A Quick Road Trip Across Half of Germany: Catching Up with Friends and Stocking Up on Supplies

Back in Germany

After some wonderful weeks in Thailand, we briefly return to Germany in early September. Leaving Thailand isn’t easy, as we’ve thoroughly enjoyed the combination of living, traveling, and working there.

We arrive in Frankfurt feeling well-rested. Pick up the rental car and off we go northwest. Our first stop is Coesfeld, near Münster. To welcome us back, it’s schnitzel and beer. Doesn’t get much more German than that! But we don’t last long. By 5 p.m., we’re fast asleep, only to wake up at 3:30 a.m. Welcome back, jet lag!

A Road Trip Across Half of Germany

Over the next four weeks, we crisscross half of Germany. From Frankfurt through the Münsterland region to East Frisia, then on through Lüneburg, Bremen, and Hamburg to Düsseldorf and Kassel, before finally heading back to Frankfurt via Usingen.

A proper road trip, but not so much for the sights as for the people. We’re catching up with friends, family, and fellow travelers. Some we haven’t seen in years, others we met just a few months ago somewhere in Africa.

In East Frisia, Lüneburg, Hamburg, and Bremen, we’re welcomed with open arms. The moment we sit down together, everything feels familiar again. We really enjoy all these reunions. Coffee and cake, walks, dinners together, and plenty of conversation. Even the weather cooperates. Germany is showing us its pleasant side.

Düsseldorf and Its Culinary Delights

By mid-September, we reach Düsseldorf. Our apartment is just around the corner from Carlsplatz, and we immediately feel at home.

Naturally, our first evening takes us to the „Alchemist“, our culinary home away from home in Düsseldorf. Over the following days, we establish a little breakfast routine at „Engels Kaffee“, a lovely café just around the corner.

We still absolutely love Düsseldorf. And, of course, our stay turns into a culinary journey: schnitzel and beer, Chinese restaurants, Korean food, Greek cuisine, and finally another really good döner kebab.

Stocking Up on Supplies and Getting Organized

Of course, we’re not in Germany purely for pleasure. When you’re permanently traveling in an expedition truck, visits like these are also an opportunity to stock up on supplies and take care of all those organizational tasks.

Shortly after arriving, we launch a major online shopping spree. The list is long. Most importantly, Wischnewski needs new shock absorbers. He’s been wobbling along Africa’s gravel roads like a lovesick camel. That simply won’t do!

Later, in Korschenbroich, an impressive mountain of cardboard boxes awaits us. Everything needs to be checked, sorted, and packed for the next leg of our journey.

Then there are documents, credit cards, driver’s licenses, mail, and medical appointments. It’s amazing how much administrative work piles up when you’ve been away for a long time.

The Final Days and Back to Africa

Our last major stop takes us to Kassel and Kaufungen, where we once again spend time visiting family and friends.

Afterward, we head toward Frankfurt, stopping in Usingen to spend a lovely afternoon with Beate and Ulli. A walk, some beers, and good conversations. Just the way we like it.

And then, on September 30, it’s time to leave. Four weeks in Germany and two months in Thailand are now behind us.

We’ve caught up with so many friends, relatives, and acquaintances, enjoyed wonderful food, and had a thoroughly pleasant time. Everywhere we went, we received such a warm welcome. It was exactly what we’d hoped for.

This break was absolutely worth it. Fantastic! A big thank-you to all of you!

Now we’re heading back to Senegal, where our Wischnewski is waiting for us. We’re curious to see what condition our truck will be in after sitting idle for so long.

But that’s a story for next time…

Best wishes from
Heike & Carsten