Geo: 49.8409, 24.0336Summary: Up and packed. Richard the salami was hiding in the fridge but there is no escape. Today is the day!Time check: 0728hr:s at breakfast. Nearly 10 years ago we were sitting in another hotel in town ready to take an early train to Krakow. Just as the taxi arrived to take us to the station, I check the train tickets and our train had left 5 minutes ago!. Panic set in. The taxi driver (who I think had not paid his water rates) speed off at high speed in his Lada to join the train at the Ukrainian border. Chickens flying we sped off at Lada neck speed to the sounds of Boney M (Ra Ra Rasputi and Ma Baker) on his 8 track......eventually we saw the train at the border and we ... read more

Geo: 48.45, 22.7167Status: We wake early in our 1950's Soviet bedroom. Our hosts could not be more hospitable. They are from Russia and have lived here since 1970. It is effectively a semi-self-sufficient small holding but has all the creature comforts as well as pigs and chickens. (Sounds like home!).We are treated to another hearty breakfast of omelette with pork crackling and some sort of goulash style egg fry up and gherkins. They seemed surprised I did not want any Vodka!Mission: To venture further into "BORAT" territory and see various local food production including cheese making.Viktor alert: Our room was separated from his by an unlocked door and curtain which I had reinforced with my suitcase. As soon as I saw him he looked tense and we had a convoluted discussion about the use of the ... read more

Geo: 48.62, 22.3Status Update 20:20hrs. We are sitting in our Ukrainian Sleeper compartment trying to work out how the bedding works...there are several possible combinations of racks, chrome flaps and slots. I think I am "on top" again. It could be a long night. The train bogies are replaced with Russian wide gauge at the Ukrainian border. This involves hydraulic jacks that lift up the whole train. Come back Easyjet all is forgiven. We could have had several days in Barbados by now...instead of that we are "yomping" our way through Eastern Europe being told off by Stasi train guards for rucking up the carpet along the corridor in their 1936 - flea bag rolling stock, reminiscent of the inside of an Eastbourne bedsit just after the war.The lights of downtown Krakow slip by as the ... read more

Geo: 50.0553, 19.9274Mission:Berlin Hbf to Warsaw Centralina: Train 43 Dep: 09:37 Arr: 14:59Warsaw Centralina to Krakow Glowny: Train 61 Dep: 15:56 Arr: 18:49Andel's HotelPawia 331-154KarkowPolandTel 0048 1266002551 night Standard Double Bed & BreakfastStatus: Up and ready for action at 0600hrs. The trousers with the Orangina stains seem to have recovered well but only proper daylight will reveal any suspicious watermarks.Berlin Summary: A city of 2 halves. (East and West) Sightseeing is good but hard work and spread out. Still very war torn feel. Public transport excellent but best explored on foot. You have to work hard and bad weather can easily become an issue. Big history points. Ready to move on.News Flash: Fortified and cleansed by a large glass of "Mummy" Juice (and also "Mummy Safe") we are now ready for the off....staff car bo... read more

Geo: 52.5145, 13.3982Progress: Predictably, the train arrived into Berlin Hbhf dead on time. Wow what a Station! Modern mega sophisticated and vast. Lines crossing above and below us. Who won??Admission of error: We decided to get the bus to the Hotel JFK Arcotel. Seasoned travellers do NOT do cabs unless really necessary. WRONG DECISION.... The bus drove through various Strassers at high speed and made map reading impossible. We decanted at what looked a small square just after the 1000 bomber raid in 1945. Ah we must be in the Eastern Sector me thinks! It then starts to rain and so we trundle off in search of our Hotel. Taking advice from a friendly porter in the "bunker sector" we arrive at a well polished and sophisticated Hotel slightly damp but pleased with our feeble navigation ... read more