REINDEER REVENGE

Friday 19th December 2025

Oslo to Berlin

Bit of a restless night after some Reindeer Revenge, aka Bali Belly, but all ok the rest of the day.

Modicum of breakfast which included a ginger shot to calm the tummy, most hotels serve them at breakfast in Norway.

Then did a Gary Lyon and managed to tweak my hamstring or glute muscle lifting the suitcase off the floor which led to a day of hobbling.

Handled the station run smoothly and we were off on the Airport Express with a raft of other travellers heading who knows where.

Being the Friday before Xmas the airport was packed and we joined the queues at the self checkin. We mastered the process but the conveyor belt didn’t and it was a 10 minute wait before bags disappeared, hopefully headed for Berlin.

Up in departures we were greeted by an amazing Delorian type car and for a mix of culture an original Munch painting – his most famous 20’s painting was The Scream.

Soon on the SAS flight accompanied by the usual gang of people who empty their wardrobe and think it will fit into carry on luggage.

Aisle seat, so not sure what sort of territory we crossed but ended up in a chilly Berlin 90 minutes later.

Baggage handlers made my bag quite easy to distinguish pulling off one of the straps, so after a little running repairs we traipsed through one terminal to another then underground to find train platform.

After a ticket machine dilemma and encountering a guard giving a family the rounds of the table for having a pram in the wrong carriage- a real welcome to Germany- it was all ahead Berlin.

The main station replicated most in the world, crowds, chaos and homeless. Not sure what the 20 police cars out the front were doing, but it did put one on edge.

We manouvered our way through ever darkening light along streets filled mainly with modern buildings. It was architect freelance school here. Interestingly Embassies were dotted along this part of town, including US which was all about security and not aesthetics. There was a meter display recording something in the billions – something, perhaps refugee intake given the multicultural make up of the people we have already passed.

Found our riverside hotel and unsurprisingly it was quirky. Room was all German efficiency which included bathroom door also opening inwards to create a toilet cubicle.

Unpacked and slaked thirst with an Aperol while doing some map orientation then headed off the dinner at recommended local restaurant. On the way passed a bunch of kids training for curling- youthful enthusiasm had them hurling the stone more.like ten pin bowling much to the chagrin of coach.

As usual the meal servings were ridiculously big with 4 pieces of snitzel the norm. Didn’t leave much room for the accompanying pint of pilsner.

An after dinner walk probably took us to the dark side of town along the river with plenty of homeless and dodgy buildings.

Managed to reach the un der linden – the huge avenue leading up to the Brandenburg Gate.

The whole area was again glitzed up for Xmas and the illuminated gate showed itself all its glory. The small market was doing a roaring trade in gluhwein and takeaway food with the big Friday night crowd.

Wound our way back along the river and passed the Berliner Ensemble with a crowd gathered outside and some early arrivals sipping champagne on the balcony below a stunning mural.