Interesting times in Berlin

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Geo: 52.5235, 13.4115

So far behind so writing a short essay on what we did as well as a few of the many pictures we took.

We were using Berlin as a jumping off point to use some of our Avios points to travel to
Santorini Greece. We found that it was a great place to visit. Our friend Stefan from
Switzerland was going to be in Berlin at the same time! Because he was going to be there
we changed our place to stay to the boat Eastern Comfort located on the river Spree next
the remaining portion of the Berlin Wall.

We had a room complete with two portholes that looked out onto the river and we could see
the waterfowl out on the river. We also had a view of the famous Oberbaum bridge. The area
around the boat is a mixture of old and new buildings and a great variety of places to eat,
drink and just watch people. The boat was moored on what was East Berlin back in the day.

Getting around: Berlin is a very easy city to get around in. We did not ride any buses but did use the trains and the Sbahn and did a lot of walking around. We also rode bicycles one
day. Bicycles are a big option in this city and there are large dedicated s lanes for them
on the roads. Also, on some of the walkways, there is a bicycle lane as well marked with a
red line. You learn very quickly what that red line means!

Fun in the city: For those who slept through history classes, Berlin is full of historical
places such as the Berlin Wall right by the boat Eastern Comfort. Tourist gimmick, get your
passport stamped by the Border Guard! Walked along the wall looking at the various "art"
and messages on the wall, went to the DDR museum (what life was like in East Germany when
the wall was in existence), Brandenburg Gate, and just looked at the various buildings
around town.

We did a day long bicycle ride from the hostel through the area that had been East Berlin.
Stefan explained a great deal about the architecture of the area. From there we traveled
along the Spree river through many of the parts of town that had survived the bombing. We
were traveling along the Unter den Linden Strasse named for the Linden trees that line the
street. In the olden days, it was wide enough for two carriages. It ends at the Brandenburg
Gate and from there to the Tiergarten, formerly a hunting estate, now the park with 14 miles
of paths with monuments and statues throughout. Was a wonderful day to be biking and we
wandered through the park stopping to take pictures and just enjoy. Had lunch at the Tea
Garten and relaxed before heading back.

Bicycled past one of the guard towers that been placed around and then over to Checkpoint
Charlie. It was crowded with school groups so we rode on back to the hostel for our picnic
dinner out on the front of the boat.

We decided to take the train and ride out to Potsdam and visit the Sans Souci palace, former
summer palace of Frederick the Great of Prussia. The train ride out was interesting and as
you left Berlin, you entered areas of forested land beautiful in the fall colors. There
were dachas dotted here and there as we passed by.

Potsdam is a very clean city and did not have the hustle and bustle of Berlin. The palace
is supposed to be one of the smaller ones but of course the grounds were huge. Walked up
the steps to the main building (over 150) and then outside for a quick lunch. Then walked
to the Orangerie, which is a large greenhouse and then over to the Dragonhaus. This building
was influenced by Chinese architecture and now is coffee shop and restaurant. We had a
coffee before heading back to catch the train.

Train back and then caught a tram over to another part of Berlin where a friend of Stefan's
lives. Feet are very tired but we kept walking and walking. Stop at coffee shop and Werner
arrives and we walk a bit through his neighborhood before we go to dinner. Nice evening
but we decided taxi home because feet were tired and no more walking!

Our last day was spent walking to find food and getting things packed up and ready for an
early departure. Had dinner at the place next door with view of river. When time pay the
bill my credit card was missing and my other card was declined. Called the credit card
company and in the change of names, I brought the older of the two cards and they offered to
send me a new one even though I was overseas. Gave them the address of where we were
staying in Santorini and will see if it arrives. My other card fortunately was at the boat
where I had paid for our stay and did not get my card back. Bad move but turned out ok.

Up at 4:30 to get to the airport and catch plane to Santorini. Laura not feeling well,
chills and sweats, hope it is not malaria. Fortunately had bought our tram ticket the day
before and took the #7 to Alexanderplatz and caught the TXL bus to Tegel airport.

Both flights, Berlin to Vienna and Vienna to Santorini were just fine and both us and our
lugggage arrived in Santorini and Antonia Apartments was there to pick us up.

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Photos

bicycle ride
many statues around the city on the bike ride

pure decadence
stopped at the Dragon House for a coffee break

part of Berlin Wall
also a souvenir shop