonfert

I had to stop every few meters to take a picture of either the beach, the ocean, the coastline, or the trees. While looking up.

Because, well, it looks beautiful.

Credit: Anne Bonfert

Those green buds opened up into bright leaves looking amazing in front of the blue of the ocean.

Credit: Anne Bonfert

Some clouds were moving in and out during our walk and day in the city but we got plenty of sunshine throughout the day.

Credit: Anne Bonfert

I had seen the cliffs from town earlier and told my husband I was keen on seeing them from close.

There are no cliffs the way you imagine them. No rocks in sight except for some pebbles on the beach. But the coastline is being washed off by the tides and rough waters of the Baltic Sea.

Each year, this specific coastline is losing up to 35 centimeters of land to the sea. This explains the number of warning signs telling you not to step too close to the edge.

I know, you guessed right. I couldn’t hesitate and had to look down.

Credit: Anne Bonfert

Every few hundred meters there were stairs leading down to the beach. But in between, you could find what looked like slides leading down. I guess people tried to walk down to the beach but ended up sliding on their butt.

We had a quick look at one of them but decided to wait for the next stairs instead.

Credit: Anne Bonfert

Two fishermen were standing out at sea. I’m sure there’s plenty of fish on this coastline. But it must be cold at the point out there.

Credit: Anne Bonfert

I have taken part in a few photography challenges over the past months and they have taught me a lot about how, when, and what to take pictures of. And one of the lessons I learned was to turn around from time to time and see what’s behind you.

Like now. The curved beach with the skyline of Warnemünde. The tallest building you can see down there is the Neptune Hotel.

Credit: Anne Bonfert

We decided it was time to turn around but not before I hadn’t taken a picture of the two of us yet. Per day I can ask him one time for a photo of us. Not more.

My husband isn’t into photographs at all and is showing already lots of patience adventuring through the world while I’m stopping every few meters to take a photograph.

So I went and quickly set up the self-timer to get a scenic picture of us with the Baltic Sea in the background. I ended up getting more than one but don’t tell him.

Credit: Anne Bonfert

For our way back we chose this tiny trail right at the edge of the forest.

Credit: Anne Bonfert

I looked once more up

Credit: Anne Bonfert

and down.

Where these lovely Buschwindröschen (wood anemone) were overlooking the coastline. The forest floor was shining in bright white. Full with these flowers.

Credit: Anne Bonfert

And that was it. Our day at the Baltic Sea was coming to an end.

Credit: Anne Bonfert

It was a great day trip and we enjoyed both. The first half of exploring the town and harbor and the second part of walking through the forest while enjoying the views of the ocean.

More about our trip to the Baltic Sea:

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Travel
Adventure
Outdoors
Hiking
Baltic Sea
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