The passing scenery morphed from derelict buildings splashed with graffiti to glamorous contemporary structures... Brandenburg Gate of goods available in the shops seemed limited. Berlin’s topography is flat. As Germany’s largest city it spreads out over nearly 900 square kilometres of which one third is covered by forests, parks, gardens, rivers and lakes. Geographically, the city sprawls across low-lying marshy woodlands. To prevent its buildings sinking into the marsh, large metal drain pipes, painted in bright colours, meander through the city to drain underground water away into the River Spree. The river Spree forms a major navigation network through Berlin, and a rivercruise is arguably the smartest way to absorb it. A short cruise will take you past Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom), the Reichstag, the Schloss Charlottenburg and the renowned Museum Island (Museumsinsel), with its collection of five major museums. A longer cruise will take you past make-shift beaches and abandoned buildings converted into night clubs by Berlin’s cutting-edge entrepreneurs, and the Badeschiff, a floating swimming pool moored in the Spree. Looping though residential areas, the boat enters a living postcard framed by lush tree lined river banks, shimmering water, low bridges and languid sunbathers. Through the city’s conservation of old infrastucture and its continuous evolution of head-turning architecture, Berlin’s history is woven seamlessly into the present, cloaking the visitor in two eras. A tour of the underground bunkers provides thorough insight into the life of pre-WWII Berlin as well as the period during the war. The tour especially outlines the final weeks leading up to Berlin’s bombing, a chilling reminder of the event’s proximity on the modern history timeline. Despite the swarms of cameraarmed tourists, visiting the Berlin Wall is still a sobering experience and enough to cast a reflective shadow over the rest of the afternoon. At this point in its history, it seems Berlin is still a city of contrasts. It’s almost like a city just out of a turbulent adolescence, and its acne scars and attitude give an arresting rawness and roughness. Whilst Berlin is cracking its knuckles and turning up the volume Munich, on the other hand, offers a comfortable, slower-paced German experience. Like a pair of siblings in a diverse extended family, Berlin and Munich are equally and unexpectedly loveable in their own ways. Reflecting back, I realise our expectations might define our attitude on meeting a place, but our actual experience cannot withstand the allure of an intriguing history, hospitable culture and generous language, nor can it resist the seductive power of breathtaking beauty, architectural landmarks and a frosted stein of German beer. “Proust” to Germany, I will be back, but next time I will leave my expectations at home. pm TRAVEL pindaramagazine.com.au Pindara Magazine 83
Pindara Private Hospital Magazine - Issue Three
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