Wandering D-Dorf

Day 33 - June 26^th

Anna and Sebastian had to go to work so we were left in the lovely hands of their German friend Nadine who had a free day and agreed to show us the sights of Dusseldorf.  Nadine joined Luke, Belinda and I for a traditional German breakfast that consisted of yummy seeded bread, cucumber, variety of cheese, olive/capsicum paste and an assortment of deli meats. 

We then set off for a day of fun in the cutting edge city of Dusseldorf.  It was so relaxing to have a local to show you the sights; you don’t need a map, a sense of direction or a guidebook! 

First stop was the lovely little village of Kaiserwerth where we wandered through the cobble stone streets, past cute shops and then viewed the 250-euro set menu (without wine) at an exclusive restaurant.  We then strolled onto the ruins of a castle of Barbarossa Frederick I.   

The girls strolling through the tiny streets of Kaiserwerth down to the Rhine.

Taking in the view over the Rhine.

Barbarossa Castle in Kaiserwerth.

We caught the tram back into town to Altstadt (German for Old Town) and had a very nice lunch and beers at a Dusseldorf Brewery.  

Afternoon beers and lunch at one of the Dusseldorf breweries in the Old Town.

Luke grabbing some desert after lunch - 15kg of Gouda.

Dusseldorf and Germany in general, was in the grip of Euro 2012 fever as demonstrated by the flag in the background spanning two buildings.

We ventured onto the shopping district and made a stop at the Killepitsch shop.  Killepitsch is a Dusseldorfer specialty that was founded in the war when two friends were huddled in an air raid shelter whilst bombs rained down outside.  Hans said if they got through the war without getting “KILLED” he would brew something for his friend, a lipsmacker drink (PITSCH).  We purchased a bought a small bottle, and a magnet from the tourist office as a memento of our time spent in Dusseldorf.

The Killepitsch Bar in Dusseldorf.

We then moved onto see the famous architecturally designed buildings ‘Neuer Zollhof’ that are situated along side the river Rhine. Belinda seemed very impressed and said that you couldn’t draw the design on paper as it was so curvy.  We grabbed an ice cream before heading back home to make Belinda holiday ‘official’ as a holiday can never begin with out having the ice cream!   

Neuer Zollhof buidlings and Radio Tower Dusseldorf.

Neuer Zollhof.

There are a bunch of statues of people scattered around Dusseldorf standing on top of concrete pilons.  This lady was right near the Radio Tower.

That evening, with Anna and Sebastian, the six of us went out for a lovely German meal in town.  We noted that crumbed meat was not such a treat as we thought last night while cooking the Parmas as most of the menu came crumbed!  

Nadine, Claire, Belinda and Anna out at The (Dirty) Schwan.

Luke and Sebastian out for a Schnitz.We were blessed with a perfect summers night and enjoyed a stroll past Annas Grandmas house en route to get another beer after dinner.  We had a few more beers at a Brewery beer garden then when it finally was starting to get dark at 2300hrs we only then really thought about going home.  

A beautiful sunset on the Rhine.

Special thanks to Anna and Sebastian for having us stay with you and

Nadine for taking the time to show us the sites of Dusseldorf, you were a fantastic guide!  All the best Belinda and Nick for your European adventures!