Spending the weekend at Cape May reminded me that I had not yet posted about my day on the beach at Warnemunde. It was a lovely day, forever memorable for my first-time experience driving that Porsche 911 Carrera 4S convertible. (I can’t insert enough Porsche pictures – apologies for the repetition but it helps me hold on to the memories.)

What a great rear view!

I noted several differences between my beach experience at Warnemunde and a typical day spent at an average Atlantic Ocean beach.

The beach at Warnemunde

First, those on the beach in Warnemunde came with much less baggage. Fewer chairs, fewer child’s toys and equipment, less baggage in general. Many of those around me came with one small bag, content to simply spread out a towel and sit or lay down on it. There was a section of chairs at the “back” of the beach (away from the water) – I wish I had taken a picture of them since they weren’t like the chairs we use here in the states – but the majority of people walking to the beach didn’t bring their own. The stores in town weren’t overflowing with beach chairs, umbrellas and other accessories. Granted, it was the end of the season but I didn’t even see one store with that type of merchandise, not even on season-ending clearance. I don’t know the potential significance of this observation – it will require more trips to European beaches! I can only assert that in my weekend at Cape May I saw many people trekking to the beach overloaded with all kinds of equipment. Made my neck hurt just looking at them. I prefer the leanness I saw in Warnemunde.

The lighthouse at Warnemunde

Second, I saw a lot of older naked (or nearly-naked) children in Warnemunde. Granted, no naked baby boys but several naked baby girls (up to approximately three years old) and one topless girl who I swear was almost ten years old. She was particularly annoyed with a stealthy seagull who tried to steal a piece of her snack – I loved the ferocity with which she chased that seagull away. I think this comfort with older children being naked or minimally dressed (notice I didn’t say underdressed) is a distinctly European thing. In general, I think Europeans have a significantly higher rate of acceptance for nudity (or partial nudity) as compared to the more puritan attitude of many (although certainly not all) Americans.

Third, unfortunately I saw a lot of men in Speedos on the beach in Warnemunde. Not on very many physically fit, attractive men, either,  but on older men who’s stomachs were so large and protruded so much as to almost obscure the fact that they were even wearing that skimpy Speedo. I am SO thankful that most American men do not follow the Speedo trend.

What’s my preference – the beach at Warnemunde or Cape May?

My favorite hotel at Cape May with an especially awesome pool and Tiki bar

Warnemunde will always hold a special place in my heart: as my first European beach experience, as my first Baltic Sea beach experience (cold water!), as the place I drove to a Porsche convertible… There’s the lure of the all the boats, large and small, sailing by, and many other things – all in all a very good place.

One of the big cruise lines pulling into harbor at Warnemunde

But without a doubt I prefer Cape May. Its Victorian charms, fantastic shopping, great food and general ambiance have been luring me for years. If I can figure out a way to retire there, I will – I love it that much and a girl can dream, can’t she? Not to mention that it’s close enough to get to without flying. Though the traffic can be aggravating it’s nothing compared to the flying experience (see Arrival in Berlin).

A shot of the dunes looking toward the beach on Cape May

Loved Warnemunde but it’s Cape May for me!

The lampposts of Cape May, intriguing by day or by night