Shortcutting the Jutland Peninsula...

was the objective of the day, using the historic Kiel Canal.  We picked up the pilot and entered the western locks early in the day:

A very nice lunch was enjoyed midday on the aft deck, allowing us to enjoy the views of the mostly pastoral landscape framing the canal:

Late in the afternoon we entered the eastern locks, and shortly thereafter entered the Baltic Sea for the first time on this voyage:

Since the day began with a nice sunrise, here's the sunset to punctuate the end of an interesting day: