Happy Easter from Berlin

Good music in Berlin.

With friends hit up Antipodes, Kuchi & Walthers; recommended. Think I might rent an apartment here this summer.

Off to Krakow, Poland in a few hours.

Happy Easter.

I can’t just make a post about the Holocaust Memorial as there was lots more to my short but sweet trip here in Berlin. Basically it was setup through the fine people at Visit Berlin as an after conference trip. There were trips all over the country from Leipzig but I got lucky with Berlin which is a great city and close at an hour or so away.

We went on a Gastro Rally with a lady who has published a few novels. She came here to write “48 hours in Berlin” for some magazine but never left. We hit up some pizza spot which was cool then District Mot which was unreal Vietnamese food before dessert and drinks at Mani Restaurant. Mani was classy and edgy like the rich guy on the block who doesn’t want to wear a stuffy suit and isn’t offended by a little nudity. Nudity in Berlin is normal; adverts of topless women? No problem.

In Canada that would get you reprimanded and labeled lewd.

Today, I met up with some friends shooting video for Germany who I met in Canada and the Mauritius; good times.I’d stay longer but Easter is just mental and I’m all about avoiding the crowds. When people who work 50 weeks a year get time off and swell into cities a price bubble forms on accommodation. Also, it becomes hard to find anywhere and each photo you take is getting bombed from every direction.

Supposedly Potsdam has all these castles and parks; maybe even golf? I need to be in Krakow on the 24th to meet up with a princess I met in 2010 but haven’t seen since. It only makes sense go to Prague as it’s on the way. That said, there is a direct bus from Berlin to Krakow so Potsdam is a real possibility for a few days. Oh decisions, decisions. One thing cool about going to Prague is I could then go to Brno which supposedly is unreal and not as commercial.

That said, makes sense to recoup with friends in Potsdam.

Flip side, you can’t see the world hanging out with friends.

Berlin is a great city for creative people that is easy on the pocket.

Happy Easter, wherever you are.

Tips hat,

P.S: Top right of last photo is where MJ held his kid over the balcony.

Above is the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin, Germany.

I saw a bunch of sights today but most were just churches which can be found anywhere. This place has a lot of significance and despite there being people with odd looking beards and bright shoes strolling the streets now; things weren’t always this way. It’s important to remember the past so it doesn’t get repeated, yes?

Also, it’s interesting how the artist made it; the opening walls are low so you can look around but when you get in the middle it’s a trap of sorts. Supposedly it symbolizes how lots of surviving Jewish people felt about it; nobody really knew what was going on / just how messed up it all was until they were standing in the middle.

I don’t have any kids yet but when I do, I can tell you this much… If they came to the Holocaust Memorial and started playing hide and seek / climbing on the walls like a jungle gym; they’d have another thing coming. That and “Father SHABL” would lose his sh!t / go to a bar and drink himself into a stupor wondering where he went wrong.

Some people have no respect.

Tomorrow I’m off to Potsdam or Prague.

Berlin is busy at Easter and basically booked solid.

Turns out I have a dinner date in Berlin at 7PM.

Good thing as it is 6:36am as I type this.

Leipzig is a university town…

That said, it’s @#$@ fun.

See you in Berlin and click here for 30+ photos…

I went to the Porsche factory in Leipzig, Germany yesterday. They offer tours and afterwards you get to sit in the passenger seat while a pro driver rips the track. The automobiles are state of the art but the factory makes them look like child’s play.

The main event is clearly the ride you get around the track which is a highly recommended activity for any motor enthusiast. What’s also cool is that they have a camera on the front and one that films you which is given to you at the end on a USB stick that looks like keys to a Porsche. I was filming with my GoPro so I’ll show that at a later date. I went in the black car in front which was a 911 Turbo S and wow…  that think can move!

If you’re in Leipzig, go for a ride; you won’t regret it. No photos from the factory as cameras aren’t allowed for obvious reasons. Went out and painted the town of Leipzig last night; fun place but who really knows what it’s all about as Sunday isn’t really a big night anywhere.

Good day,

Pardon the absence of sorts but I’ve been busy in Malta and now I’m writing this from Leipzig, Germany. I left Malta yesterday and flew to Frankfurt where I started the 4 hour train mission to Leipzig. I arrived around midnight and it’s raining and cold; oh how I prefer spending time on warm islands but enough of that for now.

We’ll discuss Malta much more at some point.

Above and below are photos of the new and old stock exchange. The new one is right near Upper Barrakka Gardens which if you miss, you’ll be missing out on one of the slickest views in Malta. It was also the knight’s pleasure gardens back in the day aka … I went into the exchange and took a photo after chatting with security but it’s lame as I couldn’t get a shot that showed a screen for obvious reasons.

The one below is the old stock exchange which was built in the late 19th century. The buildings in Malta are incredible and there is a big movement now of people with some extra cash scooping up massive pallazzos for silly prices. A friend of mine leased one for 20 years and when I come back, I’ll stay there. Really loved Valletta and the bastion walls will blow your mind. I’ve seen lots but never anything like this. They really didn’t want those menacing Turks on their turf and did a good job of ensuring it.

I’m in Leipzig for #STSLeipzig aka the Social Travel Summit which is an invite only conference. I’d continue but I drank a RedBull so I need to test my wings out the window or something.

Lots more on Malta? Click here.

Today was rather busy and if you’re ever in Valletta, I suggest you visit St. John’s Co-Cathedral as it will blow your mind. Also, do get out on the sea as sailing is something that should not be missed here. We did a sailing yacht charter and it was pretty unreal; do wear long pants and sweater though as it gets cold in the wind if you’re here in early spring such as right now.

Need to cut this post here. It’s already 1:30am; I’m in WordPress plugin hell and I’ve got other issues that need resolving before tomorrow which I’m sure will turn out to be busy. To find out more about sailing and such, click here.

I’ve been in Malta for less than 24 hours but I can tell you this; it’s unreal and out of this world. Valletta is a fortified city with 16th century bastion walls which at places reach 60m high… I checked into a penthouse today at Palazzo Prince d’Orange where I’ll be for the next few days; solid spot with great views of the Grand Harbour. If you like old castles, forts and such you’ll love it here like I am so far.

I’m here with two other writers, a lady from Germany and one from Malaysia; solid times. The master of the house is known as Encyclopedia so we all went on a mission today and checked out several sights. Afterwards we had some traditional Maltese cuisine aka not the stuff you get in tourist restaurants but the stuff Grandma used to make.

It was cooked by the gents behind Gululu which is owned by a gent who used to own a popular spot in Valletta. This trip is half organized tours and half free time. Tomorrow I’ve got a tour of some cathedrals followed by a segway tour of town; they look lame but are actually quite fun. Following that it’s sailing as it’s one of the top things to do when you’re here.

The weather is great and like 20 degrees and not too humid. Nice change from London which was cold and grey and also Little Corn which is scorching and humid unless you’re on the breezy side. Tomorrow night is the night before a day off and “Encyclopedia” has the day off so it seems like the perfect time to explore some nightlife; yes?

It’s late and I’m running on adrenaline; click here to check out the post I just wrote filled with photos and infinitely more information than I’m sharing here. Also got a new theme on SHABL; better late than never.

It’s early and I’ve been up late but I can’t laze around here as there is life to be lived. I’m off to Malta in an hour or so after I finish this bircher museli. Also, my theme on SHABL is dead as it is from 2011 so I’ve commissioned an agent / friend who like Vincenzo sleeps in a hammock between servers and eats thin crust pizza delivered under the door styles when things like this happen.

I dream of sleeping between servers as I doze off to the continual hum but I’m not worthy of such a position. Instead, I’ll spend my time here, at the cash register of said business doing customer service and pushing keys like a monkey as I lack the training and patience.

I’m off to Valletta aka the capital and heard good things. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and built after the “Great Siege” of 1565 in which those Ottoman Turks almost took over the place. I’d continue but I must make haste as I’m sure 1000 things will come jumping out from my busy brain of the urgent variety the moment I decide to step foot out the door.

London was good; I’ll share some photos soon(ish). London is like a relative that you like but also despise. You’re happy to see them but just as content seeing their back as well…

Ever been to Valletta? If so, any suggestions?

Good day,

I had the distinct pleasure of flying first class to London from Miami the other day on American Airlines. I’ve done business before and it’s solid but first class is simply a cut above. You get more space and your biggest worry is that your near overflowing wine glass might spill if you hit turbulence.

The flight was on their 777-300 which is the largest in the fleet and one of the newest. If you’re going to get first class; this is the plane you want to do it on. The flight was 8 hours and it literally flew by(sorry).

I had a crazy night out in London yesterday and tomorrow I’m off to Malta. If I get around to it, I’ll share some photos if not check my instagram as my new iPhone 5s takes photos that are blowing my mind and London is a very picturesque city; even at 4am.

Read all about flying first class to London here.

Never been to Malta; can’t wait to show you the crib I’m staying at.