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Yin

Every even days of the trip, we were out of Dubrovnik 🙂

To the other country: Montenegro with the tour offered by Get Your Guide, passed the border with a car, #Collecting stamps in Passport. We were being picked up at 06:20 AM, there was only 7 people in total. Instead of going with a bus, we got a mini van. I personally think it was cool, a private tour. Dominik is the only guy there haha the elephant in the room 🙂

We made a first stop to make a picture, this is us: a Korean lady + American Gang.

At the beginning, it was actually fine. Our driver ~ initial L informed us about his friend who sell Oyster in Montenegro + right after the border there was a restaurant with price cheaper than in Dubrovnik, he can dropped us there. Actually, we were excited to tried, in anyway we have to eat.

Reached first town called Perast. While we were still in Dortmund, I wasn’t planned to take any boat, wanted to just walked around. However L said there was only one street, it’s very small, the only attractions was taking the boat with extra cost. Hmmm…. I sensed a bit of a red flag. Being suspicious whereas my mind kept reminding me “what else can we do?” Therefore, paid the 15 Euro for boat trip to Church of Our Lady. The fee was only for transport, not to enter the church, it will be another 10 Euro.

He also explained we would go to more stops, we didn’t! only to this one. Wtf?! Either he doesn’t know what he’s saying or he “robbed us” from our real boat experience? After reading some signs, I came to understand the cost for 1,5 hours boat ride = 40 Euro. Okay, I took the first red flag as Misscomunication, made peace with that.

Second town called Kotor, there we have 3 hours. The only attractions were: Old Town + Fortress + Cable Car located 4 km away. Me and Dominik opted for the Fortress. Cecillia had some doubts, in the end she made it too. I told the girls I’m going up so they could make a forecast at what time we could be done.

Was on the verge of giving up when we reach the church, which only 1/3 of the Fortress until Daly texted “I’m also at the Fortress” Ah cool!!! she gave us some fuel to actually catch up with them. Hike after hike, where are the girls? there is only one way, I couldn’t miss them. Still not seeing them, even at the top… Hä???

One the way down we met Cecillia, she also hasn’t seen the American Gang. Continued our journey to the Old Town. Daly texted she is ready to leave, replied I need 30 minutes. In total we have been 3 hours 15 minutes ish in Kotor. The issue is, Cecilia is still up there. I catched Maly’s pants from far away, her words: “I looks like a traffic cone” 😉 very easy to spot on. Curious, I asked where they were on the Fortress. Guess what? They were mistaken, they were never in the Fortress, perhaps they only have the Fortress as a background from any restaurants or so hahaha no wonder I didn’t see them.

One hour goes by without a trace of Cecilia, as if she went on radio silence. A Croatian number called me, no “hello” directly “where are you” obviously it will be L ~ who else. To my surprise he was starting to shout “I have been waiting for you for one hour, I don’t care where Cecilia is” I was perplexed, what the hell is going on? Is he gonna leave us here in Montenegro? Being scared, I ran to the girls, let Maly do the talking while I tried to see where Cecilia at. Dominik sent her our location but she was confused and confusing beyond reason. Maly was so distress as L screaming at her too, Daly & gang tried to buy some time by going to the parking lot to find him.

In the end Dominik called Cecilia by video call, we saw the background, she was so close, Maly screamed on top of her lungs, I ran towards her, we don’t want L to leave her or worse all of us. The journey back to Dubrovnik was such a Katastrophe, no one dare to talks. I texted Daly if we should ask for the oyster, no we don’t need too.

Maly tried to defuse the bomb by saying “do you need our Passport, L” he only gave a receiving hand gesture. After some minutes, he told us he need to use the loo. There we talked, My Gosh what is happening? This is so crazy, I’m not in the mood to go to his friend’s restaurant. I meant, he ruined our day! My Asian genes won’t gonna let him get the comission from his friends’ place! Thanks God we all agreed to go directly back to Dubrovnik. When L back to the car, I deliberately said “oh girls, I’m so sleepy”. He replied “you can be sleep now until we reach the restaurant” I gave eye contact to Daly, wasn’t dare to talk until our saviour Maly commented “do we have to? I kind of tired, let’s just go back to Dubrovnik” Thank you girl! We owe you big time 🙂 #Women Power.

You have no idea how relief I was when we reach the Old Town of Dubrovnik. What I can take from this experience was he didn’t voice out properly, at the end I was completely uncomfortable. It could be since we were a small group, we could clear it among ourselves. No we can’t! we were all tourist for f#$k sake! I assume he was lazy, took advantage of small groups and want to go back home faster.

Regardless how bad the tour turns out; like the Yin from YinYang ~ the white dot in black, there’s always a little light in the dark. I got additional friends! It’s such a pity that the atmosphere was so down, I would love to spend the evening with the girls in a chill dinner but it wasn’t possible. Maly you are a very brave girl for standing up for all of us! I’m glad we have you on the group! I’m also grateful we all survive L’s driving haha Daly was afraid of her life during the ride 😉

Well girls, Daly + Maly and gang also Cecilia, we shall make up the relax time that L stole from us, if you ever thought to visit Germany or Indonesia, you have a home 🙂 #Just do it!

See you in another time, another place. Until then, take care!

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Game of Stones

Me and Dominik just had our very first trip outside DE, it was happening on last week of July for his 30th birthday. Neither of us have been to Croatia before + I was FOMO because I have three colleagues + one friend that has been there, I gotta do it as well!

Our base was in the city of Dubrovnik. While we were still on planning stage, we saw so many tours about Game of Thrones movie set. Unlike him, I didn’t dedicate myself to watch it, therefore I couldn’t care less. Hainka has been there, he told me it was mostly filmed in the Old Town, I don’t need to necessarily join the tour, I still can go to those spots. Ahhh okay understood!

We flew in, arrived at our AirBnB around 01:00 AM. Our Host Zoran & Igor were waiting for us. P.S: I really like their place, located only 800 meters from Old Town…. chill… there’s no straight way in life, their place was up in the hill, you gotta be good at the game of stones #Stairs everywhere.

Regardless of Game of Thrones’ fans or not, you gotta admit, Dubrovnik’s Old Town has it’s own charm. My first time in East Europe and it’s not dissappointed 😉

The moment we step in the first alley, Dominik said “it’s directly given him a GOT vibes”. Not to forget the iconic scene of the series, if someone who doesn’t watch knew it, it does meant something 🙂 None other than the famous “Walk of Shame”. I guarantee you will find it, there where most tourist are!

We tried to familiarize our way through the Old Town first. Where does this path leads to etc until we found the beautiful corner near the Port area. The view of the boats parked + lights on the walls make it looks magestic.

You can’t really change what stunning hey? That area looks dazzling day and night time. We bought a Dubrovnik Pass (40 Euro) had one main target in mind: City Wall (the entrance itself 40 Euro). Will I be satisfied only with breakeven? No way in hell #Haben wir es schon bezahlt! Was kann man noch sehen? let’s tick it one by one and boy oh boy we did!

I didn’t want to be on the City Wall during midday, we unraveled what Dubrovnik Pass has to offer, such as: Rector’s Palace + Dubrovnik Natural History Museum + Friars Minor Franciscan Monastery Museum + Archeological exhibition ~ where I sat in the kids corner to “dig” some archeological stones.

Around 15:30, it’s about time to visit the City Wall, one more Museum to check: Maritime Museum. Little that we know, it’s connected the entrance to the City Wall. It reminds me of Great Wall of China. Take some water please, there was no shade.

Unless of course, the whole wall takes only about 1,5 hours max to walk haha in the end it’s not really like Great Wall of China 😉

Last spot on the Dubrovnik Pass of the day was Lovrjenac Fortress. Where? up the stairs, my oh my. I have no Lust for pictures. The entrance without the Pass is 15 Euro, in conclusion: get yourself the Pass! #Money wins 😀

Are we content with all the stones we seen? Noooo. It is not Marlyn if I don’t participate on Walking Tours. Our guide Antonia (Tonka) took us around the Old Town, which means I also got some behind the scenes theory of filming GOT.

What I like the most was how the HBO Productions supports the economy of Dubrovnik. It is extremely important to keep the secrecy, they didn’t want any spoiler to record them during filming so they need the locals who owns a restaurant / hotel to be closed. They paid them a big time a.k.a choose the highest earning per day then trippled it. They paid every house owner located on the “Walk of Shame” stairs to shut their windows for 3 days. Tonka explained there was a very smart grandma who kept coming back to his apartment during shooting, what did people do? They need to give her more money in exchange for her to not come close to the production area. Within those three days ~ rumours said the Grandma earned 1000 Euro, a phenomenal amount of money, talking back in year 2011.

Apart from the physical preparation to “play” Game of Stones, I love Dubrovnik, I mean… how could you not 😉

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Hotels Hopping – Part 2

After 6 whole stressing month in the office ~ what a half of year, I went to my wohl verdienen Urlaub back home 🙂 you have no idea how much I looking forward for this, so much so till I kept forgetting which Airlines I took, Qatar or Turkish? In the end it was Etihad hahaha! Flight from Düs to Abu Dhabi wasn’t full, yet my seat was in the middle row of the emergency so I couldn’t pull up the bar pffff didn’t enjoy the benefits!

Being picked up at the Airport with Mom went inmediatamente pampering myself, had bakso, cut my hair, got massaged, medi pedi. Enough 72 hours in Jakarta, flew to Bali!

Indigo Seminyak

We spent our first three nights at Hotel Indigo.

This holiday is more of a chill, we didn’t do much other than swimming, visiting mall, eating. Sightseeing was only to Desa Panglipuran because Mom has been thinking about it since last year, let’s break the cycle before it become a yearly mandatory discussion. Then Puri Empul, we also tried Coffee Luwak.

I personally like this hotel better than our next one. Mind you, our next one is also a very good. Indigo won due to modern interior plus I have a hutang budi especially after I snapped regarding my allegedly missing glasses whereas its on my bag. Deeply sorry Indigo, I did wrote a good review, hope someday you could forgive me. Readers please come here!

Intercontinental Jimbaran

Last three nights at Intercontinental. I could imagine this hotel was number one some decades ago, it’s very well kept, you can see the definition of magnificent back then. It won my heart because the path from their backyard to their swimming pool or beach are wider.

Their beach was already in Jimbaran where we have our Seafood evening the first day we landed in Bali. Only this time we opt for Frida’s recommendation Menega Cafe which was much better taste equals to much better payment haha #You got what you paid for 😀

Jukung has better entertainment in terms of while we were there, approached by a “band” who live sing to us. Susi chose twinkle twinkle little star + happy birthday + baby shark. Could be this “band” would keep walking around the coast until it reach Menega too.

Last but not least, home sweet home. I really like our new home, we just moved to PIK 2. Parents are way happier here and I’m happy for them. We met our relatives, visited Dad’s amazing office contained majestic Ostrich however I was totally impressed with their Alpaca #Couldn’t be more random than this 😉

Oh Bali, how I love you, I’ll come back again 🙂 in about 365 days hehe

…. as for now, back to earning Euros!

Kitty icons created by Mihimihi – Flaticon

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Harry, Is That You? – Part 2

Moving on to Paderborn, we booked a Nachtwächter Erlebnistour, obviously it started when Sonnenuntergang at 20:30. What did we do before? made the Rundgang, visited the Adam & Eve House where actually a public library, Dominik suspect only Paderborner could apply for a library card, were so lucky someone opened the door so we can sit & chill for a while.

We were such an uncreative tourist haha ~ brings me back to Innsbruck memory with Joe to take a selfie and only selfie it is with the Goldenes Dach ~ here it is the Dreihasenfenster. If it’s written a must found, then a must it is. We even took a further length for it 😉 Funny enough, we found the first clue inside the Dom.

After checking the inside, not there, we found a storage room haha on the way to getting out, hmmm a section where it is under construction looks intriguing… perhaps? bingo! saw the Schild one more time. Oh no? What to do? Germans usually not want to break the rules, however curiosity got the best of us, zonk, couldn’t find it. It’s the job for our Nachtwächter later.

Our Tourguide ooopsss Nachtwächter appeared out of nowhere, I was sure few seconds ago he wasn’t on the meeting point, then I turned my head, there he was! He was very in his role, in the way he verkleidet sich, his voice, language he was using all in the Verganenheit. I like him! With his robe + Dom on the background, he looks like Professor Snape! We were on Paderborn at Saturday evening, its neither Karfreitag or Easter Sunday, the Dom has some kind of “meeting” where in my opinion…. it does look spooky…. let’s move on, shall we?

He explained back in the day, at night, the farmer will release his livestock that’s why they build the wall. There are some house who still have the real Paderbon wall, impressive hey! He said his job was to patrol around in the evening especially after 22:00 to make sure all candles are off. What happened if not? They will knocked the door, if no answer, he asked “what is this stick I carry around?” it’s “General Schlüssel” 😀 because broken door is cheaper than a burn down house.

He guided us to the same same but different Dreihasenfenster, we found two! one in the “gate”; second in the Fenster! I’m satisfied 🙂 “Der Hasen und der Löffel drei. Und doch hat jeder Hase zwei.” I do believe he wanted to guide us to Adam & Eve House, however since I asked about the Dreihasenfenster, I think he forget it haha. Thanks God, we’ve been there #Wink!

Paderborn is famous for the Landbrot. He explained 3 urban legend story about it. First is about the fact that it can hold for a very long time, if I understand it correctly even after WW the smell is still very pungent. Second it, it taste so bad therefore Napoleon? throw it to the floor said “it’s for my horse and his horse name is somehow similar with Land” then it developed to Landbrot. Third sounds more reliable one, yet forgotten. You can skip this part I’m sure I have a blur memory regarding it hahaha

Unfortunately we have to go back to our Post Kutsche before the tour done. He said “if I missed the Kutche, we will see us in the Rathaus”, of course we didn’t miss as DE Bahn late, I kept seeing Fatamorgana if the train will be in our Gleis, it’s not… until it is.

Day two checked!

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Sugarbomb

We are now officially on the Easter holiday, what to do when you feel like you want to go somewhere but your wallet doesn’t let you? haha #On budget 😉 Deutschlandticket is the answer!

Searching what is still distance-wise possible plus what to do there? As a regular #On budget travelers, I always look for a “free walking tour”. Why? You gotta come back with experience plus one tick smarter haha. It was a bit tricky with the Feiertage therefore everything must be mapped out precisely.

Since Dominik has nothing planned, we both packed up for these Ostern Ausflüge. I narrowed down to two cities, first is Aachen; second is for the next day #Wink. I remember QQ Dite said he has a friend who is opening an Indonesian Warteg called Warteg haha #Creativity to the max, they are already eingedeutsch 😀 let’s try then!

We were knapp inside the train, few seconds later then we have to wait for next one in one hour pfffff such a stressing morning. After a 2,5 hours train ride, oh boy gotta eat directly hey, you don’t want to see a Hungry Marlyn. Once we arrived at Warteg, Dominik said he need to go to the loo because he was feeling dizzy, oh no! let’s order some sugary drinks, what else other than “Soda Gembira” / “Happy Soda”, a bunch of sugars there ~ suddely a memory jumped in my mind, Thorben hadn’t had it when he was in IDN otherwise he would “die” from the sugarbomb!

The Restaurant is really good, very different concept from Toko Bersama or Warung Made, they have a real set menu. I found difficulties to choose as it all very delicious, I could feel it. He said not only that it looks good, it taste good too. I wish you Randy, Lina, Evelyn and all staff a sucessfull Warteg ahead!

Then we started our self-tour before the walking tour started, we kept coming back to the Dom + Furzbrunnen + Rathaus. I really like the view of the Rathaus, it gives me Hogwarts vibe, just amazing. I have to say the highlight is the Aachener Dom, what the hell is that? it’s the most beautiful Dom I have ever visited #Droll! The color, marbles, candles hanging on the ceiling, wow wow wow! #Speechless.

Strolling around without a purpose seems quiet boring hey? let’s find ourself a homework, a very easy one: find a store that is the same as our age. It took us some time to complete it yet we make it before our tour starts.

Okay what can I take from the tour? We started at the Aachener Thermal Bad, there is three Wasserhahn which looks like a Trinkwasser, it’s not, it’s warm. Then she started to talk about Printen which I thought a Drückerei? while Dominik thought of a Cafe? häää? guess what we both wrong, it’s a snack haha! I did had one in the office. We were on Easter and the Lindt Osterhase chocolate was made in Aachen! She also explains these characterical builings are 3 Houses next to each other. There is a Puppe in the city center where we can move the steel part etc, the characters there represents what the city of Aachen is, such as a Professor as Aachen also known for student city and a…. yeap only that I remember, you need to do your own interpretation hahaha Aachen also have a very small statue which reminds me of Manneken Pis, unless of course its a fisherman 🙂

Had Aachen is not 2,5 hours away, I’d say I’d choose Aachen than Köln, big times 🙂

Day one checked!

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Discoveries

I discovered many new things during my stays with Irina 😀 from snacks to stores to experiences, let’s get to the bottom of it!

She brought me to Xenos, oh how I love that place, can get Asian snacks! Hope it will be spicy, it’s not #What have I thought pffff. She is the queen of snacks, the good one are keep beckoning her to buy it. Not only Amsterdam is heaven for Asian snacks #Power of Colonization! but also for sweets, we accidentally passed by a new Cinnamon rolls shop #Lecker lecker

Visited Thrift stores where I finally can buy pants for my size: two of it + two tops. Funny how I need to go to the tallest populations in order to get what fits me #Ironic. It is really an appropriate good stores, not smelly or disgusting, they really do take care of it. You can find everywhere here from tableware to clothes to piano haha. I kept questioning myself “how can I carry these to Germany?” 😉

Wow look at that, the opening bridge for ships, I saw it twice. Word from Irina “Look at this building Marlyn, you are standing in front of history from 1689” Gotcha, snap snap.

She known I won’t leave Amsterdam until I ate in Indonesian restaurant. Well, to get rid of me haha she make sure it happened. She found a new one called Toko Bersama where we got to meet Novrie. Look at our portion, it is massive and it’s very delicious too! We got free Krupuk + water + located near Irina’s + we had to take it home (read: got food for next day). Without a doubt, this will be our new favourite place.

Not to forget going to Warung Made, the place where I always went, to see Zara again 🙂 on that day, we got a bonus aka two new friends: Poppy and Tari! Our conversation started from the very normal wishy washy talk such as “where are you from etc” to sharing a personal toilet experience?! What?! Irina has a lot of it! she even explained the difference between the USA, EU and Asian one whoaaa hygiene engineering to the max!

I always like to go to Amsterdam, it is a fun city to visit, especially with all of these new discoveries, the game changes to another excitement level. Irina even says there are thrift store where I can bring my stuff then they will exchange it with “Points” to be able to use in their store; blew my mind. Say goodbye to my handbag signature, I’m coming with my luggage from now on 😉

Smart takes:

  • Oh I took a FlixBus to Amsterdam remember? Guess what? two policemen came inside shouting “Passport control” yes it was written that I need to bring Passport, lucky me I actually listened. This was my first time I got ever checked; well….. to be honest, I usually took trains. He even asked questions like the Airport Customs: is it your first time in Ams, how long will you stay, where is your accommodation, are you on holiday or business. Bottom line, bring your passport everywhere even when you only crossing the border.
  • Activate your “Data Roaming” just as long as you’re inside EU or else you couldn’t use your German phone number. Thank you to the young lady in the Sloterdijk Station for your help!

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Ce Christmas Chronicles Conmigo

What kind of Christmas sequence I’ve done this year? Surprisingly didn’t go as much to Dortmunder Weihnachtsmarkt as before, perhaps A. I always passed by City Center every time I visit my doctor or buy something at DM. Therefore B. I didnt feel the necessity to dedicate really some time to physically be there.

Nevertheless I went to two cities 🙂 exploring Soest with Hainka, Lena and Freundin. They know what + where to get. We three #Not Lena did the “challenging” task mwahaha which was went to toilet at Extrablatt because we dont want to pay the fee mwahaha Don’t like to break the rule yo! #Eingedeutsch but still Asian in blood, give my jacket to Lena so they thought Im one of their customer, entered with confidence! Steady, slow #Misschief managed! Only then we can explore in Ruhe, we had Wurst & Chocolates. I also tried some Probe they put in front of the stand.

Our annual Nordwest Weihnachtsfeier! Still remember how we weren’t being picked up from the bus station therefore Monicita & Ignacio drove us there, Hainka also didn’t take the bus. We sat with our QM Thomas, when the dance floor opened, he was very excited to start dancing yes we three were on the Tanzfläche. Hainka spent almost all the time I was there on the Theke drinking Beer. When the strikes hits 00:00 I still want to stay, timeline for bus is either at 00:00 or 02:00. Monicita came to me “I’m going back” “I’m not” “Yes but Aylin drove me back to my place” “Whatt? OK then I’m going back too” Fabian picked us up, he bekommt Beilage 😉 P.S I had some improvement, didn’t get sick this time #Yeay!

We didn’t go to Dortmund Weihnachtsmarkt mainly due to a super unangenehmen conversation PV heard during his time there, urged him to report it to Police. We opted for dinner at Base Kitchen with Weihnachtsspirit ~ Nikolaus sponsored by Freundin 🙂

Andrea made up for missing my birthday & combine it with Münster Weihnachtsmarkt. There is no special Baum like the Dortmund one and quiet separate, there were 6 of it scatter around, we only went to 5 as it was raining. Then we had my favourite cocktail of all time from a Peruvian Restaurant: Pisco Sour! #Baby you’re all that I want. Afterwards went back to her place, took a bit of Pause, I gladly became her Elf on packing Christmas gift. I requested her for a Pasta allo Scoglio dinner #Never better 😀

Heiligabend went to Cafe Helene at Recklinghausen + Weihnachten with Freundinnnn #4 years and keep going. It was amazing wie immer! look at these meat! #Carpaciooooo #Nomnomnom

I got a tons of variety presents, from symbolic to useful to meaningful to ‘so me’ look how creative all my friends are. I am so proud to be able to call them friends. Nothing more perfect other than wrapping the year with counting your blessings.

Shout out to Claudia & Gio, Freundin & Freund, Selina, Julius Mama, Alina Penguina, Andrea, Martin. Professionally to Kubala and Flexport #If they want to keep getting order, better treat me right 😉

Merry Christmas, everyone #HO HO HO

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Repeat

I stayed at Maria’s for my weekend in Berlin, her door is easily recognized by a cat door haha, it is very practical, her cat can easily in and out the building. Mister Cat is a very active one, he woken me up either by playing around the room or jumping to me whenever I am relaxing, he can’t take anyone is resting. Once I’m ready to roll, it was his sleeping time. I had a habbit of needing to know where he at, Mister Cat must be safe and sound. I looked everywhere for his sign, behind the blanket or so only until I see him whereabout I’ll leave Maria’s place. You woke me up, now it is my turn #Karma.

On Friday evening I had dinner at Maria’s family. Her step-childrens are all very smart, they got into an international school, could speak English fluently at the age of only 6 and 8.

Look at this, very sweet hey!

During dinner, they planned to go to “The Art of the Bricks” on Saturday. The kids asked if I can join, awwwwww… klar! My plan was only meeting Nicolas for lunch + Dinner with Sunny, other than that I would love to join you guys. They picked me up around 10:30 ish, thought we need to be super careful as the Art was made of Legos, nope it’s all glued with more glue than super glue hahaha. The whole place took about one hour to visit. See those little hands haha very cute hey! Oh who took the picture? Gaby did it but he didn’t take picture of our face #Oh well…

We separated for lunch as I will have it with Nick & co. For dinner, I requested Sunny ~ a Koreanish lady we met during our flight to Iceland, to eat at Korean restaurant. I sooooo miss Korean BBQ + their sauce. We had a problematic stove, we waited, hmmm why it’s not getting hotter? Lifted the BBQ plate, oh the fire is off again, happened at least 4 times. Showed Sunny my crazy Russian Tsar hat for tonight’s party, she said “now you also have a costume for Halloween next year” #zwei Fliegen mit einer Klappe schlagen.

That goes my Saturday, very packed! On Sunday, I was begging “Mister Cat, please go somewhere else, I’m dead tired. RIP me” My agenda was visiting Jüdisches Museum, it is for free! Yeay!

It is indeed a very well-kept Museum, interactive, modern and very big too. You could spend at least 3 hours there or you could also sit a lot like me haha I only fast forward when I want to go to see Nick again 😉

On Monday I joined a free walking tour with our guide Alex, it’s kind of a private one, only Jayleen + his father and me 🙂 Alex mentioned the red traffic lights at Postdamer Platz were the oldest traffic lights in Germany. Aha! Already knew it back then from Sebastian.

We walked passed a 5,5 km Tiergarten which is bigger than Central Park ~ 3,5 km. Thanks to Friedrich Wilhelm II who tore down the wall in Tiergarten so it wasn’t a royal hunting garden only. He is homosexual, at that time his father couldn’t accept it, since he can’t kill his own son, he let Friedrich watch he killed his lover 🙁 In the end he married a Princess, sad for both. We also saw the Monument of the Homosexual people that got killed.

We talked about Facism comes whenever capitalism is threatened, a connection between burning book in 1933 targeting works by Jewis, Marxist, socialist, pacifist and other “un-German”; Kristallnacht in 1938 as a violent pogrom against Jewish people in German and Austria.

Alex explained the Victor Column (Siegessäule) was built to commemorate Prussia’s military victories against Danish, Austria and France. As a matter of facts, it is partially decorated with captured cannons from them. The famous “Dem Deutschen Volke” (To the German People) on the Recihstag building is made from melted French cannons #Interesting.

Moving on to the iconic Brandenburger Tor, where Alex gave some Petty war between Germany and France. Victoria’s Statue on top of the gate seems to gaze indirectly toward the French Embassy; Berlin Fernsehturm was added the third tear so its slightly taller than Eiffel Tower or when during parades and military processions, the German army circle back to create an illusion of a larger force to impress onlookers.

When you’re already in Brandenburger Tor, you can’t miss the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. It has paint with anti-graffiti coating from Degussa, a German chemical company. Although later they found out, it was quiet problematic, as Degussa is a subsidiary of Evonik Industries who supplied a chemical used in gas chambers during the Holocaust.

We were on top of Parking place, what’s so special about it is what lies beneath which was believed as Hitler’s bunker! Honestly, I would like to see where he spent his last hours though, at the same time I could also understand that none normal Germans wants to have a place where people could “pay a tribute” for him.

I have to ended the tour earlier as I have last dinner with Nick, thank you Alex for the guide. I thought this “Rude Bastards Tour of Berlin” will take or tell me somewhere something I haven’t heard before. Nope, it’s a similar route like classical Berlin only he doesn’t need to be careful with his language. I’m not complaining, I could be more relaxed in terms of absorbing all the stories. Jayleen was “what are you doing here? you seems to know it already” haha Btw congratulations on finishing your studies, hope the best for your App-Airport development, can’t wait to use it. We will see us again when I visit UK 🙂

FYI, there are many providers like Get Your Guide or Booking who charge a small booking fee for Free Walking Tour like 2,5 or 3,5 Euro or so but it didn’t go to the tourguide. Alex informed me, for future better to book direclty from the website.

After dinner, I went back, get myself ready while Maria still at work. Can’t say thank you enough to you for opening your home for me. Will I repeatedly coming to Berlin again? #Easy answer

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Fill in The Gaps – Part 2

On my first anniversary in Germany I’ve done mostly all beginners tourist in Berlin, except for one: visiting Reichstag. Since I’m meeting Nicolas for the weekend, I used this chance to close the circle. Booked myself an appointment on Friday 08.11 when they have real meeting in the Plenarsitzung. My colleague Hainka said “it is the correct time for you to be on the Sitzung, there are many hot topics” Maria also agreed with the timing “wow, it’s very cool, bring a popcorn”.

Passed their security checked, before they let us in to the visitors’ level, we need to gave up our coat & bag. The security lady was very strict “No clapping, no waving, you must only sit in silence; Handy komplett aus, kein Flugmodus, aus aus” I forget how to turn off my iPhone, I don’t think I ever turn it off, no time to spare, flight mode is the best offer + never took it out.

It was definitely an experience, seeing some party speaking while others shout back. The meeting ended sooner than scheduled. Well, I don’t understand anyway therefore it doesn’t matter haha I’m here for the vibe, it was fun to watch.

Then we have a guide for question session, she gave explanations about who sits where. Of course in the middle is our Bundestag President. On the left side, the first seat with higher backrest, that’s our Chancellor’s seat. The Adler is 58 sqm like my apartment! it’s weigh approximately 2,5 tons. The color of the seats are called Reichstags-Blue, a deep blue color with a violet touch. When they are all gone, we were allowed to take pictures.

Besides the Plenary Chamber, we could also visit the Glass Dome. My first impression was it gives me a Chainsmokers “Takeaway” vibes haha well can’t afford to go to USA that’s why I have the economic version first 🙂

We got Audioguide which explains Berlin Panorama to your ears. Had I got a better clothing, I would enjoy more. I was close to freezing, saw everything quickly as I so want to be inside again!

In conclusion, this is a very recommended activity in Berlin! Plus, for free! What are you waiting for? Secure your appointment at Deutscher Bundestag – Aktuelle Informationen zum Besuch beim Deutschen Bundestag

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Money’s Worth

Sightseeing in Florence day 5: Last day 🙁 don’t be disheartened, I will give my full gas! #Planned

I arrived before our meeting point for walking tour about Medici Family with Gabriela, giving me some time to soaks in the Renaissance beauty.

We gathered in front of “don’t judge a book by it’s cover” church at Piazza San Lorenzo. Gabi’s theory is if the church is not so pretty from the outside, it will be pretty on the inside, vice versa. Any proof?

We went to one corner where Palazzo Medici Riccardi located, yep they owned a palace ~ doesn’t mean they were royal residence, instead just a very wealthy person who can own an impressive formal building. They started as a humble shepherd family from selling wool to one of the wealthiest and most influential families in Europe, playing a major role in banking, politics and art. They realized the great power of art, if he wants to ties some business in another city, he would sent Michelangelo and Botticelli for example to decorate Sistine Chapel.

Gabi talked about the entrance of the bank is in the corner to be easily spotted as in the past they don’t have street name. The palace was normal lookalike from the outside with a reason: Medici wants to be liked by people of Florence, spreading their subtle message “I am just a normal people like you all, I also want my voices to be heard by government”.

Next is the heart of Florence, Duomo di Firenze. The exterior of Duomo is a collections of marbles: green from Prato symbolized hope; white from Carrara symbolized faith; red from Maremma symbolized charity or love. The 16 people are not Apostles #Math ain’t mathing 🙂 they are notable citizens such as Galileo Galilei, Michelangelo, Dante, Leonardo da Vinci. At the center of the façade, there’s Virgin Mary and baby Jesus surrounded by 12 Apostles.

No one died #officially during the building of the Cupola owing to Brunelleschi’s engineering methods and his attention to worker safety. Not officially is one died because he drinks too much wine. We do want to live a longer life, therefore Gabi brought us to the lucky boar ~ Il Porcellino which obviously a replica, the real one is in Museo Bardini, do not under any circumstances tried to touch his snout, no luck gonna come to you. You can only touch the replica ones 😉

There is a secret passage near Uffizi connects Palazzo Vecchio to the Pitti Palace. All we need to do is look up haha #Not so secrets anymore.

Anna Maria Luisa de’ Medici was the last of the Medici family, she was a smart woman, every reason why Florence still have everything is thank to her. Before she passed away she signed a packed to keep the Medici’s belonging inside Florence, it can’t be sold elsewhere. 18th February is celebrated as her day, many museums are free of charge.

I decided to go to Piazza Michelangelo, tried to use bus initially, in the end taking the same mode of transportation for the past 5 days: on foot. The view does pretty up here, some says at sunset it will be very good, seeing view of Florence from the other side. This is the Economic slash budget version for someone who wants to enjoy sunset from a higher ground. I however, will be on the Cupola 😉

I bought the Brunelleschi Pass for the Duomo cost 30 Euro consist of Cathedral, Santa Reparata, Baptistery, Bell Tower, Cupola. I am dead at this point #Too many walking. Seeing the line to get inside the Cathedral, hmmm I have bought the complete pass yo, can’t be waiting with all this free people #Devil’s laugh who only wants to get inside the Duomo.

I went first to Santa Reparata, using the other entrance, you will get inside the Cathedral as it’s located in the basement, make sense since it’s an archeological site. Back to first meeting with Gabi, she does has some point though, idk if it’s due to the Duomo is still under construction or is it only this simple hmmmm. In the Santa Reparata there is a bench, great! I sat there for 40 minutes before I move on to Baptistery.

Once I got inside, it is almost all covered due to construction. I really need to come back hey! Door of Heaven, why? Fun version: it was named by Michelangelo, it has taken ages to finish the door, he said he might have been in heaven when the door is complete. Once it’s done, he still not yet in heaven 😉 The serious version: baptistery is a crucial site for Christian initiation. Baptism is viewed as a rite of passage into the Christian faith, symbolizing the entry into a new life and the Kingdom of Heaven. Real fact: None of the door is original for there was a flood in Florence, they moved it to the Museum of Duomo.

Rest from my pass is Giotto’s Campanile Bell Tower, Cupola (got the timeslot) and Museum. I calculated if I managed to climbed the bell Tower prior my time slot to go to the Cupola. I can’t, I cannot, I am unable to can. #Reality is different from planned. What’s fortunate is this ticket valid for 3 days, meaning I can still go tomorrow morning before my flight back to Dortmund. I choose the later, went to a coffee shop, sat again for another hour, preparing my legs for 463 steps to Cupola.

While waiting on the line, I leaned on the barricade, suddenly snapped “we haven’t even started and I already tired” if I can get refund I would #First thought

Climb started, it’s all spiral, at some point I could need some seconds, sat in between the hole, letting all other people to go through. After gathered up some muscles back, I continued my journey in between a couple from Amsterdam and USA in front of me and USA Family behind me which later becomes my motivation to still continue the journey. Gabi said “if in the end you can’t going on anymore, drop it guys, its not worthy, you want to have fun on your holiday, don’t torture yourself”. Nope Gabi, I’m gonna make my money’s worth! #Dedication…or economic logic.

Finally I reached the top, the father from the USA family behind me said “if you want some pictures let me know” oh don’t worry I will have every pictures on every angle, I’m gonna make my money’s worth #Mantra. Jon and Rianne alas the couple in front of me patiently took every pictures of me + holding my bag. Without a doubt we were the loudest there on top, I don’t care, I paid for it, repeating my mantra over and over again until it’s being heard.

Thanks God I have an Asian mentality in my blood, I didn’t follow my first thought otherwise I wouldn’t have met Jon and Rianne. Leute, we really into this, we’ve got it all, all views only and view with ourselves #Were very busy!

We were second to last groups that went up at 18:00, the guide shouted “continue to go down please, its over, time for next group”. Walked passed a room of handgun or something, its not even pretty yet I’m still gonna take picture of it as a proof, chanting my mantra. We were back to inside the cathedral, one higher level in comparison to when we went up to the Cupola, what I want to express is we could see the frescoes clearly and the bottom of the frescos are so ugly fulls of devils or so. I said this to Tracy at home she commented “yeah hell is a scary place”. Stimmt!

OK we got out from the church now, we do live by our mantra on that evening. As if all the thousands pictures on the Cupola weren’t enough, we must make a picture with the truck too hahaha

Rianne is dead tired, nevertheless I brought them to the front side where you can see 4 buildings in one: Baptistery, Cathedral, Cupola and Bell Tower. She gained some energy for last couple of pictures.

Only Jon lived by the Mantra ~ he followed a YouTuber with all money’s worth tip 😉 he solely will come up to Bell Tower the next day while Rianne wait downstairs. Usually the wife is the one who comes up whereas the husband wait, well, its time for a change now hahaha. They will start later while I need to be there once they opened.

Big shoutout to Jon & Rianne, I’m really grateful we met, my Duomo experience would be totally different had I not met you two! Climbed up solo, climbed down with friends 🙂 Since we are geographically neighbor, I really do hope to see you guys again in the near future!

On my last evening, I went to have dinner with Tracy, she said once you were on the top of the Cupola, you don’t need to go to Bell Tower, it will be with Grid plus its lower anyway. Oh girl, no way, I am not only FOMO but on a mission to make my money’s worth, I still coming up hahaha. I was very happy I didn’t go on the same day to both tower or else my leg might get amputated hahaha #For real.

Next day it is! On the way to Bell Tower there is also some benches to rest, I took advantage of it. I’m not in a hurry anyway, this and Museum then I crossed all my list.

Last pass! Everything you see from outside is the replica hahaha the real one is in the museum. It is a three floor museum with statues of the churches. The idea of Duomo, look at this the “possibility” of how the Cupola might looks like based on different architect.

There is also a movie where I watched two times in Italian and English so I sat longer hahaha

Then a Poem from Michelangelo, I think was good, well he’s a legend 🙂

Michelangelo Buonarroti, Rime.

Sonnet written in the years he was working on the Pieta.

  • The course of my life has brought me now through a stormy sea, in a frail ship, to the common port where, landing, we account for every deed, wretched or holy.
  • So that finally I see how wrong the found illusion was that made art my idol and my king, leading me to want what harmed me.
  • My amorous fancies, once foolish and happy: what sense have they, now that I approach two deaths-the first if which I know sure, the second threatening.
  • Let neither painting nor carving any longer calm my soul turned to that divine love who to embrace us opened his arms upon the cross.

Closing the day with some shopping, I need to get myself something yo, reward after all this one million steps hahaha. Tracy said about a gloves leather shop called Madova and a pendant charm store at Santo Spirito called Giuliano Ricchi.

The experience at Madova was amazing, she held my hand, in an instant knew exactly my size ~ it’s 6,5, like Tracy described. The price cost either 47 Euro for Silk or 53,50 Euro for Cashmere. I don’t ask if they have any other style, I choose the silk one.

The Giuliano Ricchi Jewelry is a normal house you need to ring the bell, I bought a necklace with one charm, it cost 25 Euro.

Yes I managed to get it all, in additon sip my last Hugo.

Once more, regardless of many Baustelle, Italy has my heart. I will come back for sure, until next time Firenze!

Tips: The Duomo is a must, I strongly suggest to buy all the Brunelleschi Pass like me, yes its cost 30 Euro. Need to mentioned, other than the time slot to Cupola, it’s valid for three days, you can do one each in Ruhe.