Berlin Trip (Part 2)

Day 2

We began the day by getting off the Tiergarten S-bahn station, coz I decided it would be nice to walk around in the large city park of Tiergarten, which translates to "Animal Garden". But nowadays people can perhaps only find animals in the nearby Zoologischer Garten. Anyway, apparently the walk along Straße des 17. Juni (17th June Street) towards Unter den Linden was rather long. Sorry Bernard and Enrique! We didn't have much time in Berlin so it wasn't a wise choice.

A part of Tiergarten. Tiergarten is to Berlin like Central Park is to New York.

Memorial to Otto von Bismarck, who united Germany

But anyway, at least we managed to see the Siegessäule (Berlin Victory Column). Spent some time taking photos of it but we felt it was not worth it to go inside.

The Siegessäule

Russian monument we saw along the way towards Brandenburger Tor.

And finally we reached Unter den Linden. We decided to visit the Jewish Memorial first. Had to wait in the queue for some time before we could get in. I almost didn't take any photos inside but let me tell you it was a rather depressing and somewhat emotional experience, to learn about the atrocities done towards the Jews etc. And makes me think about Japan, who after all these years, is still not willing to acknowledge what it had done.

Pausing to reflect at the Jewish memorial

We then walked to some of the places that Enrique didn't manage to go because he left the cycling tour prematurely the day before.

Statue of Friedrich II King of Prussia, purportedly gay, who was pro-development

Many "fat" statues by Fernando Botero on Museuminsel. His works have been displayed in Singapore previously as well.

Then we went to Pergamom Museum, since our guide said it was a must-go. And he was not lying. It was nice, and we had these individual devices with earpieces that explained most of the exhibitions in detail.

Reconstructed Processional Way towards the Ishtar gate, made out of original material from Iraq. Its width was much narrower than the original to fit within the building.

The Ishtar gate!!! =) Loved the blue tiles and animal features.

One of my favorite exhibition was the Ishtar Gate, which originated from Mesopotamia, modern day Iraq. I thought it was still in Iraq! So I was pleasantly surprised to see it here. There was also an exhibition on Islamic art. One of the exhibitions was interesting: Muslim craftsmen decorated a Christian's house!

An intricately designed Mihrab, which indicates the Qibla (direction towards the Ka'aba in Mecca) in a Mosque

Walls of a hall for guests in a Christian's house, with Biblical stories and proverbs, done by Muslim craftsmen. I wonder if such an activity would be wrong in the eyes of fundamentalist Muslims nowadays.

Then we spent some more time walking around looking at the other sculptures etc.

We're not allowed to touch the statues so I hovered my hand above it; still kena "lecturing" by museum staff

The *ahem* part was chiselled off during a certain era where people found it "improper"

Then we decided to go up to the observation area of the Reichstag. Had to queue for about 1/2 hour before getting in. Got security check somemore. People are able to view parliamentary sessions from above. We then passed by Brandenburger Tor again and took photos of it at night.

The dome above Reichstag

Brandenburger Tor at night

And then, I went to meet Jan, who was my roomie during the CSP trip. It was a cuban club place and i had some "Nachos de Cubano" (can't remember the name!), which was really nice especially with the sour cream dip. Wasn't cheap, but oh well, once in a while. Also some Rothaus "Tannen Zäpfle"(beer, of course, duh) from the Rhine/blackforest region.

There were many Visit Malaysia 2007 posters in Berlin. This one is advertising trips from €949,- (!)

Jan, me, and a friend of his (amazing guy. Knows 5 languages!)

Last part coming soon!