Resumé: Berlin One Challenge 13/10/07

[huwge]

Kreuzberg is fun, often a lot going on at all hours.

If the weather is nice, then a canal boat is a nice way to see the city.

I hope to be there on Saturday, probably back and forth to Munich in the day or stay with friends, depends on other half. Was not happy when I suggested I might be going to Berlin on my own.

Carsten, am surprised you did not recommend a visit to the Leica Shop! Definitely worth a visit, even if you need to leave your wallet in the hotel safe.

On a Sunday, brunch at Freischwimmer (Treptow) is decent and relatively inexpensive. Often something going on there. Depends on weather.

Holocaust memorial is worth seeing; the Symphony; Museum Island; Gemäldegalerie; East Side Gallery - basically there's a huge amount to see and plenty of places to get a bite or have a sip.

If you have time, Potsdam is worth a visit.

Huw

[guywalder]

Andy,
please add me to the 'possibles'.
I will be grinding my teeth that it costs more to get there from Bavaria than from the UK, but I am sure I will get over it
Guy

[carstenw]

Originally Posted by stunsworth

I'd be ok with that - I arrive Friday afternoon, and leave Tuesday afternoon, so anytime would be convenient. But I wouldn't really want it to last more than say half a day. I'm not very good when it comes to photographing in a social setting, I prefer being left by myself <grin>. Perhaps it's something to discus on Saturday when we all meet?

I don't think a venue has been decided on for the evening meal yet.

Okay, let's keep it in mind and discuss it more when the time comes a bit closer. I also often don't take that great pictures with others, but I do enjoy the time.

[stunsworth]

Originally Posted by carstenw

I also often don't take that great pictures with others, but I do enjoy the time.

Agreed, my earlier post wasn't worded as well as it could have been. It would be great to get together and take some photographs.

[carstenw]

Don't worry, I read it as you intended, I believe. I am probably the one who should rewrite Anyway, it is less serious for me if I don't take great pictures that day, since I live here

[earleygallery]

Carsten, Huw,

Your posts are very helpful, I'm reading up on your recommendations, all sound very interesting.

Thanks - any more?

[carstenw]

Hmm, Deutsches Technikmuseum Berlin for those who love machinery. No tripods without buying a pro permit though, so you'll need a fast lens.

The long boat ride along the Spree. I think it takes 4 hours or more but covers everything.

The Fernsehturm. Expensive, typical, but still a nice view.

The Gold Else/Siegesseule, another great view in the middle of Tiergarten.

[carstenw]

Btw, there are lots of great restaurants in Berlin, of all price classes and cuisines. The only thing which can be a little difficult to find here is spicy cuisine. The German taste seems to cater more to milder flavours, so Indian dishes like Beef Vindaloo are toothless compared to what you might get in Canada or the U.K. Good Mexican can also be really hard to find, as can steak and burgers.

Nice fine dining might be Borchardt or Maxwell. Other, not quite so expensive, but good restaurants are Prenzlauer Berg: Fuku Sushi, Reiskugel, Gugelhof, Sowohl Als Auch, Anna Blume, Seeblick, Cafe Gagarin, and so on. Many of these are near Kollwitz Platz, a really great little neighbourhood (where I also live).

Near Savigny Platz in Charlottenburg: Kuchi, 12 Apostles, Schwarzes Café, ... If you go to Kuchi for sushi, try the Crunchy Tuna. Yum.

There are also many great restaurants in Mitte, but I am less familiar with these. One is Yo Soy. I think Fridas Schwester is also good.

[earleygallery]

Lots of restaurant suggestions here, if anyone knows what any of them are actually like!

Eat | Berlin Travel Information | Lonely Planet Destination Guide

[carstenw]

Apart from the ones I already mentioned, from this list I have been to the following, and can recommend them: Café am Neuen See, Café Wintergarten im Literaturhaus, Chandra Kumari (and its sister restaurant in Prenzlauer Berg, which I forgot before: Suryia Kanthi), Diekmann im Weinhaus Huth, and Schleusenkrug (for the beer and the garten, not the food, which is basic).

[chouhsin]

Hello all,

I just booked my trip :

Over-night train on Friday, Paris -> Berlin : 50 Euro
Easyjet on Sunday morning, Berlin -> Paris : 98 Euro

Total : a bit less then 150 Euro. Did I beat the record?

Can't wait to meet you guys.



Best,
Hsin

[stunsworth]

Hsin, I think I beat you with the price - I paid around 100 Euros for a return Easy Jet flight from Liverpool. I expect we're all hoping that you feel less inspired than last year <grin>.

[andybarton]

I'm pretty sure we paid around €180 for two return flights from Liverpool - certainly not much more.

Criminal, really.

[spylaw4]

Hsin, you may not have got the cheapest travel - but overall you may be in the lead as you've saved on a night's hotel bill! BTW - what hotel are you going for?

[chouhsin]

Andy, 180 Euro for 2? Gee, I think only walking remains cheaper.

Brian, I actually have three options in mind : 1.) stay with a friend, 2.) pick-up someone on the street/in a bar and go home with him, or 3.) party all night and sleep on the return flight. Budget budget budget....


Hsin

[kuddel]

Please confirm me to the One Challenge and the dinner. Maybe Mrs Weimann will also attend the dinner, but she has not decided yet. As a quite new member I am looking forward to meet other members for the first time in real life.

Regards,
Andreas

[stunsworth]

And we're looking forward to meeting you Andreas.

[octo]

I have just booked my flight. ETA 13/10 at 10:25. ETD 14/10 at 16:30. Tegel airport.

Looking at the Pratergarten Bar website, I saw that it opens at 18:00 on Saturdays unless I am mistaken, or unless the bar has been reserved especially for our meeting?
Andy: did I get it wrong?

[andybarton]

Oh dear...

Will have to check!




.... .... .... ....

Öffnungszeiten:
Montag – Samstag ab 18 Uhr
Sonntag ab 12 Uhr
Küche täglich bis 23 Uhr

Opening times:
Monday - Saturday starting from 18 o'clock
Sunday starting from 12 o'clock
Kitchen daily to 23 o'clock

Looks like we will have to think of a Plan B...

Well spotted - we were in danger of having a hoard outside, baying for beer and sausage

[spylaw4]

Oops! Perhaps Carsten has another suggestion not too far away?