A YetiHoliday® - A surprise visit to TheOne®

Sam Kapasi · 23rd July 2008, 13:56

We then drive to the Freibad. Frei in German means free or open. A Freibad is an open-air swimming pool. It is generally a huge complex, with 2 or 3 large swimming pools, lockers, changing rooms and lots and lots of green open lawns and hills where one can soak in the sun and generally have a good time.
The Freibad area stretches over a kilometre or so and has kiddie pools, a few slides and infant pools apart from the huge olympic size pools and areas where one can have a little family picnic or a little romantic getaway with his/her partner.

One can also come here alone, with his work or laptop, chill out in the sun, take a couple of dips and go back to reading or working. You are allowed to bring your own food and beer - only no fire/barbeques allowed. Of course littering is out of the question, nobody does it anyway.

The Freibad is maintained by the town, it is a public facility and is not really a profit making business, just someplace where the town people can relax. One pays about 3 euros per head and can spend the whole day here.
The water is maintained at 23 degrees and the facilities are open only in the summer.

It is not crowded today there are very few people, this is not a good day to swim and the sun is playing hide-and-seek. Jenny describes the place on a hot summer day, smelling of grass and water and sunscreen and little kids playing and it sounds lovely.

I just take a few pictures before we get completely wet.

It's been great fun, just relaxing and not doing much. Later we must drive to another town close by where we are invited to a barbeque party at a colleague's home.

navin · 23rd July 2008, 13:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

Attachment 31760
Attachment 31761

There's the Starbucks behind the Church that I told Jenny we could meet at.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

Then we find the hotel where Navin was supposedly "staying"

Well the last time I was here this is where we stayed so it made sense to use the same Hotel this time.

Sam Kapasi · 23rd July 2008, 13:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASHISHPALLOD

the photo should be taken by P.

Yes the photos were taken by P.

Quote:

Originally Posted by phamilyman

PS: Didn't your tickets get checked. tat could've been troublesome

I had an online printout, I had booked the train from the DBahn website. The lady did check it between Frankfurt and Mannheim and she stamped my printout.

navin · 23rd July 2008, 13:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

Attachment 31768.

Is it me or does it look like Sam's trunks are about to fall off? :-)

scarlet.fever · 23rd July 2008, 14:06

I believe you are right Navin jee.
I can also see Sam's "nikker" falling off.

navin · 23rd July 2008, 14:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

I had an online printout, I had booked the train from the DBahn website. The lady did check it between Frankfurt and Mannheim and she stamped my printout.

It's ok Sam.

1. DB looks kindly towards foriegners and they will look the other way and even help you if you make a sincere mistake.

2. If you buy a DB ticket from say Koln to Hamburg you could go from Koln to Hannover stop enjoy a coffee in Hannover and continue on a later train to Hamburg. In some cases you could even take a scenic route as long as you are going in the same general direction.

I have always had excellent experiences with the DB and the public at large in Germany. Most really really try to help unlike in France where if you dont speak French you get snorted at.

simply_sunny001 · 23rd July 2008, 14:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by navin

Is it me or does it look like Sam's trunks are about to fall off? :-)

Ya its sort of that way.

But it happens lot of time while swimming if you still use your old trunks.

Ok,lets not go OT

SAM baba continue please.

normally_crazy · 23rd July 2008, 14:14

I can see a NordSee outlet too. Brings back yummy memories.

SIgh - the cleanliness there is killing

Sam Kapasi · 23rd July 2008, 15:52

S and his girlfriend live in a little town 25 kms away from Heilbronn. All of us are invited to his home for a Barbeque.

Jenny and I are late, mostly because we reached home late and then rushed to get dressed, then I forgot to shave. The usual antics lol.

We reach his town in 20 minutes. All set for some great steak and sausages, good beer from the north of Germany. Not to forget the great company.

Unfortunately it is raining now so the party has had to be shifted indoors from his terrace.

It is indeed a wonderful time, smiling and laughing and joking. Then the rain stops. S tells me that you can see a beautiful castle from his terrace and I go outside to see.

I am not only greeted by the castle but by a beautiful rainbow with it.
This is the stuff that beautiful memories are made of. An unforgettable moment. Unfortunately I am not carrying my 300mm Zoom lens and this is all I can manage.

The sun is out, full blast and we're all out enjoying it.

We then sit and chat and drink and chat and drink champagne and schnapps till night falls.

It has been a beautiful day.

End of day two.

vinayvtec · 23rd July 2008, 16:12

WOW another one post by SAM... I will read from the beginning this weekend... great snaps I think it’s a magic of DSLR...

ASHISHPALLOD · 23rd July 2008, 16:14

Wonderful pics of castle.
Do you have close up photo of that castle with rainbow ?

Sam Kapasi · 23rd July 2008, 16:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASHISHPALLOD

Wonderful pics of castle.
Do you have close up photo of that castle with rainbow ?

No I am so sorry, as I said earlier

Quote:

Unfortunately I am not carrying my 300mm Zoom lens and this is all I can manage.

navin · 23rd July 2008, 16:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

Jenny and I are late

Mama mia! in the Fatherland too!

Sam Kapasi · 23rd July 2008, 16:40

On my flight to Frankfurt I remembered that this Sunday was the Hockenheim F1. Imagine being in Germany during Hockenheim. Such a shame it was so far away...

I mentioned this over a drink to everyone else, as Jenny was sitting by my side.
The topic had shifted to Formula Eins.

Sam: Tomorrow is the race isn't it? Such a shame I cannot see it. I hear Hockenheim is far away.

Jenny: No hahaha, we are going past Hockenheim tomorrow, on our way to Bad Nauheim.

I blink.
What do you mean?
I mean that we are going past Hockenheim tomorrow on our way to my home.
Ah well, I suppose the race track is far away.
No we are going past the Hockenheimring.

I am stunned and shocked. My stomach is sinking.

But but, didn't you say that it was far away!!
That was the Nürburgring. This is Hockenheim.

Oh. Can we get tickets... uhhh..

I have such little time to spend with her. Do I want to spend it cheering at the race? On the other hand, what are my chances of going past Hockenheim on race day?

Tomorrow I am going to Bad Nauheim to meet her family. Her Mum and Dad. There is no place for Ferrari in this equation.

Besides, I am sure all the tickets are way sold out already.

Nevermind. Another year. This year I will wave out to the Hockenheimring and pay my respects.

Technocrat · 23rd July 2008, 16:56

Another great blog Sam

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam

We then drive to the Freibad. Frei in German means free or open.

Wow there is Freedabad in Germany too

23rd July 2008, 13:56	#46
Sam Kapasi Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mumbai (but wat Posts: 6,997 Thanked: 2,378 Times View My Garage	YetiBLog® - The Freibad We then drive to the Freibad. Frei in German means free or open. A Freibad is an open-air swimming pool. It is generally a huge complex, with 2 or 3 large swimming pools, lockers, changing rooms and lots and lots of green open lawns and hills where one can soak in the sun and generally have a good time. The Freibad area stretches over a kilometre or so and has kiddie pools, a few slides and infant pools apart from the huge olympic size pools and areas where one can have a little family picnic or a little romantic getaway with his/her partner. One can also come here alone, with his work or laptop, chill out in the sun, take a couple of dips and go back to reading or working. You are allowed to bring your own food and beer - only no fire/barbeques allowed. Of course littering is out of the question, nobody does it anyway. The Freibad is maintained by the town, it is a public facility and is not really a profit making business, just someplace where the town people can relax. One pays about 3 euros per head and can spend the whole day here. The water is maintained at 23 degrees and the facilities are open only in the summer. It is not crowded today there are very few people, this is not a good day to swim and the sun is playing hide-and-seek. Jenny describes the place on a hot summer day, smelling of grass and water and sunscreen and little kids playing and it sounds lovely. I just take a few pictures before we get completely wet. It's been great fun, just relaxing and not doing much. Later we must drive to another town close by where we are invited to a barbeque party at a colleague's home.
	() Thanks

23rd July 2008, 14:06	#50
scarlet.fever BANNED Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New Delhi/Gurgaon Posts: 235 Thanked: 30 Times	I believe you are right Navin jee. I can also see Sam's "nikker" falling off.
	() Thanks

23rd July 2008, 14:14	#53
normally_crazy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 4,369 Thanked: 528 Times View My Garage	I can see a NordSee outlet too. Brings back yummy memories. SIgh - the cleanliness there is killing
	() Thanks

23rd July 2008, 15:52	#54
Sam Kapasi Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mumbai (but wat Posts: 6,997 Thanked: 2,378 Times View My Garage	YetiBLog® - The Barbeque at S' house. S and his girlfriend live in a little town 25 kms away from Heilbronn. All of us are invited to his home for a Barbeque. Jenny and I are late, mostly because we reached home late and then rushed to get dressed, then I forgot to shave. The usual antics lol. We reach his town in 20 minutes. All set for some great steak and sausages, good beer from the north of Germany. Not to forget the great company. Unfortunately it is raining now so the party has had to be shifted indoors from his terrace. It is indeed a wonderful time, smiling and laughing and joking. Then the rain stops. S tells me that you can see a beautiful castle from his terrace and I go outside to see. I am not only greeted by the castle but by a beautiful rainbow with it. This is the stuff that beautiful memories are made of. An unforgettable moment. Unfortunately I am not carrying my 300mm Zoom lens and this is all I can manage. The sun is out, full blast and we're all out enjoying it. We then sit and chat and drink and chat and drink champagne and schnapps till night falls. It has been a beautiful day. End of day two. Last edited by Sam Kapasi : 23rd July 2008 at 16:09.
	(1) Thanks

23rd July 2008, 16:12	#55
vinayvtec BHPian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 390 Thanked: 10 Times View My Garage	WOW another one post by SAM... I will read from the beginning this weekend... great snaps I think it’s a magic of DSLR...
	() Thanks

23rd July 2008, 16:14	#56
ASHISHPALLOD Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: MH42 Posts: 2,006 Thanked: 334 Times	Wonderful pics of castle. Do you have close up photo of that castle with rainbow ?
	() Thanks

23rd July 2008, 16:40	#59
Sam Kapasi Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mumbai (but wat Posts: 6,997 Thanked: 2,378 Times View My Garage	An unfortunate realisation - I'm going to miss Hockenheim On my flight to Frankfurt I remembered that this Sunday was the Hockenheim F1. Imagine being in Germany during Hockenheim. Such a shame it was so far away... I mentioned this over a drink to everyone else, as Jenny was sitting by my side. The topic had shifted to Formula Eins. Sam: Tomorrow is the race isn't it? Such a shame I cannot see it. I hear Hockenheim is far away. Jenny: No hahaha, we are going past Hockenheim tomorrow, on our way to Bad Nauheim. I blink. What do you mean? I mean that we are going past Hockenheim tomorrow on our way to my home. Ah well, I suppose the race track is far away. No we are going past the Hockenheimring. I am stunned and shocked. My stomach is sinking. But but, didn't you say that it was far away!! That was the Nürburgring. This is Hockenheim. Oh. Can we get tickets... uhhh.. I have such little time to spend with her. Do I want to spend it cheering at the race? On the other hand, what are my chances of going past Hockenheim on race day? Tomorrow I am going to Bad Nauheim to meet her family. Her Mum and Dad. There is no place for Ferrari in this equation. Besides, I am sure all the tickets are way sold out already. Nevermind. Another year. This year I will wave out to the Hockenheimring and pay my respects. Last edited by Sam Kapasi : 23rd July 2008 at 16:45.
	() Thanks