Archives: Posts from Germany.
Geeks in space
Despite being a member of the always-thrilling Maths Teacher occupation (I'm a real laugh at parties) I've done my best not to over nerd-it-up on the Hilarity. That was until Si and I hit the Deutsches Museum in Munich. Sorry to Alison who claimed it was boring; it was a geeky paradise.
The endless floors of exhibits were hours of technical wonder (well actually, to spend one minute at each exhibition: over 30 days). There were all manner of cut-away motors, electrical equipment, old computers, astrophysics fun and an entire corridor dedicated to mathematical equipment. Not to mention the above calculator that's actually been in space.
And I'm not sure if any of my robotics students read this, but even when you're wandering about on a space station, you'll note that cable-ties are used to keep everything neat and orderly. Like I've said: it's just that important.
</NERDINESS>
Questions Answered, Part 3
A question we didn't know we had was answered at the Augustiner Keller beer garden in Munich:
Namely: Is it possible to toast too enthusiastically?
Answer: Yes, yes it is. (The glass was like this when I got it. Honest.)
What washing instructions?
And how exactly was I supposed to know that you can't dry a wool jacket in a tumble drier? That was my favourite jacket too.
A hex on all powerpoles
One of the flipsides of touring Europe by car is that you end up taking a whole bunch of landscape photos from the window of a speeding car. Not in itself a problem apart from the varying number of things in your way.
Country roads are great, because they don't have that many poles, signs or bumper guards, but occasionally you'll get an incredible view with powerpoles flashing past. Every. Second. Of. The. Way.
Makes for awkward shutter-timing.
And I should point out that the photo above was taken from the passenger window of Cranky the Townace, who travelled at below-speedlimit speeds most of the time. The whole problem is much worse in our new, autobahn-speed-friendly car.
Another Designer Moment
Visiting the mind-bendingly huge Deutsches Museum in Munich, somewhere in amongst the five or six floors of exhibits I stumbled on the Printing exhibition and may in hindsight have gotten just a little excited.
Metal type! Heidelbergs! Actual lead leading! Oh my.
I've never felt so tempted to ignore the "Please Don't Touch" cards as when there was a sign and a little rope stopping me from getting a close look at a Gutenberg press and letterset.
Oh, and I may have checked out the plane belonging to a long-lost semi-relation of mine (Note: probably not actually related).
So, in summary: Deutsches Museum, Munich. Highly recommended.
When in Munich
The Bavarian section of Germany really is the stereotypical German experience, complete with Lederhosen and beer-halls. Above you'll see me enjoying a beer that's the same order of magnitude as my head (at the famous Hofbrauhaus). They even come with proportionally sized pretzels. I love this country.
Obligatory Munich Sightseeing
A trip to Munich does involve one particular tourist destination: the world-famous Hofbrauhaus.
We went. We saw. We drank. We ate giant pretzels.
Passau: Nice Place...Nowhere to Sleep
We arrived in Passau a little later than expected anyway due to an absent ferry captain and a subsequent 25km detour through the hills. But we then discovered that the campsite at the Kanu Club was under construction and closed. The Youth Hostel was booked out by a bunch of decidely non-youthy looking people and 40 Euros didn't even get you a toilet in the local B&B.
So in the end we had to backtrack 10km (the way we should have come in the first place) to the nearest campsite. Thankfully a local pub saved the evening with huge hearty meals and a couple of drinks.
A Different Kind of Hens Night
Camping on the farm in Osterhofen, Germany. Unfortunately no eggs for brekky, so I had to collect some apples.
Finally We Feel At Home
It's still sunny here on the Danube
Who Needs Maps??
So far we haven't bothered with maps - we just follow the signs. Most of the time this works fine.
Don't worry mothers, we eventually reconstructed the intersection's signage and were on our way. And if all else fails, keep the river in sight.
Toastie Tootsie
hen the weather makes your toes go numb, all you need is a little initiative, some emergency blanket and trusty sports tape. Thanks to my newly fashioned "Toastie Tootise'sTM" Mot and I now have a little less frozen toes in the mornings. For all my Physio mates out there, the power of placebo is a wonderfully warm thing.
I am still working on a model for Mot's ears that he is willing to wear.
Clocking up the KMs
We recently ticked over 1000kms on the bicycle odometer. Not bad for big, slow bikes with a whole lot of luggage on the back.
And there's still so much of Europe to go...just keep pedalling, just keep pedalling, just keep....
Do not let me borrow your stuff
So far this trip, I have managed to put holes in the following things:
- 1 x Bicycle Helmet
- 1 x Air Mattress
- 1 x Waterproof Sleeping Bag Sack
- 1 x Tent (Two holes)
- 1 x Water Bladder
- 1 x Jacket Stuff Sack (sorry Mum!)
- 1 x Bicycle Tyre (Though Ness has gone through two)
- 1 x Pannier Rain Cover
If you ever let me use something, I can't guarantee it will come back in one piece.
PS. I've been cranky all day after I spilt my porridge this morning. Beer helps. So does Milka Drinking Chocolate.
Designerish
I should admit that I had a great afternoon at the Bauhaus Museum in Berlin. Sadly not much to actually take photos of (which was made worse by the depressingly grey skies) so you'll need to use your imagination.
Definitely worth checking out if you're into design or architecture and happen to have a few hours free in Berlin.
They also have a separate little room filled (filled!) with Bauhaus-designed chairs, mostly originals or prototypes from the school. Which all makes for a very happy Si.
Where Nine Euros Gets You
We arrived in Donauwoerth thinking we had to ride out of town to the nearest campsite. That was until we saw a map that had a little tent sign at the local Kanu Club. After inspecting the facilities we were a little concerned - the water appeared to have been disconnected and the ladies' toilet removed entirely.
Since it was so much closer to town we weren't easily dissuaded. We interrupted what we think was a committee meeting to enquire about staying the night. The committee took a quick vote and we were handed our Special Guest key. And then we were given the option of either sleeping outside in our tent, or sleeping inside with a nice electric heater nearby.
So for our nine Euros we've got our own room, bathroom, steaming hot shower, bar fridge (which looks suspiciously like a vending machine) and our choice of kayaks should we feel like a paddle in the morning.
A big thankyou to Kanu Club Donauwoerth for their hospitality!!
Timing is Everything
We've set a nasty precedent this trip for showing up everywhere just after or before cool events or festivals, and somehow rocking up to a town/city during the brief window when things are closed for maintenance.
Take for example Berlin's Bundestag building (the former Reichstag) with it's famous glass cupola dome. The landmark fitout by Lord Norman Foster is still visible from the rooftop terrace, but the iconic glass dome? Well that happens to be closed the entire week we're there.
I even had to interrupt our walking tour guide mid lyrical-wax about how great the view was from up there, to point out that it was in fact closed for cleaning.
There were sighs all round.
The upshot of all this is we've got a big list of things to see when we're next in all these places. Which, in Berlin's case at least, probably won't be too long.
Doing What Aussies do Best
A big thanks to my mum (Therese) for supplying us with Australian style stubbie holders. We make use of these necessities each afternoon. We ride all day, set up camp, have a shower and grab a hard earned traveller as we walk into town.
Mot has enjoyed sampling the towns brew, and I have come across the "Radler", a girly beer mixed with lemonade (not classified a beer in German standards as it is 2.5% Alc).
We have been getting some strange looks as we wander with our drinks in hand. Apparently it is OK to drink in public, for all mothers concerned.
Team C's poor excuse for not posting
I'm afraid that while Si and I have been living it up in Berlin we've not really gone near the internet much. What started as a quick "drop by Berlin" plan has ended up in a week-long "we love Berlin!" experience. Berlin is full of amazing buildings, phenomenal history and about half of the 20–30 year old population of Australia. We've also not been going near things like "sleep" and "not going out all day and night" very much either.
It really isn't a myth that when you go traveling 90% of the people you meet will be Australian. Everything we do we're joined by more Aussies. For one evening's outing we were even joined by the best part of a (non-WA, therefore non-flag-winning) AFL team.
Which reminds me, we've decided that the collective noun for Australians is a "slab". To use it in a sentence: I was going to have a quiet night out in Berlin but was joined by a slab of Australians.
A Day at the Office
Are you wondering how I found out if brussels sprouts came from Brussels and if footy franks are really from Frankfurt? The answer is http://www.google.com...on the back of a bike.
You realise that we only brought one set of clothes, so we could fit in the most important pieces of equipment. And yes, today a German man was very concerned about how we manage to do our laundry. He was curious about bike touring like us with his family, however he lost interest when he realised our washing is far from regular.
Rivers and Sunshine
Since we left Koln last week, Ness and I have been following some of Germany's famous rivers as we wind our way Southeast in our journey towards Vienna.
Apparently it was pouring with rain here last week - probably something like what Matt and Si experienced in Antwerp as we've come across lots of signs warning about flooded paths. But to be honest, we've seen none of it. We've had nothing but brilliant sunshine. In fact, riding along we've even had sun sprouting from the ground around us...
Autobahns are fantastic fun.
I've not really got much to add to that. Driving on an autobahn with no speed limit is like driving on a freeway for the first time again. And it only works because everyone drives so well and is so courteous. It is also the first time I've actually been glad the Townace died (and was replaced with a car capable of autobahn, or indeed any, speeds).
But yes; fantastic fun. You've not driven until you've autobahn'd.
Apartment dwellers of Europe, we thank you
Today is day 27 of the Hilarity, and it also marks the twenty-seventh day that we haven't had to pay for internet access. And who do we have to thank for this?
People like Peter Erickson of Apartment 27b.
So far our approach to finding free internet has been to drive until we find a block of flats, crack open the laptop and so far there's almost always been a free, open wireless network just waiting for us to arrive to borrow its bandwidth.
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