Germany

[chialc88]

I droved 300KM and finally parked safely at Mercedes Benz car park.
All parking lot full and I squeeze my Audi into a small parking lot along the road.

Mmm... all these brand new Merc ...
wait.
the front bumper has a hook protruding out...
Yes!
I saw this from Singapore Shipping Corp Ro-Ro photo.
This is to secure the car onto the Ro-Ro.
Normal Car has one secure line and super car will have 2 lines.

I wonder and saw a cafe.
Executive Lunch... less than Euro 10?

What time? still got time before my factory tour starts. 
(I booked the English tour before I booked my air ticket).

I ordered my Executive Lunch and while waiting, I hop up to the 2nd level to save some time.

Okay, a reception cum selling entrance ticket.
Let me chit chat with her.

Q: How are you doing?
A: (smile) Good morning, how can I help you?

Q: I had reserved for a English factory tour later.
A: (frowning) Where is your paper?

I show her my iPhone7P.
A: No, no. This is Mercedes Museum.  You're going to Sindelfingen.

Q: This is not Mercedes Benz Factory?
A: No. It's 30KM away.

Q: What?
A: Yes, I know. This is not the factory.

Zoom, Zoom.
I dashed downstairs to the cafe.
Perfect! My pasta, soup is already served.
In less than 5 mins, I gobbled up everything and run to my Audi.

Mmm... these Mercedes with hook at the front bumper really look like ready for Ro-Ro.

Concentrate... punch in my GPS and off we go.

Super lucky, today no traffic.

GPS: "Your destination is in front."


Parked my car as closed to the front door as possible.

The rest is history.

Enjoy (Sindelfinger) Merc Factory for S and E class:


Oh, that's not the factory tour but outside the factory.
Quiz: What's the favourite color for Mercedes?

[chialc88]

After seeing Industrial 4.0 in action, 
I drove for another 200KM in autobahn to Lake Constance.

It's already late and I asked reception to recommend a place to eat.

And, yes, no more driving for today.

Just walking?
Yes, walking.

Follow her instruction and I walked on a ulu ulu countryside road.

Faint street lamp, cold and still air.

15 mins walk is a good relax reflection.

Its like a school campus or something like that.


Very surprised that its almost full house.

I must be home sick (un-usually me).
So, I ordered a curry puff instead of German food.






































































Enjoy:

[Image: BCS32-1024x768.jpg]

[TTTI]

[Image: dsc_2447.jpg]

Actually, Rhine falls is in Switzerland and not Germany.

So, I need to cross the broader for a quick trip to Rhine falls.

I parked my car at a petrol station just before going into Switzerland...
... to buy a annual ticket for the right to drive on Swiss Expressway.

Its called Vignette and roughly cost me 35 euro.

No problem, it's like entertaining fees or entrance fees that we need to pay for museum.

Then, suddenly, I stared at my wind screen.

Mmm, there are 2 identical stickers on it.

What's that?

I took a glanced and compare it with google image.

Bingo!

I saved 35 euro.

It's swiss vignette.

I have 2 of them on my car!!!

Says that I'm stingy, 
says that I'm frugal,
says that I'm cheap,
no problem at all, I am not going to paste a 3rd sticker on my car.

Ahh Rhine Falls.
Been several years since I've been there
They have these metal cups/plates that you put around your ears so that the sound of the falls is magnified... hope you tried it there.
Lovely place, not just the Rhine falls, but around the vicinity.
I remember having a cold plate picnic at the grounds right at the base of the falls.
Switzerland is my favorite country to visit in the world

[chialc88]

[Image: dresden-in-winter-germany.jpg]Thank you valuebuddies for all your help.
Thank you very much.

Tonight, there is going to be snow in Dresden 德累斯顿.
Enjoy.

[¯|_(ツ)_/¯]

Day 1 - Touch down at Munich (Munchen)

Good morning valuebuddies,
It's the first day of our self-driving tour in Europe.
We had landed in Munich (my favourite) and picked up our Audi A4.

Let's go!


Gratituide.

[¯|_(ツ)_/¯]

Driving road trip

Comparing self-driving vs using public transport, self-driving is really flexible. You have the chance to stop at any sights or do a last minute detours.  These benefits might not seems particularly important until the ah-ha moment came.  Some people treasure these ah-ha moment more, some people (who is more regimental) will find it a distractions.

Everyone is different.
It's your journey, walk your own path.


I missed Boon.

Some of the tips for self-driving:
1. Autobahn has no speed limit. It's important not to speed.  Speeding will reduce one's reaction time to unanticipated events and likely the cause of accidents.  It's a holiday, no point ruin the trip by taking unnecessary risks.  Pace yourself and enjoy the drive.

2. Water is clean and ok to drink.  Typically, we will still buy the mineral water from supermart - those 5L bottles and put it at the back of the car.  When our smaller 1L or personal water bottle is empty, then we just fill up from these 5L bottles.  If we are in hotel with executive room, we just pop into the lounge and get more.

3. In order to stay alerts, 2 tips. One is to buy some nuts eg. walnuts and munch on the way.  Your topo partner would have to feed you because your eyes is always on the road.  Secondly, ask your topo partner to remind you to take rest stop. Maximum continuous drive time should be 2 hours. Once you hit 1.5hours of driving, start to look out for rest stop.  Frequently, I find that these rest stop also constitute part of my enjoyable journey.  It's fun to just relax and look around or just stretching.   

Everything is interesting!


Gratitude!

[¯|_(ツ)_/¯]

Guten Tag.

As more valuebuddies coming back to vb.com, I missed Boon even more.

---

Near the end of Day 1 in Germany, I gotten a summon ticket. Not too worry, I feel +ve. I gone thru this so that you don't. 



Ok, when you parked your rental car in Dresden (or other city), do take note of the parking rules.

When I reached Dresden, I do not have enough change (euro coin) and so I proceed to check-in and get some change too.

While the rest went upstairs to check out the room, I went back to the parking machine to pay for the parking ticket.  I got a shock when I found a summon ticket on my windscreen.  The ticket was printed in German and I stood there for a at least 20 mins, hoping to seek an appear with the parking attendance (Singapore style). 

No luck and the weather had turn cold and uncomfortable.

No choice, I turn back to hotel and seek help from the receptions.  She says that nothing could be done. Just wait for the rental company's bill. That's it.

 You should see my smile.
Just pay for the summon and best of all, car rental company can help me to settle.  I waited so long for the parking attendance and spoiled my mood.

Now, bright sunshine (in my heart) and games on again!

If problem can be solved by $$$, it's not a problem at all. 

Welcome to Dresden.  Have a nice weekend in Germany:


Thanks for reading. Gratitude.

[¯|_(ツ)_/¯]

Day 3 - from Dresden to Berlin - 2 hours drive

Today, we are leaving Dresden which is part of East Germany (Saxony).

The drive should be very smooth and you could take your time.  However, when you're inside Berlin, the traffic is very similar to Singapore.   Busy, busy, busy.  Need to be alert.

One last look at Dresden:


My heart is filled with gratitude.

Thanks for reading.

[¯|_(ツ)_/¯]

Day 3 - 5 @ Berlin

There is a saying that every country has an army, for Berlin, it's army has a country. 

There are many famous sights that worth your time.
Cold war divide of East and West Germany could be seen here.

For those who love history, it's Museum Island would be worth at least half a day.

Enjoy Rick Steves sharing on Berlin:




Stay home and stay safe, everyone.

[¯|_(ツ)_/¯]

Night @ Berlin

Parking in Berlin remains a big challenge.
We decided to walk and take metro unless we need to drive.

While walking back from Tiergarten, we by-pass Breitscheidplatz.
The first day of Christmas Market light up.

Earlier this morning, the market was not there.
Now, it's so brilliant.

Very lucky - I told myself. 



Gratitude.