Playgrounds in Grömitz

... I think there should be plenty of chocolate and ice cream in the treasure chest. At least enough so that I’ll still have some left if I have to share with my little brother Levin.

This year, I’m determined to find the treasure. I feel old enough for a real adventure. Even on the drive to Grömitz, I can’t sit still. “Mom, where is this treasure buried?” Mom and Dad put their heads together and whisper. Mysteriously, they turn to Levin and me: “Legend has it that whoever completes all three pirate challenges at the playgrounds in Grömitz will come into possession of the treasure.”

Is that it? Climbing around on playgrounds? I would have done that anyway. A piece of cake for me, I think to myself as I drift off to sleep, until the sound of the sea wakes me up. We’ve arrived at the Baltic Sea treasure. And tomorrow I’ll find it. For sure.

Dad says I’ve never gotten ready so quickly in the morning. But why should I waste time eating breakfast when I can have my chocolate treasure? My whole body is tingling with excitement. I drag Dad through the streets. Luckily, Mom is carrying Levin on her back; otherwise, it would have taken forever again. When we reach the promenade and can finally see the sea, we all pause for a moment. Even me. I love this moment. I love the sea and the smell. But now I want to find my treasure. The playground at the harbor is right in front of us now. Finally! Dad says I have to climb the mast and then steer the wooden ship through the harbor past all the other ships bobbing back and forth over there. Mom goes the other way to get coffee for herself and Dad. How can she possibly miss this spectacle? And how can she even like coffee? I realize I still have many unsolved mysteries ahead of me.

I can't wait any longer. With Levin in tow, I climb the mast. It's not that easy. But together, we make it. Dad says pirate buddies always stick together. I like that! Sometimes we really are a great team. No one can stop us: Lia and Levin—the Baltic Sea Pirates. Arr!  

Let's not waste any more time: From the mast, we board the ship Fienchen, pump water into the dry hold, and ask the slightly crazy pirate for directions. Levin steers us toward the harbor! We've made it. The treasure is almost ours.

Overjoyed, I rush over to Mom and Dad and tell them all about our victory on the seas. They’re sitting arm in arm on a bench, coffee in hand, watching the ships in the harbor. That’s way too boring for me. I run back to Levin—we’d better go over the whole thing one more time. So we’ll be ready for the second task.

A wild ride on the waves along the promenade
Mom says it’s lunchtime and that pirates need to eat a lot. I don’t really get that, but whatever. My fries are really tasty. And the best part: the next playground is right next door. That way, we don’t have to wait for Mom and Dad to finally finish eating. Levin and I rush off to Pirate Playground Number Two.

Just now at the restaurant, Dad told me about the next puzzle: We have to find a way through the stormy sea and can’t fall into the roaring waves. This storm is really something else. We rock back and forth through the sea while sitting and lying down, get dizzy in the whirlpool, shimmy across wobbly ropes, and finally slide our way to freedom. How exciting! I thought only five minutes had passed, but suddenly Mom and Dad are standing on the promenade. So hours must have gone by if they’ve already had their meal and coffee afterward. I speak from experience. But that works out well for me: the third and final pirate task is already waiting for us.


Pirate Obstacle Course at the Beach House
I know the next playground like the back of my hand. It’s like a home game, so to speak. We’ve been going to Grömitz every year—for as long as I can remember. I was already at the beach house on the boardwalk when I could barely crawl. At least that’s what Mom always says. I don’t remember it, but then again, it was a long time ago. All I know is: they have a ton of awesome toys here. Inside and outside! There are even toys here for my big cousin Tim. When we’re here, he usually plays foosball or watches something on TV in the area for the big kids. He always says I’m too little for that. But once, he let me go in with him. To be honest, though, I didn’t think it was that great. I much prefer the playground outside. From the boat, I can see the beautiful, sparkling sea.

That’s exactly where Dad says we’re headed for the third pirate challenge: a pirate obstacle course all the way to the ship. It would be a joke if Levin and I couldn’t manage that. The treasure is practically ours already. We boldly balance on wobbly ropes, pull ourselves up on ropes, and even ride on seals to reach our destination. We did it! Excited, we rush over to Mom and Dad at the beach chair, where they’ve once again made themselves comfortable. How can they lie there so peacefully in the sun while we’ve earned the greatest pirate treasure of all time? Unbelievable.

Mom's right: Grömitz is a real gem.
When I poke Dad in the stomach, he grabs me and runs through the sand with me in his arms toward the blue hammocks. As we swing wildly and cuddle up together, he tells me what’s inside the legendary treasure of Grömitz: an endless supply of chocolate ice cream balls. I knew it: This treasure hunt was totally worth it.

Two scoops will do for me today, and of course Levin gets some too. After all, there are endless scoops in the treasure chest.