Archive for Germany
Back Again For Frankfurt, Germany
Posted by: | CommentsToday 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
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:
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
Final Day In Prague and More Countries To Go…
Posted by: | CommentsToday – 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..
The FEAR…
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….
Goodbye Berlin and Hello Prague :)
Posted by: | CommentsI 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.
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.