Home?

The return home (to London?) was one of those funny moments were everyone was excited and sad at the same time. We stopped for lunch in Brugge for some frites and mayo and to stock up (again) on some more chocolate, clearly the best of the trip, even better than the Swiss. Brugge turned its magical charm on for our visit with the most rain of the trip, even though we were there for one of the shortest periods. We arrived back in London at about 8pm on a Saturday, exhausted, tired and ready to crash. Fortunately I had thought ahead a booked a hotel room in Cricklewood for a couple nights break, although it was a bit of a mission to find it.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam was a refreshing burst of warmth for everyone; with the new temperature of 7 degrees, some even contemplated shorts. Bike shorts would probably be more appropriate. After an organised night out to the very seedy red light district, it was up bright and early for a bike tour of the city. The bike tour turned out to be one of the highlights, although attempting to do a never before done bike trick in the form of a stoppie on a cruising bike turned out to be not so much a highlight, fortunately the most injured body part from that was a bruised ego. Not fully aware that I was bordering on a cold, the energy from used from the bike trip rendered me useless for half the day and a much needed rest was sought in the hostel to prepare for the final tour night dinner and boat party.

Berlin

We entered Berlin via a short stop at Dresden, so short I can’t report anything but it looked like a cool place. Berlin however was somewhat even cooler, about minus 15. The freezer like temperatures did try to influence our experience, but we tried our best handle it, this involved undertaking a morning walking tour, mainly on board a bus, wearing the entire contents of one’s suitcase and making more frequent stops at shops while out walking about. One thing the temperature didn’t put a stop to was the pre-organised trip pub crawl, although whoever thought pre drink beers in the park with no stubby holders was a good idea was pure evil.

Prague

Minus twelve, what more can I say… an investment in one of those Russian looking hats didn’t go astray here. Prague reminded me of Budapest, but in a friendlier and cleaner way. The morning walking tour was strangely short on numbers, a combination of weather and hangovers this time. This meant we received a more in-depth walking tour and had some extra fun on the way, with a gold coin on Charles Bridge.

Krakow

With zero knowledge of Krakow upon arrival I had no expectations of this little city. Had I had any, I think they would have been exceeded as well. This was in my view was one of the winter like European towns you have tucked away in your imagination, a giant town square, snow fall all around, more people than cars, markets in the middle, history on the walls, literally, and a charming little castle on a hill boarded by a river with swans. Whilst there we also paid a visit to the very touristy salt mine, with its rooms and statues made of salt, however with a robot like guide, the group’s interest waned until they were once again back outside were the snow ball fights could continue.

150 beers reached

Beer #150 is ZBUR 1768, rated 8.2

Budapest

I couldn’t help but feel sorry for Budapest, it was a magnificent city, but the hotel that we were put up in and the tour group’s general mood from being ripped off by exorbitant prices for tourists put a dampener on the city’s image. This aside Budapest put on what was the only significant snowfall day of the tour. Fun at first, the snow soon turned to blindingly annoying when walking into the wind and to everyone’s surprise (being from Aust and NZ) eventually made us wet. Cue umbrellas for snow!?!