Well, I have to say I’m feeling pretty pleased with myself today. When I was planning this trip there was one place I wanted to visit that seemed just too difficult to get to, but I got there today!
I blame the internet for sparking my interest in the Rakotzbrücke. Getting myself and my luggage to the tiny village of Kromlau near the Polish border was not going to be a picnic. After much deliberation I hit on the idea of staying in Cottbus and doing a day trip there - no luggage involved.
Found the bus stop and bought a ticket at the ticket machine with my fingers crossed that it didn’t eat my card. Caught the bus to the Cottbus Hbf. Used the Deutsche Bahn app to buy a train ticket to Schleife and travelled there on a very small train with a handful of people who looked like they were going where I was going. Hopped off the train and followed the people around the corner to the local bus station where we all hopped on a tiny bus (cash not card) that dropped us in Kromlau.
A few minutes later I was walking through a rhododendron-laden forest with paths going in all directions. It was a Hansel and Gretel moment, which was funny because I’d already had a Red Riding Hood moment looking out the window of the bus at the rather dense forest and a path winding through it. The Brothers Grimm seem to be a feature of my current travels in Germany.
It was very satisfying to finally achieve my goal and I even asked someone to take my photo, which I very rarely do. There were lots of people at the Rakotzbrücke and wandering about the paths admiring the rhododendrons. I departed by what turned out to be the short route to a car park full of cars and even a bus.
I knew from Google Maps that there was a cafe on the corner so stopped for a photo of the yellow Kavalierhaus and the Herrenhaus before entering the cafe. Turns out it was an eiskafe, so no lunch but cake and an iced chocolate on the terrace instead. I’d earned it!
Did the journey in reverse and stopped for some provisions at the station before returning to 2 Berlinerstrasse and the horrible stairs.



















































