A few days ago, winter finally took over in Berlin and brought its snow and perishing cold. From Thursday to Saturday all the kids were gone, spending their weekend somewhere else. M. suggested the sauna. Sitting in a tremendously hot, damp place is not exactly my idea of leisure, but it was gorgeous.
Photo: Manuela.Martin
Every year in November the Badeschiff on the river Spree transforms from a swimming pool into a Sauna boat. We had a rather adventurous journey getting there, but if you head for the Arena you shouldn’t have any problems. In the last few yards walking between old fabric halls, which were bathed in warm red light, a feeling of suspense and bewilderment came over me. This was enhanced by shouting coming from the Arena edifice. Because the darkness sets in so early now, you can see the Badeschiff from a distance - illuminated and floating like three giant cocoons on the river.
Photo: RogPool
Before entering these cocoons of wellbeing, we had to change in the cabins on the mainland and then run the last icy steps before plunging into the futuristic shape. In the first space a bar provides hot and cold drinks, finger food and lots of magazines. People lie wrapped in white blankets, reading, chatting, listening to the unobtrusive music and otherwise chilling out. The prime spots - those with a view - are of course difficult to snag. It hardly matters because the best is still to come.
Photo: RogPool
Two saunas are located in the next cocoon. The hottest one has a river view and an added bonus: instead of the ordinary cool-down by a cold shower, a dive in the real Badeschiff provides an extraordinary experience. Since there was nobody there I could swim undisturbed in the green glittering water feeling free off all gravity. At each end of the pool you can thrust away the plastic curtains and push yourself a little bit on the basin. There you are in the middle of the starry night overlooking the Spree as far as the eyes can see.
Feeling warm and comfortable to the last sinew I took consolation in the fact that this is happening only because it’s winter.
WINTER BADESCHIFF AN DER ARENA, Eichenstr. 4, Berlin
Go further: Find out about good places to hang out along the Spree-river during the summer. Just click here.
