Saturday, July 6, 2013

Sightseeing from bed

My Paper, Friday, July 05, 2013, Page A16, News
Source Website:
http://www.mypaper.com.sg/news/sightseeing-bed-20130705
By mypaper, Published on Jul 05, 2013

http://www.illywords.com/2013/06/10676/
By Manuela Castiglione on June 28, 2013 in The Banquet of Creativity


Two women being driven on a 'Bettbike' (bed bike) through Berlin, Germany, on Wednesday. Entrepreneur Richard Eckes and his company Berlin Horizontal offer tours around the capital on the new rickshaw. A one-hour tour costs 45 euros (S$74).
Two women being driven on a 'Bettbike' (bed bike) through Berlin, Germany, on Wednesday. Entrepreneur Richard Eckes and his company Berlin Horizontal offer tours around the capital on the new rickshaw. A one-hour tour costs 45 euros (S$74).
PHOTO: Two women being driven on a "Bettbike" (bed bike) through Berlin, Germany, on Wednesday. Entrepreneur Richard Eckes and his company Berlin Horizontal offer tours around the capital on the new rickshaw. A one-hour tour costs 45 euros (S$74).
By WOLFGANG KUMM/AFP
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDl71c0zasDIAUrdrfRA2eAKNzQV2iWfMYAHVcUJ5ic8FG9I5otPDyqNbyuDIsFt41febO6pjdBb4dNiwJoNazneAGQVDfE_fSj2sh8N3VeHxZ5OjtMq8io_CvAdKUtL9P6RBfY6Q9GcGH/s1600/MY_20130705_BIZCAM05_P_3732324.jpg
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http://www.mypaper.com.sg/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/field/image/20130705/MY_20130705_BIZCAM05_P_3732324.jpg
http://www.mypaper.com.sg/news/sightseeing-bed-20130705


Berlin Horizontal, sightseeing lying on a bed
Some days ago, right when Obama and Michelle were walking on the Berlin Wall Memorial Park in Berlin under a burning sun, I got struck by something unusual. I saw a bike with a bed mounted on the rear side, with a couple of tourists on the top. I quickly took note of the name of this weird way to go sightseeing. The name is Berlin Horizontal and its creative mind is Richard Eckes.


Richard Eckes, the Berlin Horizontal and its creative mind
PHOTO:  Richard Eckes, the Berlin Horizontal and its creative mind
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuplrsHvY5G1F2AA9zm3I1Uo-uBKDhdk316wNBDdq2o2_hNUCtPHCm0D2m-SDJXrIbkysdxxtWGkI0pKGvbmb-gFOnL0clc3dI_3KHA0bFdPfTvVK3mG8s9lh2dQkQetLZFWA3K-TwL6oR/s1600/Berlin-Horizontal-BB006-Kopie.jpg
http://www.illywords.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Berlin-Horizontal-BB006-Kopie.jpg
http://www.illywords.com/2013/06/10676/


I contacted him and tried to get to know how he came to this lucky idea.

R.E.: “Originally I was looking for a cycle carrier. One day a friend of mine told me that a PR agency got built for an hotel chain a “Pedelec” (a pedal electric cycle) with a bed on the top and that it was lying unused somewhere in Munich. This triggered in me the idea to buy this special “lying carriage” and to use it for sightseeing, surprise-tours and fun- pic/-video shootings.”

M.C.: “In Berlin there are some alternative ways to go sightseeing (from the usual bike tour, to the rickshaw, and many more). In this arena of diversity what aspect of innovation/change brings your idea?”

R.E.: “Being around the city lying on a bed is something totally unusual. The point is that everybody has a bed of course, but normally in a protected, intimate place. It might be even “the” most confortable, cosy and relaxing place where you like to be. And now you can even go with it all through Berlin.

By the way, I can offer unique souvenir photos or videos. If I take the pictures from the right angle I can avoid to show the bike or any brands. Therefore it seems like a single bed stays in front of the most renowned places of the city.”


This special 'lying carriage' can be used for sightseeing, surprise- tours and fun- pic/-video shootings.
PHOTO: This special “lying carriage” can be used for sightseeing, surprise- tours and fun- pic/-video shootings.”
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJ63pRSf9wqHgBF-qDmeV41sypcYzyh93-mbhmdG2SN8-31x-rfdXcEwtni9xtFo6wtB3tnu9qpv0wagAcZZF0pF_gX5vm5KOERs-Jxsg5ICffVVIotSEvQdDUG3utM9wnJ_ImIoddts-/s1600/berlin-horizontal-bb004-kopie.jpg
http://www.illywords.com/wp-content/gallery/horizontal-berlin/berlin-horizontal-bb004-kopie.jpg
http://www.illywords.com/2013/06/10676/


M.C.: “What´s your public?”

R.E.: “People between 5 and 50. There is no special rule.
But preferably I get reservations from clients who want to make a surprise for a birthday or an anniversary or farewell parties with friends.”

M.C.: “Do you think this idea could be implemented also in other cities or this represents in a certain way a typicality for a weird city likeBerlin?”

R.E.: “Of Course this is exportable also in other cities. I guess it is anyway worth a try.”

M.C.: “How many tours do you plan in a day? How much does it cost? Is there only one bed or many all over the city?”


Special atmospheres provide the spirit with an elan that brings you close  to fertile discoveries or ideas.
PHOTO: Special atmospheres provide the spirit with an elan that brings you close  to fertile discoveries or ideas.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjftOhCf8a8cXKPjGP3c8fTfYzIPnCr8Ei20IFHRNFKmsxCObfn-reFyaTnZbvUX_7kUn-TIu8sOMOYS8NgT-qS_wB-dTwuagYdkeOewWQSJk-nFU4l1QbpcCFSpk2j7tyjx5jMNYK6MotL/s1600/berlin-horizontal-bb007-kopie.jpg
http://www.illywords.com/wp-content/gallery/horizontal-berlin/berlin-horizontal-bb007-kopie.jpg
http://www.illywords.com/2013/06/10676/


R.E.: “Till now Horizontal Berlin is a One Man Show: 1 bed, 1 biker, 1 manager. A one hour tour costs 38 euros inclusive fotos and/or video shooting. Meeting points are individually determined, I only charge the guest with 12 euros more for each half an hour drive to get to the appointment.”

M.C.: “And now a question linked to the topic of month on illywords (“The Banquet of Creativity”): What´s creativity in your opinion? Many big thinkers in all eras followed some rituals to get inspired and creative. Do you have any “ritual” to get an idea or to improve your creativity?”

R.E.: “Creativity cannot be ritualised, I think. The moment you hardly “want” to be creative turns into a “not be able to”. In my experience special atmospheres provide the spirit with an elan that brings you close  to fertile discoveries or ideas. I think now at the delirium of good music or sport. Or rather accidentally the most banal daily dream with open eyes..”

Isn´t it a great idea! Waiting for getting a ride.
By Manuela Castiglione on June 28, 2013 in The Banquet of Creativity


Manuela Castiglione
PHOTO: Manuela Castiglione
After completing her studies in Venice in Marketing and Communication, Manuela had been working in Milan and Bologna in the PR and Communication field. In love with the idea of personally evolving by melting with other cultures, she decided in 2007 to move together with her family to Berlin where she has been living, working and blogging. She is passionately fond of diverse areas, from psychology to contemporary art, from fashion design all through sustainability in its various expressions.
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http://www.illywords.com/2013/04/memories-of-the-hoarding-painters-in-india/



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