Three Ways to See Berlin_# Two

#2_Take the BIG Bus Ride

A Trabi (GDR era Trabant) - that's a car to you & me...

With rain threatening (not more!) we decided it was the perfect day for a bus ride (no walking and undercover too) so headed off by train to the huge Hauptbahnhof (main train station).  Whilst there, we could do a recce for our next day’s train to Munich - two birds and all that! 

After signing up for two, two-hour tours, we just made the “green” Wall & Lifestyle route.  This essentially took us around north Berlin or the former East Berlin and almost back to our hotel at Friedrichshain. 

Now, are you keeping up?  We covered everything from former grand esplanades to abandoned bunkers.  Rather than write up realms on each and every site, we’ve include a few of the better photos, though there aren't many!

Football anyone?

Back at the Huaptbahnhof, we waited patiently for the “red” route, a tour of the traditional Berlin city sites and a drive through the Tiergarten, a huge central park with the zoo.  These rides made the huge effort of getting around this city in a short time, pleasurable.  

Just to finish up, our room had the words in German, “Our language is also our history” by the famous Brothers Grimm painted (nicely) on the wall.  Just so you know, not all German placenames on English maps are translated into English.  There are few easy options for travellers with limited language skills, so life becomes an immersion into the real Germany.  Whilst at times frustrating, it also presents as a wonderful opportunity to "learn on the run".  Mind you, this was our 13^th country for the year (so easy to do in Europe), so I think we could be forgiven for a little cultural fatigue.




 

 

Look closely to see portraits
painted on this building

We seem to have concentrated
on photographing old buildings

Bears are big in Berlin,
they crop up everywhere!

Crossing the bridge to Museum Island