Change is as good as a holiday... Part IChange is as good as a holiday... Part IIThe first stepAir conditioner, bar fridge and a double bedTwo of these people are not quite like the others...Hostel in SingaporeSingapore Botanical gardenwaiting for our island paradiselazy afternoons... mystical nightsthe busses are good but not good enoughMelaka, MalaysiaThe CapitalCameron Highlands"damn we didn't make it to a proper destination" stop overIsland ParadiseSeeking Refuge in a tour guide book!Karst Rock FormationsstopoverTraped by mamouth waves... a well needed restSmoggy daysAncient CityBest Markets, best pizza, best coffeeHappy New Year!Gloloating down the MekongDown the MekongWelcome to China!Dali: adventure to the lakeSouthern CapitalThe first MountainPandas!: birthday in Changdu (Ellie)A weekend away!Terracotta warriors and so much moreOver the hump!Freezzzing toesHello again world!!!Vodka and RussiaChita to BaikalTrans SiberianSurviving SiberiaWe're in Europe!Hi Jodi and Tim!We love the balticsstop over :(Little Green Men!da BahnWE MADE IT!The TruthThe move to... My (not just travel) Blog
 | Nathan&Ellie |  | Overland Adventure nach... |  | Little Green Men! |
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Feb 26 2007, 03:06 AM
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Location
Berlin, Germany
[Berlin, Germany]
Berlin is amazing... Such a breath of fresh air, an inspiring city. (And we are getting pretty good at picking them). The orientation of the city is fascinating, as Berlin was divided into four sections (along with the country) after WWII and then the east and west were further divided by a wall to keep the soviet section of Berlin separate from the capitalist section. The wall was up for 28 years, and when it came down there was more like two cities side by side with different viewpoints. This has led to an open mindedness like no other city in Europe (quoting the Lonely Planet here).
The bahn system (public transport system) stands out and really makes the vastness of the city extremely accessible. With a mesh of criss crossing under ground, on the street, and above the street transport options. Trains and trams wizz into stops every few minutes. Needless to say bikes are also rampid here.
They put Australia to same in term of forward thinking, with recycling everywhere and deeply ingrained into the physic. And much more sensible devision of rental rates, passing on the cost of water, rubbish, cleaning, heating, accommodation, etc to tenets instead of the landlord who lumps it all together in 'rent'. This has the effect of reducing consumption of these services, making for a more efficient whole system.
After arriving we decided to head out and see a flick, having decided in Singapore to go to the cinemas in every capital city... Although its been a while since any cities have been screening English language films (in English). Afterwards we were standing on the S-barn waiting for our train when Ellie spotted Sam & Leonie...
[Sam & Leonie]
Turns our Sam & Leonie are Australians living and working in Berlin. Ellie's sister, Jaree, studied with Sam at Tubening. Shortly after meeting Saw whisked us away for a beer in a bar with over 100 types of beer. Quite an impressive drinks menu, with beer from just about every major province in Germany. They after describing the average hostel we stumbled upon to them they were so kind as to put us up in their apartment for the remainder of our stay in Berlin. Which has been an absolute godsend, having even taken us on a walking tour of Berlin! They work all day, so we have been sleeping in and gloating in the privacy of a whole apartment, having spent weeks without a double bed, sleeping on train bunks, and in hostel dorms.
Anyway we are about to go out exploring again, although it does look like rain outside... Yes rain!!! We have escaped the Siberian winter, o glorious rain.
Bis spatter (see you later)
Nathan
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Vunderbah
Written by Darshi 38 months ago
Well done guys, great to see you made it.Another heat wave looming here.Thank the great mystery for the Fremantle doctor and the Fremantle Dockers of course.Been following your intrepid adventure, logging in every day to see how you are travelling. Good to hear you caught up with Tom. All the best Uncle Frank?