Ahlbeck: Klappe die Zweite

The title refers to our return to the vast ocean known as Osstee (Baltic Sea).
"Klappe die Zweite" translates to "take two", like in the movies.

As the summer kicks in, the weather has climbed to the high eighties and low ninety's.



So, on a beautiful Sunday June 27, we decided to go back to Osstee, as we did
weeks ago. The sun was bright, with pillow like clouds, around mid-eighties.

Before I go any further, I must tell you that this is just as much about a
Navigation system and Fussball (Soccer), as it is about the ocean.

On this occasion, we decided to leave earlier than the last time. 9:30 am should
get us to Ahlbeck by maybe 12:30, so we will have plenty of time on the
beach and just a more relaxing day than the last time.

Gabrielle set the Navigation system for Ahlbeck and we left Berlin. 3 hours have
gone by and we are close, Or we thought so. We ended up in small town after town
promising we are getting closer. One thing we didn't know.

There are two, not one, but two Ahlbeck's, one an hour further away, and
no ocean in site. At one point we are in a town and the Navigator had
me driving up a driveway and around in a circle of neatlty cropped high
hedges. Fuck! They were cool looking, but, FUCK!



The red flag is the wrong place. The blue flag is the correct one

You gotta be kidding! So after a bit of frustration, Gabrielle reset the
Navigator for Usedom, a town we were familiar with from the last trip.

Lesson learned: Next time, tell the Navigator, Usedom please.

At last at 2:20 pm we pulled into Ahlbeck, and were very lucky to get
a superb parking spot and then on to the beach!

One thing you need to know is that, and I forgot to mention this
in my last post, is that you drive 5 kilometers through an incredible
forrest of tall trees and a narrow road. It's awesome. Forrest, and then
there is this fantastic ocean. The trees keep the air so healthy and clean.



As we lay on our blanket soaking up the son, I noticed something
I didn't last time, most likely because there were many more
people on this day. I thought I was on a nude beach. Not more than
50 feet was a woman in her 60's completely naked on top. Just sitting there
and chatting with her friend, another woman. Her friend had a top on.
Frankly, she was an ugly site, but hey, she had the guts to do it.

A little further away was a boy about 6, running around with no
bathing suit and his little dong hanging out. To me, this was, so
this is Germany? Ha. Pretty funny. You had to be there.




We now had long forgotten about the longer trip to our new paradise. The only
thing left was to eat by the ocean and watch Germany take on England
in the World Cup. Big game, in Germany, no doubt about it.

I am a lucky man. My lady loves Fussball and follows it religiously. She
doesn't just watch Germany, but as many games as possible. She even keeps
a scorecard of all matches, writing in all scores as the Cup progresses.
She also loves boxing. She into these two sports.

So, naturally we had to watch the big game that afternoon in
Ahlbeck, not at home. Ah, eat and watch the game. Doesn't get
any better than this. We are both in heaven.

Keep in mind, me, as an American, I cannot turn on on ESPN or
any other sports channel in Berlin. I will confess, due to my
love of Baseball, I subscibe to MLB.TV and keep up with my
favorite sport, team, Los Angeles Dodgers, and my fantasy team
on Yahoo. Sure I can look on the net about all sports, but this is
enough for me. I don't want to waste too much time on TV.

We found this rustic big huge pub/eatery called Strandcasino.
It is located at Dunenstrasse 57
17419 Seebad-Ahlbeck 038378/333 44

We ate hamburgers, and salad and watched the game on
a regular size television with about 30 others. All different ages.
Very quiet people, but when Germany scored the place erupted with joy.
England lost 4-1 and has gone home.

To sum up the day. It was a great day.

Next time, and there will be another time soon,
enter Usedom into the Navigator. Simply that.