The Decision to Head East

After flying into Munich from Australia (thanks to a vastly cheaper flight with Air China), we were initially planning to hightail it straight to Budapest in Hungary before moving east into Romania and Bulgaria. This was because:

a) We found the cost of accommodation in Munich is quite high compared to neighbouring countries, with dorm beds starting at $30AUD/night (although we'd secured a great deal on a double room for our first night via airbnb);

b) We would be returning to Germany at a later date (to visit friends in Berlin) and wanted to reach the Black Sea coast for some summertime fun, as it would be considerably cheaper than the Mediterranean (even in the high season). 

However upon arriving at the Hauptbahnhof we learnt that recent flooding in Europe meant that trains between Germany and Hungary weren't running that day. So we joined a queue of panic-stricken travellers trying to get refunds and find alternative routes, until it was finally our turn.

The guy behind the counter looked tired - in the 30 minutes or so we'd been waiting, we'd watched him explain over and over again what was happening with the floods and listen politely whilst people shrieked about missed connections and accommodation they had pre-booked. 

So when he asked, "Can I help you?" I could tell he really didn't want to. "We need to get a train somewhere…" I began, "And we were thinking Budapest?" I watched as his shoulders slumped, bracing himself for another one. "But it doesn't matter where" I quickly continued, "as long as it's east." He looked at me, puzzled. "We've just arrived in Europe and have no real itinerary" I shrugged, "so we just want to reach the Black Sea coast by August" (it was only June). 

He perked up immediately. "Well, have you been to the Czech Republic?" he began, pointing to a map in front of him. "Prague is beautiful this time of year. I can't send you via Austria or Hungary I'm afraid as the floods…" he motioned to the hordes gathered in the ticket office. 

"Prague is fine!" I exclaimed. "I have been, but a few years ago… and it is gorgeous. Umm, how much is it?" I winced, preparing myself for the bad news. 

His face lit up - "Actually, it's much cheaper than going to Budapest!" He turned to his computer screen, fingers tapping the keyboard excitedly. "And there's a train today at 5pm…" 

I looked at the map again. If we went to the Prague that day instead of Austria or Hungary, we could spend a fortnight or so in the Czech Republic and then still cross into Slovakia, or go straight to Hungary before entering Romania. If we only spent a month in Romania, we could still reach the Black Sea coast by August…thus reaching Turkey by September as planned. It could definitely work. 

When he told us the cost of the fare I was sold. It was less than half the cost of going via Budapest, for both of us. Whether that was due to the floods I didn't know, and I didn't care. We'd saved enough on the fare that it would cover the cost of our first night in Prague. And I'd loved the Czech Republic the first time around (2009), with it's fairy tale villages and castles and Old Towns... 

So with tickets in hand we happily set off for an afternoon picnic in the gorgeous Englischer Garten. Unbeknownst to us, the locals like a bit of nude sunbathing in this particular park on a sunny summers day. So we got quite the surprise when we walked into an open field and found a bunch of men standing around chatting, completely starkers… But it was spectacular weather with not a cloud in the sky, and as I sat in their sunny beer garden with my first stein of pilsner my Melbourne life seemed to melt away and I buzzed with excitement about what lay ahead... 

The adventure had begun :)