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Bradenburg Gate, Brandenburg Tor |
BERLIN! BERLIN!
The Capital of Deutschland!
It was always my dream to go to Berlin, or to travel in general, since I was a kid.
Who'd knew I'd be going back to Berlin for the 2nd time :p
There's so much history to sink in while you walk on the streets of Berlin.
I don't know, It's such a weird feeling.
To know that there is all this unimaginable beauty after almost 70 years since the war ended.
All that History, all that emotions.
and of course..
All that PARTIES :p
On the side note, do you know there are still bombs underground?
Sometimes, the metro service has to stop because they found another bomb.
1. Explored the City (Free Walking Tour)
As I mentioned in my previous post about Paris, there is an Agency called Sandeman that gives FREE daily tours around every most european cities.
They are walking tours that are roughly about 2.5 - 3 hours (depending on how much the tour guide talks) and how fast each group takes to walk.
YES, they are FREE!
The tour guides earn their income strictly by tipping.
Which also mean, we are in-charge of their income.
So, if you were to be in one, please do tip your tour guide generously.
And what is unique about these tours, is the fact that it is all NOT scripted.
Each individual tour guide has his/her liberty to explain and teach about each landmark in any creative way they can - aka Maps, Pictures, etc. (No nudity of course :p )
Personally, I think this is a wonderful way for each traveller to experience each city. Not only do you get to see the city with your eyes, but you get a more personal take of each landmark, and since it's a bunch of people walking together, there is no doubt that you will make friends along the way.
ALSO, you're walking for 2-3 hours = Exercise = Smaller Thighs and toned legs :)
So here are some of the places we were brought to:
(i)Holocaust Memorial, Memorial for The Murdered Jews of Europe
Before this was built, it was simply just an empty land in the middle. The Mayor (or whoever) hired Architect Peter Eisenman and Buro Happold to create a center piece, a memorial for the murdered jews in fact, that is different and unique, and that would constantly bring people to it.
Tadah!
This was built.
Initially no one actually understood it, nor do they like it.
Who would ever understand just blocks of concrete on this stretch of land?
Personally, I think this is genius.
When you see this whole stretch of land from the top, all the concrete blocks seem to be almost along the same level. But as you walk into lanes, you realise it get darker, and colder, and you seem to feel a little lost.
My personal take on this particular masterpiece is that, I believe the designer wanted us to understand how the jews felt during the war. In the picture above, the lanes are rather narrow, hence you have to walk in a single row. As it gets darker and colder upon walking further it, you can't help but feel scared, worried, afraid that you'll never see the light.
This, I believe is how the Jews felt at that time.
To know that they're walking in a single file to their death, knowing they'll never see the person in front or behind them ever again.
Genius.
Website
Admission = Free
(ii) Checkpoint Charlie
The soldier photographed was the last US Soldier that guarded the checkpoint before the fall of the Berlin Wall, while The Soviet Soldier on the flip side.
It has now become a tourist attraction, with actors posing as the US and Soviet Soldiers. There's even a reconstruction of the whole checkpoint, with fake sand bags and what not. OH! You can even get a passport stamp for 5 Euro. But trust me, I don't think you want to have a stamp of a place that's non-existent for decades, on a legal travel document.
Please, Save yourself the trouble of getting into trouble.
(iii) Topography Of Terrors
This is an indoor and Outdoor museum.
Honestly, If you're too tired, you shouldn't come here, because there A LOT to read.
Talya and I were really exhausted and we ended up sleeping on one of the benches. But thankfully, I've been there before, so I kinda knew the content of the exhibits.
Part of the untouched Berlin Wall situates directly in front of the indoor museum.
Picture Opportunities!
Definitely a must visit, if you are into learning of the whole process on how Adolf Hitler became the Dictator and how he unleashed his plan to "Purify" Germany.
Admission: FREE.
(They accept Donations)
(iv) Bradenburg Gate
(iv) Gendermenmarkt
Cathedrals, Concert Houses.
(v) The Site of Hitler's Bunker (Führerbunker)
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| Source: Emilycets.blogspot.com |
It's really just a carpark.
But that very car park is where Adolf Hitler and his wife committed suicide.
Some say they took poison, some say they shot each other.
To be honest, I don't care.
But yeah, it'll be cool to dig 10metres down into the ground to find the remains of the bunker though.
There's definitely more on the tour, but these are my main highlights.
It's my 2nd time on a New Berlin walking tour by Sandeman, and I must say I really enjoyed the tour this time. My tour guide is Franchezka (sp?) who's originally from Dresden, and honestly, she's one really passionate tour guide. She explains with so much emotions and has so much attachments to each landmark we visit, and she often leaves us with mind boggling questions.
So if you're in Berlin and you do decide to take a Sandeman New Berlin tour, just hope she's your tour guide. You'd learn and feel so much more for her.
Cost of Tour: Depends on how much you tip your tour guide.
Duration: 2.5-3 hours.
2. Explored The City (Ourselves)
Just to clarify if you're wondering why these photos were taken during Winter, well, Talya and I didn't really have enough time to explore Berlin as much as we hoped to.As I've mentioned earlier, this isn't my first time in Berlin, the first being in 2014 when I decided to travel alone for the first time.
The places with the * are the ones that I explored by myself back in 2014, and I'm just sharing them with you because I think it's worth checking out, and also because I can.
(i) Museum Island *
There are around 7 Museums on this particular land.
Each building has it's own personal unique architecture.
Definitely worth seeing.
Admission: 5-20 Euro
I'm not too sure about it, but if I'm not wrong there's a Full Day Museum Pass that you can buy for all of them, but trust me, it ain't worth the money.
Unless you're a sucker for museums then yeah sure, go ahead.
(ii) East Side Gallery*
It's basically the remains of part of the Berlin Wall, but instead of completely tearing down, they (whoever is in-charge) decides to invite artists from all over the world and paint this part of the Berlin Wall.
Tadah! The East Side Gallery was born!
There's also one done by a Singaporean Artist which whom the name I can't remember.
Definitely a must visit, plus there's plentiful of photo opportunities.
(iii) Alexanderplatz
Some old photos from my first trip down during Christmas.
and all you do is SHOP SHOP SHOP no matter what (Get the reference? :p)
Then I suggest you head over to Alexanderplatz.
Seriously though, the shopping there is madness.
PLUS, there's a HUGE Primark Outlet ;)
Knock yourself out.
On Several occassions, there will be pop up bars, stores, food etc etc and you can simply have a beer and chill.
Preetttty cool.
3. Visited a Chocolate House
That's also the reason why I work at Awfully Chocolate.
ALL THAT CHOCOLATE :O
This is my favourite Chocolate house/shop/cafe ever! and I had to revisit it again
Not only are there too many choices of chocolate, but it is generally affordable.
Starting price of a piece of Chocolate candy can start from as cheap as 0.30 Euro.
I'm not kidding.
I remembered the first time I went to this chocolate place, I spent like 70 Euro only on chocolate.
heh.
Rausch chocolate house Berlin:
Charlottenstraße 60
10117 Berlin
Charlottenstraße 60
10117 Berlin
Public Transportation: U2 Stadtmitte
4. Went to A Concentration Camp
Sachsenhausen
This was the nerve center of the Nazi concentration camp system. One of the first camps to open to the public, Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial stands as a reminder of the darkest days of Berlin’s history.
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| Front Gate "Work Sets You Free" |
Prisoners Daily Routines.
Over 1000 Prisoners share the same toilet/Showers
Appell Yard - Roll Call Ground
Appell Yard was used for twice-daily roll calls, hangings and public punishments. The prisoners were made to wait until all were accounted for and usually lasted 3 hours, but sometimes 12 or even 16 hours of standing to attention in both summer and winter.
1940, Camp Commander Rudolf Höß forced over 800 to stand still for the whole day in sub-zero temperatures. 140 prisoners collapsed and died. 4 months later Höß subsequently was promoted to be in charge of Auschwitz.
Station ZThe memorial at Station Z is a realistic portrayal of how the prisoners looked at the time of liberation. The original building survived the War but was demolished by East German security and its foundations have subsided.
Station Z was first portrayed as an examination room.
Prisoners would go to through a series of medical check ups by the "Health care professionals" in each room.
They would be asked questions like "what is your name" or "how old are you".
So it seemed like a pretty normal medical check up.
No one made it out of it alive.
Station ZThe memorial at Station Z is a realistic portrayal of how the prisoners looked at the time of liberation. The original building survived the War but was demolished by East German security and its foundations have subsided.
Station Z was first portrayed as an examination room.
Prisoners would go to through a series of medical check ups by the "Health care professionals" in each room.
They would be asked questions like "what is your name" or "how old are you".
So it seemed like a pretty normal medical check up.
No one made it out of it alive.
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| Where bodies are cremated |
There's really a lot to feel, plentiful to learn, and it's definitely worth spending money on.
5. Anti-Pubcrawl-ed
One of the best Experiences ever!It's my first ever Pub crawl, EVER!
I met this guy, Ben, who was our roommate in our hostel, and he read about this 666 Anti-pub crawl. Now now, before you say no, at least read up on it.
They bring you to the weirdest but the most unique bars ever.
Like literally, from the outside it looks pretty shit, rundown, dirty, but once you go in, it's a completely different world.
Some that we went to includes a Ping Pong Bar (You actually get to play Ping Pong), a Goth Horror Rock Bar, and a Absinth Bar (!!!)
Pretty cool ayee.
And because the group is pretty small (Less than 15 people) we all got along pretty well and stuck to each other the whole night.
Miss you guys already!
Cost Of Anti-Pubcrawl: 15 Euro
6. Had Doner Kebab
It's basically the most common and affordable Turkish food.Talya says the best one she has was from Berlin.
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| Source: Andberlin.com |
7. Went to Charlie's Beach
Plentiful of food trucks, Bars, and seats for you to chill and soak up the sun.
8. Took A Photo
Really Vic?? Really??
Well, 2 years ago, when I went to Berlin the first time, I completely regretted not taking one of these photo strips.
There's no way I was going to miss the opportunity again!
It's only 2 Euro for 4 shots, and takes about a good 5 minutes to print out.
Strongly recommend you to take this.
Plus, it makes your room wall/Diary pretty rad.
9. Got Drunk and Made A Ton Of Random Friends
Well, that's the highlight of each city - to meet a bunch of different unique people.and get drunk altogether.
They are completely free, there's not admission charges.
All you have to do is just indicate that you're attending, find the bar, show up and make a ton of new friends.
If you're looking for lively place to party then I suggest you head over to the Capital of Germany!
They have one of the dopest clubs and music.
A club I can recommend you to go is definitely Berghain. It's also one of the most famous clubs in the world. But apparently, It's quite hard to get in, but you can always try your luck!
Another would be Matrix. They play a mixture of EDM, Hip hop and Old school pop.
My kind of shit! :)
If you have anymore recommendations to places you can go, things to do, clubs to go, feel free and voice it out!
Would love to know more and sharing is care :)
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Back to the Calculators!
Length of stay: 4 Day, 3 nights
Cost of Accomodation: 16 Euro for 2 nights (We camped out on the last)
Food & Transport: Average 5 euros/ day
Party & Drinks: 15 euros (Anti-pubcrawl)
Sightseeing: 18 Euros (Concentration Camp)
Total:
69 Euro // Sgd 106
Total Inclusive of Intercity transport from Dortmund:
79 Euro // 122
*Amount is rounded off to the nearest dollar.
So that's what we did in Berlin!
Hope it's useful if you're planning on heading over to the capital.
Feel free to drop me an email if you need more help or suggestions.
Till then!~
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NEXT DESTINATION:
PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
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Note:
All of the pictures belong to me, taken by either my Iphone 6 or my Canon DSLR 1100D.Under no circumstances should you be a thief and steal my pictures. I will find you and I will kill you.Im kidding.Just remember to Credit to meeee.
Feel free to drop any questions if you do have.
I don't care about your opinions.
