London to Mumbai by Road 2016 – Revisited
Day 8 – 4 September 2016
Waiting for Monday
Our unexpected stay in Berlin continued, and with the garage still closed for the weekend, there was once again no reason to rush. After several days of worrying about gearboxes, clutches, radiators, and repair bills, we had learned to slow down and enjoy the situation for what it was—an unscheduled mini-break in one of Europe’s most fascinating cities.
The day began with a proper full English breakfast. Soon the motorhome kitchen was alive with the aroma of sizzling bacon, sausages, eggs, and baked beans. Accompanied by mugs of hot tea, it was the perfect way to start another relaxed morning. For a brief moment, it almost felt as though we were back home in England rather than stranded hundreds of miles away in Germany.
After breakfast, we set off on foot to explore more of Berlin’s city centre. The city was bustling with life, tourists and locals mingling amongst impressive historic buildings, wide boulevards, cafés, and parks. Berlin has reinvented itself many times throughout its history, from the capital of Prussia to the divided city of the Cold War and now a vibrant modern European capital. Everywhere we looked there seemed to be another reminder of its remarkable past.
By afternoon, our sightseeing was interrupted by a familiar feeling—hunger. We stopped to enjoy some traditional German frankfurters, which seemed only fitting while visiting Germany. To accompany them, we sampled some cold German beer, widely regarded as among the finest in the world. Sitting outdoors and watching the world go by, it was easy to forget that our motorhome was still sitting in a garage awaiting repairs.
As the day drew to a close, we returned to Kontiki and settled back into our now familiar routine. Despite being stranded, life inside the motorhome remained surprisingly comfortable. It was moments like these that reminded us why motorhome travel is so special. No matter where you are, your home travels with you.
Dinner that evening was a simple but satisfying egg curry served with rice. After several days of chapatis, we decided to give ourselves a break and enjoy the curry on its own. The meal was accompanied by a couple of well-earned chilled beers each, and before long the conversation turned once again to the journey ahead.
Tomorrow was Monday.
The garage would reopen, the mechanics would resume their investigations, and hopefully we would finally receive some positive news. We had now spent nearly a week in Berlin, far longer than originally planned, but our spirits remained remarkably high.
The road to Mumbai was still waiting.
As we climbed into bed that night, there was a shared feeling of cautious optimism. Perhaps tomorrow would finally be the day that Team Kontiki could leave Berlin behind and continue east towards Russia, China, Myanmar, and ultimately India.
Only time would tell.
Location: Berlin, Germany
Night halt: Garage forecourt, Berlin
Meals of the day: Full English breakfast, German frankfurters, egg curry and rice
Drinks: German beer and evening beers with dinner
Mood of the day: Relaxed, patient, and hopeful for good news tomorrow
Join us tomorrow as the garage reopens and Team Kontiki finally learns whether the mystery fault that has halted our epic London-to-Mumbai adventure can be solved.
