Texas to Alaska to Texas. 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid driving on the Dalton Highway and the Dempster Highway. July/August 2023.
- Thread starter PetitFrereArmada
- Start date
If you're into auto museums then maybe stop off in Sinsheim on the way back, it's about an hour maybe south of Frankfurt. it's a crazy place, they have military, auto, motorsport and aviation stuff.
They have a Concorde on the frickin roof!!!!
sinsheim.technik-museum.de
They have a Concorde on the frickin roof!!!!
Technik Museum Sinsheim | Germany
Visit the full-accessable CONCORDE, hundreds of classic cars, locomotives, formula-1 cars and much more!
sinsheim.technik-museum.de
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
Thanks for that suggestion.I may have time to go there.If you're into auto museums then maybe stop off in Sinsheim on the way back, it's about an hour maybe south of Frankfurt. it's a crazy place, they have military, auto, motorsport and aviation stuff.
They have a Concorde on the frickin roof!!!!
Technik Museum Sinsheim | Germany
Visit the full-accessable CONCORDE, hundreds of classic cars, locomotives, formula-1 cars and much more!
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PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
I have been to 4 countries so far for my first time.Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Austria.
Driving in all those countries is pretty much like the US. Except for the German Autobahn. Those drivers have impressed me with how well they can ahmlde speed. Especially the women overtaking me and disappearing infront of me.
I was doing 180 kph (110 mph) only to see these 2 ladies gain up on me, pass me and disappear! A station wagon Audi and a station wagon Mercedes. Even when I stepped it up to 200 kph (125 mph), the women were still ahead and I could not close the gap. If I had a similar car, I know for a fact that they would not pass me up. By the time I am done with this 2 cylinder gas saver, it might throw a check engine light when I take it back to the car rental company, Europcar. I have put this thing through some serious high speeds.
This is my cruising speed on the no speed limit section of the autobahn. And guess what? Atleast 5 cars will pass me. And disappear infront of me. Well, they pass me only because I am limited with what I am driving. If I had the same car they were driving, I do not think they would catch up.
Driving in all those countries is pretty much like the US. Except for the German Autobahn. Those drivers have impressed me with how well they can ahmlde speed. Especially the women overtaking me and disappearing infront of me.
I was doing 180 kph (110 mph) only to see these 2 ladies gain up on me, pass me and disappear! A station wagon Audi and a station wagon Mercedes. Even when I stepped it up to 200 kph (125 mph), the women were still ahead and I could not close the gap. If I had a similar car, I know for a fact that they would not pass me up. By the time I am done with this 2 cylinder gas saver, it might throw a check engine light when I take it back to the car rental company, Europcar. I have put this thing through some serious high speeds.
This is my cruising speed on the no speed limit section of the autobahn. And guess what? Atleast 5 cars will pass me. And disappear infront of me. Well, they pass me only because I am limited with what I am driving. If I had the same car they were driving, I do not think they would catch up.
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
I left Italy today and drove through Austria on my way to Munich. Before I got to Munich, I decided to go and visit this castle called Neuschwanstein Castle. It was a great experience. I definitely recommend it.
After visiting the castle, I decided to drive 3 hours to Zurich, Switzerland since the last time I drove through Switzerland was all throughout the night and I did not see anything. So I went to Zurich for 2 nights. That is whereI am tonight and tomorrow. Too bad parking is horrible. My car is parked far away on some street. I hope it does not get towed or broken into, though I have taken everything out of it.
Here are some pictures from today. Theu did not allow us to take pictures of the I side where the true beauty lies.
On my way to the castle, this was the first time I saw a police on the side of the road using a radar to catch speeders. This is after driving through 4 countries so far. But they sure have a lot of cameras to catch speeders.
This is one of the castles you can visit. I visited the other one.
This is the one I visited.
After visiting the castle, I decided to drive 3 hours to Zurich, Switzerland since the last time I drove through Switzerland was all throughout the night and I did not see anything. So I went to Zurich for 2 nights. That is whereI am tonight and tomorrow. Too bad parking is horrible. My car is parked far away on some street. I hope it does not get towed or broken into, though I have taken everything out of it.
Here are some pictures from today. Theu did not allow us to take pictures of the I side where the true beauty lies.
On my way to the castle, this was the first time I saw a police on the side of the road using a radar to catch speeders. This is after driving through 4 countries so far. But they sure have a lot of cameras to catch speeders.
This is one of the castles you can visit. I visited the other one.
This is the one I visited.
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Tennpenn83
New member
I am loving reading about your travels. I am planning similar Alaska/Canada trip here hopefully soon, and your pictures and words have renewed that inspiration. Good luck with the rest of the time in Europe. Another place I would love to see.
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
I have been sick and too tired to post when I get to my hotel. I am slowly getting better and wanted to update my thread with something interesting that happened that I just posted on the Camry forum.
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
I am in Europe on vacation. I decided to drive 4.5 hours one way to the Czech Republic to visit a Toyota car dealership only to look at the differences between the European 2025 Camry vs the USA 2025 Toyta Camry. I have been very sick here in Europe, but still forced myself to make this drive.
I got to the Czech Republic at 10 pm. I could not find parking near the hotel. I ended up parking quite a ways away on the side of the street. I was scared as the streets were all dark. I was sick, cold and coughing every now and then. I removed my 2 suitcases and started pulling them as I walked to the hotel. They were very noisy and at each corner I would meet one or 2 guys smoking. I will always notice the orange light at the end of the cigarette and the smoke the men would blow out of their mouths.
I walked in complete silence, but the noise from my suitcases was attracting attention towards me. It bothered me a lot. I got to the hotel and the hotel was fully booked! My fault. I did not book the hotel because it had 3 rooms available about 30 minutes ago. But it was full by the time I walked in.
The lady directed me to their sister loaction hotel a few blocks down the street. I walked through 2 pitch dark streets. The time was about 10:30 pm now. I made the walk always turning around to look over my shoulder to make sure nobody was closing up on me. Because there were a few times someone or 2 were behind me. The lady from the last hotel had given me a code to use to get a key at the entrance of the new hotel. I got there and used the code to get the key to my room.
I got there and got my key. The hotel was dark and my room was upstairs. But guess what? I went to a room downstairs and tried to open it. Then I realized my mistake before someone could come to their door at 11 pm and ask me what I was doing!
I had to carry both suitcases up a long flight of stairs. I got to my room and it was small but very comfortable. I paid $48 for the room and it came with a free breakfast buffet in the morning. The breakfast was amazing!
I had a very restful night and in the morning I was amazed at the selections available for breakfast. I ate very well. I walked a long way to get my car and brought it to the front of the hotel. I then loaded my suitcases and drove to the Toyota dealership. Still sick!
I got to the Czech Republic at 10 pm. I could not find parking near the hotel. I ended up parking quite a ways away on the side of the street. I was scared as the streets were all dark. I was sick, cold and coughing every now and then. I removed my 2 suitcases and started pulling them as I walked to the hotel. They were very noisy and at each corner I would meet one or 2 guys smoking. I will always notice the orange light at the end of the cigarette and the smoke the men would blow out of their mouths.
I walked in complete silence, but the noise from my suitcases was attracting attention towards me. It bothered me a lot. I got to the hotel and the hotel was fully booked! My fault. I did not book the hotel because it had 3 rooms available about 30 minutes ago. But it was full by the time I walked in.
The lady directed me to their sister loaction hotel a few blocks down the street. I walked through 2 pitch dark streets. The time was about 10:30 pm now. I made the walk always turning around to look over my shoulder to make sure nobody was closing up on me. Because there were a few times someone or 2 were behind me. The lady from the last hotel had given me a code to use to get a key at the entrance of the new hotel. I got there and used the code to get the key to my room.
I got there and got my key. The hotel was dark and my room was upstairs. But guess what? I went to a room downstairs and tried to open it. Then I realized my mistake before someone could come to their door at 11 pm and ask me what I was doing!
I had to carry both suitcases up a long flight of stairs. I got to my room and it was small but very comfortable. I paid $48 for the room and it came with a free breakfast buffet in the morning. The breakfast was amazing!
I had a very restful night and in the morning I was amazed at the selections available for breakfast. I ate very well. I walked a long way to get my car and brought it to the front of the hotel. I then loaded my suitcases and drove to the Toyota dealership. Still sick!
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
I drove to the dealership and asked for help to look at the cars. A sales guy came out with meto the cars. I used an app to speak Czech. He could understand English a lot more tan he could speak. But I tried to speak more in Czech using the app.
I started by looking at the 2025 Toyota Rav4 GR and the 2025 Rav4 Plug-in.
I then went to the 2025 Toyota Camry. These are the differences that I noticed.
The hood of the Czech Camry is very light. The USA Camry's hood weighs 3 times more than that of the Czech.
The Czech Camry has headlight washers.
The Czech Camry has fog lights.
The guy was nice. I asked for help to get part numbers but he said he could not help me and gave me his card to email him about it and he may try to get it for me later on.
Here comes Teresa out of nowhere. Eavesdropping on our conversation. Besides, ever since I walked into that dealership, they all have been looking at me. A man who cannot speak their language and looking at brand new cars. They were curious if I really was there to buy a car or what? When I opened my phone and showed them pictures that I owned a 2025 Camry and sold it to buy a 2025 Rav4, they were a bit more receptive.I told them that I bought the Camry cash 8 months ago and decided I wanted electric and bought the 2025 Rav4 Plug-in.
Teresa jumped into the discussion from nowhere and said she is the parts lady and can help me. Great girl! She asked me things about the USA. She spoke very good English. She said she learned only in school and watching USA movies and shows. She has never left her country.
Well, she helped me get all these part numbers I asked for. I asked if they could ship to the USA? she said no. I asked to see the parts. She said they do not stock the parts I wanted but she showed me she could order them from Toyota and they would be there by May 16th.
I told her that if I wanted one of those parts, I would ask for her help by emailing her and sending her the money to please buy it for me and mail it to me. She was stunned. She said I do not know her. Why would I trust to send her money to buy me parts and ship? I told her that if I make up my mind that I want the parts, I will trust her and I would ask her to please help me. And I said if she told me that she would help me, then I would not have any fear and I would send her the money to buy it and ship it for me.
She helped me for a total of 2 hours. I thanked her a lot for her time and I removed $20 from my wallet and reached out to give her. She stepped backwards and asked what is that for? I said 20 US dollars to thank her for helping me. She said no. They do not take money. That she was doing her job. She said they do not take money from people. I asked her if she has ever done anything nice for a random stranger. Like buy some stranger food to eat. She said yes. I said can you just take this as a random stranger doing something simple for you like buying a meal? She said no. She said listen, "In Czech, if a man gives a woman money like this for no reason, it means later on he may ask the woman for any kind of favor (sexual or not) and she cannot say no!" I told her this is not the case. I just want to thank her because she went the extra mile to help me and I appreciate it a lot. Besides, I said this is probably my one and only time I will ever visit Czech. She said no. I can never say that because I can leave today and still come back to that same dealership or country. That I do not know how my future will be.
In the end she accepted to take the money and said it is not something that happens here in Czech. People do not just give money to others just because they did their job. I thanked her for her time and got into my car to drive back to Germany.
I started by looking at the 2025 Toyota Rav4 GR and the 2025 Rav4 Plug-in.
I then went to the 2025 Toyota Camry. These are the differences that I noticed.
The hood of the Czech Camry is very light. The USA Camry's hood weighs 3 times more than that of the Czech.
The Czech Camry has headlight washers.
The Czech Camry has fog lights.
The guy was nice. I asked for help to get part numbers but he said he could not help me and gave me his card to email him about it and he may try to get it for me later on.
Here comes Teresa out of nowhere. Eavesdropping on our conversation. Besides, ever since I walked into that dealership, they all have been looking at me. A man who cannot speak their language and looking at brand new cars. They were curious if I really was there to buy a car or what? When I opened my phone and showed them pictures that I owned a 2025 Camry and sold it to buy a 2025 Rav4, they were a bit more receptive.I told them that I bought the Camry cash 8 months ago and decided I wanted electric and bought the 2025 Rav4 Plug-in.
Teresa jumped into the discussion from nowhere and said she is the parts lady and can help me. Great girl! She asked me things about the USA. She spoke very good English. She said she learned only in school and watching USA movies and shows. She has never left her country.
Well, she helped me get all these part numbers I asked for. I asked if they could ship to the USA? she said no. I asked to see the parts. She said they do not stock the parts I wanted but she showed me she could order them from Toyota and they would be there by May 16th.
I told her that if I wanted one of those parts, I would ask for her help by emailing her and sending her the money to please buy it for me and mail it to me. She was stunned. She said I do not know her. Why would I trust to send her money to buy me parts and ship? I told her that if I make up my mind that I want the parts, I will trust her and I would ask her to please help me. And I said if she told me that she would help me, then I would not have any fear and I would send her the money to buy it and ship it for me.
She helped me for a total of 2 hours. I thanked her a lot for her time and I removed $20 from my wallet and reached out to give her. She stepped backwards and asked what is that for? I said 20 US dollars to thank her for helping me. She said no. They do not take money. That she was doing her job. She said they do not take money from people. I asked her if she has ever done anything nice for a random stranger. Like buy some stranger food to eat. She said yes. I said can you just take this as a random stranger doing something simple for you like buying a meal? She said no. She said listen, "In Czech, if a man gives a woman money like this for no reason, it means later on he may ask the woman for any kind of favor (sexual or not) and she cannot say no!" I told her this is not the case. I just want to thank her because she went the extra mile to help me and I appreciate it a lot. Besides, I said this is probably my one and only time I will ever visit Czech. She said no. I can never say that because I can leave today and still come back to that same dealership or country. That I do not know how my future will be.
In the end she accepted to take the money and said it is not something that happens here in Czech. People do not just give money to others just because they did their job. I thanked her for her time and got into my car to drive back to Germany.
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
This is where my car spent the night. I emptied everything from it for fear it may be broken into. The walk to the hotel was very far from here.
In the morning I went and picked up my car and brought to the hotel. It was a long walk. I am glad my car was in tack when I got it.Here it is parked infront of the hotel.
Here is the hotel
I paid only $48 for this hotel, but I had the best breakfast from a hotel so far on this trip. I stay at budget hotels, if I can find one.
In the morning I went and picked up my car and brought to the hotel. It was a long walk. I am glad my car was in tack when I got it.Here it is parked infront of the hotel.
Here is the hotel
I paid only $48 for this hotel, but I had the best breakfast from a hotel so far on this trip. I stay at budget hotels, if I can find one.
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
I achieved a bucket list goal today. I raced on the Nurburgring. It was quite an experience. I even made a video. Here is the video.
The track is 12.9 miles long. It is opened in the evenings for tourists or say the public. Week days cost $30 per lap. Weekends cost $35 per lap.
I paid $39 fir a lap. Many others were paying for 2 or more laps.
Here is the video i took of my lap. While I did not beat the top lap time, I had a lot of fun with my 2 cylinder VW T-Cross.
The race track is opened to the public from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm.
You buy your tickets here and hit the road. The place is PACKED. When it opens at 5:30 pm, so many cars are lined up to race.
The track is 12.9 miles long. It is opened in the evenings for tourists or say the public. Week days cost $30 per lap. Weekends cost $35 per lap.
I paid $39 fir a lap. Many others were paying for 2 or more laps.
Here is the video i took of my lap. While I did not beat the top lap time, I had a lot of fun with my 2 cylinder VW T-Cross.
The race track is opened to the public from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm.
You buy your tickets here and hit the road. The place is PACKED. When it opens at 5:30 pm, so many cars are lined up to race.
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PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
I have been sick for half of this trip and that has really slowed me down with updating my thread. I am finally feeling better and flying back to the US tomorrow. So thought it wise to update a bit today.
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PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
During this trip, I have driven to Belgium twice. Yesterday I drove 3 hours ro Brussels and drove 2 hours back to Germany. Each time going through The Netherlands, Luxemboug and France.
Belgium is very beautiful. It deserves its own trip. Based on the experience I have had on this trip, one can really visit the whole of Europe by renting a car and driving all around. It is basically open border. I never got checked at any border I crossed except in Italy.
The police or border patrol was saying hello to everybody in Italia. When he got to me, I said he said hello in English. He pulled me over for a secondary check.
I just took out my US passport and that was it. He told me have a good day.
Belgium is very beautiful. It deserves its own trip. Based on the experience I have had on this trip, one can really visit the whole of Europe by renting a car and driving all around. It is basically open border. I never got checked at any border I crossed except in Italy.
The police or border patrol was saying hello to everybody in Italia. When he got to me, I said he said hello in English. He pulled me over for a secondary check.
I just took out my US passport and that was it. He told me have a good day.
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
Brussels, Belgium
This is the symbol of Belgium
They have this symbol to be beware of pickpockets, posted here at this exibition. This seems to be a serious problem in some parts of Europe. A colleague of mine visited Spain last year with her husband. Her purse was stolen from her bag which had her US passport in it. Luckily her hotel was next to the US embassy and I think she got a replacement the next day. Well, after paying a fee.
I like cars and I like racing. So I was very happy to come across this store at the Grand Place in Brussels. It is called Grand Place Models. It has every kind of diecast car you would want. I spent a lot of time there. And then I saw this French guy pick up a conversation with an Asian guy from the US. Next thing I knew the French guy was buying this F1 car in the top and the Asian guy was buying the one just below it. The second oicture below. Right infront of my eyes. And the Asian guy said he was not expecting to see this car here and he wants it! It was a very interesting thing for me to see especially as each car cost 737 euros!
I have to save the name of this shop because if I go back to Brussels someday, I may go here to buy a car.
The most popular statue at the Grand Place in Brussels. When you get to Brussels, you have to go hunting to find this little guy hidden somewhere.
This is the symbol of Belgium
They have this symbol to be beware of pickpockets, posted here at this exibition. This seems to be a serious problem in some parts of Europe. A colleague of mine visited Spain last year with her husband. Her purse was stolen from her bag which had her US passport in it. Luckily her hotel was next to the US embassy and I think she got a replacement the next day. Well, after paying a fee.
I like cars and I like racing. So I was very happy to come across this store at the Grand Place in Brussels. It is called Grand Place Models. It has every kind of diecast car you would want. I spent a lot of time there. And then I saw this French guy pick up a conversation with an Asian guy from the US. Next thing I knew the French guy was buying this F1 car in the top and the Asian guy was buying the one just below it. The second oicture below. Right infront of my eyes. And the Asian guy said he was not expecting to see this car here and he wants it! It was a very interesting thing for me to see especially as each car cost 737 euros!
I have to save the name of this shop because if I go back to Brussels someday, I may go here to buy a car.
The most popular statue at the Grand Place in Brussels. When you get to Brussels, you have to go hunting to find this little guy hidden somewhere.
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PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
Grand Place
This is probably a must go for anybody who visits Belgium. If you go to Belgium, this is one of, if not the most visited destination.
This is probably a must go for anybody who visits Belgium. If you go to Belgium, this is one of, if not the most visited destination.
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