Berlin (yet again)
We like Berlin so much that we decided to go again. One of the main aims this time was to visit Potsdam so we stayed in the Western part of town, just off the Ku'Damm, the main shopping street. Another aim was to relax so the first afternoon was spent doing a bit of mooching round the shops, not least KaDe We, like Berlin's Harrods.
We decided to venture out once it had got dark and admire the wonderful Christmas lights. They put on a fantastic show. We also visited a few of the Christmas markets (more shopping!).
The pictures above are both taken on the Ku'Damm - the one on the left is the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedaechtniskirche, the one on the right is a general view of the pretty lights. When we got back to the hotel (just round the corner from here) there was also a toy soldier in lights, about the same size as Santa.
From there, we caught a metro train and ventured back to the East part of Berlin, where we've stayed before and a part we really like. We wandered around a Christmas market or two before strolling down Unter Den Linden, see picture above.
The lights are spectacular in this area with each tree down Unter Den Linden individually lit up. Very pretty. The fun fair at the eastern end adds to the colour and feeling of festivity.
At the western end is the Brandenburg Gate - we've got so many photos of this wonderful structure that I won't add too many more here but we couldn't come to Berlin and not photograph it again!
Having enjoyed coffee/tea and cakes at Peter's Konditorei in Unter Den Linden, we resisted the temptation to have some more in the Sony Centre but did go and admire the lights and the pretty tree.
As you can see from the picture on the right, Jonathon went all arty with the baubles. The photo below is my favourite of that type!
One of the main reasons for coming back to Berlin this year (other than we think it's a lovely place) was to visit Potsdam. It's not far on the train and our hotel is near the station the Potsdam train goes from so off we went. It was a lovely town and well worth a visit. We spent so much time mooching around the town itself, we didn't have time to visit the palaces so they will have to wait for a future visit.
First stop the old town. There was a really good Christmas market on Brandenburger Strasse with plenty of activity and really good quality crafts. As per usual, there were plenty of lights although we were only there in daylight so didn't benefit from the full effect.
At one end there's a church steeple (the view on the right was taken later in the day as we approached it from the other side) ...
... and at the other end there is the Brandenburg Gate - not quite as grand as the one in Berlin but very pretty.
Just the other side of the gate was a fair - plenty of fun was to be had by all. I thought this wooden "toy" in the next picture was very German! It rotated constantly and was quite lovely.
There were plenty of interesting streets and remarkable buildings in the old town area, several of which we photographed.
We weren't really sure what these towers were for - we guessed they were guarding something, particularly with the fierce looking creatures on them. Just past there we started admiring the Dutch Quarter - Jonathon's favourite part of the town (pity about the cars).
Having found a dog to stroke, (not sure whether he was guarding these bikes but he was certainly sitting near them), we found a lovely little cafe for afernoon tea.
From there it was a short stroll back to the station but not before calling in at the Old Market Square where there is a very fancy weather vane ...
... the Old Town Hall with Atlas on the top, an Obelisk with gruesome corner creatures ....
... and Evangalische St Nikolaikirche - although "bandaged" on the outside, it was very pretty inside, especially with the afternoon sun streaming through the stained glass.
A short stroll over the bridge, admiring the autumn colours reflecting in the river and we were on our way back to Berlin.
Rather than simply go back to the hotel, we decided to go to the eastern side of Berlin (there was a camera shop there that Jonathon wanted to visit (Saturn in Alexander Platz). The shop didn't have what we wanted but it did give us the chance to photo the TV tower (with my new camera!!)
We strolled through the Nikolai Viertel, eating tea in a restuarant that we like there and wandered past the fair (without going in - far to dizzy making for us!)
Very pretty lights (again) and even some of the surrounding buildings had done their bit and were lit up.
Another stroll down Unter Den Linden (another coffee stop), another wander into the Sony Centre then back to the Ku'Damm to admire the lights and finally to our hotel for the night.
Monday came and there were several things we wanted to do today, not least meet up with Mathias of Kempers for lunch! Before that, we went back to the Jewish Memorial - a special place. Not sure we've really captured the atmosphere but here's a few photos:
The rain the night before had left standing water and water drops that made for good photos!
It's hard to work out why a load of concrete blocks can be so special, perhaps it's the way they're laid out or perhaps the undulating ground. Not sure, but whatever it is, it seems to work.
As lunch was just off the Ku'Damm, there was a bit more looking in shops etc on the way back until it got dark. Then off we went to the Reichtstag. We've been to the top in daylight before but thought the dark would give us some different shots. The pouring rain didn't help but we did get some night time shots through the rain spattered glass!!
We spent the last day of our break at Berlin Zoo as we were staying very close to it (and it gave me a chance to practice taking animal photos with new camera etc. before I do it for real next year!). The zoo was brilliant, loads to see and the animals looked content (except the lion who was being kept away from the lionesses for some reason neither he nor we could understand!!)
WARNING - the rest of the photos on this page are of animals so those (strange) people who aren't too keen on animals, please take note!
I'll try and group the animals together as there was so much to see so they might not be in the same order as you'd see them in the zoo. We still missed a lot of what there was so a good excuse to go back again sometime.
Starting with watery things, the flamingoes added a bright flash of colour and there were plenty of ponds around for wild fowl, pelicans etc
Penguins are always good fun and these were no exception
The seals were also whizzing around their pool, having a jolly nice time. One thing we missed completely was the Aquarium - we knew we wouldn't have time so deliberately missed it out. It's on the list for next time.
I guess polar bears are really water creatures - one of them was enjoying the unseasonally mild weather (we were so lucky), sunning himself on a rock.
Whilst on the subject of bears, there were quite a lot of different kinds. The most photographed by us were the sloth bears ...
... and the brown bears - both putting on a bit of a show for us and, again, enjoying the warm weather.
Not forgetting the pandas.
Staying with furry creatures, I'm not sure what these are but they were making funny squeaking noises and galloping around their enclosure!
The Candian Foxes were lovely, their white fur gleaming in the sunshine
The various kinds of ape were also hairy so they can go here! There were a lot more varieties than shown here but the light was fading so we failed in the photo stakes. the orang utans were spectacular - never seen them up close before so very exciting. As you can see, the gorilla is quite relaxed in his hammock.
Not really sure how to link the next lot so we'll just skip to the giraffes, zebras etc. I suppose they are all mammals so that could be the link.
There were quite a few species of deer (or similar) so I'll include them in this section as well along with the mountain goats.
The baby alpaca was really sweet
No real link other than their enclosures were quite close together, they have 4 legs and they're still mammals so we'll do the elephants next! The big one on the right was fastened out of the others' enclosure - not sure why but he seemed quite happy anyway.
I'm not sure how old this baby was but he was full of fun and mischief. That didn't stop him having a cuddle with Mum now and then just for reassurance.
From one thick skinned animal to another, the rhinos were lovely. They really perked up when the keeper gave them their food - the alertness at that point was incredible!
I'd never seen a rhino thic close before so it was a real treat.
Still with grey skinned creatures and the warthogs are funny things. They are really at their best when running but not so easy to photograph!
A bit of a stretch but back to the beast of burden (elephants) and we'll visit the camels next.
A few smaller creatures now - the red squirrel wasn't fastened up, I think he'd just invited himself as there's plenty of food around. Im not sure what the other two creatures are!
I suppose the most obvious link now is that the next set of animals would probably eat the last without even blinking! The big cats included puma, panther, lion, jaguar, leopard and tiger along with a few less well known ones. We didn't manage to photograph them all but here's a few pictures
Finally, as we started with birds, it seems appropriate to finish with them too.
Jonathon took himself off to the aviary whilst I gazed at the cats!
That's it for this visit but we've got plenty of excuses to return to Berlin and Potsdam. As we've been to Berlin for three years in a row, we might give it a miss in 2007 but I don't think it'll be long before we're back.