Exploring Germany: A Journey through Mainz, Frankfurt, Karlsruhe, Heidelberg, Baden-Baden and Tumberg
Delayed but not forgotten, join me as I revisit my journey through Germany with friends in October 2022. The colours of fall painted a picturesque backdrop to our adventures, from historic city strolls to the mesmerising countryside. Although time has passed, the memories of this autumn escape remain vivid. Let’s take a belated but enchanting trip through Germany.
Last year, in October 2022, six of my friends and I embarked on an adventure to Germany to attend the Frankfurt Book Fair. We seized the opportunity to explore other parts of Germany—specifically Karlsruhe, Heidelberg, Baden-Baden, and Tumberg, replacing our initial plan to visit Strasbourg. The travel companions included Adah, Yati, Nilam, Zana, Mimi, Zalila, and myself. Zalila joined us later during the Frankfurt leg. Unfortunately, our friend Yan couldn’t make it as she had to complete her thesis.
Our journey commenced with a gathering at KLIA, featuring eager faces ready for the outbound flight. A series of flights, including UL 315 and UL 501 with Sri Lanka Airlines, brought us to Frankfurt, where our exploration of Germany would begin.
14 Oct (Friday): Arrival in Mainz
Touching down at FRA Airport at 3:20 pm, we took two taxis to Mainz, sharing the €67 fare for each taxi. Our home for the next few days was Aussicht Mainz-City, a cosy abode at Früchtstraße. After settling in, we took a breather, enjoying a simple yet satisfying meal of bread with sambal that Nilam and Adah had made before the travel.
While Früchtstraße might not have major historical landmarks or tourist attractions, it contributes to the overall fabric of Mainz’s urban life. The residential area where we stayed offers a glimpse into the daily life of Mainz residents. The accommodations here range from apartments to cosy guesthouses, providing a more authentic and less touristy atmosphere. The area also has small shops and cafés as well as Apotheke.
15 Oct (Saturday): Riverside Strolls and Cultural Gems
On the serene Saturday of October 15th, we dedicated our day to indulging in the allure of Mainz. A leisurely 3.6km stroll along the Rhine River path unfolded, revealing a breathtaking canvas of vibrant foliage along the riverbanks.
The afternoon was gracefully embraced by a visit to the Gutenberg Museum, where the fascinating history of printing came to life. Mainz, renowned as the birthplace of Johannes Gutenberg, the ingenious inventor of the printing press, witnessed the creation of the Gutenberg Bible in the 1450s—a pioneering work that revolutionized the world of printing.
Our journey continued to the enchanting Kirchgarten, a district steeped in history and adorned with well-preserved timber-framed houses. These architectural marvels, featuring exposed wooden beams, intricate designs, and steeply pitched roofs, transport visitors back in time, offering a glimpse into Mainz’s medieval past.
Walking through Kirchgarten is akin to a captivating journey into Mainz’s history, where every step echoes the city’s rich heritage.
16 Oct (Sunday): Culinary Delights in the Rain
In the morning, the girls went to the laundry to wash our collective clothes. Despite the whole day’s rain, we stayed home and updated our journals. However, the culinary scene of Mainz was not to be missed, although the cuisine originated from Italy. Lunch at La Stella included a delightful trio of pizzas: Vegetariana, Margherita, and Salmone. The rainy weather couldn’t dampen our spirits as we savoured each bite. Ja gut!
17 Oct (Monday): Botanical Beauty and Homemade Comfort
We visited the Botanical Gardens at Johannes Gutenberg University. Besides autumn trees showcasing their colours, the flower plants were displaying their prettiness. I collected some autumn leaves for my journal.
Later, we dropped by Rewe to buy ingredients for dinner. I was the cook for the night, so I prepared pumpkin soup, which turned out a bit too spicy for Nilam and Zana. We enjoyed the soup–with bread, of course.
18 Oct (Tuesday): Transition to Frankfurt
We checked out of our Mainz stay at 10 am. As the day unfolded, Mainz bid us farewell with a downpour. Undeterred, we pressed on, taking a bus from Fruchtstrasse to Mainz Hbf, eventually making our way to Frankfurt Hbf. Despite a one-hour train delay, the anticipation was met with relief as we reunited with Zalila, who had patiently waited for 3 hours at the main station alone. Navigating through rain and delays, we finally arrived at Panorama Hostel. When I booked the dorm for 7 pax, I looked at the photos on the website, but upon seeing it later, the dorm was small for 7 people. Nonetheless, we made do with the hostel’s amenities. A swift turnaround led us to the Frankfurt Book Fair, where we received a comprehensive briefing from the chief delegate, Encik Khair Ngadiron. The evening was spent arranging books at the pavilion and Oyez booth, followed by a well-deserved dinner of Kebab rice with salad at a restaurant near the hostel.
19 Oct (Wednesday): Immerse in the Book Fair Buzz
The dawn of the Frankfurt Book Fair marked a full day of literary immersion. I attended Oyez’s booth from 9 am to 12 pm and later joined the rest at the Malaysia pavilion. Each moment was a testament to the vibrant world of words. The country of focus was Spain, with King Felipe, Queen Letizia, and Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier officially opening the fair. We left the fairground at 4 pm and went to Alim Imbiss for dinner. Later, we walked to Primark. For the first time in my many visits to Frankfurt, I got to try a Frankfurter hotdog, this time sold by a Muslim man outside Primark. It was delicious. I bought another one because apparently, the cold weather made me even hungrier and was also to make up for all the time that I didn’t get to taste it.
20 Oct (Thursday): Sketching in Journal
At the book fair, I waited at Oyez’s booth in Hall 4. Later at 1 pm, I went around the fair, sitting and sketching a bit here and there in my journal. My friends were all over the fair doing their things.
21 Oct (Friday): A Public Day of Literary Revelry
With a deliberate choice to skip the book fair, we set out to Romerberg on the cold, rainy morning. We had hot drinks at the cafe nearby to warm ourselves. We then walked to Alter Bruecke. Later, we visited the Struwwelpeter Museum, allowing us to delve into the rich tapestry of German folklore. Both the Struwwelpeter Museum and Goethehaus were a bit different from when I visited years ago. They had relocated, and it was much easier now to look for both.
We later went to Palmengarten, the rain became heavier and we explored the garden while holding our umbrellas. The garden never ceases to amaze me.
It was my birthday today. The girls brought a few pieces of cake to celebrate my birthday complete with a birthday card. It was beautiful. I mean the friendship. My birthday has always been a day for me to reflect on what have I done throughout my existence in the world. I wish to do more good things. In sya Allah, in the years to come.
22 Oct (Saturday): The 2nd to Last Day of FBF
Returning to the book fair on its public day, Zana, Mimi, and I conducted a workshop on how to create line drawings in a folded zine. As the day unfolded, we meandered through the halls, adding literary knowledge and treasures to our collection. The evening was reserved for a special dinner with MBKM, bringing together minds and stories.
23 Oct (Sunday): Farewell to the Book Fair and Frankfurt
The last day at the book fair was bittersweet. We conducted another workshop, and this time, Mimi and Zana taught participants how to create pop-up zines and paper-cut art. We savoured the final session, explored the cosplay events, and bid adieu to the vibrant halls. A post-fair dinner at Alim Imbiss near the hostel added the perfect finishing touch to our Frankfurt adventure.
24 Oct (Monday): Transition to Karlsruhe
Checking out from Panorama Hostel, we bid farewell to Frankfurt and Zalila, while the rest of us ventured to Karlsruhe. Zalila could not take more leaves as she had work to attend to. A comfortable train journey brought us to our new abode, Harbour Apartments, where the promise of new experiences awaited.
25 Oct (Tuesday): Exploring Heidelberg’s Landscape
While Zalila set off for the airport in Frankfurt, we embarked on a train ride that led us to Heidelberg, where we immersed ourselves in the old town’s charm. From strolling along the Rhine River to exploring the historic castle, the day was a delightful mix of history, culture, and scenic beauty. We walked up to the hill where the Heidelberg castle is situated. I was catching my breath; nonetheless, the landscape was beautiful from up there.
26 Oct (Thursday): Nature Retreat in Baden-Baden
The allure of Baden-Baden beckoned, and we answered the call with a day trip. A train journey from Karlsruhe Hbf to Baden-Baden Hbf was followed by a scenic bus ride to Tiergartenweg. Our chosen route, the Korbmattfelsen circular path, offered a leisurely 1.5-hour hike amidst nature’s beauty, enjoyed by Adah, Nilam, and Yati while the rest of us stayed at the bottom–we were old ladies with back pain and weak knees, haha. We had our late lunch at a Turkish restaurant. The day was punctuated with moments of serenity, culminating in a return journey back to Karlsruhe.
27/28 Oct (Saturday):
As our time in Karlsruhe drew to a close, we explored a half-day adventure at Karlsruhe’s botanical garden. A leisurely picnic intertwined with sleeping under the sun, photographing, writing, and sketching allowed us to absorb the tranquillity of the surroundings. The afternoon was dedicated to exploring Karlsruhe by foot. We did some shopping.
29 Oct (Sunday):
We made a last-minute decision to visit Tumberg in Durlach in the early morning. We took a funicular train to reach the peak. We checked out from our abode at 6:45 pm as our flight the next day was at 05:30 in the morning. There were no public trains available after midnight. Transit at Sri Lanka airport was 12 hours, and we flew the next leg at 13:15 and reached KUL at 19:30.
That was the end of our journey to Germany in October 2022. A few months later, our book ‘Jerman, Kami Datang!’ was published.
In the pages of “Jerman, Kami Datang!”, our collective of friends invites you on a literary and visual journey through the heart of Germany. This collaborative masterpiece weaves together essays, short stories, poems, artworks, and photographs, capturing the essence of our collective adventure.
Our book is more than a mere travelogue; it’s a testament to the diverse ways in which we experienced and interpreted Germany. Each contributor found inspiration in a unique facet of our travels, whether it was the rich history, cultural encounters, or the sheer natural beauty that Germany offered.
The essays within the book provide personal reflections and cultural observations, offering readers a nuanced and immersive experience of our time in Germany. Our collection of short stories takes you beyond the realms of reality, blending imagination with actual experiences to create captivating narratives set against the backdrop of Germany. Our poetic expressions capture the emotions, nuances, and fleeting moments that defined our German adventure.
The visual elements of “Jerman, Kami Datang!” serve as a complement to the written word. Explore our collection of artworks and photographs that paint a vivid picture of the landscapes, architecture, and cultural moments we encountered.
As we present “Jerman, Kami Datang!” to the world, we extend an invitation to relive the magic of our German escapade. Whether you are a fellow traveller, an art enthusiast, or someone with a passion for cultural exploration, we hope our collective work resonates with you.
Jerman, Kami Datang! can be purchased at my store.
Share your thoughts, memories, and questions about our German journey. Your engagement is a valued part of our narrative.