London to Mumbai by Road 2016 – Revisited
Day 2 – 29 August 2016
Across Europe Towards Berlin
Our first morning on the road began peacefully at Camping de la Licorne in Dunkirk. After a refreshing early morning walk around the campsite, we enjoyed the cool fresh air and reflected on the fact that our long-awaited adventure had finally begun.
After freshening up, we prepared a hearty breakfast in the motorhome before setting off for another long day on the road. Today’s destination was Berlin, approximately 858 kilometres away. Having travelled extensively through Europe on previous holidays, we had deliberately decided not to spend time sightseeing en route. Our priority was to make good progress towards Eastern Europe and the more unfamiliar territories that lay ahead.
Soon after leaving the campsite, we joined the motorway network and settled into a comfortable rhythm. The roads were smooth, traffic was light, and our trusty 22-year-old Kontiki motorhome performed admirably. There was a special sense of freedom knowing that every kilometre travelled was taking us one step closer to Mumbai.
After covering around 160 miles, we pulled into a roadside parking area for a short break. Rather than relying on expensive motorway services, we enjoyed one of the many advantages of travelling in a motorhome. Out came the homemade parathas and pickle, which tasted far better than any fast food available along the route. Sitting comfortably in our mobile home while watching traffic pass by, we couldn’t help but smile at the journey ahead.
The day was largely spent driving through the changing landscapes of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany. Endless stretches of motorway, neatly maintained countryside, wind turbines, and picturesque villages flashed past our windows as we steadily headed eastward.
By early evening, after many hours behind the wheel, we stopped at a fuel station to refuel both the motorhome and ourselves. The station had a large parking area, and after considering our options, we decided it would make a convenient and safe place to spend the night.
As darkness began to fall, the familiar routine of motorhome life took over. While Dayal and I relaxed after the day’s drive, Ramesh got busy in the compact kitchen and prepared a delicious dinner of potato curry, fresh chapatis, rice, and dal. After a long day on the road, it tasted absolutely wonderful.
With dinner finished, we enjoyed a small celebratory drink and shared stories, laughter, and expectations for the days ahead. There was a growing excitement amongst us. Europe was passing by quickly, and soon we would be entering countries and regions none of us had ever visited before.
As we settled into our beds that night, parked beside a German filling station, we reflected on another successful day. The motorhome had performed flawlessly, the weather had been kind, and the adventure was gathering momentum.
Tomorrow, we would continue our journey towards Berlin and ever closer to the vast lands of Eastern Europe and Russia.
Distance travelled today: Approximately 858 km
Countries travelled through: France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany
Night halt: Motorhome parking at a fuel station in Germany
Join us tomorrow as Team Kontiki continues its epic journey across Europe on the road from London to Mumbai.
