We hit Berlin running to some extent as we got there so early we had to wait to get in to our studio flat. The accommodation was pretty good, we picked the baxpax downtown. The day turned into a bit of a wash out (literally). The first thing we ate was actually in a German fast food joint called Currywurst (Sarah will love that I mentioned that). It was alright and better than one of the multinational fast food chains. However we did fail to do a cycle tour of Berlin (we really had enjoyed the tour of Munich). We just wandered round seeing a few things (like the Brandenburg Gate, above). After chilling in the flat we grabbed food in Schwarzwaldstuben, the food was great, the beer just as good. Then the rain came so we were forced to hang out and drink beer till it calmed down.
Friday morning we went on the Alternative Tour of Berlin. It was class showing off the city’s other side including graffiti, squats and the cool districts around the city. We also got to eat some animal kebabs in Maroush which was a great top up half way through the tour. After this 4 hour (free with tips) tour we headed to the Pergamon Museum as our feet hadn’t had enough abuse. That was an amazing experience with 2 massive ancient monuments in the middle of the museum, the Pergamon and the Istar Gate. Once we had eventually finished torturing our feet we had dinner in Sophieneck.
Saturday was our last day due to the rain we sheltered in the Topography Of Terror (to top up the depression from Dachau). This meant we missed out on the bike tour again *shakes fist*. Once the weather had let up we wandered around Kreuzberg with lunch in Burgermeister which was class while being a little grotty :-). Saturday was a proper just random wander day and we ended up in IXTHYS a brilliant little Korean restaurant run by two mad Xtians. Trip abroad and to Germany would not be complete with out a rock bar and despite failing to visit one for the entire week we made it to the Rock Und Wikinger Bar (couldn’t find the Halford Bar). There was beer, mead and hard rocking loved it, I’ll be back next time I’m in Berlin.
We eventually rolled out of there as our train was early enough the next day. The trip was pretty uneventful, sent postcards from the train station, Berlin -> Cologne -> Brussels -> London. Again it took all day but back home by 7pm and had the next day off.
The holiday was brilliant, planning has already began on next year’s just need to find out where we can get to….
Photos can be seen here.
Later days,
Halo