Having arrived at about 12.30 am on Saturday morning, we decided we needed a snack.  Hubby went off and bought Kepaps for us.  These are the Doner Kebabs in Australia, but the Germans call it Kepaps.  I think the German ones are much tastier and I enjoyed it thoroughly.  Probably because I was very hungry by that time.

We stayed in a hotel called Hotel Berlin, Berlin.  The reception area was very nicely done in a modern, techno way.  The room was large and allowed us to move around without feeling squashed.  Hotel Berlin Berlin was quite reasonable – around 70 pounds, or AUD$140 a night.

The bar area of Hotel Berlin, Berlin
The bar area of Hotel Berlin, Berlin

We started our day by visiting one of the star attractions, which is Checkpoint Charlie.  Checkpoint Charlie was the only point where international non-German visitors could cross.  It is also famous for the US/Soviet armoured tanks stand-off that nearly saw the super powers engage in WWIII.  There was a lot of information around Checkpoint Charlie explaining the history and how the Berlin Wall came to be.  The great thing is that they provided English translations, which is absolutely fantastic.  We spent the next hour reading the material on the wall, munching on our morning coffee and pastry.

Poster is meant to symbolise the last West Berliner to man Checkpoint Charlie. On other side, East Berliner.
Poster is meant to symbolise the last West Berliner to man Checkpoint Charlie. On other side, East Berliner.
Image of the Russian/US stand-off. These information wall cover large tracts of land that was No Man's Land. You would have been shot on sight if found in this area.
Image of the Russian/US stand-off. These information wall cover large tracts of land that was No Man's Land. You would have been shot on sight if found in this area.
Bronze Plaque marking where the Berlin Wall used to stand.
Bronze Plaque marking where the Berlin Wall used to stand.
A line of cobbled stones in the road show the path of the Berlin Wall. East Berlin, West Berlin, East Berlin, West Berlin ....
A line of cobbled stones in the road show the path of the Berlin Wall. East Berlin, West Berlin, East Berlin, West Berlin ....
Berlin Wall was not very thick. Rather than razor wires, it was capped off by concrete piping. To the right was East Berlin.
Berlin Wall was not very thick. Rather than razor wires, it was capped off by concrete piping. To the right was East Berlin.
Ampleman - East Berlin's answer to the West's green walking man. When you see this man, you are in East Berlin.
Ampleman - East Berlin's answer to the West's green walking man. When you see this man, you are in East Berlin.

After Checkpoint Charlie, we went to visit the Jewish Museum.  If you’re with kids, this place is a definite must-see!  This museum is extremely well designed, both in terms of its exhibits and its architecture.  The internal building is like a modern sculpture.  I really enjoyed its architectural treatment of large spaces, clean modern zig zag lines, windows that, of themselves, were like pieces of art.  In terms of exhibits, the whole place has been well thought of.  Information was presented in a very engaging way, and in a variety of mediums.  You can touch and feel most things that are there.  Audio-visual exhibits have been designed to cater to children with short attention spans.  Your child will definitely learn something from the trip.  There’s also little alcoves specially for kids to enter (harder for adults to crawl through).  It means children are entertained, whilst adults get an opportunity to read some of the material.  Plan to be at the museum for half a day.

Jewish Museum, Berlin
Jewish Museum, Berlin

Painting

Great Synagogue of Cologne built in Moorish style. Destroyed during the Pogrom in 1938.
Model of the Great Synagogue of Cologne built in Moorish style. Destroyed during the Pogrom in 1938.