Day 14: West Lake Constance to East, July 15th.

I awoke at 7. Today was going to be HOT so I decided on less distance. I had a croissant and tea for breakfast. Then I packed and was off. The ride to Konstanz and the city itself was unspectacular. It was all just bike paths through built up towns. However around 10 I reached the ferry. From the ferry I had a view of the whole lake, and the huge Austrian and Swiss alps beyond. Once across, for a while I was cycling with the blue waters and mountains to my right and endless vineyards and orchards to my left. This was a good time.

Eventually beeline took me back up into the town and my view diminished somewhat. I stopped at a gas station to get a coke and a Milka bar, which promptly melted. A little while later I stopped at a huge supermarket and got some pastries, bread and blue cheese. Soon after this I wheeled down the hill again and found myself by the lake. There I met 2 German lads. One, called Paul, struck up a convo with me. They’re cycling to Monaco. I got both their instas and Paul on snapchat. I also got a photo with them. Then I cycled off. [I thought they were going the opposite direction, but it later turned out they weren’t. I could have cycled with them – they would have been faster – lycra and road bikes. Nevertheless I stayed in contact with Paul on snapchat all of his trip and most of mine. Nice guy.]

A few km later I found myself at my campsite. It was only 3:50 so I deliberated whether to continue, but my aching legs and the 36 degree heat [Cerberus was on its way] persuaded me to stop, especially as I’m tackling the alps tomorrow. A deranged homeless man struck up a convo with me. Classic.

I set up my tent, met an English fellow traveller, then went for a swim in the lake. The view of the mountains was spectacular. I knew the alps would be worth it. I took a shower, bought a beer and some crisps, read, and relaxed. That brings us to now.

***

Later the British guy came over and invited me to go for pizza. He asked me my name. It was Max. So was his. Crazy times. We got a pizza from a nearby pizzeria and he tried Colawiezen. I don’t think he’s a fan. The Pizza was good though. After an ice cream and a long wait for a bus we were both on the way to a reggae party near the island of Lindau. We arrived to a broken toilet and the sound of reggae beats. [Max spent most of the time looking for somewhere to piss, since the toilet didn’t accept money, which was needed to unlock it.] The announcer spoke in English. We got beers and danced for a couple of hours. It was good vibes. We were by the lake, and it felt like I was in Jamaica.

Around 10:30 we were both tired, so went to sit on the lakeside. Nearby some teenagers were skinny dipping. Oh to be young. Around 11 we caught the bus back, complete with creepy drunk nutter. We said goodbye and went to bed, thoroughly soused.

Video of this day