The flight over was good, bar the frisk at Aust customs. There were not many people on the plane, I had a vacant seat next to me on both legs of the flight. Getting the bike from customs proved more of an exercise of finding it and someone to speak to about clearance rather than the expected red tape and paperwork.
Mid way through the flight from Dubai to Hamburg an elderly German woman sat near me so she could see out the window. After a conversation using many hand signals and poor attempts at German from my side and marginally better attempts of English from her side, it was established I was from Aust travelling on a motorcycle around Europe and they were from Hamburg and had just come from Aust after visiting their daughter. I explained what I was doing and picking the motor bike up from the port etc. and they (Amrei and husband Klaus) offered to show me the right train station to get off at to find an ADAC (equivalent to RACQ) to buy compulsory third party insurance. Which for those interested has gone from 22 to 105 euros for 1 month. Upon departing the plane they then offered for me to stay with them in their home and drop me off at the train station the next day. After exiting the Airport we were greeted by a surprise visit from some of their relies who took us all back to the their place where we had coffee, wine and almond slice. After much discussion of this mysterious “zoll” which I soon found to be German customs, the offer evolved into the whole package from the insurance to picking the bike up and customs clearance!
Once again same as last trip in 02, no stamps in the passport to say I left Aus or entered Germany or Europe. I wonder what problems this will bring this time.
The day I was meant to pick the bike up was “fathers day holiday” so no bike for me. Fathers day I might add, is a day in which it seems all German men over the age of about 15 must get drunk and make an arse of themselves in the street! totally acceptable on this day apparently. Instead I had a look around Hamburg with a retired couple. Yep quite the party animal. Saw all the things you would expect to be shown including, churches, historic buildings etc but also (quite proudly and excitedly) was taken to the red light district of Germany. Apparently it rivals Amsterdam’s. Had a stroll down a “men allowed only” street. An eye opener to say the least. Lunch was traditional salt cured fish on a bread roll.
Found the shipping companies agent who gave directions for the port warehouse where the bike was. After a few false leads we found an old dingy warehouse that could have been the inspiration of Wolfenstein. Unpacked the bike to find a small amount of damage but started ok. Ditched the crate and wrapping at the warehouse, (they probably threw it in the river after I left)
After confusing the hell out of customs officers I was out of the port without paying taxes, duties or any kind of fee originally quoted. Still not quite sure what happened there. Maybe legal maybe not. But I saved about $1000 so not complaining.
Off up to the north coast of Germany and dropped into a surf festival (the wind surfing type). Temperature below 10deg and raining. Didn’t dampen the spirits of the Germans though. Had a look around the north coast and the villages before heading to a family friends place (Thomas). Helped out on the farm for a few days and checked out the local sights of Steinheim and surrounds including a castle that belonged to Thomas’s sister. Castle was complete with moat, bell tower bell included, secret passages. The typical things you would expect from a castle built over 400 years ago. They found some swords in the moat years ago, and a skeleton in a wall.
random tulips
