Day 3 - Berlin

Another unbelievable day – not a cloud in the sky!

Before we left the hotel we met Ahmad, Reza and his lifelong friend from Iran, Gos, pronounced 'Hoss'. Ahmad's brother, Ali, who brought the spare parts over from Boston will meet us this evening after he flies in from Paris.

We left the hotel to take an open top bus tour of the city. Here we are enjoying the sunshine in front of the Brandenburg Gate.

Here is a better photo of the Adlon hotel than the one I posted yesterday that was taken in the early evening.

The bus tour was a great success and it wound its way around the city going past most of the famous places. 

 

Here are few pictures that I took. First, the German Reich Chancellery, a typical example of some of the modern architecture that is everywhere in Berlin.

I liked the Henry Moore statue in front of one of the auditoriums. I can't remember which one!

We went past the beautiful summer palace in Charlottenburg.

Another example of great modern architecture, the glass enclosed HQ of the Christian Democratic Party.

On to Potsdamer Platz where we saw the world's first traffic lights installed in the 1920's. Nearby is the vast Sony Centre.

We got off the bus at Checkpoint Charlie, the famous crossing point from West to East Berlin in the Cold War, which is close to one of the two remaining sections of the Berlin Wall. It was strange for us to see the concrete section in situ, as we recently saw a single section that had been given to the Reagan Library in California in thanks for Ronald Reagan's contribution to the ending of the Cold War.

We caught the bus again and headed for the river and a stop for a late lunch. We lounged in deck chairs and enjoyed crepes. Here's one hugely satisfied customer!!

Wendy and I then left the others to visit Museum Island, especially to see the Pergamon Altar at the Pergamon Museum.

Finally, we walked back to the Adlon passing the Schloss Bridge with its wonderful marble statutes.

This evening we are thinking of a meal on the river, but who knows? On these drives everything is in a permanent state of flux and we may end up eating in the hotel.

Tomorrow we leave Berlin and Germany for Poland and two nights in Warsaw.