London to Mumbai by Road 2016 – Revisited
Day 4 – 31 August 2016
Stranded in Berlin
The morning began with a mixture of optimism and concern. After breakfast, we set out to find a garage that could diagnose the gearbox problem that had troubled us on our journey into Berlin.
What we hoped would be a simple repair soon turned into a frustrating search. We visited several garages, but many were either too busy or unwilling to take on the challenge of repairing a 22-year-old British motorhome. Eventually, after much searching, we found a workshop prepared to investigate the problem.
The diagnosis was not what we wanted to hear.
After examining the vehicle, the mechanics informed us that the gearbox had failed and would most likely need replacing. To make matters worse, they estimated that sourcing and fitting a replacement gearbox could take up to a week.
For a moment, our dream journey seemed to be in jeopardy.
With Russia, China, Myanmar, and thousands of kilometres still ahead of us, the thought of being stranded in Berlin for a week was disappointing. However, there was little point dwelling on the problem. We needed to find a solution.
Fortunately, friends back in the UK quickly came to our rescue. After several phone calls and internet searches, they located a suitable replacement gearbox advertised on eBay. There was one catch—it was located approximately 750 kilometres away from Berlin.
Meanwhile, the garage owners proved to be incredibly kind and helpful. They allowed us to keep the motorhome parked safely on their forecourt and even gave us access to a room with toilet and shower facilities. Their hospitality during what could have been a very stressful situation was greatly appreciated.
As the mechanics continued their search for a gearbox, we decided there was no point wasting time sitting around worrying. Our breakdown insurance entitled us to a hire car, so we arranged one and turned our unexpected delay into an opportunity to explore Berlin.
Berlin is one of Europe’s most fascinating cities, a place where history and modern life blend together. Once divided by the infamous Berlin Wall, the city has transformed into a vibrant capital filled with impressive architecture, historic landmarks, museums, parks, and bustling cafés. Although our sightseeing was brief, it was a welcome distraction from our mechanical troubles.
By evening, we returned to the garage forecourt where our faithful Kontiki sat patiently awaiting surgery. Despite the uncertainty, our spirits remained high.
Dinner that night was a simple but satisfying meal. Using supplies from our pantry, we prepared a tasty tinned fish curry accompanied by rice and freshly made chapatis. It was another reminder of the advantages of travelling in a motorhome—no matter where we found ourselves, we always had our own kitchen and dining room with us.
Later, we enjoyed a few drinks and discussed our options while keeping our fingers crossed for good news. The camaraderie within Team Kontiki remained strong, and there was a shared determination not to let this setback derail our adventure.
As darkness fell over Berlin, we settled down for the night beside the garage, hoping that somewhere in Germany a replacement gearbox was waiting to be found and that soon our beloved motorhome would once again be heading east towards Russia and the next chapter of our epic journey.
Distance travelled today: Minimal local driving around Berlin
Location: Berlin, Germany
Night halt: Garage forecourt, Berlin
Challenge of the day: Diagnosed with a failed gearbox and beginning the search for a replacement
Join us tomorrow as Team Kontiki waits anxiously for news of a replacement gearbox and discovers whether the London-to-Mumbai adventure can continue.
