After Japan we back tracked through a bunch of the cities we’d been to last year, plus a few new ones. First stop was an underwhelming night in Hong Kong redeemed only by the hockey, champagne and mojito filled wait at The Bridge Cathay Pacific lounge. Then, onto 3 lovely days staying with friends, Garett & Tanya and their spoodle Dexter in Singapore where we relaxed and enjoyed the warm sunshine – and avoided the $20++ pints of beer.

Further east and back to a somewhat colder Istanbul where a delayed flight meant we had only 2 days of cat visiting time. Rainy weather kept us inside boutiques & cafes (one playing loud techno with a cat asleep in the corner) and provided an excuse to chill at our most excellent hotel, the Tomtom Suites, drinking çay and playing chess. We took a rare sunny opportunity to walk over to the Grand Bazaar for some good old fashioned hassling and sightseeing before being graciously sent off to Berlin by our hosts with a gift box of Turkish Delight. Arguably the best room/breakfast/service of all time.

 

Berlin was a blast, a varied 3 day stay of visiting historical sights, partying & general wandering. The damp weather and grey skies enhanced the coldness of the remaining parts of the wall and various symbols of the war that lay around the city. Vegan currywurst, Australian made flat whites and bargain local beers, we were well satisfied.

A discussion was had about the likelihood of a visit to Berghain. Will there be deep house? No. Drum & bass? Definitely not. The desire was neutral however a 7am beer changed my perspective somewhat and after a couple of trains and a diabolically cold walk we stood in front of the converted power station hoping for a chance to dance. The place is notoriously hard to get into and that was proven by the couple in front of us being denied and they spoke German! Jaymin engaged the bouncer and we were thankfully directed over to the quickly moving “line” of 2 people before entering the belly of the beast. Our eyes adjusted to the dark, very dark interior to see outfits & activities traditionally reserved for the bedroom, overflowing toilets, graffitied walls, a guy drinking a pot of tea and can that be right? €3 beers. It was all amazing. 4hrs later and we had spent most of the day downstairs in the main room enjoying the best sunday techno session in a good while before exiting the club happily exhausted just before sundown. Success!

Next stop London where we got to spend quality time with friends and the beautifully natured, ever so softly furred Olga, recently adopted by our ever accommodating hosts, Nick & Bi.

Visits to Tate Modern, Borough Market, Museum of Natural History & a high tea set in the whimsically decorated drawing rooms of the Ampersand Hotel allowing for a scones and cream fix left us with a suitably British experience, ready to take on the last leg of our journey in North America.

T & J