Are definitely not free, as was shown to me today. The best thing, which is tied in the #1 spot is chocolate. Went to a cool museum today called Chocoversum, a small shop and guided tour of a chocolate factory, though it isn’t a factory. There is very little to do and see, it is almost entirely a long guided tour, available only in German today. There are some chocolate machines and the focus is on the creation of chocolate. Throughout the tours you get samples of chocolate in various states of production. From moist in the pod beans, to dried baked beans, to crunchy chocolate paste, to fine ground dried powder to tasty gooey finished chocolate. Half the tour seemed to consist of the guide handing out samples. But it was all tasty, except for the dried cocoa beans. Those are gross. You also also get to make a bar of chocolate…at least you get to customize it. They give you a mold with freshly poured warm chocolate and there is about 10 different toppings to choose from. They said 3 spoonfulls of toppings, all I really heard was take as many as you like until there is no place left for the toppings to stick. So I went with that.

Shortly after I got on the train, leaving Hamburg, and all its Hamburgers behind. Burger more or less translates to city inhabitant, or resident. Took the first train to a city called Bucholz, then a connecting train to the town with the goofy name of Schneverdingen, then a bus to my final stop of the day, not a town. Or city. It is… you’ll find out soon enough.

Anyways, it’s time for part 2 of the best things in life. Though this one might be a little more abstract to think of as beneficial to life.

I am currently at a place called Abenteuer Hotel (Adventure Hotel),
a place with awesome themed rooms. Some are demonic themed, some are wild western themed…mine…

PIRATES!!! Hell yea! Pirate themed room! Barrels, old iron chandeliers, wooden bed, brick walls, striped window curtains, even the bathroom is crazy. All it is missing is the rum. Just look at the pictures. Mmm, tasty pirates…or is that chocolate? There are pirate rooms, pirate premium rooms,  and captains room, though frankly they all look almost identical, but the latter 2 are more expensive. I am in the regular pirate room, the other 2 types were sold out anyways.

The whole hotel looks like a castle, complete with moat and tiny drawbridge, with ship themed playground and nautical restaurant. The pool area is really neat. (The second hotel I have stayed at in Germany with a pool). The pool is nighttime Arabian desert themed. Stars (little lights) are scattered across the dark blue sky with large rocks and hills and mountains of a dessert painted on the walls with Arabian temple scenes painted as well, with a tiny island with a palm tree with coconuts that spray water, old looking pots that spray water and a neat little semi hidden alcove under a large fiberglass rock mountain behind some waterfalls. There are also waterslides up on top, though very short! There is also a sauna. Off to the side between the pool edge and the little palm tree island is a super mini short jet stream river. It is mostly geared for children, and isn’t all super crazy awesome, but it just makes for a super fun experience. Have some pictures, dammit! (I did not get pictures of the pool, but I will try tomorrow.)

So after experiencing a decrease in funds after both of these places I can confirm the best things in life, pirates, chocolates and pirate shaped chocolates are not free. Root beer is second best.