A fabulous weekend in Berlin

Next week we celebrate our 20th Wedding Anniversary, so last weekend we took time out to spend the weekend in Berlin - DH's choice, not mine, but I'm glad he chose it as we had such a great time and learned so much about recent history through our meanderings around the city.

First though, a huge shout for German efficiency and laid back-ness.  Their public transport is a joy to use - which I never say about London!  Also the lack of barriers and general reluctance to criminalise people.  You go into the station, no ticket barrier, you stamp your ticket before travel and on each train there is a notice saying if you get caught without a ticket you are fined 40 Euros - end of.  No threats of prosecution, and so much easier to get in and out of stations etc - love it!

here are some of my favourite photos:

 The tv tower - unpronounceable in German!

Someone bungee jumping in the Alexanderplatz - really made me jump"

 The interior of the Marienkirche - the most peaceful place and amazing organ playing.

An exhibition celebrating 775 years of diversity in Berlin.

One of the many bears all around the city.

Checkpoint Charlie.

Ampelmann - the iconic East German road crossing man - he even has his own shops and restaurants!

The top of the Brandenburg Gate.

The last remaining bit of the real wall as it was until 1990 with a watchtower and searchlights.

The Nazi architecture of the Olympic Stadium, restored for the World Cup Final in 2006

The Holocaust Memorial

A Trabant van

Curry Wurst - a local delicacy!

The Berlin equivalent of Harrods

Wall Art on the East Side Gallery

Anyway, a taste of the city - so much to do and see, we only scraped the surface, but that just gives us an excuse to go back one day - maybe?