(Updated) "Mr Gorbachov, Tear Down This Wall!"

....exclaimed Ronald Reagan in 1987. Famous, possibly world changing, words were made at the Brandenburg Gate.  Such a stunning piece of architecture that managed to survive a few conflicts (with some minor repairs to say the last).  A previous US President had also made some famous statements... JF Kennedy once said "Ich bin ein Berliner', meaning to say I Am a Berliner.  But literal translation was "I am a jelly donut".  Anyhoo...

We visited during the day, but decided to head back to get another appreciation of it during the evening.

During the days of the wall's existence, the monument was in no-mans land, with a border crossing nearby.

Speaking of border crossings, we also visited crossing C, known obviously as Checkpoint Charlie.  On one side was the US occupied territory, the other was the Soviet.  There were some incredible stories of people who managed to escape to the west by very creative means and with the assistance of some daring dipolmats. But, also the stories of those who were not as successful - many jailed, many "fate unknown".

From the US side looking East... pictured is one of the last US Marines to leave the occupied zone in 1994.

From the East looking West - with a similar depiction of a Russian soldier.

It is interesting to compehend that all of this is so recent.... as Australia was preparing for the 'Celebration of a Nation' in 1988, this modern city was divided, until one fateful night in November 1989.  The GDR mistakenly announced that the border restrictions would be relaxed, a statement that was not intended to be made at that time and a statement that got the attention of many desperate folk.  Thousands of East Berlin residents congregated on a bridge near the bordering wall and the GDR had very little option but to open the gates.  History was yet again made.  After that time Berlin underwent extreme development to become what it is today.  After having the crap bombed out of it and walls erected, it probably had little option. It was obvious to see that the history has been embraced today - after all it brings many tourist dollars to the city. Many have not embraced it nor the tourism with some pockets of the city, particularly the east, openly resistant to tourism.

Near to Checkpoint Charlie was a memorial named the Topography of Terror (yep we are visting some of the exicting places...)  This was another choked up moment, with the memorial stepping through the rise (and fall) of a little bastard, I mean an Austrian called Adolf Hitler.  The memorial outlined the strategies, activities and propaganda that existed in the 30's and 40's.... again in the big scheme of things - not that long ago (considering my Dad would have been Ryan's nephews age).  This memorial outlined the stories of many 'Judes' who were taken away as part of "Project Factory".  The  outcome of many was stated as 'fate unknown'. 

The  propaganda ensuring the locals darkened their houses as the Allied Forces would otherwise find them.

*****

"As soon as the others had vanished into their bomb shelters I walked, ran, and raced outside...  For me [the bomber planes] meant life.  Their vapour trails were signs of light from a better world ni which I would also be allowed to live freely."

*****

Gas mask practise at school -

The Topography Of Terror is located near a peice of the wall that remains standing.  This picture doesn't even come close to describing what these folk were subjected to.

SO, SOME FUN STUFF - YAY FOR EVERYONE.

We  trotted past Legoland.  Clyde was a bit frightened by the life size Giraffe...

And after increasing our magnet collection further, we came across a rather funky park, still trying to work out what it was all about. But is was a good time to play hide'n'seek with Clyde.

Found him...  just waved a banana in the air!

While we were out getting some night photos I thought I would get one of our funky hotel... Even this hotel boasts a lot of history having been a music hall in a past life. Aptly named the Ellington Hotel, hosted Duke Ellington way back then.  The art-deco style building has been beautifully restored. 

We were lucky enough to be given an upgrade to a suite, for which we were certainly thankful.  The only issue is that it's located very close to one of the main shopping districts in the west.

Well, it is 10am here....time for some breaky and it's a shopping day.

See you later on.

Guten Tag Berlin

Well, hello there.  It has been a few days since being online because of a few connectivity issues going on. I think Clyde has it sorted now.  It's a bit late here, but wanted to put some words down at least..

So, Berlin... I am kicking myself that I haven't been here earlier.  This place is kinda f%*ed up in some ways, bloody incredible in others and somewhat insane all around.  There have been times of being completely choked up with stories of survival, recollections of cruelty and seeing locations that you can only imagine the kind of pain that was inflicted there.  The history is saddening, however the way this wonderful city has turned itself around in the last 30 years has been inspiring to me and a true demonstration of determination.

We split the sightseeing over two days as there was a lot to see and a lot to take in. We made use of the hop-on-hop-off-hop-back-on-again bus and followed the history of the Berlin Wall. There are parts of the wall that remain around Berlin and we visited a couple of those sites.  One site just hits you right in the heart, with the original wall, tower and death strip still in place.

They have done a great job in allowing the history to be told.

One of the most confronting parts was the memorial picture wall of those who had the courage to take the wall on, without success. Some victims were as young as two.

It is hard to believe that the wall basically went up overnight; the reason - the East were losing control, losing the talent they required to keep them going and it had to be contained....and the Soviet influence.

In other parts of Berlin the wall has been used for artistic impact.  Although not as confronting, the similar stories of the dark past of Berlin were told by a number of international artists.

We decided at one stage to let Clyde out for a look. Until then it was not appropriate, but part of travelling the world is experiencing the stories of the past that make the world what it is today.  

Well, that was yesterday.  I big dose of PERSPECTIVE.

Feeling grateful.

To finish the day, we sat on a man made beach (with real sand), watched the sunset and knocked back 'a number' of vodkas.  The train ride home was fun however I think Ryan needs to polish up on his pole dancing skills.

Today we continued the sightseeing, again for the most part not the most fluffiest of subjects....the governing of Adolf Hitler, Checkpoint Charlie and the Brandenburg Gate. It may not sound like it, but we have had a terrific time here in Berlin.  We are already planning our next visit.

It is getting very late; I shall write about that tomorrow before we head out for some shopping - it will be our last day in Berlin before heading to London.

Night.

Auf Wiedersehen München

Munich was a great stop on our #chapot10 journey.  Central to all the things that we wanted to see in the region.  But time for the next leg - Berlin.  Instead of of doing that whole airport thing, that tends to feel a bit like work, we opted for the high speed train, good way to see the country side and be lazy for a few hours. 

For a little bit more we chose first class for the 6 hour trip north. Unfortnately we must walk though the sec, sec, ssssssss, second class to the dining cart.  We make sure that we hold our breaths and dont touch anthing thing on the way past.  Oh those second class citizens really are something!  All kidding, but it was a bit smelly.

We, OK I, was a little confused at the beginning and we took our seats in Car 38, it should have been Car 28.  So during a quick station stop, by quick I mean 2 minutes, we packed up and bolted about 100 metres to the other end of the train.  Lucky for us the Guard held the train for a few more seconds as the gaggle of gays, with luggage in tow, sprinted down the platform.

We have now settled in for the ride north, with a weeee lil photo shoot along the way - 

With some tricky shots to really show how fast we are actually belting along.

We are now just over half way, time to put the ipad and camera away and get the Lonely Planet Guide open to brush up on some Berlin things. 

At this stage, hiring bicycles is on the cards, along with the good ol' hopping on the hop on, hop off bus for a broad look around Berlin.  Maybe too some shopping - as we have really only managed to significantly increase our magnet collection.

"Beach" Time....

Ok, so it's not really a beach. Just the refreshing river with pebbly banks that attract many of the locals on a hot summer's day.  This was a very good excuse to sit down and do a whole lot of nothing for a few hours.  As the water comes from the mountains it was still rather umm fresh to say the least.

The river flowed rather quickly and the locals would sit in the water, feet first, and head downstream.  We weren't that keen to submerge ourselves (or our 'bits') that far into the water.

There were folks still there later on where we trotted past for the usual epic journey of working out what/where to eat.  The river runs in parallel with quite a different feel on the other side.

Dinner:  It ended up being Pizza Hut... the sit down kind, quite nostalgic really.

Last Day in Munich

Twas the last day in Bavaria and we had a couple of things to tick of the list.  Although the BMW Museum was planned we gave it a miss so that we could return the Mercedes 'Corby' Benz  and have some relaxing time as we haven't stopped since arriving in Europe.

Before dropping the car back we went to Olympiapark, where the 1972 Olympic Games were held. It as great to see, unlike many other Olympic host cities, that they have made the most of the space with many facilities still in use today.  

We took the elevator up the tower and were treated to a great view across Munich.  Clyde proved to have no fear of heights, however that giddy feeling was prevalent when standing on the outside of the tower.

 

Yet agin Munich showcased a summer's day that we have become used to, with a view for miles.

Therre was one particular part of that view that I personally found a little confronting;  the Olympic Athlete Village.  This was the site that saw that assassination of members of the Israli olympic team, certainly an act that goes against the spirit of the Games and humanity. The village is now a popular residential village for the locals.

With those unfortunate circumstances aside, Munich claim that these games were one of the most successful; a true indication of the German determination. Time of some cooling off after that, it was 32  degrees.

See ya Corby, you were a fun ride.

 

The Hills Are Certainly Alive....updated

We are a bit behind with posting as we have been flat out.

Today  I was dragged on a tour about a little movie that was made in Salzburg.  This one made me do it, and quite frankly I hated every second....until we got on the bus.  What a very cool experience and some wicked trivia learned today.

Clyde enjoyed the bus-ride-sing-a-long too...

Did you know that the opening sequence was actually flimed in Germany?  I also learned that Hollywood made some rather interesting changes to the REAL story as the Von Trapps actually caught a train to Italy and didn't actually walk along a hill top into Switzerland - that would have been one hell of a walk, however that final scene was also filmed in Germany.  The scene where Maria and the larrikin children were on the lake and tipped out of the boat - the water was icy cold, with the scene having to be filmed a number of times as Gretel, the poor dear, nearly drowned.

The best bit that I learned is that Maria, bless her cotton socks, when running late proclaimed that she was atop her favourite hill (Untersberg) was over 1700 metres high and 10km from the Abbey - however she made it back to the Abbey in about 3 minutes,  Yup, there certainly was something wrong with Maria as the hike is about 4 hours, or 15 minutes via cable car, on top of a 15 minute drive. Bloody  wacko!

Here's the Abbey.

Look familiar? Clyde recognised the gazebo, but alas no one was allowed to dance around on the internal seating.

 

The tour also took us to Mondee.  The scenery along the way was gorgeous.  Mondee was the location of Maria and the Barons wedding.

There is heaps more to talk about and I hate to say that I think I am hooked on this movie now. Damn it.

More to come, now it is time to sleep.... with the musical stylings of Edelweiss on contant repeat in my head.  Got a story about Edelweiss too but we can save that for tomorrow. The country side on the way to Mondee is incredible. The clean and fresh surroundings, not to mention the rather yummy strudel.

Mondee is a pretty little town, a good place to stop for lunch.

Since hearing that Maria trotting down a "hill" we decided to visit said hill. It's an ear popping experience and as mentioned, completely surprising that Maria made it down in one piece. It would have been quicker to watch thr full movie.

The view was stunning with one side being Austria (left of picture) and the other Germany (on the right). The cable car trip is not good for vertigo sufferers.

Salzburg from the top.

So, Edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum) .... It is a flower that grows only on the top of mountain cliffs.  To demonstrate pure love, gentlemen callers would try to pick a flower and deliver it to the lady they love. Many died attempting this feat. I believe this is why Austria has good population control.