I have not been to Europe in such a long time so it is with great excitement I decided it was time to experience a white Christmas and enjoy some time overseas. I flew from Perth late Sunday night via Qatar, and arrived into Berlin about 24 hrs later. It is a very long way!

I managed to sleep most of the way which was somewhat of a miracle in an air plane seat all cramped up, but I do pride myself on the ability to sleep anywhere. I was pretty tired after a very hectic end to the school year. I was asleep with my eye mask on pretty much on take off, this was at 10.45pm. The next time I looked at my watch it was 8am the following morning! YES! 

My lovely friend from many years ago Joanna came to meet me and I was lucky to stay with her for a couple of nights in Berlin. She lives centrally to the city with her gorgeous three teenage daughters. A busy working Mum I was fortunate she had time to share with me and spend quality time together. 

I was so jet lagged the first night I was in bed by 7pm. By the next morning, I was raring to go. We headed out early for a big walk with her cute little dogs to a big central park in Berlin. There were many sculptures there, in the wide expansive park, but sticky trees and sparse foliage as it is the middle of winter here. I imagine in spring it would be quite a beautiful green space. Dogs are so great for humans too, encouraging walks, and outdoor pursuits. Their affection and gentleness is so unique, one day I will get a little pooch too. 

Our first destination after our walk was to eat a yummy Currywurst, a local sausage here in Berlin. Every city has their unique sausage and this is it for Berlin! It sure was yummy, with lots of tomato sauce and a good helping of sauerkraut and a small white crusty roll. I do love a good sausage! Tick! 

We then headed to a local history museum which had fascinating displays of dinosaurs, birds, insects and other relics. We zoomed around and looked at as much as we could then headed to my first Christmas market! So beautiful! We drank some delicious hot spiced drink, sans alcohol, and wandered around taking in the views. So many cute and quaint little shops. I am looking forward to more Christmas markets on this trip. 

In the evening we went to the most incredible spa and sauna called Vabali. This place is what dreams are made of! If you like naked sauna that is! I find Australia to be very prudish when it comes to nudity. It really is so liberating to be butt naked in a steaming sauna. The experience is so much better fully naked. It felt so natural to be amongst everyone without our clothes on, strange at first sure, but eventually it was just so great. We all come in such different shapes and sizes, but everyone really is so beautiful in their own unique way. The sauna experience was so unique with many different aroma experiences. 

Firstly we went into an orange scented one, then had an orange salt peeling experience, which got very hot. There were about 100 people in this sauna! All sweating away together! We plunged in pools and took cool showers in between and relaxed in a lounge space half way through with a black currant sparkling drink watching a flickering and soothing fire. The whole place was just magical Set among a huge outdoor garden, winding timber paths, birch trees, individual cabanas, there were so many different parts to this place. I think we only explored half of the saunas in the 2 hours that we had. I would definitely like to go back and explore more of this fascinating place. We also experienced a birch tree sauna, where the guide flicked wet birch tree branches around and we could cool ourselves with balls of ice flakes pushed together to make little snowballs. We ended with a lavender and anise smelling sauna, just divine. I love all of these good smells. Perfection! Maybe one day I could create a sanctuary like this! 

My time in Berlin was brief but wonderful. My lovely friend helped me to the bus station on the last morning of my stay. It is here on the bus to Tallinn that I am writing this blog! I think I was  a bit mad and impulsive to book a 24 hr cross country bus ride from Berlin to Tallinn, alas here I am! Only 2 hours in! Doh! Currently in Poland if you are wondering. I can see lots of pine trees along the highway, it is quite green, and lots of open fields of green grass too. It is not too cold, probably around 10 degrees, but warm in the bus. I have the front seat, a small saving grace, I would feel very cooped up and motion sick otherwise. 

My next blog I will write about my experiences in Tallinn. I am planning to visit a good friend of mine Kadi-ann. She was a wonderful house mate of mine for over a year in Perth a few years ago now. She had a baby this year and I have been promising to visit for a long time. So here I go! 

Thanks for reading so far about my travels, I hope you are enjoying the ride! It has been so long since I have written while I travel, I am enjoying the down time to write and reflect and observe and then share and offer inspiration as I go. Yeee hah! I also look forward to your comments, I do love to hear from my readers!

Anita xxx