Day 2 - Mon 1 Jun: Dubai to Frankfurt

May 31, 2015

Two hours after landing in Dubai, we boarded another A380, on time, for the shorter (six hours) flight to Frankfurt. We were hoping (after the debacle in Hervey Bay) that our bikes and gear were on the same plane. After sitting on the tarmac in Dubai for a while, we finally took off and arrived at a very wet and stormy looking Frankfurt just after 1pm (we made up quite a bit of time), with a temperature of 13 deg C! Lucky we are catching the train to our motel and not riding as we normally do.

After breezing through Immigration, we (Greg, Wendy, Gunther, Yvonne, Stewart and Alison) were all very pleased to see our bike boxes in the oversize luggage area. However, as we were waiting for our bags, we heard an announcement that we were to report to the luggage claim counter. It was there that we were given the bad news - Greg's, Yvonne’s and Gunther's bags were not there, but they knew exactly where they were - incoming on the next flight. Wendy gave them the hotel details (Holiday Inn Express Frankfurt Messe), and was assured the bags would be delivered later that night. They were true to their word - about 10pm, not long after we had turned out the light, the bag arrived.

So, with a couple of bags short, we then set off from the airport for the hotel in the city via train and a 2km walk. Because Greg's bag did not arrive, neither did the wheels for his box. So, we had to try and make do with two wheels on each box instead of 4, which made it really hard to push/pull the boxes along and added some frustration to our already jet-lagged minds. At least it gave us all a good workout after the long flights. After only a couple of hundred metres, the boys (Greg, Gunther and Stewart) decided to push on and left the girls (Wendy, Yvonne and Ali) to guard the remaining 3 boxes. It was the boys’ intention to drop the boxes at the hotel and bring the wheels back, however, it was further than they thought, so only Greg came back, without wheels. Eventually a maxi-cab was found which could take the 3 boxes, the luggage and Wendy to the hotel. Greg walked back with Yvonne and Ali. It was well after 4pm and we were all quite exhausted, but at our destination safely.

After checking in and securing the bikes in one of the conference rooms until the morning, we all went to our rooms to shower and freshen up. Mick and Kate had emailed Greg to let him know their room number so he emailed them to tell them what time we were meeting for dinner. We met them in the lobby and as they had been in Frankfurt for a while, they got to pick the first dinner venue. Dinner was taken at a very German pub with a good pork (it was pork, pork, or pork) steak, chips, salad and a beer. It just so happened that there was a German National soccer game on that night and the pub was FULL (max capacity was about 12 pax and there were 2o and they were all smoking which made it a bit stuffy and unbearable). A relatively early night to bed followed.