Arrival in Frankfurt

Germany: Main River Tour – Stage 00 – Frankfurt Airport to CBD 27 Km (Sat 27th May 2017)

Weather: 14⁰C min – 28⁰C max, sunny

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“I like to read and write and take pictures and bike” ~ Alex D. Linz

Never having travelled on Qatar Airways before I didn’t know what to expect, but after my flight today from Sydney to Frankfurt I must say I am very impressed. The staff were pleasant and efficient, the food edible, the entertainment system was great, and there was even complimentary wi-fi (even if it was only for 15 minutes). I also liked the traveller tips that kept popping up on the screen, such as:
“Stay hydrated. Drink more water than usual to avoid dehydration.”
“Keep stretching. Stand up regularly and stretch your legs.”
“For your safety please stay seated while praying on board.”

Border Security gave me a bit of a grilling because I could not show them a hardcopy of any tickets proving that I didn’t intend staying in Germany. Eventually they accepted my word that I have booked a ferry from Rostock to Gedser (Denmark) on 18th June 2017. By the time I got to baggage collection the cardboard box containing my bike was already waiting for me in Oversize Luggage, and I was relieved to see that it was undamaged.

What better way to blow away the cobwebs after a 24 hour flight than to jump on to my bike and ride 27 Km to where I am staying in the city. The first 10 Km after leaving the airport was on a compacted gravel path that wound through sun-dappled forests and lush green fields, and then for the rest of the way I followed a smooth, paved, cycleway that ran alongside the Main (pronounced “mine”) River. The river was much muddier than what I was expecting, but this did not deter the thousands of people lying on the grassy banks, making the most of the beautiful late spring weather.

As I neared the city the crowd got thicker and noisier, cheering on the boat crews racing on the river. There were food stalls everywhere and of course lots of beer flowing in the make-shift beer halls that had been erected for the occasion. I couldn’t resist a Bratwurst sausage, the first of many I will no doubt enjoy over the next few weeks.

The family whose AirBNB I am staying at is away for the weekend, but I let myself in with the code they had sent me. Tomorrow is going to be another lovely warm day so I am headed off into town to see the sights of Frankfurt. But right now I am going to hit the sack because the jet-lag is starting to kick in.

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5 Responses

  1. Nerina says:

    Glad you got there safely.

  2. Nancy Ellwood says:

    Glad to know you have arrived safely and have started cycling. My prayers are with you for trouble free and safe cycling over the next few weeks.

    Love,

    Nancy

  3. Melveta Ellwoood says:

    Well Kev glad you arrived safely. It is a long flight but at least you got a little “shut”eye.
    I now know that you are addicted to riding and bike. Lovely photos yet again.
    Enjoy the rest of the trip and be careful riding the world is not as good as it looks!!

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