Archive for Germany

Mar
07

Back Again For Frankfurt, Germany

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Today was the 15th February and also the last day for me with the family in Italy. Of course, it wasn’t exactly happy moments saying goodbyes – which I am still not good at. However, I immediately felt rather cheery from the visions of wonderful world adventure to come :) . More of a forceful vision than anything else :)

Anyway, my flight out of Genoa (Genova) was quite early in the morning. It was something like around 6 AM or something. Hate waking up early in the morning. Darn.

Checking in was a smooth process but the plane wasn’t. I’m sure it was safe but it was the same twin turbo propeller plane run by Lufthansa. The flight to Munich was fine but I wasn’t happy getting the seat next to the fan thingy particularly when we were flying above the Alps :(

Anyway, arrived at Munich airport safely. I have been to Munich before so I have no intentions of visiting the place. If you are coming to Munich with a good budget then stay at the Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski Hotel on Maximilianstraße. Its like being on Sloane Street in London. You’re surrounded by posh boutique shops the likes of Bulgari, Armani, Prada etc – all situated at a comfortable distance as you walk outside the hotel :) . The hotel itself was smashing. We stayed there for a couple days and it was one of the best.

It wasn’t a very long wait for my connecting flight to Frankfurt. It was bang on time at 9.35 AM. The flight took about 1 hour or so.

The issue with this Frankfurt bit was the fact that my connecting flight to Cape Town, South Africa was at 5PM so I had 7 hours to kill. I decided that I should pay Frankfurt City a quick visit :)

The train journey from the airport to Frankfurt wasn’t that too far. It was only just a few stops away on the tube.

Here are the pictures


The views from the main train station was smashing. In fact the train station itself was a view on its own.
As usual, here is my video introduction.

It was easy to walk around Frankfurt. The roads are clearly signposted and its not winding like the ones in Prague. Just remember to bring your tourist map with you in case of emergency :)

More video from me.


and more views from the embankment overlooking the river.


There are 2 versions of Frankfurt. One is the new and the other is the old. The new and old seems not far apart from each other. Each has its own unique character with plenty of surprises :)

You can take the tube to travel around Frankfurt but I decided against that. It’s best to discover Frankfurt offerings :) by walking plus you get 360 views anyway….

There was this particular bridge that stole my attention. It is made of iron and looked quite commanding. I walked close to it and I saw an iron placard attached to the bridge wall. Basically, it explained about the history of Frankfurter sausages which for obvious reasons, came from Frankfurt. How unexpected and strange :)

I walked the few steps towards the bridge (commonly known as Eiserner Steg) and this was what I saw :)

The old town of Frankfurt (widely known as Römer) is practically opposite the bridge. Some of the buildings and the cathedral were a real gem (I mean in the antiquey sort of way :) )

I took quite a number of pictures along the way. All embedded in the box below.


I walked past the Frankfurt Stock Exchange while I was on my way back to the train station, . Its a nice building but a bit small to my liking. Maybe, its bigger than the outside but who knows. They never let people like me entering such buildings. :) Anyway, there was the Bull and Bear statue thingy just outside the building. And yes, I did take a picture of it :)

Bull and Bear at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange

And finally, before I got back to the train station, I walked past the beautiful Frankfurt Opera House (Alte Oper) and sat at a park bench right opposite it. The day was so clear and beautiful that I sat there for more than 10 minutes enjoying the weather and view. Picture below:

Frankfurt Opera House

The journey back to the airport went really smoothly. I rechecked in for my flight to South Africa – Cape Town. Flew to Cape Town via South African Airways. Not bad.

My next blog: Cape Town, South Africa. Are you ready :)

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Categories : Frankfurt, Germany, Italy
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Today – Friday 9th February 2007 was my last day here in Prague. I was seriously unhappy leaving this place. I’ve met some seriously beautiful people :) and had so much fun…

I promised myself that I will be back this summer. So watch this space and my friends in Prague heheheheehe

Anyway, the cab man was unusually friendly. His English was bad but it was enough for me to understand some of his points. He was quite engrossed talking about Prague past and his passionate views on America. For political reasons, I am not going to share it here :)

It took me about 30 minutes to get to the airport. I checked in for Munich departing at 1310. I was still in my upset mood leaving Prague so I called up my Prague friends to cheer me up… :) Don’t ask..they made me happy.

My best friend back in London, Iveta has been yapping on Messenger about going to Budapest and the importance about me going there. It’s her homeland. So dont blame her.

Honestly, I really hand on heart wanted to go to Budapest but I was having too much fun in Prague. My restricted time was also a contributing factor so it was really a difficult decision.

I’m sure she’d get upset knowing that I didn’t go. But I am sure she’d get over it quite soon.

The plane we had to get on was one of those small propeller/fan plane. I was scared senseless. I’ve never flown Fokker style. I wasn’t sure if I could make it. Worst still, they put my window seat next to that flipping propeller fan. Darn… What if..What If….

The Plane..

Small Lufthansa Plane to Munich

The FEAR…

My horrid window view

You’ll see my growing FEAR here…

Now imagine this NEXT TO YOU…Feel my FEAR :)

I was glad to reach Munich safely. But, I was only here on transit. I had decided much earlier in London that I wasn’t going to tour around Munich as I’d been here with a very close friend before . Hence, the transit.

I should have told you earlier that my next trip from Prague was to Genoa, Italy.

Reason: Family.

So, no touring around here. Well, apart from shopping that is. I have been to Italy zillions of times so it’s home to me.

Anyway, the plane I was on from Munich to Genoa was very much the same to the one I was on earlier. Difference: Just bigger.

My numerous flights to Genoa all these years have taught me this:

Shaky and turbulent flight/landing.

So, flying on a propeller plane to Genoa alarmed me big time. If a Boeing aircraft could be ‘unstable’ whilst landing, imagine what it could do to a propeller aircraft……

Huah Huah I wanna cry…… :)

Trust me, the 2 odd hour flight was one of the most discomforting experience I ever had and sitting next to the ‘fans’ weren’t funny anymore. :(

I was soooooooo glad I’d finally reached Genoa safe and sound.

As usual, my sister and brother in law picked me up at the airport….

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Feb
23

Goodbye Berlin and Hello Prague :)

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I woke up bright and early at 8 AM :) . I got myself ready and went straight for breakfast. I decided not to do any touristy stuff today as I believed that I have seen most of Berlin anyway.

I did most of my work that was way overdue in the morning and I checked out at 12.30PM. I got the cab to the train station. The train fare was very reasonable. 1st class 1 way ticket cost just 80 odd Euro.

The train station in Berlin was very impressive. It looks more like an airport than a train station with many levels. Kings Cross is definitely nothing compared to this one. Hahahahahaha.

Berlin Train Station

My train was due to arrive at 2.30 PM so I had plenty of time to kill. I had a quick stroll around the shopping area and got myself fish and chips for lunch.

The train arrived about 10 minutes late but I wasn’t fussed. Views en-route to Prague was okay. I didn’t see much as it was getting dark anyway. However, I did see loads of ‘Wind Farms’ along the way.

The journey took 4 hours. It was quite an effort to take my baggage out of the train as most of it was oversized :) . Anyway, I went to straight to the money exchange counter and got my Chezk money.

Unfortunately, I was duped by the taxi man. He charged me a fortune for just a 3 minutes cab ride to the hotel. A bit of warning to anyone out there who may be planning to come for a visit – Be Wary With Taxi Drivers In Prague! Some of them can be quiet dodgy.

The hotel I stayed in was great. It’s called Eurostars Thalia. It’s a five star hotel that is close to the main square and located just opposite the National Theater. The room was fab. Extra large bed with ‘Kelly Hoppenish’ design. That was enough to make me happy after the taxi incident :)

As usual, I was already knackered. I went to have dinner and immediately came back to the hotel and slept.

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Feb
14

Berlin…Berlin…Berlin…

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I woke up to a bright new day in Berlin. I went straight to the hotel reception and got myself a Berlin map with loads of tourist attractions on it, then went straight for breakfast. Divine….

30 minutes later, I was well prepared to start on my Berlin adventure. I walked out from the hotel and Voila…it was the main shopping street! There were Gucci, Prada, Salvatore Ferragamo and all sorts and probably because of that simple reason, my face was smiling from ear to ear. A good kick start for the morning. No need for a latte for me…Hehehehehe

The high street was nice and I resisted my temptations not to buy any more stuff I didn’t need and I walked straight out from it towards the park. Danger..danger… (if you know what I mean) Anyway, here’s some of the pictures I took on my way there.

Berlin on the High Street At The Roundabout

I continued my stroll towards the park via the zoo. I didn’t see the point of going to the zoo so I gave it a miss. The park was gorgeous.

Here’s my video intro of Berlin.

More pictures below:

Berlin 1 War Tank

I found this beautiful building in Berlin while I was on my way to the Haupbahnhof train station to buy my Prague train ticket. I asked one of the German tourists here and they told me that it was Reichstags (Parliament Building). The dome at the top was designed by Norman Foster, the world renowned British architect guy who designed the Gherkin building in London. Also, he’s the guy who designed one of the flats that I am planning to buy in Kuala Lumpur. I will report later when I am there in a couple of weeks.

Click below to see the video of Reichstags and its dome.

Me @ Reichstags

Can someone translate this for me?

Can someone help?

I reached the infamous Brandenburger Tor. Berlin Wall was erected next to this place and during the war, people who was found walking close to it was shot. I cheekily went to one of the tour guide who was speaking in English for one of the tourists group and listened intently about the history. I must tell you it wasn’t pleasant. It was way too morbid for my liking. I scanned around and left. I just didn’t feel comfortable staying there for long.

Brandenburger Tor

Just around the corner I saw this rather interesting looking memorial place. It’s next to British Embassy. Apparently, it’s a memorial for children who died during the war. Creepy.

Memorial

Below are more pictures taken in the historical area of Berlin. I am sorry that I didn’t include the names of these buildings. I simply didn’t make any notes of it but those who’ve been here and knows it, can you please let me know in the comments section. I’ve included pictures of the Berlin tower as well.

Berlin 2 Berlin 3 Berlin 4 Tower Berlin…

I got lost for about 2 hours in the road maze of Berlin before I reached the place that I had been looking for – The Berlin Wall. Although I knew I could’ve easily taken the cab but I resisted against the idea.

Here are more Berlin Wall videos and pictures.

Berlin Wall

Just around the corner of Berlin Wall is a place called the Checkpoint Charlie. It was the border between the American and Communist sections.

Checkpoint Charlie 1 Checkpoint Charlie 2 Checkpoint Charlie 3
I didn’t realise that the Czezk tourism office was just across the road from Checkpoint Charlie and I conveniently went in and planned my next trip to Prague. I got my maps and other tourist info and walked back to the hotel.

I reached the hotel at around 7PM and I was seriously knackered. 7 hours of continuous walking could seriously affect your stamina. Hence, the bed. No dinner. Too tired :)

PS: I did wake up feeling hungry at around 11PM. Went to McDonalds and grabbed myself some food then went to bed again :)

Categories : Germany
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