A trip of firsts : EMD-BNE-SIN-HEL-TXL return

[craven morehead]

The Soviet War Memorial :



Flanked by a Russian tank either side :



Another mug shot !

 

[OZDUCK]

Thanks for the photos - bringing back good memories. We managed to walk in circles in the Tiergarten when we went to the Victory Column from the Zoo end - but it was still a lovely walk.

 

[amaroo]

Enjoying the trip report!

Horrible luck having to manage a new AFF IT platform midway through your TR - great effort!

 

[craven morehead]

Finally made it down to The Brandenburg Gate : Picture from both sides

 

[craven morehead]

About 100 yards down the Unter den Linden and Hotel Adlon is making a statement with its courtesy car. Just your average V12 Maybach

 

[craven morehead]

All this walking and it was time for some lunch at one of the numerous food outlets with seating for around 20 people along Unter den Linden. So Currywurst with Pomme frites and some oh so healthy water time to sit down for half an hour and watch the world go by.



Some type of ancient jalopy. One would assume a German built vehicle.



Looking down towards the Berlin TV Tower

 

[craven morehead]

Having done Checkpoint Charlie etc six years ago I decided to turn around and head back towards The Reichstag and wander slowly back to the Sofitel with no set route in mind. Reasonably confident I wouldn't get lost but if I did the price of taxis was not prohibitive.





This chap was selling some type of pretzel I believe.

 

[craven morehead]

The Reichstag



Haus der Kulturen der Welt





A statue of possibly Rex Hunt's long lost relations. Person appears to be kissing the fish!

 

[craven morehead]

The old Communist East German car of choice in the station wagon variety the Trabant 601 ( Trabi ). It appeared that there were tours driving around in these beasts. It bit of a feel for the old days no doubt.

 

[craven morehead]

Decided to follow the river for a while and wing it instead of the safe option of following one of the main roads back towards the Victory Column

 

[craven morehead]

Worked my way pretty much back to the Western end of the Tiergarten and came out in the suburbs and just followed my nose.





Found this quirky little cork man on top of this street sign, something that can only be appreciated by getting out on foot and walking around.

 

[craven morehead]

Stumbled on this lovely restaurant / pub at the bottom of an apartment building approximately 1km before I would end up making it back to the Zoo. . My Wife is 6'0" tall and loves all things "Giraffe" so I felt obliged to quench my thirst here



Lovely beer garden setting.



There's something quite civilized about having a beer in such lush surrounds. Beats the local pub back in CQ !!

 

[craven morehead]

I liked this place so much I returned the following day for lunch. The weather was splendid and the locals appeared to agree with me.





I decided to go with the Lammfilet for lunch.



It was a simple but sensational feed !! Today I'm winning some days a bloke just feels so bloody lucky.

 

[craven morehead]

Last night in Berlin, time for a few quiet beers and some people watching before heading to Helsinki.





And yet another fine German wheat beer !!

 

[craven morehead]

 

[craven morehead]

Helsinki Finland here I come ! Looking forward to adding a new country to my list. Nice and relaxed taxi ride back to Tegel.





Time for a quick 30 minute visit over to the BA Terraces lounge above gate 15 in Terminal 1.

 

[craven morehead]

Walking out on the tarmac for todays flight at TXL



Possibly the last time I will lay eyes on one of these birds



29 Pax in J today



OZDUCK, I haven't gotten any taller on this trip in 1F again.



Another more than satisfactory meal, pretty much the same as the HEL-TXL flight but with chicken instead of fish.

 

[craven morehead]

First views of this beautiful country

 

[craven morehead]

Time to get excited, first time in Finland proper Jumped on the longest escalator I think I've ever seen and headed down to the airport train station for the 30 minute ride into Helsinki Central station.

 

[craven morehead]

Awesome ultra modern trains. All the announcements are made in Finnish and then Swedish. The Finnish language appears to very unique.



One or two minutes out of Central station it's starting to get real.



Here we go!



Helsinki Central