Oktoberfest
My 16-day journey through Germany was a whirlwind of spontaneity, laughter, and unexpected adventures that perfectly captured the country’s charm. From the lively streets of Hamburg and its serendipitous encounters to the windswept shores of northern Germany, every stop brought new stories. Munich delivered Bavarian magic, from Oktoberfest’s to sunlit views atop Zugspitze, while the Black Forest offered misty trails and waterfalls. Köln and Düsseldorf blended history with hilarity—charging stops, rainstorms, and all—while Frankfurt provided quirky city moments and cozy nights in. The final stretch in Hannover was a blend of calm mornings, laughter-filled evenings, and deepening friendships, ending with bittersweet goodbyes and quiet reflection. What began as a loosely planned trip evolved into a collection of unforgettable memories, proving that the best parts of travel are often the ones you never expect.
Frankfurt - Day 11
Frankfurt was full of quirky moments and a little chaos. We started with a coffee stop while Pearl charged, where a friendly stranger hilariously fed me a bite of his cake airplane-style. At the zoo, Germany’s lack of air conditioning hit hard—the tropical exhibits were hotter than a sauna. The afternoon was a relaxing DIY snack and face mask session, followed by a German-language drive-in showing of The Conjuring. Drinks and popcorn were great, but the nachos? A total disaster.
Düsseldorf - Day 10
This day was a mix of spontaneity, mishaps, and unexpected charm. I started by revisiting Cologne’s Melatenfriedhof cemetery, finally finding the Grim Reaper statue I’d missed before—and discovering a quirky candle vending machine that Caitlin loved. On the road to Düsseldorf, our ever-demanding electric car, Pearl, needed yet another charge, leading to a spontaneous detour to the peaceful Botanischer Garten Düsseldorf. Later, we explored the quirky Tiger & Turtle Magic Mountain after accidentally following some locals through the woods (don’t worry, it ended well!) and stumbled upon the scenic ruins of Kaiserpfalz Kaiserswerth during another charging stop. We ended the day in luxury at a Hilton near Frankfurt, enjoying a fancy dinner, a round of Barbie Uno, and a bottle of “Pee Wine”—the perfect mix of chaos and comfort.
In Transit - Day 4
What was supposed to be a smooth travel day from Hamburg to Munich turned into a comedy of travel mishaps and unexpected adventures. From a canceled train mid-journey and swollen feet to the chaos of trying to charge an electric rental car in Germany, it felt like everything that could go wrong did. But the day ended on a high note—arriving in Munich just in time for a cozy Bavarian dinner at Marienplatz and a moonlit stroll past the glowing Rathaus, where “Tour Guide Caitlin” made her debut and laughter replaced the day’s frustrations.