A weekend in Berlin

Sebastian's parents kindly offered to drive us to Bremen to catch the fast train to Berlin. This was great as otherwise we would have to catch the train from Oldenburg, change trains in Bremen and again in Hannover. On the way we heard of many roadworks on the traffic report on the autobahn so we dodged our way around by taking side roads and just missing being blocked off by an accident. We got to Bremen Station in the rain with just a few minutes to spare! Praise God! At Hannover we were confused because the train that was at the platform where our train was supposed to be had a sign on the door saying it was travelling south to a different city! All the announcements were in unclear German and not all the messages were translated into English but we did catch that the train to Berlin was going to be 40 minutes late. We waited along with other disgruntled passengers trying to keep our stress levels down. Finally the train pulled in but the first class carriages were at either end of the long train and we didn't know which end our reserved seats would be - of course they were at the other end to where we were waiting! In Germany you only have a few minutes to get on the train so you have to be quick. We finally got on, found our seats and breathed a great sigh of relief. Now we just had to meet my cousin at Berlin station. We had never met so we were told to look for a tall young man who looks like my uncle!! We arrived in Berlin along with many football fans as it was a Soccer Grand Final - Stuggart v Nuremberg. We were very pleased to see my cousin Detlev and his two children on the platform waiting for us. It was a warm and sunny 28 degrees in Berlin!

Some enthusiastic fans wanted their picture taken, so we took one for ourselves as well.

The new Hauptbauhnhof is in the background. All the main train stations in the cities are huge! They are multi level and include all connections to a vast urban underground system which in German style is very efficient.

We had the afternoon available to us so we had a quick look around.

As we were crossing a river many fans and others were enjoying the sun and having a beer as usual. We then passed the New Parliament buildings which have a huge dome structure over the top. We were able to bypass the big queue to go to the top of this dome because we had little Johanne with us and were able to go through a different entrance with a much shorter queue! Hint - Always take small children with you to bypass long queues!


Here is an interesting perspective of the dome. Detlev took the picture. You can see him reflected in the view as well as ourselves.

From the top of the dome we could see the Brandenburg gate. This is where the infamous wall first came down in 1989. The main area around it was closed off though because of a huge stage setup in front of the gate where a band was playing prematch entertainment before the big game to be shown later that night on the big screen. Most bands we hear are singing in English it seems strange to us.


When we came down from the dome we walked around the gate but we couldn't walk through it.

In all the cities, a convenient way to get around is to hop on a velotaxi. (We haven't as yet though!)

The next day (a Sunday) we hopped on to the underground to go to the city again for a guided bus tour. It was a hop on, hop off one. Many other tourists had the same idea so there was a bit of waiting.

The busy underground system

These enterprising buskers would wander up and down the train entertaining the travellers, hoping to collect a few euro

Click play button to hear buskers

Here we are standing in front of a piece of the wall.

Berlin was mostly destroyed in the second world war but a huge rebuilding program since then has left an interesting mix of old and new.

The television tower is now Berlin's highest building.

This is the dome on the huge SONY center

We also found this restaurant in the SONY center with an interesting menu.

Of course a visit to Berlin is not complete without going to "Check Point Charlie". This was the only crossing point for people visiting from the West to get into East Berlin. After the war Berlin was divided into the East and Western Zones. The Western Zone was fully surrounded by the East (GDR) - a joke goes that it was the only place on earth where all directions are East!

Get your war souvenirs here

And of course the obligatory photo here with the American soldier. (Only 1 Euro per person tip)

Click play button to hear Brass band

Came across this OomPaPa Brass band when we were waiting for the bus.

The highlight was having a tour through Sclhoss Charlottenburg which was commissioned by Queen Sophie Charlotte in 1695 as a country house! She loved art, literature and music so she had many poets and musicians entertaining her. We had an audio tour so you could just press a button and hear for yourself (in English) information about each room. We snuck these photos before we realised that photos are verborten (because they want you to buy up at the museum shop). This is the corner - part of the beautiful painted ceiling.

There is also a room packed to the ceiling with her china collection, also a chapel which was exceptionally extravagant for a Protestant one and includes a portrait of Sophie Charlotte as the Virgin ascending into heaven!!??!!

This is the regalia used at the 1701 ceremony where Friederich III crowned himself King!

This was part of an impressive silver collection - dinner party anyone?


This is the Schlossgarten (not where you get schloshed). This is just the formal part, there are also tree lined avenues and a landscaped park with ponds, canals and bridges. Just perfect for taking the air! But not on this rainy day!

We finished off the day with another yummy grill (bbq).

Cheeky Simon and his bratwurst.

Johanne with her dolly.

Photo with cousin Detlev, Gabi and children.

It was just a quick taste of Berlin. Once again our time was too short. It was very special for Liane to spend time getting to know her many relatives a bit more. Next we head off to be on our own in Munich!!!

To all our friends and family as the Ugandans say, "We are fine!"