July 2, 2012 Berlin

Took off this morning to try our luck with the underground system, which is just a few meters from our Hotel so very convenient. We managed quite well getting a little help. Everyone in Germany are so helpful when you ask them anything. Always willing to help and usually very good with English.

We arrived  at Alexanderplatz station and  nearby arranged a two day pass  on the Hop on and off bus. Did about half the circuit from Museum Island around to checkpoint Charlie where we got off. Went to the outdoor museum there with many old pictures and history. Did some reading took a few photos then back on the bus back to Museum Island. Had a walk around the Island and the waterways crossing over on the bridges..

Back onto the bus to Brandenburg Gate. Must have had  something on yesterday as they were pulling down scaffholding all around the gate. Didn't look so good for photos.

We walked over to the Holocast Monument. Then over to where Hitlers Bunker  was.

Caught the public bus back to Alexanderplatz to catch the train back to the hotel.

It is now about 4.00pm so went along the road to catch up on our laundry. Sat and had a couple of beers while watching the washing go round... very exciting. We were so hot and thirsty after our day.

Presidents residence.

Column of Victory

After the wall came down they laid these rows of cobbles where the wall had stood.

Today, these are the row of cobbles  that have been laid all round the city as to where the wall stood.

Weeks after the wall was opened up, people arrived with hammers and chisels taking apart this hatred symbol of division of Germany, Europe and the rest of the world.

Check point Charlie. Posing with one officier and looks like the other one is coming to take me away.

This is the spot where it all happened at  Checkpoint Charlie, one of the boarders of West and Eastern Germany.

Part of the wall that is still standing today.

This is in the Gendarmenmarkt five hectare square. One of the catherals.

Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom). The cities main Protestant church. Built between 1893 and 1905. The building was severely damaged in 1945 and is now fully restored. You can walk up and view the city centre from the domes exterior walkway. We gave this one a miss.

Around the the back of the Catherdral which is on Museum island is surounded by their waterways.

You can take a boat trip around the island.

A view along the waterways. Note the statues on the wall. No thats not PT.

Standing on one of the many bridges we crossed over looking back at the Catherdral again, and some of the waterway's boats.

Still on Museum Island this is the Museum of natural history, one of five museums on the island.

The Reichstag, Parliment building. Unfortunately the sun was behind the building so the front is dark.  You can get into the dome but you have to book three days ahead,so therefore we couldn't do it.