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Published: September 8th 2009
I should like to spend the whole of my in life traveling abroad, if I could anywhere borrow another life to spend afterwards at home. - William Hazlitt
July 27, 2009, Monday, Amsterdam, The Netherlands to Schiffdorf Spaden, Germany, just outside of Bremerhaven.
Today is a “drive day” and we arrived at Schiffdorf Spaden mid-afternoon. Since we plan to ship our motor-home back to the US from Bremerhaven, this campground seemed convenient. It is about 12 kms to the dock.
July 28, 2009, TuesdaySchiffdirf Spaden Germany to the shipping office Bremerhaven, Germany.
Just to be organized for shipping the RV which is scheduled for Friday, we drove to the shipping company to check on paper work or so we thought…
The shocking news from our contact person was… every “personal” item must be removed from the motor-home before shipping; it must be as empty as it was when we purchased it!!
This has been our home away from home for the past FOUR years, 2 years in Europe. My mind went wild thinking…pots, pans, dishes, silverware, electronic devices, bikes, bike rack, on and on. We shipped it FROM the US with everything inside!? With the same shipping company??
The “blame” was put on United States Homeland Security. So, with three day remaining, we began
to scramble. We made calls to shipping companies, and found a shipping company that is familiar with US Customs and ships personal belongings for US Army families.
Our next stop was to an all-purpose store, where we purchased four extra large duffel bags. So for the evening we began packing… clothing, shoes, boots, rain gear, linens, etc. etc.
July 29, 2009, Schiffdorf Spaden, Germany to Shipping Company, Bremen, Germany.
We had some difficulty locating this company, but eventually we found it and spoke to the correct person. The deal was… if WE packed everything ourselves, it would be a lot cheaper. The company provided cartons, tape and the necessary lists for each carton. Thus we began to empty the vehicle of all personal belongings. A handy man came along to box the bikes, and bike rack. So for several hours we worked and packed, and recorded the contents of each box. The boxes, plastic containers, and duffels were placed on a wooden platform to be wrapped and shipped to the US.
When we were just about finished packing, the paper work began…affidavits, power of attorney, etc. etc.
On our trip back to the
campground, the Bothan was much lighter. We still had enough “stuff” to last the next two days.
July 30, 2009, Thursday, Schiffdorf Spaden, Germany into Bremehaven centrum and back.
Since our flight home is not until August 4, Tuesday, we need to get a hotel in Hamburg for three days. It is also necessary to obtain a train ticket from Bremerhaven to Hamburg for tomorrow, Friday, after we drop off the RV.
We walked to the bus stop and waited for the proper bus to take us into Bremerhaven Centrum. We stopped at the Visitor’s Info but they only deal with this region not Hamburg. Eventually we found a travel agent and she helped us find a nice hotel near the train station in Hamburg.
July 30, 2009, Thursday, Schiffdorf Spaden, Germany into Bremehaven Centrum and back.
Since our flight home is not until August 4, Tuesday, we need to get a hotel in Hamburg for three days. It is also necessary to obtain a train ticket from Bremerhaven to Hamburg for tomorrow, Friday, after we drop off the RV.
We walked to the bus stop and waited for
the proper bus to take us into Bremerhaven Centrum. We stopped at the Visitor’s Info but they only deal with the local region not Hamburg. Eventually we found a travel agent and she helped us find a nice hotel near the train station in Hamburg.
It was necessary to take a bus to the train station, so we found our way and obtained the tickets for tomorrow’s journey.
Back to the campground and onto the “nitty-gritty” clean-up. Time to defrost the freezer and clean out the food in the “frig”. The propane is slowly being “bled-out” and we are cleaning things and dumping things, and trying to organize belongings for the next four days in Hamburg. Life on the Road is not all Fun.
July 31. 2009, Friday, Schiffdorf Spaden, Germany to Bremerhaven Docks, to Bremerhaven Train Station to Bremen onto Hamburg, Germany, to the Maritime Hotel, Hamburg.
Today we drop off the Bothan at the dock and we are a bit nervous about the process.
Our morning began with a final dumping of all holding tanks, and a check-out of the campground. At least we knew the way to the
shipping company and we met our contact person. She came out to inspect the vehicle recording any dents, or scratches, and making sure it is indeed empty! Then the sequence continues, and an assistant takes us up to the Reception Office, more paper work and we drive the RV to the dock and wait for another person to check the vehicle and we give him the key. The Germans are efficient and organized! Yes… we wait again for yet another person to take us back to reception and then wait for a taxi to the train station. Ambivalent may describe our feeling at this point, we are relieved, sad/happy, anxious, tired, and a bit angry. It has been quite a week, and today was but one final exam, and yes we did pass!
The train ride is extremely crowded and we are burdened with two pieces of luggage each. We changed trains in Bremen and continued on our way to Hamburg. The hotel is within walking distance of the train station and is more than adequate. We opted for a light dinner at the hotel, as we both are weary. It has been a long day.
August 1, 2009, Saturday, Hamburg, Germany
The breakfast at the hotel is incredibly grand, the Brunch at the Grand Concourse looks weak compared to this. The choices are almost endless. The Europeans seem to enjoy meats and cheeses at breakfast. The fresh fruit and the delicious yogurt is my choice, along with some fresh bread or muffin. Bob likes his bacon and eggs. There is something for everyone… even fish.
It is a new day and we are in a new city… ready to explore. The Tourist Info offers a GPS Walking Tour of Hamburg. So it is ready when you are. Just put the headset on and it tells you where to go and gives an explanation about the sites as well as the history, really cool!
Hamburg is a large city, and the day is hot as we walk and walk. Hamburg is the largest seaport in Germany.
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Art McEwen
non-member comment
European lessons?
Hi guys, We're in the planning stages of a similar journey (also in a 2007 View H). Any advice? Especially the practicalities of insurance, transformers, laundry etc.. We'll probably ship from Halifax to the UK and travel in 2-3 month chunks (with storage in between). Thanks!