DINING ON THE KIEL CANAL

Preparing the lock in Brunsbuttel for the ten
hour transit of the Kiel Canal

It was a surprise to learn that the Kiel Canal is the world’s busiest man-made waterway.

Motorcraft tie up against
larger vessels

Over a hundred years old, the Canal is sixty miles long, extending from the North Sea locks at Brunsbuttel to Kiel on the Baltic.

Another interesting fact is that Kiel’s harbour has annually hosted the world’s largest regatta ever since the Canal opened.

Approximately 120 ships make the Canal transit each day, saving themselves a 400 mile detour around the top of Denmark.  Ten major bridges, a rail viaduct and a road tunnel pass across the Canal and there is a great deal of ferry traffic. 

Ready for the off!

Sharing a joke between tunes

Our transit was delayed for several hours because of heavy rains. Water levels in the Canal had risen to the point where lock operations were impacted which required a draw down into the Elbe River before we could enter the lock.

When operations resumed we were fascinated by the various craft that entered the locks with us - cargo containers, bulk carriers, oil tankers and all manner of small sailing vessels.

A dairy farmer, volunteer fire fighter
and pretty good on the French Horn

During our transit we were treated to a band composed of local volunteer firefighters and their children who joined the ship at the North Sea lock while all things German were served for lunch.

The band was fantastic and the musicians lots of fun.  One of the band members told us she was a dairy farmer while another, who spoke English with absolutely no accent at all, told us she had been a nanny in Vancouver.

Sun sets over the Canal

The transit was especially beautiful. Rolling farmland dotted with grazing sheep and cattle, small communities of attractive homes, swaths of forest and a canal path that was frequented by people walking their dogs, cyclists and curious onlookers who waved as we passed -  a cruise ship an evocative sight amongst the commercial traffic. 

The ship's photographer
captures a nice moment

Wind turbines turned lazily in half hearted unison while the sounds of singing birds added to the calm of the transit.  Swans and ducks swam effortlessly in the ship’s wake, unfazed by the procession of shipping. 

Martinis and Canapes to start ....

Later in the transit we enjoyed a special treat - dinner served on our cabin balcony. 

One of Rangsan’s specialty Vesper martinis appeared served with canapés.

Several hours later .......

This was followed by Black & Blue French Onion Soup, Goat Cheese and Candied Walnut Salad, Beef Tenderloin with Asparagus and Mushrooms followed by a sinfully rich chocolate dessert and cheese selection.

The Merlot did a fine job of accompanying the dinner, so much so, the champagne remained unopened.

A mighty fine way to travel from sea to sea.

A killer dessert!