Euro Trip 2008 - jorgn_craw
this blog is just for the purpose of recording memories of my trip and keeping in touch with family and friends in my effort to make a childhood dream come true......

preppie to my Euro trip...
Auckland, New Zealand
Sunday, 19 October 2008
Counting the weeks….
“I love reading (well I use to when I was younger and while still in charged of my time). A trip or a holiday is like a good book to read! The only reason you want to read it again is if you did not understand it the first time. It doesn’t matter how masterfully written it is, reading it year in year out gets a bit boring in the end! So does the places we visit”…. G. Crawford
As I start the countdown to the first of my (childhood) dream trips, I am feeling rather apprehensive instead of feeling excited! I have always wanted to do this trip even when, as a child, I wasn't sure the place I want to see is real. There was always a possibility this place could have been just a product of the writer's wild and active imagination.
Well, this year has been a year of many firsts for me.
It is the first time since I left home that I have accepted being alone and that I am not scared of it! It is the first I have traveled where I really wanted to go, did what I really wanted to do, saw what I really wanted to see and enjoyed it so much more than all the trips I had in the last thirteen years put together! This year is also the first I am in a job that I can enjoy and which actually gives me some sense of worth!
But most of all, this will be the first time I will be traveling on my own…well, some parts of the trip anyway!
Although it takes me out of my comfort zone and my heart thumps a bit each time I visualise myself alone in a foreign county; I must also admit that it does feel quite liberating! Oh and yes, it is also my first time to fly with AirNZ, New Zealand’s national carrier. They seem to have created a name in the aviation world as per their outstanding “go the extra mile” brand name. Will soon have the chance to prove that!
I have decided to do this blog to keep in touch with family and friends and of course to share with you the excitement, frustrations, fun, adventure, tips, lessons etc, etc I will experience while away. In the past I have invested too many days and sometimes weeks trying to put together photos, videos and notes of our trips; at times staying up until the wee hours creating movies of our trips shortly after our return. Most of the times I take notes but a lot of the details can be overlooked doing it the old way!
This time I know I will not have the luxury to waste sitting in front of my son’s computer (hi Sam…see I let everyone know it’s your computer) for I have to report back to work as soon as I touch base. And for those who have flown with me before…you are well aware I never sleep while I’m on board! So instead of watching every inflight movie available, I will endeavor to put my time into good use by blogging… that’s the plan anyway…
For others, who will randomly come across my page, you can call me Jorgn! I live in Auckland, New Zealand where the human population is dwarfed by the number of sheep in the country.
New Zealand is a slice of paradise in the bottom of the Globe (and aside from just being too close to the South Pole, yes…we do get the Southern Lights or Aurora Australis in the South Island); 100% Pure NZ is populated by down to earth Kiwis, very friendly and open people.
I will throw in a few impressions of New Zealand and a few other bits and pieces as I count the weeks, then days prior to my trip! So folks stay with me…
Before I forget…Thank you Kenneth and Joy for lending me your well travelled super Nikki…I just hope it doesn’t rain all the time so I can take great pics with it : o ) And more Thank You’s for inspiring me and pushing me to go ahead with this trip. I luv you guys… and Jane and Sam…RV and Melissa…of course you are all included… stay lovely and beautiful…inside and out!!!
My only resources for this trip is my huge trust in the Lord for my safety and well-being while I am away; a lifetime of childhood dreams; a burning desire to see different parts of the globe to learn from other cultures; a slowly but definitely growing self-confidence; a pocket not even half-full of cash… and worst…I don’t even have a credit card to cushion me in case the few left over coins in my pocket are spent (hhhmmm….I start to feel depressed when I think of this so I won’t). I am just relying on Luke 12:22-31 and a good friend who reckons is able to show me a slice of Europe on a shoe string… (I hope the shoe is not one of those branded name ones coz I know even their shoestrings can cost an arm and a leg to someone like me with limited resources)….
Just a few impressions of North Shore, NZ
short drive to work
Auckland City
Takapuna Beach
Rangitoto Island
Bed of golden leaves
Lake Tekapu
2 days before departure:
peace offering?...nah! just a small pressie...hope it will be ok...
I have decided on this Kiwi ornament as a small pressie for my friend. I hope he'll like it.
all i need is a magic wand to fit these in just one suitcase...
Now, all I need is a magic wand to help me fit all these in just one suit case!
written by  jorgn_craw on November 20, 2008 from Auckland, New Zealand
from the travel blog: Euro Trip 2008

From NZ to HKG
Auckland, New Zealand
Finally found some time to blog... first few days I had no internet access but even after getting to Berlin, it has been hard finding time to do this. So youl'' find most of these are not live entries but I made sure I have it in my travel log so I won't forget most of the details of each day... so here I go...
21 Nov 2008
Auckland International Airport
Arriving a quarter hour early for check in, the whanau and me gave in to my niece’s urging for some food. Only this time auntie Kathy was a bit mean as she didn’t want to pay. I thought since I am the one leaving this time, I should give them the privilege to treat me like I always do for them when I am dropping (anyone of) them off.
I was even almost proud of myself for sticking to my guns (which I normally am not very good at)! Had a quick bite then decided to leave them so I could go and chek in. There was no queue, check in went well and the lady at the counter was quite lovely. After 10pm, waived goodbye to the family after going through immigration control. Then I was on my own. Mom actually told me to be very careful as have not travelled alone as if I was a young girl (I guess forgetting that I have spent more than 4 years in Hong Kong on my own before I flew to NZ the first time).
AirNZ in HKG
My first AirNZ flight...will be looking at this flight from a totally different angle . AirNZ has just been voted to have the best Business Class Service amongst Star Alliance Group. Unfortunately seating on 66D won't give me a chance to find out what so good about it. One day maybe? Worth keeping my fingers crossed.
The flight to Hong Kong is a breeze. There is constant supply of water being offered by the crew. I didn’t even need to go up to the gulley and ask as I normally do. Having a seat empty next to my seat is also a plus. Twice during the flight I even managed to stretch my back...still curled up but since I am quite short that was enough space for me.
written by  jorgn_craw on November 21, 2008 from Auckland, New Zealand
from the travel blog: Euro Trip 2008

HKG to LHR
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Hong Kong International Airport:
Xmas tree at Hong Kong Int'l
Currently sitting (on the floor) at Hong Kong International Airport, congregating with a few others connected to a power outlet for their notebooks. We are boarding in fifteen minutes and from this point on it is uncharted grounds to old me! Sun is shining now.
It was almost 18 years ago when last come to Lantau Island with friends before the airport was built. I was quite surprised, impressed I guess is a better word for it, last year when I first came back to HKG. The old soggy paddies with mosquitoes and flies hovering around us while picnicking are gone. This is a totally different world! The only thing that is constant I suppose is the smog coming from China. The air is never clear...makes me appreciate NZ a lot more!
Back to seat 66D, plane is looking a bit fuller but quite thankful to find out that the seat next to me is still free. Flight is long but it is plain sailing. I noticed a slight difference in the degree of warmth or friendliness of the crew, could be due to more pax and they need to work faster/quicker? But that would not be living up to what AirNZ stands for: the best service possible by a carrier. It's a name the company wants to create and should keep.
view from the plane
Wee hours before reaching LHR, the captain announced us passing through the Netherlands. I took this chance to get up and went for a walk about and later on congregated with a few moms (and dads possibly) by the window next to the lavatories. Managed to take a quick snap of the view below us. From the right side of the plane and looking down at the many white dots that covered quite a vast expanse of the land made me realize these are WINDMILLS ...
White Christmas...
Checked the left side of the plane and all I can see is a blanket of white...reality kicks in I guess and the moment the word SNOW...lots of SNOW is formed in my brain...next questions is.. “Oh dear...Will I be warm enough?” Checking the photos I just took I suddenly put two and two together (in this case one and one really) and figured the snow is only on one side because the windmills, hundreds of windmills were on the other side.
Looking at the flight plan showed we were passing my final destination, Germany. It is another hour or so to LHR. Sun was out and once we touched down, I breezed through immigration (although I could have spent a bit more time checking which queue I should have gone to avoid looking like a dork and being told “this queue is for European passport holders only)...to my embarrassment! But lucky enough there were no queues. Once I have collected all check in luggage, I took the trouble of taking out the Kiwi bone carvings with a bit of a feather in it (my pressie for my host) for the purpose of declaring it. I went through the red line but I was surprised and almost feel disappointed to find no one there at the counter. Just a quick turn to my left, I joined the others going through the exit doors into the airport's arrival lobby.
Found my Dot2Dot airport transfer and was told to wait for a few minutes. The drive from the airport was a good introduction for me. With my eyes wide open I noticed the contrast London has with Auckland. Although the city is widespread as Auckland is, especially out in the suburbs...the difference is the colors. Being swallowed into a sea of all shades of browns gives a feeling of warmth and a welcoming spirit!
There were only 3 of us in the shuttle yet I did not get to my hotel until 3 hours later. I was starting to feel very tired but the driver was quite friendly and advised (once the 2 other pax were dropped off) that since it is my first time in London, he will show me around. The service took so long and for people who know their way around in London, the Heathrow Express would be better. But I do not like the idea of pushing or dragging 2 suitcases plus my hand carry in the middle of crowded train. So the shuttle worked better for me this time and the driver was kind enough to actually carry my suitcases to the reception.
The only downside was the long wait at the airport but I guess that is something that can’t be helped as they can’t run the shuttle with not enough pax.
Ibis London City Reception
Got to IBIS London City only to find that everyone on the reception are immigrants (I think from Russia) and didn’t understand my KIWI accent. Room is small but quite clean and the bathroom most especially. It is about a hundred meters away from/to the Aldgate Station which served very handy for us. It is also just a block or two away from the London Tower/Tower Bridge.
While inside the airport shuttle I felt quite tired and all I wanted was to drop dead as soon as I reach my hotel bed and sleep for a few hours to recover. But after a quick warm shower I was fine and dandy so we decided to go out.
my first time in the London Tube
After all I am only gonna be in London for a couple of nights and every hour counts.
the right sign, wrong place
I saw this sign at the Victoria Station. I was actually looking for food, I gave up the idea after this.
Few eye openers for me tonight:
Auckland’s streets get crowded but nothing compared to here. I see a lot of people tugging along suitcases in different shapes colors and sizes all over the train, streets and everywhere. Rubbish was everywhere. Walking along one of the main shopping area near Hyde Park, I realized that with the massive number of people the city has to cope with, it is hard to keep everything under control.
Well lit streets
People rushes around like mad and there are rubbish everywhere on the streets, on pavements...
I even found a shopping cart just across Hyde Park full of rubbish and just left on the side road!
Just a few more photos I took during my first night. This one is at Hyde Park Christmas Market
Winter Wonderland Hyde Park
Taken at one of the main shopping area not far from Hyde Park. And this one is somewhere in Soho..
Street Deco and lights in Soho District
Marven kept reminding me..."Kathy look after your bag please...you are not in NZ!" Hearing this from him, I remember telling the shuttle driver... "I have just been a few hours in London and I miss NZ already!" We are not lucky in NZ, we are blessed and we don’t even realize it. Yes, even if life can be hard at times back home...the space, the freedom, the surroundings, the friendly people, the simple things in life... I can’t ask for more!
written by  jorgn_craw on November 22, 2008 from Hong Kong, Hong Kong
from the travel blog: Euro Trip 2008

24 Nov / London to Berlin
London, United Kingdom
24 November / Monday
I was packed and showered by 8am and managed to check out by 9am. We left our luggage at the reception for pick up later on during the day then headed back down to King’s Cross Station. We ended up in Leicester Square to pay for our London Dungeon tickets.
Since we are in London, we should have English Breakfast! Our hunt for a good English Breakfast landed us at the Aberdeen Stake Houses just across the Trocadero in Coventry Street. The restaurant offering a sumptous English Brekkie which we really enjoyed! I can’t remember how much it costs per person but I remember myself saying “it cost just as much as a good breakfast in Auckland”.
A quick walk back to the Red Bus Station had me gasping for breath. The walk was not a problem but it was bitterly cold and I could feel my fingers starting to feel quite numb. Intent to save as much time as we can, we decided the bus was not the best option. With a day pass in hand, we took the tube and in just 5 minutes we found ourselves negotiating our way around the "Labyrinth of the Lost Souls" inside the London Dungeon.
Going through the passages reminds me of “Infinity” in the Gold Coast although I must say “Infinity” is quite superb! I figured out we have been going in circles for the third time and started to think the way I have negotiated “Infinity”...searching for exits.
While busy taking snapshots, I got behind the group I was with and in my effort to get back into the comfort of having others around me, I slammed full on hard onto the glass wall! This gave some of those behind me a license to let out a few giggles and some bold ones actually laughed at my predicament.
Then one of the actors opened a way out of the labyrinth and we are now transported to the days of “Jack the Ripper”! There is quite a lot to see and it is not just to scare kids or even older folks like me...but it gives visitors a good idea of the old London and I suppose the some parts of Europe. It is presented in a light drama/comic cum horror fashion that culminates into a six feet drop as each guests is sentenced and hanged for the crime/s committed... I had a good picture of this drop...so good I don’t want to show it to anyone...he he he!!!!
Coming out of the Dungeon and into the bright busy streets of London, I thought that was a good experience. It was fun, interesting and as always never as scary as they advertise it to be! But yes, I would say for fun seekers like me...I’d say it’s a good way to use 2 hours in London to break the monotony of busy and often noisy streets, the shopping and the shoppers especially at Christmas time and the grey wet weather outside.
After this it was time for a quick afternoon bite and little bit of shopping (or should I say window shopping) and then we were back on to the tube to pick up our luggage and be on time for our train to Gatwick Airport.
Gatwick International Airport is another Eye Opener for me. If you are checking in, forget looking for seats, there are none. If you get there in plenty of time before you are to check in... well, you’ll just have to toughen up and get your big lower bottom sink into the Airport floor! I thought I could not do it but after standing for so long and walking around trying to entertain myself (like checking the electronic
check-in kiosks...I must say AirNZ ones looks much better/modern?), I finally gave in. I was sitting on my butt just like a few other passengers. About 3-4 years ago this is probably something I will not be prepared to do. Sit on the floor of an International Airport munching a hamburger. But I have changed my way of thinking in the past couple of years. It pays to be natural and flexible. This goes better under my skin!
After watching EZY jet on TV for a few years and seing all the possible things that could go wrong, I was praying and asking the Lord to hold our flight in his hands! Remembering the series on TV, they are quite notorious with flight delays! I am hoping this isn't gonna be the case for us today! One more thing, EZY jet had no restrictions on the cabin allowance (I saw one lady with a cabin bag the size of a check-in baggage). Whether this was just a one off or not, I am not sure.
After negotiating the immigration (and yes they do ask you to take your shoes off...so no dirty/stinky socks here please); got to the shopping area and found out our flight is going to be delayed for more than an hour.
Did I not say...notorious for delays????
Instead of moaning I took advantage of my time and bought some postcards and stamps for my folks and friends back in NZ except I found out didn’t have all their addresses. Then the one hour delay became 2hours..so out I went again checking shops and just acquainting myself of the outlay of the airport. I might be of help to others flying in or via Gatwick one day, who knows?
From here there is about 20 minutes walk to the boarding gates. One more important thing (there are no seat allocations with EZYJet) everyone rushes in like mad to get the best seats. Without my buddy Marven, I am sure I would have survived but I would have had no clue on any of these. Our flight, except for being late for more than 2 hours, was fine and the crew were great. Settled into my seat and almost gave in to a comfortable sleep but had to fight it off so as not to put my friend in an embarrassing state. Most of the passengers were drinking a lot of beer, in particular was a man and a young girl in the same row as ours. They got a bit carried away and was talking to each other as if they were on their own. HHHmmm!!!
BERLIN
The aircraft touched down quite safely into the runway of Schonefield Airport in Berlin! Getting off the plane and even with a very quick dash into the waiting shuttle bus to the airport, I was enveloped with an icy air and I gasped and struggled to find my gloves inside my hand bag.
This time I made sure I lined up to the non-European queue at the immigration. When it was my turn, the officer looked at my passport...turned it around and back again. Looked at me and saw him shaking his head. I was hoping he talks to me...normally they asked you questions...but he just kept flapping the pages of my dear passport shaking his head but remaining silent. The other officer asked him something (in German of course) and he said something back... but that didn't seem to help him. I was getting a bit fidgety and was concerned at the line behind me. Eventually a phone call was made...still turning the pages of my passport. I stood there stupefied...hello?....I just came out of London and I came from a country with a visa waiver to enter Europe...but I can’t speak German! Then the phone rang back and I heard him say...Jah!..Aso! (don’t know if I spelled that right)...puts the phone down and stamped my passport. I thanked him and gave him a very warm smile. Really...I could have told him everything he needed if only he asked me questions.
Marven has collected our luggage and was pointing to the door. I waived at the guy standing by the big glass doors in spite of not being so sure if it was his dad or his brother. Another look and realized it was Dr H, his brother. It was kind of him to come pick us up in the middle of the night! He ushered us into his new sports BMmer.
Feeling unsure of the right behavior towards a Deutsche GP, I decided to just do it the Kiwi way...plain and simple and told him I like his car (if I was talking to my son I would have just said...cool Bmmer mate!). The drive to Potsdam was much longer than I thought but Henry and Marven made some friendly I guess funny remarks as he (Henry) showed me some buttons that warms up the seat...and they called it the "p - - - - warmer" which in normal terms they really just meant "seat warmer". I kind off relaxed after that. I have been warned by my Community Evening School Tutor that Germans are quite formal.
My thoughts of London? Wonderful city to visit especially for history buffs and those interested with the Royalty. The bloodline of the city ...the tube allows you to be anywhere in just a few minutes. As bad as the traffic is, the city is kept alive and moving by its interlaced underground tube! For any one who appreciates the beauty of the old interspersed with the new, London is the place to go. And though it is expensive, one can survive London with just a few bucks. I have not spent half of my budget. I am totally amazed and proud of myself...in saying all these... I’ll take Auckland over London anytime!
written by  jorgn_craw on November 23, 2008 from London, United Kingdom

Original London Tour
London, United Kingdom
22 November / Sunday
Previous plan for today was a day trip to Stonehenge. But while enjoying breakfast at the hotel, snow began to fall and rain is looming to follow!
London Tube
Grey and Wet Original London Tour
The weather has changed so decided to change the order of the day. First step is to get to Trafalgar Square for our tickets to the Red Double Decker Bus (Original Tour Bus).
We were welcomed by a light shower us we emerged out of the tube into Trafalgar Square. Looking around I could see the rain could not dampen tourists spirit as they walked around the square clicking their cameras, to the south, to the east, west and north of the square! Others are sensible enough keeping their digi-cams under their umbrellas but most seem to not care about the weather.
Trafalgar Square
Well today Joy and Keng’s Nikki is having a day off. I will be working with my water loving cam, my hardy Olympus MU795SW. Little Ollie does not take very good photos but Ollie has been with me under waterfalls, into deep caverns and underground rivers, the wide open spaces of the Pacific Ocean swimming with whale sharks and now in this bitterly cold wet weather of London. Little Ollie seem to work better in not so ordinary situations, I suppose Little Ollie is a bit like me :-)
The London Eye
Buying the Hop on Hop Off ticket (valid for 48 hours) allows you one free river cruise. They also offer Fastract Tickets to other Major Tourist Spots.
a private lesson with Mr Wood
Tower Bridge and Me
Saved a few GBP by buying our tickets to the London Eye/Tower of London/Madam Tussaud/London Dungeon. Saving is GBP4.00 per destination per person (that’s GBP16.00 for me and enough for my dinner and breakfast too!)
Our first stop was London Tower. It took us an hour to walk around the whole enclosure. It is an amazing experience maybe even more to people who knows the value/s of all that is contained in that building. I could not believe those giant golden goblets existed until now.
Fish & Chips
I was quite hungry by the time we came out of the Tower and headed straight into a shop that sold something that reminds me of home: Fish and Chips for GBP5.00 including a drink...not bad I thought!
Next shots are taken from the London Eye, well worth the money for an unobstructed 360 degrees view of the city.
View from London Eye
Millenium and Jubilee Foot Bridges
View of River Thames from London Eye
inside London Eye
I also had a chance to meet a few of my idols like these guys:
Screw it, just do it!
common denominator here=waist line baby...
Jubillee Bridge
This is the Jubillee Bridge, a foot bridge and the one on the other side is of course the Millenium Bridge. Walked through this bridge to get us from the Tower to the London Eye of course via the tube.
My intentions of watching a Dinner Show did not happen becoz by the time we have seen all that the Red Bus offered...we were both knackered! A quiet dinner in a buffet place 2 blocks away from our hotel was the end of our second day (and last night)in London. Booked our train tickets to Gatwick Airport before gettingto bed at 11pm with intentions of getting up early to pack and be ready to check out before 9am. This way we can still have almost a full day in London before we head for Gatwick around 4pm tomorrow.
written by  jorgn_craw on November 24, 2008 from London, United Kingdom

25 Nov 08 / Potsdam.de
Potsdam, Germany
Arriving just before midnight last night meant going to bed around 3am or 4am. I thought that was ok since today is going to be a quiet day. Still feeling short of sleep, I stayed in bed until 9am. I got awaken by a quiet knock on my door followed by the smell of freshly baked bread wafting through the slightly opened door. That smell was enough to get me out of bed.
Snow on the rooftops proved such a novelty to me too! Berlin (actually I am in Potsdam which is half an hour away from Berlin) do not always get snow but today the grounds received a good covering of soft snow deposited just the night before.
I got snap happy with Joy’s Nikki and took every available view from the bedroom window and from the porch. I got reminded of breakfast being ready and the bread getting cold.
Reluctant to leave the terrace but not wanting to disappoint Marven, I slowly headed back to the room and quietly deposited Nikki back to her pouch. I enjoyed my first meal in Potsdam with much gusto including the over baked croissant (okey, he slightly burnt them). A couple of burnt croissant with sun-dried tomatoes and cheese went lovely with the hot drink! Breakfast and a quick shower took most of the morning. Washed some dirty clothes from our stay in London before going out and hoped they'll be dry before we leave for Bavaria!
Marven’s little Golf was covered in snow. He spent a couple of minutes scraping it off his windscreen. I am glad I don’t have to do this in Auckland! From the Stern Centre (the biggest Mall in Potsdam I am told) we drove to the next building (Porta) which is like Spotlight or Freedom or Farmer’s Stores in North Shore only bigger and more upmarket. We ended up with 4 inners for Marven’s cushion covers. On the way to Nuthetal we dropped by at his hairdresser ; I needed a trim and his back hairline is a tad too long.
Then it was time to meet Mr. Lopez!
Spent some time getting to know Mr Lopez, I was quite apprehensive getting too close to him at first because of his size. But he proved to be quite a friendly welcoming young chap (well okey young dog...)
Mr Lopez in the garden
I didn’t fail to let Marvo know Lopez is really handsome and he seemed quite friendly. He came with us while I got shown the garden which is totally covered in snow!
playing with Mr Lopez
I was then told we were to have dinner there. I know they don’t eat hot meals in the evenings so I was surprise to see them having a hot meal. I thought it was quite nice/kind of them to have me share a meal with them.
German cooking class????
I got a bit curious with what was being prepared as a traditonal German meal of sausages(wurst), fried potatoes (kartoffeln) and sauerkraut! I have never before seen these white foot long sausages. Unfortunately they are mostly made of pork so I had to abstain from it but really enjoyed the fried potatoes and the sauerkraut.
Such lovely people, so welcoming and warm. They all have made me feel comfortable in their home. My only regret is failing to learn their language. Marven tries to translate most of what they talk about but of course he can’t translate everything being said. Still I know if I waited until I am able to understand German or speak a little bit, I would be waiting for years before I could come here.
written by  jorgn_craw on November 25, 2008 from Potsdam, Germany

26 Nov 08 / Bavarian Interlude
Potsdam, Germany
26 November / Wednesday
Our plan was to hit the road by 4-5am today. I had a good sleep, it must be the Memory foam or the weather. Poor Marvo had to give up his good bed and settled in his old extra mattress on the floor in his living room. Got up at 6am and checked my bag and all the toiletries I would need for the trip. My tummy was getting a bit ready for some warm food or drink. I found Marvo still in bed on my way to the kitchen. We managed to have a quick breakfast and left just before 7am. Outside, it was still pitch black!
Another novelty to me is this navigation system which everyone over here seems to have. I thought it was just a gadget that shows directions but it actually speaks to warn you which way to take e.g. “prepare to turn left soon” or “at the roundabout take the third exit”. Plus all the places of interests in a given place are also programmed into it. I thought I might consider looking into this but then again I don’t travel far that often so I guess there is no point really.
We took A9 (motorway), the road was quite dark for a few hours. The sun rises just before 8am and sets in here just after 3pm this time of the year.
written by  jorgn_craw on November 26, 2008 from Potsdam, Germany

26 Nov 08 / Potsdam To Bavaria
Leipzig, Germany
Quick Stop in Leipzig
I have mentioned to Marven about Leipzig but did not expect him to drop by. It just happened to be one of the very few first places I came to know about Germany from my Psychology papers in uni: others are Potsdam for Potsdam University (I didn’t even know there were castles and palaces in Potsdam until later). From history, Berlin for the Berlin Wall and of course Heidelberg for our Filipino patriot Dr Jose Rizal and the oldest university in Germany. Later on got acquainted about Frankfurt as the main aviation hub. Cologne and Munich too of course!
Leipzig is the Stadt der Musik in Germany! Mr Johann Sebastian Bach, the composer, worked at the Thomaskirche in this city for many years.
Biggest Monument in the world
The little I've seen of the city as we passed through it is characterised by new art with buildings I supposed built around 1900. I learned the people of Leipzig are also called the "coffee Saxons" due to their love for the black juice! I believe Leipzig also played a very important part of the reunification of Germany. So I am glad my friend took the extra time to drive me thru the city of Leipzig
Marven kept laughing at me taking photos of every windmill along the way. I found them quite fascinating. We would drive a long way seeing just vast sea of ice and suddenly interrupted with a giant windmill or windmills.
a lonely road...
Both gives me that feeling of severity or harshness. The the graceful movements of the windmill’s propellers somehow soften the whole image and leaves an impression of gentleness, of balance, of life amidst the harsh, hostile and lifeless frozen surroundings.
freeway
Porsche . de
I enjoyed the long drive interrupted only by our stop in Leipzig especially after being told off at the Porsche compound that we were not allowed to park or take photos. I was told it was where they test Porsche cars probably before they are released.
Porsche Compound
We had another stop after Leipzig for a cuppa (I can’t remember the name of the place) and bought some drinks and fruit. I saw Mistletoe here for the very first time in my life!
mistletoe
written by  jorgn_craw on November 26, 2008 from Leipzig, Germany

26 Nov / Potsdam to Schwangau
Nurnberg, Germany
Another stop was in Nurnberg for their Christkindle Market to get some of their famous Nuremberg Lebkuchen and a good look at the Imperial Castle or Fortress set atop a hill which offers a very good view of the area below!
taken in Nuernberg
details of Nuernberg Church
Soaking in the view of Nuernberg from the Fortress
Me and Nuernber Christmas Market
Rathaus - Nuernberg
The buildings leaves me in awe, just imagining the amount of work and craftsmanship put into these buildings and then consider they were made hundreds of years ago. It makes me realise the dedication Germans put into whatever they do. This helps me understand why German technology is where it is today.
I noticed every street or road is always so full of cars parked on both sides on my first arrival in Potsdam. Today it finally dawned in me that this is part of German’s everyday life and would be for the rest of Europe I reckon. There are no parking spaces (or no planned parking places and or garages). That I suppose is the downside of these old established cities/villages. People in those days did not envisioned every family owning a minimum of 3-4 cars centuries later. A lot of them also live in flats or apartments especially in the city or village centres.
written by  jorgn_craw on November 26, 2008 from Nurnberg, Germany

27 Nov 08 / Neuchswanstein Castle and the village
Schwangau, Germany
The Village of Schwangau:
This I believe is a good area to use as a base to explore Bavaria, Austria and even the upper part of Italy, not to mention Switzerland. All these are accessible from Schwangau in just a few hours drive. Prices are quite a lot more reasonable in Germany. Shame we don’t have time to cross the boarders.
my goal...
But like I said to myself and to my dear friend Marven who is kind enough to leave work just to show me this castle, “I came here to realise a childhood dream! To step inside the castle where all of my childhood fantasies took place”. For thirteen years I begged my ex husband for us to please holiday in Europe even just once for this very reason. Or at least allow me to go if he is not interested. But he just kept going back to the Philippines mainly to satisfy himself and I had no choice but to do as he wished. But I guess he never realise nor appreciate what childhood dreams are meant to some. Whether he had dreams like these or not I really do not know. So from here on, any other places I see or new things I will experience will be a lovely bonus!
defreezing job...
Leaving the hotel, I took photos while Marven prepared the car. Things like putting anti-freeze solution to the radiator (or is it?) and scraping snow off the windscreen and spraying it with anti freeze after. All these things I am thankful I do not have to do in Auckland. Not that easy trying to take photos with glove-covered hands but the air was really cold!
frozen banana peels
As I hopped inside the car I saw the two banana peelings I left in the car last night, picked them up and found they were frozen hard as bricks! I took a photo of them just for the fun of it, the same thing happened with my water in the bottle. Yes, this is another new thing for me. They drink water with soda, even the ones sold as STILL water has bubbles in it! It took me awhile to realise I have to actually buy one with the words “NATURELLE WASSER” in it if I want real still water like the one I am use to drinking at home.
The village
Click on the photos to enlarge...
Neuschwanstein Castle: After a two minute drive from the hotel to the foot of the mountain, we found ourselves gasping for the magical sights of the two castles!
Signs
minus 9 degree centigrade Celsius at the village
The outside temperature showed -9 degree centigrade. I don’t believe I have been in a place this cold this long. But like this morning, I really don’t have the time to let my brain register the cold! All my senses are just happy to focus on the visually stimuting sceneries around me!
Before this I have been thinking if all that time spent flying was worth it! Today I know I'd do it again when I get the chance and the money to do it!
Buses weren't operating the day we were there due to thick snow
Due to the thick snow, no buses were operating today. Instead we had the choice of walking up to the castle or take a slow ride in the horse-driven carts that ply up and down the hills to almost 200 meters close to the Castle’s entrance.
We went for the horses. Always wanting to see as much as I can possibly see, I chosed to sit at the front just behind the horses. We were joined by several Japanese tourists. I tried having some small conversations with the lady next to me but she didn’t speak any English. She smiled a lot though and I smiled back a lot at her too!
We must have sat in the freezing air for another 20 minutes. Normally I wouId be moaning about the cold by now but I remember not saying anything. I was just busy admiring the old Hunter's Lodge which is now transformed into a boutique accommodation and the beautiful Hohenschwangau Castle which sat like a big life-size portrait perched on top of the hill a few meters above the village!
There is something in the air and it isn’t the coldness or harshness of nature. But I was quite happy once the old man decided it was time to go! Cameras came out and I started to hear a lot of ooohhhhss and aahhhsss interrupted with sudden burst of laughter and shrieking from the four of us in the front seat! The horses decided it was time to let out gas...and man did it smell! This happened at least 4 or 5 times for the whole 15 or so minutes journey up the mountain. At one time, I asked the gentleman, in kindred spirit, had he fed his horses with sauerkrat last night? Both him and Marven let out a crisp chuckle!
good view of the castle on our way up
Then after the horse ride there is an easy 200 meter or so walk/climb to the entrance of the Castle. We took our time as this offers one of the best angle to take a snap of the castle. To our left and below, and I must say just as beautiful, lies the valley of Schwangau which was totally covered in shimmering white! I tried to envision what it would be like to look down into the valley when the fields are green and the flowers in bloom and I know I would still feel mesmerised just as I am now!
Going up Neuschwanstein Castle
Puffing hard and my legs feeling the strain, I pushed on eager to get to the top asap! At the entrance I stopped to once again immerse myself to the gleeming beauty of the village down below! It sure is magical and as I turned around towards the Castle’s gate, the magic carried on!
The main gate/entance to Neuschwanstein Castle
Once inside I saw several groups of Japanese tourists covered the area between the gate and the Castle’s courtyard. Most of them busy buying souvenirs, some using the loos and all of them clicking cams! Walking around taking snaps and feeling in awe at this place I kinda lost Marven amongst the hundreds of Japanese inside the courtyard who were waiting for their group number to be flashed on the screen by the entry door.
view from the main entrance
Marienbrucke
I managed to get myself to the left of the courtyard, I have been trying to figure out where the Marienbrucke would be. I know we have not passed it.
Mary's Bridge (Marienbrucke)
As I surveyed the Alpine Peaks across from the Castle, I realise the bridge was right there infront of me. I failed to see it earlier due to the glare of the sun that happened to be just where the bridge is. I gasped in awe and the few ladies behind me joined me in. I only had my small digital so I went looking for Marven who was also busy taking photos. Urged him to come over and I didn’t have to say a word once he saw the sight I was heading to!
A big group just went in and our number was next. There were 2 other guys who didn’t look like Japs aside from me and my buddy. Managing the 3 flights of a spiral staircase, we soon caught up with the group. There were 2 lines and the empty line read “English” which for obvious reasons we decided take. Four minutes later, the tour guide came and unlocked the door and to my surprise we were asked us to go in before he allowed the rest of the group. It took me a few seconds to figure out how to make the best of the multi-language translation gadget each of us had in our hands.
It will take me several pages if I try to describe everything I saw inside this lavishly and I bet painstakingly decorated Castle of King Ludwig II. I can only say this, most of the time I get disappointed when I see the real thing. This time, it is the other way around. The few photos I have seen of the castle do not justify the grandeur, the pompousity yet detailed in the most minute way possible and the surrealism shouting out of everything that is inside. Thus they call this the Fantasy Castle and the King The Fantsy King for he really lived in a world of fantasy. I just can’t put it to words but yes the Castle is way beyond what I was able to imagine. One has to see it to understand it. So will put some shots inside the Castle to give you an idea why I find it difficult to put my thoughts/emotions into words. It is prohibited to take photos inside the castle by the way. These photos are not mine.
Inside the Castle:
Castle Interior3
The Singers' Room
Castle Interior2 - the King's Bedroom
Interior of Neuschwanstein Castle
He put so much of his life into building his Castles, especially this one being his last project...only to die before it is finished. None of these managed to alleviate I would presume the loneliness inside his heart. Happiness does and never will be found in the material things around us. It is rooted deep inside us and if that internal well is empty and dry, then so is our whole life! Just as in Ludwig’s life...the majesty, the lavishness, the almost unreal reality of his surroundings...none of these really amounted to anything. He was found dead in the freezing waters of the lake nearby!
Photos taken from and on the way to Mary's Bridge
from the Marienbrucke
Hohenschwangau Castle and the village view from Neuchswanstein
His subjects remained loyal to him to the end. He lived his life the way he saw and or believed it. Had he not been passionate (to the extent of bordering to madness) about the things he loved, he would have left no legacy to his people. There is a degree of madness in each and everyone of us, the only difference that set achievers like Ludwig apart is he took action! He was not afraid even to the point of being counted as mad! Without passion life can go on but with it one can stretch out and is enabled to do that which is uncommon.
written by  jorgn_craw on November 26, 2008 from Schwangau, Germany

27 Nov / Trip to Bavaria
Schwangau, Germany
Hohenschwangau & Neuschwanstein Castles
Up early the next morning I decided to check the cameras, deleted a few unwanted pix, charged the batteries then spent a few minutes editing a few photos already saved in my notebook before taking a quick shower. I was almost finished packing when the phone rang., my late wake up call from next door!
I took the opportunity to take some photos of the room for Virtual Tourist and accidentally opened the door having forgotten I had a porch or little balcony in my room. Now I remember my mate telling me the back rooms has a view and the front rooms don’t. As the cold winter air rushed inside the room the cold air hit me in the face like a block of ice! At any other times I would have quickly shut the door but my eyes was fixed (or transfixed?) to the beautiful picture outside, a living postcard of nature right before me!
I had no time to think about getting cold or frozen! Quickly but quietly I donned my hat and my jacket, pushed my feet into my rubber shoes and out I went back with my camera! I was like a child stepping and tiptoeing in the soft snow that covered the verandah's floor in my effort to find the best angle! About 500 meters away is the foot of the Alps, to the right is the chair lifts (Tegelbergbahn: a cable car that can carry its passengers in just a few minutes from an altitude of 830m to about 1730m high up the Alpine Peaks) and to the left is the Castle in all its splendour!
Check this link below for more info:
http://www.tegelbergbahn.de/index.php?id=160
I looked at the next room, it was still very quiet. I wonder what Marven was doing, has he seen this view yet? I was thinking about this when I heard him knock at my door. He could not believe I was up so early and was almost ready.
For breakfast, we were ushered to a room by the entrance and was welcomed by a bright (I guess warm) orange breakfast room. Free breakfast is Continental but quite a selection of bread and buns and pastries. I have never seen people eat cheese as much as the Germans do, ok maybe the rest of Europe do the same but I have not been use to this. I also had a hardboiled egg which will be more than enough to sustain me for the rest of the day.
The cold temperature doesn’t seem to help the appetite, maybe I am just hyper with all the new sensations and visual stimulants and my brain has less time to process my feeling of hunger! Which is for my advantage for in the last few days I actually felt a wee bit lighter.
Tried as much cheese and pastries my tummy could handle. Marven brought me an extra pastry to eat for lunch (which I gladly wrapped in one of the coloured serviettes and slipped it into my bag). I let a chuckle out while doing this for I am reminded of stories of people on their European trips doing exactly this. I didn’t really find it necessary to worry about the price of food in Germany as we have so far survived way below our daily budget. Marven is just intent on convincing me to try as many things he thinks is foreign to me to be able to embrace his German culture. Really I think he is just trying to impress me and proved his German stock and heritage is better than mine. Cheeky little devil!
In Germany their main meal is lunch, they hardly ever eat any in the evening. A slice of bread or two and some cheese; that is all I have so far noticed. Most of our expenses in my previous overseas trips with my ex was spent on food and drinks (alcoholic drinks) and paying trour guides and tour operators to show us places. I don’t drink and I don't dine out when I am on holiday except just once or twice to sample the local cuisine. And the good thing about independent travel is you can save a lot of money and still see everything the guided tourists get to see. Maybe you'll see and experience more as you can manage your time and spend more where you want and need to stay longer or less if there is not a lot to see where you are.
After breakfast, we went back upstairs for our bags and I took the opportunity to put on another layer of clothing and my woollen leggings as well. As much as I hate wool on my skin, I knew I would need it today so with two layers of stockings on and my woolen leggings on top; I'm pretty confident my skin will be warm and happy for the rest of the day.
Check out this link for more info: http://www.schwangau.de/home-558.html
written by  jorgn_craw on November 27, 2008 from Schwangau, Germany

27 Nov / Trip Back to Potsdam
Hohenschwangau, Germany
After the guided tour inside the Castle we walked down to where we can catch the horse-drawn carts back to the village. But just before getting to them, I really wanted to check out MarienBrucke! Marven having about the same kind of child-like spirit as me (people call it being nosey...I call it child-like spirit he he he he!) saw a small gap between the fence and the gate with a sign saying "OFF LIMITS" due to heavy snow! He knows silence from me means I am ok to give it a go! Marven's other name is "Mr No Risk No Fun".
It was slippery; the soft snow was not a problem but some parts of the path where the snow has turned into ice was very slippery. We struggled to get to the top. I think it was just a 100m climb but I was puffing when I get to the other end of the steep path.
Hohenschwangau Castle and the village view from Neuchswanstein
Our struggle was nothing compared to the sight our eyes met as we got to the top. There, the whole lower vista, especially that of Hohenschwangau Castle with the lakes and the rest of the village below opens up as a living postcard-like beauty!
Spent a few minutes here taking pictures and just trying to absorb as much of this beautiful place would allow us to process and file in our human CPU.
Then we pressed on determined to get to the bridge. And the experience was worth it. Just walking thru the bridge was an experience of its own. Top that with the magical (the Germans call it fantastical) sight of the Castle and it was all worth the slipping and the sliding up that path! I actually had to go on all fours to cross the fence (yes, the way to the Bridge was closed for safety reasons) to get me to the bridge. Even if I had broken an ankle I think I would still think it was all worth it!
from the Marienbrucke
Spent I reckon a good twenty minutes on the bridge. The waterfalls drops to something like an abyss way below and it feels surreal to hear the water falling and yet seeing frocen ice all over. It was hard to see the water due to the thick snow or I think I should say ice. We lingered as much as possible. When Marven signaled we have to go, I followed behind him. As he took a break to answer the call of nature, I turned around to have one more look of the castle at the end of the bridge.
On my way down to the main road, I got a bit emotional. I was glad to have realised a childhood fantasy. I was grateful I met a friend who recognised the value of this dream. But way deeper than any of these emotions is the realisation that if Neuchswanstein Castle can arouse and heighten human emotions... I heard myself saying... "Lord I can't wait to see your heavenly palace"! Just as well I have tissues in my bag, I managed to cry without Marven knowing it. He sometimes tells me...you are like a little girl... and yes...I am actually that very moment feeling like a little girl!
Then the descent proved to be twice as hard as walking up the steep path! We got to the horses in one piece though and we saw something 99% of the tourists that day didn't get to see.
We stopped a couple more times for nature's call on our way back to Potsdam aside from the scheduled Zwickau visit to see Rene and Eva. The first one left me laughing like mad. I am used to having a toilet that flushes automatically... but when I flushed this one, the toilet started to make some funny noises...whirrll whirrll sound...or something like that. I look at the bowl and I thought I was going mad! I know I am not drunk as I don't drink. A few seconds later I realise, the toilet seat rotates and a sensor powered cleanser/wiper/sanitiser wipes the whole seat! HHmmm...still laughing I almost forgot to give the door lady some coins (yeah baby, public toilet use is not free in Germany: user pays).
written by  jorgn_craw on November 27, 2008 from Hohenschwangau, Germany

28 Nov / Zwickau & Dresden
Dresden, Germany
We managed to leave before 4pm but I know there is about 7 hours long drive ahead of us, longer this time I supposed as we will have to drop by at Zwickau to say hello to MArven's good friends.
After those lovely hot pieces of pizza at Rene's and Eva's place, Marven told me he is getting quite tired but he would love me to see this one last stop.
It was so cold but as he parked the car in between those old but hauntingly beautiful buildings of Dresden, I braved the bone cutting coldness of the midnight air!
He spent sometime explaining about the buildings and the rebuilding, restoration and preservation that took place after the heavy bombings the city suffered during the war. Then we drove along the Elbe and imagination soared even higher as I behold what covered the length of the road or the river as we travelled. He turned right into about 500 meters away from the church (Frauenkirche if I am not mistaken)and showed me the hotel his parents are going to be staying at this weekend.
It was dark and cold, we walked for a few minutes and talked about maybe taking a day trip to Dresden to appreciate the city in day light.
Here are some of what we managed to shoot in Dresden on our way back to Potsdam
Old Building (2) - Dresden
Old Building (1) - Dresden
Old Building - Dresden
written by  jorgn_craw on November 28, 2008 from Dresden, Germany

Walking Trip - Potsdam
Potsdam, Germany
Well today I am privileged to have the company of Marvo's dad. Learning from my prior mistake last Sunday, I got up quite early to make sure I am ready by the time he leaves for work. He will be dropping me off to his parents' today.
Breakfast at Rebrucke:
Breakfast @ Rebrucke
Marven's dad is a very lovely guy and I am grateful, very grateful I should say, for his valuable time he is prepared to spare me in order to show me around.
He drove us to the Babelsberg Park, it took him a while to find parking but finally got one. As we got off his car, he told me the area is part of Potsdam University and the units there are accommodations for uni students.
The Babelsberg Palace
The Parks main attraction is the neo-Gothic style palace : Schloss Babelsberg. Used as the summer residence of Wilhelm I and his wife. Very unfortunately I could only admire the palace from the outside as it is close during this time of the year...just as almost all the other buildings/attractions in the park as we found out.
The Flatowturm Tower
A closer shot of the Flatowturm
I do ask a lot of questions but due to my limited or rather non-existent knowledge of his language, I sometimes do not know what to say or ask. But I kept praying, I hope I am not boring him or asking too many questions.
the famous/infamous Glienicker Bridge (Freedom Bridge) over Havel
We spent a bit of time in front of the palace, here Marven's dad told me about the bridge (Spy Swap Bridge, also known as the Freedom Bridge or Glienicker Bridge), showed me where the Wall was by the River Havel.
snow covered grounds of Babelsberg Park
Then we carried on and walked some more. Wary of my steps, trying to make sure I do not step on the icy part of the road, the walk was good in that crisp morning air. There were no people in the park aside from a couple of joggers we met along the way. So totally different from the walks I have in NZ where everything is green. Right here the ground is covered in snow except for the parts where it has turned into ice.
a commercialised parasite: the MISTLETOE
Above this white ground are bare trees, whose only sign of life is offered by the appearance of a globula (or a ball like figure) of MISTLETOEs perched high above those leafless branches, some covered in fresh snow!
The Cecilienhof Palace is known for the Potsdam Conference negotions that took place here
From here we drove towards the other side of the river. Just after the bridge, I was told it was the most expensive part of Potsdam where the rich and famous lives. Models, actresses and in particular Joop, (the perfume guy) resides here. We crossed the bridge and went to Schloss Cecilienhof - Cecilienhof Palace. This English - Tudor style palace is well known for the signing of The Potsdam Agreement by the Big Three. Conference negotiations between the victorious Allies during WWII were held in this palace. It is quite a humbling experience/feeling to walk thru the building knowing that things that happened here many years ago are part and parcel of the history that influenced the rest of theworld and changed or affected our lives one way or another.
House Details from the Alexandrowka Village
I thought the tour was over but found out there is more to see. He told me he would like to show me some Russian abodes. Apparently, the King was quite generous, he built a house for each Russian singer and accommodated them in one area. In one of these houses, now transformed into a cafe, I enjoyed my chocolate drink...Katherine the Great's favorite chocolate drink...it came as creamy and as full as you can imagine...served with a glass of water. Took me sometime to consume it due to its richness but it was lovely and the wildberry crepes went well with it. HHHmmm my tastebuds are craving for it just now!!!... and so this was a lovely day! One I never expected, but lovely in deed!
I was prepared to stay home the whole week while my buddy went back to work. This is such a lovely gesture and surprise from them, one I will always be grateful!
Other buildings I saw at the park:
Alexander Neweski Chapel
Pfingstberg Belvedere, Potsdam
written by  jorgn_craw on November 29, 2008 from Potsdam, Germany

Schloss Sanssouci: An Appointment with Frederick the Great!
Was picked up by Marvo's parents this morning. I felt a bit uncomfortable taking so long to get to them. I hate the idea of making them wait but for the nth time I was once again struggling with the door lock. Why did they make it so complicated? In NZ you only need to turn the key once and the door opens. Here you have to turn it clockwise then anti-clockwise and back again but not all the way! Why make such a simple thing complicated?????? Have the Germans over done it this time?
I scrambled down the stairs and apologized for keeping them waiting. By the way, I made sure I have eaten so I don't get hungry while out with them just in case we are going to be out all day! A couple of minutes later as I settled into the warm cozy temperature inside the Merc, I was told about going for breakfast. I advised them I am okey as I have mine already.
I read disappointment written in their faces. I'd love to wring that boy's neck for not telling me what his parents' planned for the day. I queried the night before what the order of the day was going to be...so I could dress up accordingly (although I didn't really have much to choose from my limited items). He just said, you will find out tomorrow. Nothing to worry about, just be yourself. So I was just being myself when I went for a full breakfast! He could have at least given me a hint while we were having breakfast! But he didn't; ggggggrrrrr!!!!!
Anyway, we ended up having a buffet breakfast at Movenpick, quite an upmarket restaurant just across the palace. I tried my best to eat some more but ended up leaving half of my bread bun. My tummy was already full even before I started. Nevertheless I enjoyed the meal and the experience!
Then we headed out for our Sanssouci Palace tour and later the Botanical Garden. The guide took us in a succession of rooms that we were allowed to view. Marven's mum I believed asked the guide, "where did the King go for a pee" and maybe something else. I believe she was told "in the garden". So Frederick the Great had a big garden receiving a dollop of fertilizer from the very King himself and the rest of the occupants on a daily basis. No wonder the trees have grown big and robust! When I was told about this I could not help but picture someone heeding the call of nature...toilet paper? ...water?...or could it be leaves or twigs? Who knows!
Few shots taken in Sanssouci:
I don't know what this is for but it's like a gate pr archway at the side of the Palace
the grape gardens at the foreground Sanssouci Palace
the King is burried next to his hunting dogs...whatever happened to the Queen?
Sanssouci Palce
The very popular Chinese Tea House which very unfortunately is close during winter...
The Orangerie in Sanssouci Park
Orangerie and Sculpture
We spent a good hour there. The good thing about visiting this time of the year is that you can really take your time to absorb and admire the surroundings! During peak season, this park is loaded with tourists and could become quite overcrowded and noisy. If you are like me who prefers taking time and who enjoys peace and quiet then definitely visit this time of the year! But the only disadvantage aside from the possible minus zero temperature is that some of these places are not accessible after October . We wanted to go to the Tea House today but that is non-operational due to the low season. It was the same with Babelsberg Castle and even the Victory Column in Berlin.
Anyway from here they took me to a Christmas Market not far from the palace. Had a good look at the place and all the stalls with all their lovely Christmas goodies on sale! I also got a the chance for probably a very hands on introduction to their famous Gluhwein. At the market we went inside a shop where they manufacture crystal glasses and ornaments that I believe are exported around the globe. I had my eye on a piece, pieces rather, a table ornament cum candle holder. Almost bought it for my self but decided I have so much junks at home now and have no place for it. But it was a lovely piece.
Shots from the Christmas Market:
Has Santa gone for a leak or a glass of Gluhwein???
at the Christmas market by PArk Sanssouci
Cheese galore!!!
Looking for a parking is quite a struggle in Germany. Maybe it is true in most of the European countries. Today was the same, Marven's mom had to drive around for several minutes before she gave up and drove back to a public pay carpark.
I really enjoyed the day and really enjoyed both their company.
written by  jorgn_craw on December 5, 2008 from Potsdam, Germany

Visit to the Reichstag-Berlin City of Peace
Berlin, Germany
the Reichstag Bldg
Yesterday I had the privilege to visit the Reichstag Building, Berlin's Parliamentary Quarters. This is where the members of Bundestag do their jobs to represent their people and uphold democracy.
long line of visitors to the Reichstag Building
Although this opportunity is available to the public FOC, thanks to Marven's family, we didn't have to go through the long queue of people at the door.
On a separate entry, we waited for our confirmation to enter the building, went thru security check and then herded into the lift which was jampacked like a can of sardine.
the Eagle was the official symbol of Berlin until they adopted the Bear around 19thcentury
I have seen the building several times in the net and some photos of it but it is quite an awesome experience to be inside. Epecially sitting at one of the public viewers platform seats overlooking the area where the representatives are seated when in session.
the roof over the Bundestag members
And way up above them, the funnel shaped structure part of the glass domed roof hangs above us all. This reminds me of the popular Sony Center in Potsdamer Platz whose canopy or atrium serves the same purpose, source and means of controlling light both natural and artificial through reflection and refraction.
The gentleman (guide) educated us about the building and the Bundestag.
That was a good 30 -45mins. Then it was time to go back to the lift and up the top to finally experience the spiral walk up to the top of the glass dome!
Berlin's panorama as seen from the rooftop of Reichstag
Coming out and turning right into the open from the lifts, the building offers a great sight of the city. From here one can see Potsdamer Platz, TierGarten, Soviet War Memorial, Victory Tower. I am still unsure why the Federal Chancellery Building is supposed to be called the Washing MAchine, but from here, I could see the building in full view.
Straight ahead and to the left was the Soviet Graffiti writing mentioned earlier by the tour moderator and from here I realise I was very close to the Branderburger Gate! The few minutes we had here helped me put the city into its perspective. It gave me an over all view of the city.
I maybe broken but I am fine...
A few minutes to absorb the view and time to take some photos then we headed for the dome. I enjoyed taking photos of me in broken pieces as reflected from the shiny glass parts of the funnel shaped structure of the building.
Looking down from the Glass Dome on top of the Reichstag Bldg
The spiral walkway up towards the top and down again is also a great way to see the city and it's fun as well!
Branderburger Gate
From here we walked down to the Branderburger Gate, walked the length of Unter den Linden thru to Friedriechstrasse where we dropped by at Lacoste in an effort to get my son a messenger bag. Then we capped the day with a visit to one of the Chrismas Markets there.I'm quite grateful for Marvo for the privilege and for taking the initiative to set this day for us. It was also lovely to have the company of his friends, family and his lovely aunt Birgit.
written by  jorgn_craw on December 5, 2008 from Berlin, Germany

PARIS & DISNEYLAND
Paris, France
Feeling a bit overwhelmed, I decided to give sleep a miss tonight to make sure I have my bag packed properly for Paris. Somewhere at the back of my head a voice is telling me: Vanity...must look chic in Paris! But in the end I gave the idea up, I'd rather be able to walk fast and cover a wider area than be strutting around looking good with a painful bunion that could spoil my long awaited visit to Paris! Naah I don't want that! So goes both my denims and long coats/jacket and my woolies too into my bag to keep me warm!
We've spent the night at Rebrücke and was a bit silly to have stayed too late. Inspite of forewarning Marven we musn't stay long, we ended up later than we planned. Thanks to Wii...or not! They must have thought I am a dumbed old fart! But then again they've got a lot more practice so I was able to console myself with that!
When I finally managed to convince him it was time to call it a night, my cheapskate friend decided we won't take a taxi as previously planned but instead will walk to the train station. I would say it is a good 2ks from his parent's place in the middle of the night on snowy roads (snow was actually falling that time) and the air was quite chilly!
So I walked with a couple of young boys. Okey, guys but tonight they are acting like little boys! I am glad Tom, Marven's mate, was with us. It was a little bit easier talking to him being a bit sober than Marvo.
After walking for about twenty minutes, they saw a bus and urged me to run as fast as possible. I was puffing but managed to get on the bus on time.
catching the RE train to Schonefeld airport at dawn...bbbbbrrrrrrr cccccooooollllddddd!!!!
the foreground of Schonefeld Airport, Berlin
Red Xmas Trees; only the French would think of it I reckon
Orly Airport was quite busy. I noticed a group of red Christmas Trees in the Foyer on our way out to Arrival/Departure area. I thought "who would want a Red Christmas Tree?'...HHHmmm... well I suppose...it's Paris after all! Dubbed as Fashion Headquarter...they have a licence to be different even with their Christmas Trees!
Found out how we can get to our hotel from the Airport Information Desk. After giving the details of our hotel the Info Clerk/Staff produced a computerised directional instruction showing which train/bus to take and the distance and travel time also included. I thought that was quite impressive. Marven was gobsmacked by the kind of service too saying "you'll never get this service in Germany!"
Unfortunately it wasn't as easy as it looked. There were no buses, we stood at the platform for ages. I decided to go back for more info. And while I was inside, the military arrived and were in the process of cordoning the area. I just managed to get back to Marven before they completely barricaded the area where we were.
I approached one of the policemen: Pardon Monsieur, do you speak English? He said, little bit! I asked what's happening. He said "airport is close, baggage stolen, no people can leave the airport". I relayed it to Marven and he said "we better find a way to get out of here in a flash!"
We ran to the other direction, our hand carry luggage in tow. We tried to get on a bus, any bus and asked to be dropped to the nearest Metro. From the Metro, same story; I have no French and the lady at the Information Counter had very little English. But she was quite good and actually accommodated our inquiries. She gave us another set of instructions to get to our hotel.
I followed Marven almost blindly after we got our 3 day pass. He is used to travelling by train so my guts told me I'll just follow and he is more often right than wrong. Right now my mind is too tired to even try and figure out where we are going. Several stations later, we came out into daylight! Got a bit disoriented but found the Number 62 Bus Stop that will drop us near our accommodation.
I enjoyed the bus ride just watching the passengers hop in and off the bus while trying to absorbed as much detail as I can of the area we were passing. We counted how many stops to go before the Seine River. I know that once we've crossed the river we are only a bus stop away from our hotel. While in the bus I had a moment of reverie: could not help but miss my Auntie Almie. After all it was her romance novels that I use to read against her approval that planted little seeds of dreams in my heart and longings to one day see these places! And today is that day! From the bus stop, there's about 3 minutes walk to Le Auteuil Tour Eiffel, our hotel.
our hotel in Paris
Le Auteuil Tour Eiffel or simply Tour Eiffel hotel...
Checked in, showered and out again in a flash. We have no time to waste. Jack Frost was waiting by the corner ready to nip our toes but we decided to walk back to the River anyway! We walked down to the world well-known river, crossed it over one of it's bridges to get to Eiffel Tower which is about 2 blocks away, stopping halfway to mimick the Parisian version of the Statue of Liberty. The Statue stands in a small island, Ile des Cygnes, in the middle of Seine.
Bridge Passy holds this arches that holds the railtracks...
It was lovely even in that cold winter air!
from Passy Bridge, a great view of Tour Eiffel
After a few minutes of leisurely walk, we climbed up into the Passy Bridge. The Passy Bridge is a double decker bridge: it has a lower deck where the cars and buses run. This deck serves as the foundation that holds the upper deck which is the railtrack for the city train. Passy Bridge, I learned, is the only bridge in Parish that has a roadway, a pedestrian path and an overhead Metro rail. From here you are rewarded by an unobstructed view of the Eiffel Tower.
There were a few couples taking photos here. This is when it pays to travel with a buddy. I watched the others running back and forth trying to make timed exposures to the point of me feeling sorry for one. I asked Marven to offer to take photos for them which he did. And as the saying "what you give you receive"goes... the gentleman offered to take a photo of us too! From here we walked back down to the promenade and walked the length of the block just admiring the views, boats and yatchs and the romantic atmosphere!
I told Marven I am happy I finally made it here. And added "the only sad part is that when I was dreaming of this, I was dreaming I would be walking with the man I love." He gave a dry sarcastic laugh and said..."don't worry I feel the same way".
Tour Eiffel flooded in Blue at night was a mesmerising sight...just as filling as the yummy crepes sold near it's foot...
It would have been lovely or can I use the word romantic(?) if I was with someone who loves me or someone I love...but I was not. Anyway we just laughed about it. Two good mates, both unloved (it seems to be the case at that moment anyway)! What a sad state of mind to be in in Paris, the City of Love!
But for now, I was just happy to soak in the air of fun, grandeur, love, romance, whatever and yeah...the flavour and aroma of croissants.. chocolat croissants and crepes! Yeah, lovely yummy oh so mouth watering crepes!
We stayed out until midnight spending a good hour finding our way back to the hotel. I was bugged by the time we got back.
our destination is Parc Disneyland
Next day, we were off to Disneyland, did everything we could do in one day and got back to our hotel again just before midnight.
We realised later on it pays to buy the Zones 1 - 6 days pass rather than the Zones 1-3 we got as the previous allows you to travel outside of Paris City. So we have to purchase an independent ticket to Disneyland.
The long queue to the Hollywood Hotel - it was a 45min wait...and freezing outside...
Then we wasted a lot of time queuing up for tickets because we were silly enough not to prebook it. The queue was very long and must have taken half of our time there.
The Hollywood Hotel, a little bit more interesting but not as scary as the Tower of Terror in Gold Coast OZ
Most popular ride is the Hollywood Tower Hotel (totally different from the Tower of Terror). For me it was the Pirate of the Carribean. Marven made sure we got to ride on all of the rollercoasters.
******Here below are a few more shots we took from Disneyland:
the main building at Disneyland Paris
Disneyland Castle, inspired by Neuchswanstein Castle
Our last day, we checked out early, stopped at a Brasserie for our French Breakfast and headed to Mont Parnasse for a 360 degree view of the city of Paris
From Mont Parnasse a quick dash in the Metro that took us to Louvre where we got soaking wet due to snow fall. There was a feeling of lightness and somehow I felt like a little child again...carefree, fun, in sync with nature!
Our last stop was to have another look at Notre Dam. It was lovely when we saw it last night, illuminated in the dark. I actually did not think we had the time but Marvo took us there anyway. Then it was time to head back to Orly Airport.
view form our River Seine Cruise
me at the foot of Tour Eiffel at night
Fairy Tale Castle Avenue at Disneyland Paris
210m Tour Mont Parnasse, highest point in Paris
On the top of highest business bulding in Paris
Action Show
written by  jorgn_craw on December 7, 2008 from Paris, France

A Day in Cologne
Cologne, Germany
Once again, we are off to Schönefeld Airport. EZYjet is not on the menu today, we are having German Wings instead! It's one of the few low-cost carriers in Germany but with a difference: leather seats! My travel buddy told me we don't have to scramble for our seats today like we do with EZY and true to his word, German Wings actually pre-allocate seats.
Potsdam BahnHof (Central Train/Bus Station)
this is what I really love here in Germany, their pastries are more yummmy than Paris...
saw this on our way to the airport- looks like a lethal weapon, whoever made it, I hope he wasn't thinking of what I am thinking..
Just like our trip to Paris, we had to get up early to catch the train. But this time we took the S-BAhn to Potsdam (Central) Bahnhof to catch the one going the other side of city (I believe, going South).
It is about the same distance but have less stops. Here at the Potsdam Haupbanhoff, thre is a very nice bakery with yummy oooohhh so mouth- watering pastries!!!!
Had a quick photo with the German Wings Bear after checking then straight thru to wait for our boarding time. Picked up a few postcards and realised I left my pen at the customs check-in area inside the white plastic tray where I dumped all by bits and pieces. Being use to the slow pace at home where most people are still quite honest, I went back for it but the officer told me it wasn't there.
Feeling disappointed I went back and told my mate... "people are not so honest here" and he agreed. Now I understand why he kept telling me before I left for Germany that he won't allow me to go out on my own or that I should not be to trusting if strangers are trying to be too friendly or trusting. I got reminded with the adaptor I left at our hotel in Schwangau. That was never returned either. It appears like who ever found it did not tell the management about it, and the management did not bother to question their workers even after calling them several times. Anyway, I decided I wasn't gonna let this little thing affect my mood today.
Marvo has kept this trip a secret. It was his little surprise for me. I know he has booked this flight since September and I have pestered him with questions about it but he never gave in. He just kept saying I will like it.
There are only 3-4 places I have in mind taking to consideration the surprise element he mentioned in this trip. I know he is great at picking up hints of things I like or interested at. It could only be Cologne or Heidelberg and the only other cities I could think of are Stuttgard and Frankfurt. Munchen could be another one but we have been that way so my heart is leaning towards Cologne.
German wings flying over the planned new Berlin Airport
boarding for my first German Wings flight..
Flight was great! Especially after entertaining half of the passengers. I supposed people here are used to flying with Easy Jet so they don't go to their allocated seats or the lady culprit just didn't read the row number right. I realised the seat I was going for was 25A instead of the 24A I have in my boarding pass.
Anyway, last few minutes before take off, a guy spoke to me in German and motioned I was seating in his seat. I told him "sorry I don't speak German" but moved out of his seat anyway. I tried to explain that the lady was seating on my seat blah blah blah! Anyway, the lady vacated our seats and we moved back to the row behind us only this time Marvo was trying to seat by the window. Without thinking I grabbed him by the collar and very loudly and very emphatically told him "No No No, you are not taking my seat Mister!" and yanked him out of the way! Half of the passengers found that quite entertaining and triggered a chain of giggles and laughs and friendly remarks from everyone. If there is one thing I like about Germans, it would be their sense of humour and today proved that even more! And I feel good having helped set a lighter mood for everyone at the start of a gray day!
the train station at Bonn Airport
Of course by this time I already knew we are going to Cologne! Cologne=-Bonn airport is as I have expected. From the arrival area, we turned left to take the escalator down to catch the train. Before that I watched my buddy get our train tickets from the German only speaking machines:-)) They are one of the reasons I have limited myself to just walking around Babelsberg or staying in when Marvo went back to work. They do not cater very well to non-German speaking visitors like me. For a city like Berlin, Postdam or Cologne which would be one of the most visited cities in the world, I wonder why they can't be like the French who has their train info system translated in 5 languages.
I feel 100% more confident in France, a country whose language I too have no knowledge of; simply because every direction, every instruction are duplicated in English. Germany is not the same. I guess eventually they will get there. But for now, non-German speaking individual travellers will find it pretty hard moving around the country. There are very few info centres and the ones available closes very early. In saying that most if not all of the younger ones do speak English or can speak some English!
I would not have a clue how to get myself to Potsdam from Schönefeld Airport if I got there after 8pm. I saw locals hitting the roof simply because even they cannot figure out their own train-ticket disbursing machines.
it was wet but it was fun at the Xmas Market here by the Cathedral...
Anyway, Cologne was great treat! I loved it, the Christmas Market at the base of Cologne Cathedral,
the streets teeming with shoppers in Cologne
the shopping (which reminds me of the crowd in Manila or Sydney); and the made in China items which proliferated in all the shops we have gone to. I fell in loved with a Lacoste bag but fell out of love again when Marvo showed me the label. That was good, I saved another EUR69.00
It would be injustice to go to Cologne without buying some Special Cologne Water! The store where it was first made is still in operation but I bought my Köln-Wasser in one of the souvenir shops by the Cathedral!
mind boggling.....who ever made this masterpiece... I was really blown away with it...
Coming out of the train station, Marvo asked me to stop and take a big breath before I take another step. I thought "Gee he is being over dramatic again"...but obliged anyway so I took a long and deep breathe in, breathen out and took the step! I turned to my left and lo! and behold infront of me is the Gigantic Gothic Masterpiece that I have only seen in photos. I stood there for a moment, actually much longer than a moment. I remember way back in UST while doing Art Appreciation papers in uni; Cologne Cathedral was one of the few buildings I found interesting. It would be one of the few reasons I have overstayed at the Library. I use to watch (not read) lots books with photos of European buildings. I never in my life thought I will actually come this close to Cologne Cathedral.
The very top of Cologne Cathedral
details of the windows inside the Cathedral
Xmas Market at the foot of Cologne Cathedral
The closer I got the harder it was to believe these were all done hundreds of years ago. The amount of work, planning, expertise, time and lives trapped in this masterpiece is way out of my comprehension. I just gave in to my inner instinct: "if I can't fathom it... swim and go along with the flow".
First we went down to the basement and checked all the bits and pieces there and the ruins and learned all about the family that were buried in that fortress under the cathedral. Then Marven guided me to a bench and started to say.."I am just a bit worried with your foot (I was limping on my left foot, rushing out and jumping from the stairs in one of the train stations from Disneyland Paris whee landed on the side of my foot,it has been so sore and currently a bit swollen) and told me about the Tower! He explained there are 509 steps going up and then will have to come down the same way. "There are no lifts up there and you will have to come down the stairs on foot again and the stairs are very narrow". That was how he explained it.
I thought about it for a moment and decided a sore foot is not going to stop me today. I don't know if I will ever be this way again. So I said "the pain in my foot is only a state of mind" I can think and worry about it later on but for now I am here to experience everything I can in the little time we have. And if I have to climb up 509 steps on a swollen foot to get a 360 degrees view of Cologne and then down again..thinking of Sir Richard Branson's book, I said "Screw it, let's do it!
But first he took me inside the Cathedral, we spent quite sometime there. I needed that to absorb everything I was seeing. I left him taking photos and I wandered around just admiring this masterpiece imagining the kind of people whose hands and minds created and put this awesome masterpiece together.
The details inside and outside...I could not help but compare and convinced myself Notre Dame in Paris pales in comparison to this one.
I suppose they had to put this for the public to have an idea what they are getting themselves into
By the way, the stairs up to the tower I found out is a continous very narrow spiral staircase (I did not count the steps). I forgot about my sore foot, my fear of falling took over and all my focus was centered on not making silly mistake or down I fall continously to the bottom. My only chance of stopping is if any one of the people coming up can stop me. I must say it can be a challenge to people suffering from acrophobia or claustrophobia.
view from the top after 509 steps up the Tower
We were early for our return flight but we just stayed at the airport and enjoyed a drink as we watched the sun for the first time during the day...just a glimpse of it as it was setting. Then we found out our flight back to Berlin is delayed by almost an hour.I was quite tired and we spent our time snoozing until our plane arrived. In contrast to the boarding gates in Auckland where you have to walk quite a bit to get to the loo...Cologne Airport has them in every boarding gate!
We got back to Berlin late in the evening which gave us a bit of time to stop in the city to buy a few food supplies from a shop I believe could be the only shop open that time of the night. I bought what I thought was fresh eggs only to be told later they are hard-boiled eggs.
I wish I could be as carefree as this boy on the train...
I was quite fascinated to see Bikes and Dogs (maybe even chooks) are allowed in the train...
written by  jorgn_craw on December 11, 2008 from Cologne, Germany

A Quiet Day - No Photos
Today, Friday 12 December, is another quiet day! On our return from Cologne on the 10th, I finally given in to this flu-like condition. Dry cough, runny nose and a bit of temperature. So I decided to stay home yesterday amidst the protest of Marvo accusing me of having wasted his time by staying home.
But I knew very well, tiredness has caught up with him too and I will be very surprise if he won't catch the bug I have right now. Anyway, I know my body very well. I don't get sick easily, in fact I hardly do considering the constant lack of sleep and rest I go through. But I realise I have a long flight ahead and I do not want to be feeling very sick while flying. The thought of having a flu during a very long flight just doesn't sit well with me.
In order to not totally waste the day, I started sorting out my stuffs which literally are all over the place. Half of my toiletries will have to stay, I am sure everything will not fit into my suitcases.
Just before midday, we had something to eat and then got ready to go out by 2pm for the Berlin Wall Museum and after that to meet Marven's girlfriend at Potsdamer Platz. I was told it was a good chance for me to use the U-Bahn (U for Underground, but don't take my word for it coz thats just my own interpretation).
Things didn't go to plan. Marven's g-friend decided to change her mind after we have been all over the place trying to get to our rendesvouz point. I told Marven what I think and suggested we should just drop the little pressy for her girl. He agreed but halfway thru my dear friend was reluctant to take me with him to her girlfriend's place and asked me to wait at the Train Station instead. I made it known to him I wasn't prepared nor happy to be left on my own. I'm not happy when people changes plans without conferring with me first.
Anyway, everything was fine, his girlfriend came and met us instead. We had an hour or so together after Marven made sure I got to do this TUBEbogganing (I coined this word myself) in Berlin. I think it was around Potsdamer Platz. I only wished he forwarned me about lifting my bum as I hit the ground. It was sore for a wee while.
Check it out on this link below: http://www.winterwelt-berlin.de/rodelbahn.html
From here we walked into the Christmas Market. I felt Marven's girlfriend's little girl wanted to go on the carousel so I made sure she went on it. I am a sucker for kids, maybe because I missed out on these as a little child I want every child to have all the chances available for them. She was a natural, her mom told me it was her first time but she really enjoyed it.
A glass of hot drink later, and we said goodbye to them as we parted ways at the train station. Marven and I headed towards the Berlin Cathedral to be in time for the opening of the Bach Classical Christmas Concert.
Spent a few minutes contemplating whether we have enough time to go up the Berlin TV Tower and decided we don't. He pointed out the painting on the wall by the lobby of all the great Towers of the world...and kinda hope my Sky Tower is one of them. The painting does not look 100% like the Sky City so I did not notice it straight away. But I was relieved to see it was there!
From there we maneuvered our way towards the Cathedral. Marvo decided to heed the call of nature by the bushes in front of some church. While Marven was taking photos of another Christmas Market, I decided to wander around. Then I heard some noises and my name being called, turned around and saw Marven's parents and aunt. Marven must have known they were coming here. So we walked around the market and had a chance to eat fresh pineapple covered in chocolate... it was YYuuummmmmm!!! I would never put fresh pineapple and chocolate together, but the marriage between these two is sweet and yummy!
Then it was time to head to the concert. Got there on time and found our seats. I have no formal education in music, in fact I can't even read a note. But in uni, we were told to play Classical music while preparing for exams, it is supposed to help or enhance memory retention.
As the choir started to sing, I found it quite difficult to focus and listen due to my very itchy throat. In my effort to forget about the itchiness of my throat, I closed my eyes trying to focus on something else but my throat. I was in this predicament when gradually and gently I started to feel my body swaying, just a tad sway! Then I remembered my grandfather who was the musically inclined person in the family. When he used to play the violin or accordion or even harp, he use to gently sway or nod his head inline with the rhythm he was playing.
Then I felt the music, the voices that reverberated in the air inside the cathedral and I imagined myself starting to float gently towards the dome carried by the wave or waves of sweet voices!
I was in this state when I realised and felt a nudge from Marvo. I bet he thought I was falling asleep. Being aware of my surroundings again, my throat started to feel itchy once again and this time there was no stopping it. Managed to last for the whole concert only with the help of the candy (we call it lollie) from MArvo's aunt.
Check this link for some images and interior of the Berlin Cathedral:
After the concert we went to another Christmas Market, the Weihnachtsmarkt in Schloss Charlottenburg. From here we headed home, took the train back to Babelsberg and then hopped on the bus with Marven's parents.
Five minutes later after getting home, we wanted to photograph something (I can't remember now). We realised the camera or camera bag was nowhere. Checked everywhere, still no camera. Then it dawned in me "No Camera" which means...it is forever gone.
To cut this very long story a tad shorter, we took lots of photos which we will never see as the camera is now lost. With it goes my memories of my last 3 days in Potsdam and Berlin.
written by  jorgn_craw on December 12, 2008 from Potsdam, Germany

then it was time to say Auf Wiedershen...
I don't know why we say good+bye when we really do not feel that 'good' when we leave someone or someone leaves us. Was it an effort to give a positive connotation to a rather sad situation?
My time to say "Auf Wiedersehen" was postponed for a further 24 hours. Due to my camera being lost and the need to report it to the police the next morning, Marven ended up suggesting I stay one more night. Which I didn't want to do but knew it would be best to do in that circumstance. Looking back,I am quite thankful for that. I was in my worst with regards to my flu, my whole body was sore, every muscle every joint was in pain. And I still wasn't packed.
Instead of driving to the airport that evening, we drove to Rebrucke. I felt rather uneasy due to my conditions but Marvo reassured it was ok. So I got my chance to say goodbye to everyone and of course to Lopez!
a slice of wickedly yummy freshly homebaked Balck Forest Cake
Marvo's mum gave me more goodies to take home and even offered to lend me a bigger suitcase. I am just glad I decided to fly thru the US which allows me the 2 pcs baggage allowance. The only problem was Berlin/London sector as it is on a separate ticket. But earlier when Marvo had my ticket reissued for the next day he managed to upgrade my baggage allowance and paid EUR40 for me to have 2 pcs. I thought that was a better deal. I was out of focus but grateful to have remembered to cancelled my accommodation in London and settled to the fact that I have more than 24 hrs to pack and get my much needed sleep and rest.
Before leaving Rebrucke, Dr H came home with his girlfriend and with them several medications I would need during my flight. I wasn't expecting that. I was just blown away by what this family has done for me and shown me. I know I could never thank them enough nor return all the favour I received. The best I could do was say a prayer for the family. My only regret was I didn't pray with them, I could have done it with them. But I also know that prayers are conversations with God. It is more important that I spoke to the Lord about the kindness of this family for He in turn can touch them!
Having slept and rested I felt much better early morning the next day as we drove to Berlin-Tegel. I was quite teary-eyed yesterday and I think it was due to the fact that I wasn't feeling very well due to lack of sleep. But I know I am going to miss this place so much! The pastries so tempting, the pace of the city, the history overflowing, the people so warm and lovely and hospitable...shame I cannot recommend their sausages and beer (which is a big part of their culture) simply due to the fact that I could not sample them or...
The drive took us about twenty minutes. Tegel is unique, I am sad to hear it is going to cease operation in the very near future when the new airport they are building in Schonefeld opens.
written by  jorgn_craw on December 14, 2008 from Potsdam, Germany

Tegel - Heathrow
London, United Kingdom
Tegel is very different from all the airports I have been. It is in a circular shape or octagonal shape. The check in and boarding areas are configured as a complete independent unit. It is not like the conventional airport where there is just one immigration and customs security area. By the side of the check-in counter sits an immigration officer and another step takes you through the door into the customs security area and then take five or so steps and you are basically at the boarding gate.
British Airways (BA) counter was just opening when we got there. There were just a couple of other passengers before me. Once checked in, we dropped my oversize baggage to Counter 16 (located half way through the building, we ended up doing full circle to return to the same counter for boarding).
Marven never thought of explaining the airport set up or configuration to me. I would have preferred to seat in his company and enjoyed my cup of coffee a wee bit longer had I known that going through the immigration is a matter of taking 2 steps behind the check in counter and another 2 steps from there takes me through the customs...
So I went for a cuppa and hurried to say goodbye to Marvo. I am never good at saying goodbyes. I was not very good at holding back my tears when I said goodbye in Manila early this year so I thought the best way was to just do it cold Turkey this time. Thinking I could window shop or actually shop with my remaining few hundred Euro cash, I was confident there was no time for me to get emotional this time. But that wasn't going to be the case here.
After my 2 minutes Immigration and Customs clearance, I sat there with nothing to do but wish I stayed outside and have a bit more time with Marvo. I tried to keep my mind busy trying to watch the customs officers check the luggages...but anything routine after about 15 passengers and overhearing the officers asking the same questions and pushing and opening bags..my mind started to wander.
So I started to cry. I wanted to see more of this beautiful country but there isn't much time. I am sure I am going to miss this place. I am now seeing the snowflakes falling; snow covered roofs, the S Bahn, the busy but very clean streets, the tree clad parks even in winter...most of them lifeless but I can visualize them during spring and autumn; the grocery shops with the huge variety of cheese, the pastries...the Christmas Markets! These things just flooded my mind and I started to miss the place even before I'm gone! Oh so many things I will miss!
On the other hand; I am glad I don't have the luxury of time or money to stay as long as I would like. If I stayed longer, it will break my heart to say goodbye to the things I like and could come accustomed to here! I cried later on as I was sitting alone waiting for boarding time. Maybe because there was nothing to take my mind from thinking of what I am leaving behind. I am almost grateful I have a very bad flu. I could consider it almost a blessing in disguise! It made me looked like I was just teary eyed due to my coughing feats and frequent nose blowing.
The full plane got a big surprise once we all were settled on our seats. Surely the pilots would have known this before we boarded. Once everyone was seated we were told we might spend an hour or so sitting there before we can take off due to heavy fog in London.
At first I started to feel a bit worried or disappointed. But being aware of weather disrupts especially in winter, I booked an earlier flight allowing myself a lot of time in between. It would mean I will have a long lay over in Heathrow but I'd rather do that than miss my flight.
It reminded me of winter back home and the dozens of canceled domestic flights or rerouted flights due to weather disrupts. The bane of hundred of stranded travelers' and source of their frustrations, grumpiness; disappointment, or even regret for not taking cancellation cover especially with non-interline carriers and or separate bookings for flight sectors.
So I reminded old me to stay calm and just be cool (diplomatic will be too formal a word for this scenario) after all I have allowed plenty of time between this flight and my international flight. I almost gave myself a pat in the back...if only I could easily reach my back without looking "looney tuney" to the rest of the passengers and the crew of course!
Any effort of communicating with the person seating next to me was eliminated due to language barrier...it has been an eye opener for me. The couple of times I went out (not too far) on my own and had trouble communicating with store cashiers or anyone I need to speak to is going down in my learning book! I will always remember now how it feels like to be the one who cannot speak the local tongue! A good almost humbling way to learn.
Forty five minutes later we were told we could taxi(and if you are like me who has very short span of attention and you get bored easily, forty five minutes is like 4.5 weeks) . What a blessed relief! The flight was good, as a Kiwi I'd say "all sweet mate!"
During the flight they served a cold drink and a cheese sandwich which I enjoyed with much gusto. I didn't realize I was that hungry.
written by  jorgn_craw on December 14, 2008 from London, United Kingdom

LHR - LAX
Los Angeles, United States
Inside Terminal 5 - Heathrow
Coming out of terminal 5 in Heathrow was not a problem. Had to pick up my luggage and transfer to Terminal 1. Heathrow Express could get me to Terminal 1 for free but I have 3 baggages. In fact, 5pcs including my satchel bag for my notebook and my oversize parcel containing mom's umbrella, Neuchswanstein poster and the original content of the transparent bag, Marven's kite. I thought it was quite thoughtful of him and his dad to search their home for something that can contain my excess/oversized items. I remember him telling me he has used the kite on his trips to the Baltic. I wonder if there is sand in it? Will it show? Will I be able to get thru NZ customs?
Anyway because of these I had no choice but to line up for a cab! Five minutes later and GBP15 poorer, I got to Terminal 1. Typical London weather, gray and wet but there was sunshine in the cab driver's tone!
He talked a bit of what he knew of New Zealand.
Getting there was "no worries" a bit of traffic but nothing major. It took me more time looking for the Air NZ check-in counter which happens to be in section R and not in the main area of T1.
I got 2 leisurely hours before check-in even after my plane being an hour delayed. So I went back to the main area, bought some stamps for my postcards and dropped them off. I also managed to make a call to let my vaxbuddy know I got to Heathrow in one piece. Up on the mezzanine, the restaurants and coffee shops were looking busy. The lift looked like it was working over time. It was the same with the internet corner, also in the mezzanine. It was my intention to go up and have something hot to drink or eat but decided I'll check my email instead. Sent a couple of emails to NZ and DE and then went back to section R.
Checking in was a breeze; had the same story with my oversize item except I did not have to walk several hundred meters as I did in Tegel this morning. Then I went through the immigration and customs security and out into the boarding lounge..
AirNZ (NZ1) reufuelling prior to boarding time
I waited for several hours before our boarding gate was displayed on the big screens. In between my vigil, I went looking for fridge magnets and somethings to get the boys. I was itching to do a bit of shopping with my left-over sterling pounds. Unfortunately I was not able to do that due to my cabin bag, my very heavy bag, which I had to carry around with me at all time due to security reasons. The bane of flying alone, the only other annoying situation of solo flying aside from this is not having enough photos of yourself.
Pret A Manger shop T1 Heathrow
Instead of getting annoyed for my inability to enjoy a bit of retail therapy, I went to the Pret a Manger shop for some food instead...okey for comfort food! I tried to be good though, I had a cup of Miso soup and a few sushi. The guy who served me was a Filipino and he offered to give me a discount which I gladly accepted. I remember his name as Joe (that would be Jose back in the Philippines).
in transit LAX Airport
It was a long flight. The transit via LAX didn't take that long. But one can feel the urgency of things and the pressure on the officials trying to have everyone dealt with precisely and quickly.
I took this route for the experience. This will give me more credibility next time I advise anyone about transiting via LAX. The Iris Scan, the green immigration card (now being replaced by ESTA come 12 Jan) and the fingerprinting..talking about these will be more like second nature now that I have experienced it.
The rest of the time during the transit is just spent sitting in a room (drinking water and instant hot drink provided and a few snacks and fruits FOC; the biz class and premium class have a room adjacent to the general pax room) until we re-boarded flight NZ1.
written by  jorgn_craw on December 15, 2008 from Los Angeles, United States

LAX - AKL just gladddddd to be back home...........
Auckland, New Zealand
Well there is about 13 hours to kill between LAX and AKL...12.5hours to be exact. I settled into my Boeing seat before take off. I am grateful the two gentlemen from Palmy seated in my row are quite subtle souls. The one seated next to me was the more friendly more outspoken one but I hardly spoke to him due to my coughing and my sore throat and the thought of giving him my European winter bug!
In my effort not to appear standoffish or boring, I managed to exchange a few words with him when he came and joined me and the others at the rear of the plane several hours after take off. I do this regularly during long flights; stretching every part of me that I can still manage to stretch, walking a bit to avoid Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) plus it is also so much closer to a glass of water or cups of hot drinks and some nibbles too! The crew from Heathrow (LHR) are very friendly and so did the crew in this sector.
Before leaving Los Angeles Airport I made up my mind; unless I am stopping in the US of A; I will never transit via the US again if I can help it. I'd say Hong Kong is so much nicer to transit to if going to Europe. You get there and you can just take your time, have a bit of retail therapy, something to bite. Any of these is better than sitting in a room for 2 hours.
I endeavored to sleep, I believe I did snooze for a few minutes. I just hope I did not annoy my seat mate with my snoring if I did snore. He did not show any sign of being annoyed so I hope I did not snore or if I did it wasn't that bad! The remaining 5 hours of the flight were tough on me. My flu was getting worse and by now my bum's starting to ache or feel numb. My shoulders and my neck are killing me and my legs are starting to give me pin and needles on a low intensity. The nasal spray from Dr H which I used as per his instruction "on demand" has helped me tremendously so did the lozenges from his kind and lovely girlfriend.
I get annoyed with myself putting my book in my hand carry bag which is in the overhead locker. I scrambled for the electronic Sudoku MArven's dad gave me supposed to be for warding off boredom during my flight..but that too was in the pocket of my hand carry bag. So I spent quite some time feeding my mind with rubbish from some stupid movies... Okey maybe not so stupid after all it was Luke Wilson's "Henry Poole was here". And another comedy movie...sorry can't remember it now, I must have watched something more stupid that is why I cant remember it. What I can remember though is that my neighbor was watching Mama Mia. I saw him watching Mama Mia after leaving LHR...and almost 20 hrs later I am sure he was still watching Mama Mia from LAX...he must have liked it so much!
I struggled to feel comfortable in my seat as breakfast was served which means we are just a couple of hours to Auckland. Got myself psyched up after my meal and hoped my son or any one of them at home remembers to pick me up.
AKL Airport and Manukau Harbour..
Then the voice from the cockpit announced we're home in a few minutes. It's my first time to arrive at Auckland International Airport since it was renovated last year, it is good! I took advantage of using the travellator a lot as I didn't have a wheel in my hand carry. So I noticed the lay out is quite different. It allows more time for passengers to go through right in the middle of the Duty Free Shop.
Being in the industry, I realize this could be to cater for and or take advantage of the need brought about by the cabin liquid restrictions/regulations. Travelers are being advised to best buy their duty free at their destination rather than from their boarding point. I spent some time in the shop mainly to get something for Noel.
going through the duty free shop at Auckland International Airport
My baggage came out off the carousel as soon as I got there and I was out in no time into the welcoming overcast weather of Auckland. I was happy to dump my thick and heavy jacket/coat and slowly peeled my onion skin one by one until all that was left was my short sleeved red Ice breaker t-shirt.
Oh Yes...It sure feels loooovvveelllyyyy!!!! And it feels even more lovely to be home!!!
.
written by  jorgn_craw on December 16, 2008 from Auckland, New Zealand

Photos Posted in this Blog
If you come across any of my photos posted here in any other sites aside from my own personal blogs (Virtual Tourist, nzredten4women and cattleclassqueen on blogger and Friendster) please be advised it is possible that it is being maliciously used and that I am not the one responsible for those postings. I have only posted these photos in this site and have linked it in my blogs.
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Many Thanks
jorgn
written by  jorgn_craw on June 9, 2011 from Auckland, New Zealand

SDA Church

SDA Church / Charlottenburg

Hitler's Bunker

VW compound in Potsdam

The Castle in the Mist

Breakfast @ Hotel Weinbauer

way to MarienBrucke

old but hauntingly beautiful

Old buildings of Dresden

Zwinger Palace of Dresden

Dresdener Frauenkirche - "Church of Our Lady"

one of the old building isn Dresden near the old Church of Our Lady

Fairy Tale Castle Avenue at Disneyland Paris

On the top of highest business bulding in Paris

Action Show

Disneyland Castle, inspired by Neuchswanstein Castle

lo! and behold: Gothic Masterpiece/Cologne Cathedral

The Cecilienhof Palace is known for the Potsdam Conference negotions that took place here

snow covered grounds of Babelsberg Park

The Flatowturm Tower

the famous/infamous Glienicker Bridge (Freedom Bridge) over Havel

the famous walk around the dome

Looking down from the Glass Dome on top of the Reichstag Bldg

long line of visitors to the Reichstag Building

Section R - where the check in counter of Air NZ is in London

This cofee and one hotdog cost me EUR9.90. Coffee isn't even full. If it wasn't bitterly cold that day, I would never buy one.

The Menu at Le Mirrabeau where we had our breakfast on the last day..

The Musee Louvre-Paris