I do think cruising with small children is an easier form of travel. The logistics are just more straightforward: your accommodations and consistently toddler-friendly dining travel with you. On balance, this is both good and bad. On the one hand, it saves time and effort spent on ‘everyday life’ activities. On the other hand, caring for a toddler forces you to live more like the locals (in terms of engaging in kid-friendly activities and the chores of daily life). That said, I wouldn’t hesitate to drive again.

The trip had far more highlights than lowlights. Indeed, I think every place we went is now firmly affixed to the “return” list, especially Bavaria and Poland. And, while we were lukewarm on Berlin initially, it has a lot of cultural venues that are worth exploring. Thus, while it’s not the prettiest city, it’s certainly worthy of another in-depth visit. Realistically, it will likely take us another 3 years or so to finish the 157×50 (err 39? 40?) goal. So, if we’re not back in Central Europe before then, I suspect we will most assuredly return soon thereafter.

Finally, this trip reminded me just how much we like experiencing new places. I think that’s been one of the great advantages of the 157×50 project’s goals. By definition, you’re forced to expand your horizons and travel more widely. Fortunately (or unfortunately), once you’re on that path the thrill of exploring becomes addictive and you find yourself thinking: “why not drive from Budapest to Turkey?” or “maybe we should island hop through Indonesia?” Of course, we’re not hostel-dwelling, backpacking vagabonds. We’re far more (and unapologetically) bourgeois by this point in our lives both by choice (why inconvenience yourself when you needn’t have to?) and necessity (traveling with a toddler, while I’m sure it’s technically possible w/ backpacks and in hostels, I think you’d have to be stark raving mad to do it). But, I digress…

Final score: +6 countries and +1 state for us; +13 countries and +1 state for Emerson!

Up next: the Caribbean over Thanksgiving.

Why Wales? Why not? (Did I mention +1 country?)

We departed Allen House around 7:30 for Paddington Station (of bear fame). I’d purchased our train tickets online a couple of nights prior and collected them at the automated kiosk without difficulty. After gathering some refreshments for the journey, we boarded the train and departed promptly at 8:45am. The train was fairly crowded, but it was sufficiently comfortable. We passed the journey happily. I caught up on my blogging and reviewed student’s papers. Libby and Emerson watched videos on the iPad. Meanwhile, Mom sat next to a friendly nursing student from Wales and discussed cycling and the weather (though the conversation from Celsius to Fahrenheit seemed problematic). In all, it was a pleasant ride across the country.

Upon arrival in Cardiff, we left the central train station and walked through the town to visit Cardiff Castle (Castell Caerdydd in Welsh). According to the Lonely Planet’s Guide to Western Europe, the castle is the main sight in central Cardiff, while Cardiff Bay (a couple of miles away) offers a bit more touristy interest in terms of shopping and dining. The castle dates from the 1070s, but it was expanded over the years (including a significant mock-Gothic wing during the Victorian era, which was open for tours). All in all, we enjoyed a few pleasant hours exploring the castle before heading back into town for a quick lunch, walkabout, and return to the train station for our journey back to London.

Cardiff Castle

We reached London Paddington in the late afternoon / early evening. As we’d already had a full day, we returned directly to the timeshare, went out for some groceries, and had pizza for dinner.

Today’s box score: +1 country (Wales, UK)