A walk through Berlin's History

Today we set out to join a walking tour of Berlin. Armed with directions from the front desk we marched out the front door of the hotel. "Now, did she say turn right or left?" So I marched right back in to make sure. So off we set, down our street, Krausenstrafe, to Stadtmitte U bahn then located the U2 line. We arrived right on 10 am and hooked up with Kenny McLeod, our Scottish guide. He was an engaging and highly informative guide. First we took a short train trip into the former East Berlin. We started near the site of the former fishing village, and learned how it exploded in size when a canal was built to connect for trade with other areas. We stood in the square where Goebels had 20,000 books burned. A glass roof is set into the square. Looking down into it you see a room of empty book cases representing those burned books. We walked past so many incredible buildings. Such beautiful architecture. We saw the only surviving Nazi building. We saw a section of the Berlin wall and learned its history. Peter Cohen, now retired, from Michigan, who taught US politics, had lunch with us. His family came from here but his father got the family out before borders were closed. His grandfather was reluctant, as he had an Iron Cross from World War One and was a respected doctor. But luckily he finally agreed to go. Peter is a gracious and thoughtful person. We even saw hotel Adlon, where Michael Jackson famously dangled his child over the balcony of his suite. The area of Hitler's bunker is now a non-descript car park, deliberately low key to discourage any attempt to glorify him. The new memorial for Jewish Holocaust victims, the Stones of Rembrance, is built on land that once was in the dead zone, empty space between the two barriers that made up the Berlin Wall. 2711 stones are set in a wave like pattern. Even the ground between them is uneven to give a sense of unbalance. A very powerful memorial. We then had to negotiate the various lines - S and U train lines - to return to our hotel. With rugged determination and a pioneering spirit similar to Hume and Hovell, (or with my sore feet, by then HIM AND HOBBLE) we made our way back to the hotel.

On to Berlin

Eurostar a fast journey through German countryside from Frankfurt to Berlin with only a few stops at other stations. Country looks so different. This is crop country ... No huge herds of animals. Different crops grow right beside each other. No fences between. Vegetation is right to road side so roads appear as ribbons through the green. Loved the stands of trees. Such a vibrant deep range of greens, not the yellow and grey greens we have. Foliage is so dense I have in mind the woods that some Inspector like Barnaby will discover the dead body!!! The leaves are shaped differently too. The central train station in Berlin was awesome! It is enormous. Multi-levels. Escalators whisk passengers up and down. The building soars in height with glass main wall, filled with light, colour, crowds! We are in apartment hotel, so three rooms. Just 700 m from Checkpoint Charlie so we set off to see that. I initially led us to a "checkpoint" on the map. Don't know it's name but it sure wasn't Charlie. It was just an unmarked road point, no sign of its historical value. So we trudged back the way we came. To see many, many signs to Checkpoint Charlie, once we walking the FLAMING' RIGHT DIRECTION. Charlie is now a lone guard box at the edge of an intersection. The near by Museum told the full story. Many tales of ingenuity and bravery in bold bids to escape East Germany. We have a five day travel pass which we only validate to begin then only show on request. So much simpler than Myki!!! So after breakfast this morning - Friday - we shall become intrepid explorers, armed with maps and water bottles, and a desire to master the underground train system to reach some of the many places of interest in this huge city. Wish us luck,,,,

Leg Room is sooooo Luxurious!!!

Well, here we are, back in the hotel Le Meridan, after a full day in Frankfurt. QANTAS business class was such a luxury. We had Express passage through Tullamarine. A drink is in your hand before the plane has taxied down the run way. I had a champagne (for Gisela) and just into the flight was offered a second beverage (I chose a Gin and Tonic with Sue D in mind). Little hot towels to freshen up. Then the menu. Printed out with several choices for each of three courses. By now I reverted to water, but as I had enjoyed the odd glass of Baileys in QANTAS CLUB at airport. Drinks are served placed on white napkin ... In real glass, not plastic cup. Then there is the capsule seat. It looked a tad space age. We sat and with legs extended could not touch the capsule in front. So spacious. A pillow and blanket, then toiletry pack each. Operating the seat required engineering training. It went back to lay down fully. Or you could sit with yr legs up. Only 2 hour stop over in Singapore. Spoke to Erin Morris, who was walking by. Erin is daughter Jenna's former flat mate & Uni friend. She was returning from living/working in London by a family emergency. Enormous coincidence our paths would cross. We found QANTAS LOUNGE. And guess what? They had Baileys too!!!! Back on board, Longreach not Airbus this time, we ignored meal offer, placed our breakfast order (yes, we made our choices from another printed menu) then engineered our seats into beds, unwrapped our blankets and snuggled down. After one quick champagne for me. I was only being hospitable. I slept 7 hours. Rob fared not so well, but still a comfortable way to stretch out. A driver awaited us at the airport. We were ushered into an enormous black gleaming Mercedes Benz. We left suitcases at hotel and by 7am were wandering streets. Walked ages. Took two hour city bus tour in open top double decker bus. Saw Museum of Modern Art in afternoon. Our info promised Warhol and Lichenstein. Did not deliver. Mainly photos. No info to give them context. A real disappointment. Outside our hotel had my photo taken with US military engineers here for conference. Quite a few beggars sitting on streets. Mainly older women. Most taxis are cream coloured and BMWs, Benzs or WV. Saw the Raggety camp of Occupy Frankfurt. At hotel by 3.30 pm, so zonked we slept until 7 in evening. Showered and wandered out for dinner. Sat at outdoor tables and sampled a German beer. Delicious. Still light at 9.30 on walk back. Think we will sleep well tonight. The Train Station is a five minute walk away. We catch the Eurostar to Berlin tomorrow. Our adventure has begun.

Bon Voyage!

I thought I would hijack this blog for a moment to wish you both an 

AMAZING, WONDERFUL, INCREDIBLE TRIP!

The places you'll go. The food you'll eat. The people (Mum) will meet. The sights you'll see. The idiosyncrasies you'll experience. Revel in it all.

Enjoy yourself and travel safe.

Love Delanie

Only One Sleep To Go

The suitcases are packed.  Our clothes for tomorrow are neatly laid out.  Our carry on luggage is prepared too.  Daughter Delanie helped me pack my suitcase tonight.  My goodness, she was firm with me!  Some of what  I thought I was taking is back in the wardrobe now.  Delanie is an experienced traveller.  Her advice was all good.  

 If I am to find room (or rather weight) for any trip purchases, some things will have to go.My intention is to discard some of my clothes and books along the journey. Plus the shampoo container and toothpaste tube will be lighter as I use the products, won't they?  That's what I keep telling myself!  

This trip is really happening.   Remember how we used to count time waiting for Christmas years ago?  

Only one sleep to go!!!

Charged With Excitement!!!

My first overseas trip was in 1974 with my sister Kerrie, to New Zealand.  Apart from clothes and toiletries, we took rolls of spare films for the camera, a book or two to read, plus a hand written list of people to send postcards.  Funds had been carefully calculated and taken in cash and traveller's cheques.  All was packed in heavy suitcases we lugged around by the handle.

How times change!  Now our lightweight suitcases, with wheels for ease, contains :

Digital camera (with spare memory cards) AND CHARGER
Video camera (with spare memory card) AND CHARGER
Electronic card reader (to attempt adding photos from camera to blog)
Robert's beard trimmer (the handsome devil)  AND CHARGER
Mobile Phone EACH WITH CHARGER
iPod AND CHARGER
iPad (thankfully can use same charger as iPod)
Variety of debit/credit cards to access cash in each city - day or night!!!!

The iPad will be the real hero of the trip.  Internet access will allow me to add posts to this blog.  (Well, that's the plan, anyway!)  Google Streetview will show us our hotel, then let us scan around for interesting cafes, shops, pubs and restaurants. We can research tourist attractions and transport options in each destination.  Copies of our documents are electronically stored.  

Rob has downloaded books onto the iPad for both of us.  Given Robert will claim ownership of the iPad, I have several to take with me, already registered with BookCrossing, to hopefully trace their future journey online once I have read them and "released them" for someone else to find.

Whilst some postcards will be duly posted off, sms via mobile phone, email and this blog will keep us in touch.

But. sorry, Skype is one too many technology for us old fogies this trip.

And There They Stay

Good news!  The toiletry bag problem has been solved.  I found this attractive pair - one for the general stuff and the smaller one for make-up - in the highly commendable colour scheme of BLUE AND WHITE.  (Go Cats!!)

I have just finished my last lot of white men's business shirts for ages.  They are freshly washed, ironed and now hanging in the wardrobe.  And there they stay!