This blog will be broken into a few separate blogs because there is just so much to explain! I am sure some people will think this is too much to include in a blog, but for our family and friends, this is still the best way to share both photos and matching stories.I will start with Thursday. We got up super early and hurried ourselves to the airport where we had quite possibly the most invasive security check ever. My boots were I think responsible for setting off the sensor, but I got a thorough patting down and scan, then my boots were removed (knee high I might add), and my feet were lifted and scanned as well! Michael did not escape this torture either, but he did not have to remove his shoes.
Once cleared by security, we happily boarded our plane and within an hour, we had landed in Berlin. We were most impressed with AirBerlin, as when you disembark the plane, you receive a delicious chocolate AirBerlin heart. We were so impressed that the chocolate was gone long before our luggage was available for collection!
Once we had checked into our hotel, naturally we headed straight out to see what Berlin was all about. After years of wanting to visit such a historical place, it was fantastic to finally be there.
Our first stop was Alexanderplatz. We ended up here alot over the coming days as this was the meeting point for tours. But we felt it the best place to start as it was the home to the Fernseherturm - better known as the Tellespargel (tele asparagus). We thought that to get to know the layout of Berlin, why not see it from above. So we made our way up to the viewing platform 230m above ground.
I won't include too many photos as it was an overcast day and they don't show up all the detail in these small photos, but you get the idea!
We saw plenty of Berlin from the top of the asparagus.
Once we made our way back down the tower, we started walking with the aim of eventually getting to the Reichstag building by 3pm for a pre-booked tour. Along the way, we were surprised by two things. 1 - the sheer beauty of the architecture, particularly on Museum Island, and 2 - The sheer mass of construction that was happening, thus obscuring the beauty noted in point 1.
But we did see some amazing places, including churches, and bridges. Note the blue construction pipes in the background of the bridge picture. We could not photograph the bridge from any other angle due to the construction.
On our way to the Reichstag, we stopped for lunch at a packed Italian restaurant. The food was simply divine... when it arrived. The waitress mucked up our order, lost our order, our drinks never arrived... in the end we were pleased when our food came and we were able to eat and leave.
We did eventually make it to the Reichstag. This was a building I had been desperate to see ever since we visited Legoland, and saw the scale model of the building. It was an impressive sculpture but the real one was even more so.
With prior booking, we were able to go up to the dome at the top. This turned out to be the most worth while trip. Thanks Danica and Matt for the tip!
Heading up the front steps, we were amazed at how closely the real Reichstag matched the Lego copy. I had thought the ornate panel in Lego was impressive. Little was I to know just how similar it was. It was just beautiful! Such brilliant carving skills.
At the top of the building, you are invited to take an audio guide which is triggered by sensors as you make your way up and around the dome, providing substantial information about the building itself, what you could see from the dome, and the history of Berlin. It was fascinating. The dome itself was a massive glass and mirror structure, with the central funnel (made of mirrors) directing the natural light down into the parliament room below.
This of course was not originally part of the Reichstag. The original building was set alight on February 27, 1933, as Hitler was coming to power. The building was rebuilt years later after the war, and this dome was designed and added in 1999.
From the top you could see all around Berlin. My favourite view points were the Brandenburger Tor, and the Victory Column.
That ended our first day of holiday. We were both so tired that we went back to our hotel and slept for a bit before having dinner at Vapianos at the Train station next to our hotel. We blamed the early start! We also wanted to be super fresh and ready for day 2!
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DAY 2!!!!
Fair warning to all - from here on we venture into Bike Tour territory. Michael and I simply love doing bike tours on our holidays. Ever since we did a bike tour of Paris with Fat Tire Bike Tours, we fell in love with this form of sight seeing. It really is the best way to see a city, especially when you only have limited time.
So, my fair warning also belongs to the onslaught of photos of me, and the lack of photos of Michael. This is a result of one of us being super coordinated and being able to ride and take photos simultaneously - while the other is absolutely not. The occasional shots of Michael you will notice involve standing still actions.... ie: when I was not riding, when my feet were firmly on the ground and when I could hold the camera with both hands!
This was the first tour we took - the All-in-one city bike tour!
This was Michael's bike - meet Frankfurt!
My new friend was called Shaq.
We saw many beautiful sights, and again, also saw construction. To the left of the church is a construction site, where they are rebuilding a palace. Apparently this is how Berlin is getting itself into massive debt - any one surprised?
Again, please excuse the crane in front, but this was St Hedwigs, a beautiful dome church in the grounds of the Humbold University in Babel Platz.
This is the Library of Humbold University in Babel Platz, and also the site of famed book burnings of the 1930's.
These two identical dome buildings were built specially - one for the French people, then one for the Germans who didn't feel it was fair the French got a building in Berlin.
Outside these buildings we came across the strangest opera singer...
This was our tour leader Ciaràn while he was explaining the iron curtain, checkpoint Charlie, and how the wall came about. Despite his somewhat yankie looks, he was the most hilarious Irishman. We loved Ciaràn from the moment we got to the tour meeting point when he was doing the introduction talk to the 50+ people. We were asked to choose from 6 tour leaders and we ran for Ciaràn because he was so flippin' funny!
The famed Checkpoint Charlie.
Some 'wall' art!
Finally, we saw some of the only remaining wall. This stretch of wall was partially removed before it was decided to keep it for memory and documentation. It really brought the true meaning of war home.
The hardest part to believe is that this is not ancient history. Its really hard to think that we were already alive when the wall was torn down, that the torture, torment and fear that is still associated with the wall was happening in our time. We were both very moved by this thought. Very humbling.
I was so moved infact, that I took the opportunity to get some love from a Berlin Bear across the road. This cheered me up a little.
Not far around the corner, we visited the only remaining sniper tower. This used to stand between the front wall and interior wall. It wasn't all that big and apparently two guards manned it at all times (if they didn't flee during their shift).
More moving still was Memorial for the Jewish people. I found it very hard to sit here and just think. Not everyone finds this a fitting tribute to lost souls. I on the other hand thought it a subtle yet simultaneously obvious statement. No names on plaques, but you knew what it was representing.
There is a museum here where there is a tape playing 24/7. It reads the names of all the Jewish people killed. There are over 6 million names. Apparently this tape takes over 6 years to be played in full. I find that really puts it into perspective. If we stopped and gave thought to everyone who lost their life just in this particular time and place, it would take 6 years or more.... hmmm, sure made me think.
Luckily, as we moved on, we were greeted by a bike bus of lads having a great time and a drink while peddling. We had a laugh!
This is the marker that denotes where the wall once stood. This line of cobble stones can be followed all the way through Berlin, where ever the wall was.
Like I said, random bike shots of me.... cause Michael thought it funny. Trust me, there were plenty more!
A memorial to the Soviet Soldiers - errected in West before it was taken by the Brits/Americans/French.
The Victory Column. I was very impressed with her!
She was in the middle of a round about.
We stopped for lunch.... and a beer! Our tour group sat together and we got to know each other. So many Aussies!
Once again, we saw the Reichstag.
Last stop on the day tour - the Brandenburger Tor.
The area was full of tourists.
This was the hotel where Michael Jackson famously dangled baby Blanket.
You could pose for photos with all sorts in front of the Brandenburger Tor - even Predator!
Making our way back to the bike shop.
Yup.... he took loads of photos of me. Note the ridiculous amounts of piping and construction in the background again.
So now we were finally off the bikes, we got straight back on for our Night Tour. This was a little different, touring backstreet neighbourhoods, and stopping at two restaurants and an ice cream shop on the way. The best big - we got E-bikes. It made going up hills awesome!
This time I had a bike called Daniel Farenheit, and Michael had Carl Zeiss.
The E-bikes were all named after early inventors and scientists.
This was the first restaurant. The food here was superb. It was German Tapas!
Top row was Mini Schnitzel!
Ok, so I got one good shot of Michael - when he jumped off his bike so he could go jump on the trampoline, throwing me the camera in the process so he didn't break it while jumping!
We got to visit the magical fountain. This was built for the children's hospital and all the statues are from the Brothers Grimm fairy tales.
This was where we stopped to admire some of Stalin's architecture.
We took a ride past the East Side Gallery.
Sadly, while some of it looked great, some of it has been drastically covered in graffiti in the last 4 or so years. Its really ruined some great famous works.
Our lovely tour leader Derick stopped us on a bridge near the east side gallery because we were early for our next meal, and he bought everyone a beer. Beer on a bridge - how German!
This was the view during said beer!
We completed the tour with a second meal (yes, we were stuffed) at a turkish restaurant, then gelati, before heading back to the shop, and admiring the lights on all the buildings.
One last view of the Asparagus.
Right - well I am going to leave this blog here. Day 3 and 4 are coming, I promise. Tomorrow.
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