Day 7 – Berlin 8/15/09

Set the alarm to get a good start to the day. We went up to breakfast on the 11th Deck (our room is 8050 on the 8th floor). Soon after we ate, the ship docked in Warnemunde, Germany. We disembarked and went directly out to the train for the ride into Berlin. It was a cute train with a yellow interior and soft grey and purple seats. It would befitting to see the train in a movie set in the 60’s. The ride went very quickly as Steve and I played travel scrabble. (I won with 310 points – just barely using the Q to edge out Steve). We arrived in Berlin and quickly set off on foot to visit Ju’disches Museum Berlin (the Jewish Museum). Along our route we passed from East Germany to West Germany through Check Point Charlie. The route was lined with historic detail and photos. Amazing to see how much has changed within Germany in the past few decades.

The Jewish Museum was hugely impressive in size, architecture and the weight of the subject matter it addressed. The museum is beautiful building that in and of itself was the artwork trying to convey the political and social turmoil that Jewish Germans have under gone. Obviously, the Holocaust was a main focus of the museum – but it also presented huge histories, facts and information on Judaism as a whole. The emigration of Jews from Europe to Tel Aviv – Zionism- and quite some interesting information on Germany’s most famous Jew – Einstein (ironically our book club is also reading “Einstein’s Dreams” – a novella about time and Einstein’s theories).

Following the Jewish Museum we wandered around the city and at e a late lunch at a small little Restaurant called Zunft Kolsch (named after the beer they served?). Steve was very happy with his meat soup – and I was equally impressed by my curry bratwurst (yum!). I believe that curry is hugely popular in Europe, and I couldn’t be happier. I love Curry! Across from the restaurant was “Topografie des Terrors”. From this outdoor museum you could see the remaining Berlin wall. This museum was Dedicated exclusively to the Nazi Regime. Focusing on the build up to WWII and the atrocities of the SS & 5th Reich’s actions. The history and photos were fascination, horrifying and extremely sobering. It was impressive however, how incredibly honest this German portrait of WWII was. They certainly didn’t try to soften the historic detail at all.

From there Steve and I walked up towards Bundestag. This is where German Parliament is, as well as some of the major embassy’s (French, British, Russian and USA). This Amazing group of buildings lies on the Spree River. This also appears to be where there is the major tourist action. We had mostly avoided crowds – but due to a German outdoor concert (and later we found out the World Athletics competition where Usain Bolt managed to break the 100m world record with a time of 9.58 seconds) it was quite busy. Steve and I took the opportunity to relax and have another beer at a beer garden. So delicious! And the weather as a whole was sunny and HOT! IT had to be at least 80 degrees all day.

After our beer garden beer we headed back towards the Berlin concert house and German and French cathedrals (Gendarmenmarkt). This is where we caught a bus back to our train. We arrived with 5 minutes to spare and split one last curry bratwurst. Then to the bus, the train, and back on the boat. What an action packed first port day. I know that 1 day in Berlin wasn’t nearly enough, but it was certainly a productive day. I think I love this vacation so far… so much fun and so many different things to see and do.

We unwound a bit and quickly checked a few emails to ensure that everything was ok at home. Then had a quick drink from the martini bar (the whole bar top is ice – cool! Literally!). Then to the Century Theater for the evening show. It was Johan – a comedic Swedish juggler. I could take it or leave it (the comedy was a bit slow) But, he won me over by the end with some fantastic juggling. Steve loved the show from beginning to end.

Back to the room and ready for a relaxing sea day tomorrow as we rest up and head to Stockholm, Sweden.

Sarah and the Bratwurst









Steve at Checkpoint Charlie









Scrabble Match on the Train.

Steve and Sarah at the Berlin Wall.