The charming ambiance rouses one’s memories.
The salty scent of the Baltic Sea, murmuring whispers of the rippling water, hysterical yelps and laughter of carefree children amidst shop vendors, locals and tourists greet me as I walk away from reality and into a Mary Poppins sidewalk picture. Warnemünde cannot be anything other than perfect. The pleasantly vibrant but relaxed atmosphere easily integrates mankind with nature and the future with the past.
Though Rostock is not as well known as Berlin or Munich, its most northern location offers residents and visitors its sandy Warnemünde Beach. The beach may not be as expansive as Mexico Beach or as famous as South Beach but the Baltic Sea is a breathtaking view and an incredible experience. Regardless of the time of day, Warnemünde never ceases to amaze me.
Along the fifteen to twenty minute stroll on the boardwalk, local and Cuban restaurants, Danish ice-cream stands and modern clothing boutiques all tantalize the traveler to part with crisp Euros tucked safely in the back pocket. Miniature sand dunes, strewn pebbles and the sea, mark the end of the boardwalk and the beginning of another dimension -beckoning, perhaps even daring, the traveler to explore not only his surroundings but also within himself.
The water, though it is mid-June, is still too chilly for swimming. Yet, children and the occasional adult are not deterred. Some choose to attempt surfing while couples settle for a romantic rowboat made for two. Many, removing their shoes and socks, continue their stroll from the boardwalk onto the sandy beach.
Windy but mesmerizing, the view of the endless horizon and the sun’s rays illuminating the mysterious Baltic Sea instill a sense of awe for nature’s beauty and inevitably provoke one to reflect: God, life, love, regrets and opportunities to come. Thoughts cannot help but swarm and weave through one’s mind. The charming ambiance rouses one’s memories and allows one to ignore and forget the present and remember such moments for tomorrow.
Article written by Lucy Ma.
