We were very close to Checkpoint Charlie (click here for story), and the Wall.
Everywhere is so much WW II and Cold War history with informative signs in English interpreting the past. Parts of the Wall have become an artists' gallery that has become popular for many tourists.
Yes, we saw The Kiss painting which caused some flack.
Many old grand buildings, I lost count of them all.
The Berliner Dom (below) . . .
It was fun just walking around and being dazzled by it all.
The clock tower at Town Hall . .
The Brandenburg Gate . . .
The Brandenburg Gate is where Reagan made his famous speech "Tear down this wall!" on June 12, 1987.
We visited the Jewish Museum which contained both creative artistry and actual items belonging to Holocaust prisoners. This room echoed with awful metallic clangs when people walked around.
This is what we were walking on . . .
Berlin's train station (below) is impressive. It was easy to get around via train and bus, including an express bus from the airport to downtown.
The trains are clean and modern.
Bicycles are also a very popular way to get around Berlin.
We took a one-hour train to Potsdam which included lots of great scenery along the way . . .
Very ornate sculptures . . wonder how many poor folks were exploited back then to provide the kings these riches?
It was quite an impressive complex of many palaces including gardens.
This garden, where a concert was being held outside, is an interesting woven tree-limbed canopy of leaves.
Inside all these buildings was even more impressive. This room (below photo) was designed for Voltaire by Frederick II. Both were interesting, intelligent men and Voltaire was a frequent guest. I must read more about them someday.
The Evil Queen's gold gilded mirror . . . see our slippers? Everyone had to take off their shoes and wear slippers.
The chandeliers and gold trimmings are over the top!
The entire complex was a full day of exploration with lots of walking. We had lunch on a patio overlooking a garden.
Another palace . . .
Can't remember what this was . . . another palace?
Back to reality in Berlin via the train . . . to see huge cathedrals . .
and a very ornate cathedral.
Another view . . .
My most favorite activity in Berlin was eating at the restaurants' outside patios; hundreds to choose from and a variety of ethnic restaurants.
Vicki and I favor Asian restaurants.
The restaurants' buildings are well-preserved to keep their historical charm.
My sister Vicki and I went nuts over the selection of goodies.
My favorite day in Berlin was walking through Tiergarten which is a 520-acre garden in Berlin; similar to New York City's Central Park only with more history.
Begun back in 1527 as a private hunting ground for rich folks, that all changed in 1742 when Frederick the Great hired an architect to tear down the game fences and turn it into a pleasure park for the public.
I could walk in this 520-acre garden all week and see something new each day. And if I had a horse to ride here, it would be like going to heaven . . . .
I'd close the park to the public and trot an Icelandic horse on the tree-lined pathways. . . . allow me to fantasize.
The Berlin Victory Column (below photo, click here for story) is a fitting conclusion to this post.
Coming up next, Dresden, which is a three-hour bus ride south. At the bus station, one bus driver (photo below) was irresistibly loveable at first glance. Why aren't all bus drivers like him?
PS: He's not smoking that pipe, it's just for effects.
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