2014 was a busy travel year for ArcticTropic. In all, we travelled an equivalent of more than twice around the world.The voyage to Myanmar in March ,via Frankfurt and Singapore was to the opposite side of the world and back the same route. In May and June we travelled in a continuous Eastbound direction until we ended up back where we started. In contrast, the 2.5 hour hop to Panama was a mere commuter flight.

Now at Yangon Airport enjoying the fastest wifi connection in Myanmar.Singapore Airlines is rumored to have wifi on their A380s though it did not work on the flight to Germany and Singapore. Since they do have plugs at ever seat ( like all airlines should) I will begin editing video. Lot’s of incredible photos and video to come.

Today ArcticTropic returns to the United States aboard Lufthansa via Frankfurt. Total trip time 25:30 with five hours in Frankfurt. Double – Decker A 380s all the way.

ArcticTropic recently made a trip around the world, The takeoffs and landings are as follows : Miami – Berlin – Barcelona – Valencia – Zurich – Beijing – Ulanbaataar – Guilin – Hong Kong – Tokyo – Dallas – Miami.

This afternoon ArcticTropic begins a Round The World Journey. Here in Miami I will board Air Berlin Flight 7211 leaving at 3:50 PM, arriving in Berlin tomorrow morning at 7:20 AM. I then have a 6 hour layover ! Perhaps I will go into the nearby environs of Reinkendorf. From Berlin I leave on Air Berlin 8722 arriving in Barcelona at 3:45 PM , where I will spend the next two days.

A week from today ArcticTropic boards a flight from Miami to Berlin, then to Barcelona. From Valencia, Spain, where my 12 year old son will join me, we fly via Zurich to Beijing. RIght now working on optimizing the GoPro for amazing video !

In March of this year ArcticTropic and family took an excursion to Germany. While hardly adventurous, it is where the Director as young boy lived while the family was transferred for work. It was in Germany where the quest for worldwide adventures began. We flew from MIami to Munich via London and went immediately to Garmisch in Bavaria and ascended the Zugspitze.

On top of the Zugspitze – Germany-Austria border.

The frozen Elbsee ,below the Zugspitze.

Sunrise over the Zugspitze – highest peak in Germany. After 3 days enjoying the snow, we headed North to Berlin.

Heidelberg, called Germany’s most beautiful city by Winston Churchill, was spared the vicious bombing raids received by other unarmed, militarily non-strategic cities at the end of the War. As a result its’ Old City is intact, almost unchanged since the 16th century. It is here where the Director of ArcticTropic lived as a young boy ( Father was transferred here from New York ) and where fascination with travel developed. Above is the Castle, Schloß Heidelberg.

One of the Castle’s turrets, destroyed by the French in the mid 18th century. Much of the castle is still intact and houses a winery, a restaurant and a museum.

The Alte Brücke, built across the Neckar in 1587.

The Alte Kirche , St.Vitus, in Handschuheim. Built in the 12th century, the church retains it’s original clock.

The Boyhood Home of the ArcticTropic Director at Bergstraße 69.

The Hotel Ritter, where we stayed. Very centrally located, built in 1400. Only drawback – the € 10 per day wifi is also slow and ancient.

Spring Sunset over the Old City and the Neckar.

Only 20 minutes and 2 Euros by train from Heidelberg is the ancient river town of Neckarsteinach, The town is home to 4 castles towering above the River.THe castles were built between 1100 and 1400. Two of them are occupied by families, and two are in their more original ruined,yet climbable state.

A 14th Century Wine Cellar.

Down the Well.

High above the Neckar in Neckarsteinach.

Two days later we were on our way back Stateside on the Lufthansa A380, nonstop from Frankfurt to Miami in 9.5 hours. Even the cattle class on the lower decks was quite pleasant. The plane has the feel of being on a ship in the air. First Class seats only 9 people.

Berlin, a few days after  reunification. Parts of the Wall still stand, soon to be chooped up into millions of tiny pieces for sale at $ 10 each.

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Spoils of the Cold War for the Western victors – the symbols of  non-existent East Germany – swept into the Dustbin of History.

The Dresden Cathedral, still blackened and destroyed by American bombing n 1945 – soon to be restored to its’ former glory.

The First Free Election in a United Germany.

The Reichstag – in 1990, still burned inside  -in 2000,  after restoration, was the seat of German power once again.

The River Spree.

The Trabi – a car that ran on a 2 stroke engine ( like that of a lawn mower ) and had a 15 year waiting list