Today was a full Berlin day up bright and early and out with the local expert on the bus to look at the Beautiful architecture and monuments that Berlin offers. Because it is so hot today the tour director decided we would do most of it by bus rather than walking from place to place – a hot and sticky 33°.
To visit the Brandenburg gate again is fantastic - I dont know what it is, but I have a fascination with this monument, ever since seeing the photo of the Nazi’s all standing to attention before it & another of a dead German soldier laying below it☹️. It has seen so much in its time, including being repaired after war damage. We have been before and it’s no less impressive this time.
We moved on to see some of the other important monuments and imposing Hitler inspiried buildings, with that typical stark grey stone. I love the statues they typically add to the buildings - cherubs, angels, coats of arms and lions. Afterwards we went back to the hotel and others went onto another sightseeing tour, but we decided to just get out and walk and explore since we have seen a lot of it before. We walked to the big ‘city mall’ and found some great clothes. We always notice the quality of the materials in Germany compared to back home and everything is made so well. I bought a silk top and pants at 1/2 price - noice😊! And Graeme bought a white dress shirt, some beautiful wool fine checked, dress pants and a nice thick zip up hoodie.
We wandered around the city some more then went back to the NH collection hotel to cool down and rest our feet! Then back out again to checkpoint Charlie- a corny mecca but interesting all the same.
We met the other Kiwis at 6:30 for a nice pub dinner at an Irish pub. No air con anywhere so it was pretty hot- sounds like everywhere’s air con is not coping with the unexpected heat and humidity. We sat outside - everyone smokes here outside so it’s potluck, but cooler outside than in. It’s funny the interpretation of language in Europe - a baked potato is actually wedges over here for example 🥴.
Back to the hotel- a nice stroll, and packed up for tomorrow’s departure. The European pillows are killing almost everyone on the tour from the sound and my neck is really feeling it, so need a firm and full pillow!
We travelled to the German city of Dresden which is about 800 yrs old. It was almost totally destroyed in feb ‘45 during WWll, but they found all the old plans and rebuilt it it in the same style with as much of the original materials as they could. It is a beautiful city and love the black soot on the stonework, which gives it that gritty look.
We had a walking tour with a local then shared lunch in the square- almost every old town city has one and utilises it beautifully. It was Very hot and muggy with the promise of a thunder storm and we saw some good lightening- there are lightening rods on all the buildings we note.
Back onto the bus and another couple of hours and we arrived in the Czech Republic- Prague isn’t far. We had decided not to go on the walking tour after dinner which turned out to be a great decision as it was raining and wet outside. We had a great buffet dinner at the Linder hotel Prague castle where we are staying. The room however is a bit of fawlty towers in the bathroom- our shower is broken and is held on with cable ties and we can’t stand up straight in it as the roof is on an angle! Quite funny.
We crashed and were asleep by 9 pm and the others said they didn’t get back in till after 10pm and they couldn’t see much unfortunately. We appreciated a good sleep though and this bed is a little softer than the last one.
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Day 18
Woke and down to breakfast- we have decided we are over the big brekkies and I’m back to cereal and fruit, otherwise you eat so much on tour! We were picked up by the very passionate local expert for a walking tour down to the Prague castle which is the largest In the world with all its grounds. It is certainly impressive. Apparently the carol ‘good king Wenceslas’ came from here as he was the ruler and was assassinated by his jealous brother, who then regretted it so every year on the anniversary of his assassination on 28 Sep, they pull out his skull and remember him?!
The grounds were massive and had been stocked for hunting as well. The castle is guarded by the army now and also has changing of the guard every hour.
We had 4 hrs free then so we wandered the old town square- it was packed with people so you could hardly walk- lots of tour groups here. There is a famous clock that was designed with seasons and astrological stars etc, built in the 1400’s.Apparently after the architect had designed and built it, they took out his eyes, so he could never build another for anyone!!!
Next, we all went to the infamous sex machine museum- very interesting haha!! Then went and had lunch with some traditional goulash and a beer- was delicious- we were able to Skype Danni and Mum & Dad at our place in Oz which was nice!
Wandered around some more then walked back over the bridge to the bus. We had 4 hrs to rest at our Fawlty Towers hotel! and then back on the bus to a traditional music and dinner evening. The older lady owns it and clearly she loves entertaining, they played music for every nationality in the room - and it was packed out on a monday night. Lots of fun and dancing and free flowing drinks!
Back to the hotel about 11pm and fell into bed as a 6:15am wake up tomorrow!
Wenceslases skull commeroration
1 comment:
Well all very oompah and good fun by the sound of it all.
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