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Berlin - being a tourist
Apr. 20th, 2014 05:08 pmLiving in a country, it's very easy to fall into the temptation of permanently postponing until next week to look around and see the city. But OI resisted temptation.
Got to Brandenburg gate. Tried to take a photo. Discovered I had no memory card. A bit of a problem, especially considering how shut Germany is on a Sunday, and this is Easter Sunday, which just makes things worse! Went back to Haubtbanhof (station) to buy a replacement and started again. Fantastic weather. It's strange that after a week of single digit temperatures it's suddenly too warm even for a light jacket.
So Brandenburg Tor is the main symbol of Berlin. Everyone gets a photo of that and who am I to argue with tradition?
Outside of that, and a couple of pieces of the wall, I have literally no idea what there is to see in Berlin so this was something of a random ramble.
A very busy area. Lots of fairground rides and stalls. Not sure if this was because it's Easter Sunday or just because it's summer and there are tourists. Stopped at a bar for a beer. It was okay but pricey. Stopped for a crepe. It was affordable and tasty, and had apple and cinnamon sugar on it. Germans love apple (and cherries). So do I. I think I'm in a good place for food.
Had a look at the Reichstag. Got some photos. Wandered into Tiergarden - Berlin's main public park. Very leafy! Lots of trees with a long boulevard running right through the middle. Was once a private hunting ground for the royal family but was opened up in the 19th century. Wandered fairlky aimlessly to see what I might see. A curious monument is the soviet war memorial (it was built in the British controlled sector). Also came across a monument to German composers. Slightly damaged from the second word war apparently. Can see some ships which may well be bulletholes.
A little further on was the Victory Column. €3 to go up and see the view, so I did. It's a very nice view. over the park. Nearby was Schloss Bellevue so had a quick look at that. Had no idea what it was at the time. Turns out it's the presidential palace.
Feet were tired and I decided that I'd had a decent taste of the city, so I got on the bus.
( Photos )
Got to Brandenburg gate. Tried to take a photo. Discovered I had no memory card. A bit of a problem, especially considering how shut Germany is on a Sunday, and this is Easter Sunday, which just makes things worse! Went back to Haubtbanhof (station) to buy a replacement and started again. Fantastic weather. It's strange that after a week of single digit temperatures it's suddenly too warm even for a light jacket.
So Brandenburg Tor is the main symbol of Berlin. Everyone gets a photo of that and who am I to argue with tradition?
Outside of that, and a couple of pieces of the wall, I have literally no idea what there is to see in Berlin so this was something of a random ramble.
A very busy area. Lots of fairground rides and stalls. Not sure if this was because it's Easter Sunday or just because it's summer and there are tourists. Stopped at a bar for a beer. It was okay but pricey. Stopped for a crepe. It was affordable and tasty, and had apple and cinnamon sugar on it. Germans love apple (and cherries). So do I. I think I'm in a good place for food.
Had a look at the Reichstag. Got some photos. Wandered into Tiergarden - Berlin's main public park. Very leafy! Lots of trees with a long boulevard running right through the middle. Was once a private hunting ground for the royal family but was opened up in the 19th century. Wandered fairlky aimlessly to see what I might see. A curious monument is the soviet war memorial (it was built in the British controlled sector). Also came across a monument to German composers. Slightly damaged from the second word war apparently. Can see some ships which may well be bulletholes.
A little further on was the Victory Column. €3 to go up and see the view, so I did. It's a very nice view. over the park. Nearby was Schloss Bellevue so had a quick look at that. Had no idea what it was at the time. Turns out it's the presidential palace.
Feet were tired and I decided that I'd had a decent taste of the city, so I got on the bus.
( Photos )
