Why not go to Potsdam, on the south-western fringe? Doesn’t cost any extra with our Eurail Pass, and we get a chance to see a UNESCO world heritage area. Built by Prussian royalty as a holiday resort, it escaped the worst of
WW2's devastation, then was sadly neglected for years in the DDR zone.
But with many buildings now spruced up, it’s a delight to wander around the old palaces, parks and manors.
Sans Souci was Frederick the Great’s summer house. But bypassing the architecture I was more
interested in the workings of the old windmill.
But as magnificent as the buildings are, one of the most distressing aspects is the amount of graffiti, including some on the more significant historical buildings. I can’t quite understand why the Germans tolerate it. To me it’s out and out vandalism, and as far as I’m concerned the culprits can spend a good amount of their custodial time removing it, ideally with their tongues.
Our final night in Berlin, and understandably we choose to not eat German again. Just round the corner from our apartment is Thai Isaan - just like home in Birkenhead. It comes recommended by our hosts, and not only is it relatively economical, I think it’s the best Thai food I’ve eaten outside Thailand. The “kleine aubergine” are a special addition, the size of a large pea, but with a bitter-sweet taste that really makes the dishes. Must see if we can get some at home.
But now we’re off to Prague. I’ve heard Czech cuisine is even less inspired than German. Hopefully there’ll be a few good ethnic restaurants around if that’s the case. Stay tuned.
Spinning at a leisurely 4rpm, it was intriguing watching the wooden gearing and drive belts do their
thing. Well worth a visit, even if you have no interest in engineering. The view from the top's pretty good too.
We stop for lunch at a cafe in the Dutch quarter for a genuine German meal.
To be generous, German cuisine is hearty, nutritious, warming and filling. Does it excite the taste buds? No - but who cares. This is the stuff you want on an adventure ride. Just need that old BMW R35 now.
Our final leg of Potsdam takes in the New Park and Cecilienhof Palace.
Built in the style of an English Manor in 1917, this was Duchess Cecilie’s summer house. Nice being a royal in those days - at least until the 1918 revolution.
Cecilienhof is noteworthy in that in 1945 Churchill, Truman and Stalin met here for the Potsdam Conference to decide how to carve up Germany between them (and France) after the war. A sense of history is all around.
But as magnificent as the buildings are, one of the most distressing aspects is the amount of graffiti, including some on the more significant historical buildings. I can’t quite understand why the Germans tolerate it. To me it’s out and out vandalism, and as far as I’m concerned the culprits can spend a good amount of their custodial time removing it, ideally with their tongues.
Our final night in Berlin, and understandably we choose to not eat German again. Just round the corner from our apartment is Thai Isaan - just like home in Birkenhead. It comes recommended by our hosts, and not only is it relatively economical, I think it’s the best Thai food I’ve eaten outside Thailand. The “kleine aubergine” are a special addition, the size of a large pea, but with a bitter-sweet taste that really makes the dishes. Must see if we can get some at home.
But now we’re off to Prague. I’ve heard Czech cuisine is even less inspired than German. Hopefully there’ll be a few good ethnic restaurants around if that’s the case. Stay tuned.
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