I will just post a very short piece of blurb about what we did and lots of photos.
Today was an intensive history day for us, so after a delicious German buffet breakfast consisting of lots of cooked goodies, yoghurts, cereals, brioche, croissants, rye bread etc (we didnt taste them all) we headed off to Potsdamer Platz to have a look around before heading up towards the Reichstag.
It was an absolute breeze travelling on the U-Bahn even at 9pm and after a few stops we were there. I love looking around there and as we made our way past the Lego Centre towards the Sony Centre we noticed this little guy



and a cafe beside it with a large plastic cow!



I love the way the Germans have been so sensitive to trying to preserve any building they can that hasnt been bombed to kingdom come and this must have been one of the most beautiful. It was the oldest and grandest hotel in the city and the only piece remaining after the war has been preserved. It must have been so beautiful



The Sony HQ is quite spectacular and one of the few tall buildings in Berlin.



Michael and I made our way by foot (an easy walk) towards the Holocaust Memorial. It is a very impressive reminder to the horrors of war. It is a series of graduated stones, increasing in height and then decreasing again after the half way mark. Here is michael sitting at one end



and here is the monument as you walk through.



We stopped off for a cup of coffee and a Dunkin Donut at the other end and sat and pondered.



The coffee was great as usual and after finishing, it was just 5 minutes walk to the Brandenburg Gate



On the far side of the gate, there was lots of entertainment with living statues and entertainment artists.



This guy was the best I have ever seen and of course performed to order when given 50 cents.



We then walked the few hundred yards to our next stop, the Reichstag (German Parliament) where we had organised a free 1 1/2 hr tour. I found a reference to this on an obscure forum and thought I would apply through the parliament. I did this about 2 months in advance and got given the clearance about 5 days later. If any of you ever visit the city this is the best freebie around. You go in to the Reichstag on the north side avoiding the large queue which always seems to be there