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jorgn_craw

24 Blog Entries
1 Trip
272 Photos

Trips:

Euro Trip 2008

Shorthand link:

http://blogabond.com/jorgn_craw


"It doesn’t matter how masterfully written a book is, reading it year in year out gets a bit boring in the end! So does the places we visit”…. G. Crawford


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






permalink written by  jorgn_craw on November 29, 2008 from Potsdam, Germany
from the travel blog: Euro Trip 2008
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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



permalink written by  jorgn_craw on November 28, 2008 from Dresden, Germany
from the travel blog: Euro Trip 2008
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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


permalink written by  jorgn_craw on November 27, 2008 from Schwangau, Germany
from the travel blog: Euro Trip 2008
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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).



permalink written by  jorgn_craw on November 27, 2008 from Hohenschwangau, Germany
from the travel blog: Euro Trip 2008
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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.




permalink written by  jorgn_craw on November 26, 2008 from Potsdam, Germany
from the travel blog: Euro Trip 2008
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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.



permalink written by  jorgn_craw on November 26, 2008 from Schwangau, Germany
from the travel blog: Euro Trip 2008
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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

permalink written by  jorgn_craw on November 26, 2008 from Leipzig, Germany
from the travel blog: Euro Trip 2008
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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.




permalink written by  jorgn_craw on November 26, 2008 from Nurnberg, Germany
from the travel blog: Euro Trip 2008
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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.




permalink written by  jorgn_craw on November 25, 2008 from Potsdam, Germany
from the travel blog: Euro Trip 2008
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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.


The London Eye

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...

a private lesson with Mr Wood


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.



permalink written by  jorgn_craw on November 24, 2008 from London, United Kingdom
from the travel blog: Euro Trip 2008
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