Deutschland-ING: Berlin

BERLIN, Germany 

21st - 23rd September 2018

21st September 2018 

It's a little crazy to me that I am able to recall the emotions, excitements and what happened during the trip by going through all the photos. Despite, my not so great memory.

A bit of  European history definitely would be handy when you are tripping around Europe, especially Berlin. Let's start with a bit of Wikipedia about Berlin first.

"Berlin, Germany’s capital, dates to the 13th century. Reminders of the city's turbulent 20th-century history include its Holocaust memorial and the Berlin Wall's graffitied remains. Divided during the Cold War, its 18th-century Brandenburg Gate has become a symbol of reunification. The city's also known for its art scene and modern landmarks like the gold-coloured, swoop-roofed Berliner Philharmonie, built-in 1963."

I woke up and got all ready, put on a bit of makeup and a nice floral skirt. Keegan and I, we set out for our 8-hour long bus FlexBus ride to Berlin. (p.s. a nice floral skirt wasn't the smartest option for a cold Berlin night in late Autumn)

Suddenly, everything became more interesting, even the subway in Berlin.

Very pleased to have this welcomed me into Berlin

At this point, I was basically freezing with my floral skirt ( I thought it was cute to put on a nice skirt). It was cute just not very warm for Berlin's Autumn.

22nd September 2018, 10am

After a night's rest at our hostel. Keegan, Henrique, Mala and I, we went out in the morning to grab some quick breakfast before we take on Berlin. Mala was basically our tour guide, she knows everything, I am talking about EVERYTHING about European History and Berlin. To be fair, she did study journalism and about European History. However, I was very astonished by her level of expertise in this area. Or should I say, admire.

Our first stop was Berlin Cathedral.

A cheeky selfie

Then we got on top of the Cathedral

Apparently this was advertised as "Ramen". If you are Asian and you know this is anything but ramen. I was actually in disbelief, as I dined in a Japanese restaurant, I would not be surprised if I had dined in a Chinese restaurant and they advertise and served ramen as such. It was basically a disgrace to the authentic ramen, and poor foreigners who had no idea that they are not consuming the authentic 'Japanese ramen'.

Not sure if this is a ruin or gain of my Euro Coin

Yes we are (Mala and I) short as fuck, (Henrique, Mala, Me and Keegan)

if you are not a history nerd, I highly recommend you read a bit of history about Germany/ Berlin before you start traveling to touristy location like this. I have witness ignorant tourists standing on those Holocaust memorial blocks making exaggerated postures for photos. I didn't know how to feel about their actions, as they were being so disrespectful, unintentionally. I just really wanted to pay my utmost respect for the victims. There are so many inhumane histories around the world. It just so happen I was there and knew about the all the Holocaust history (Thanks to Mala). Knowing this I do really appreciate the peace we are having.

After few stops at tourist attractions, we made our way through Berlin residential suburbs. The environment presents itself as a young and funky city. I definitely understand why they are so many start ups and young people with dreams residing here.

we were at the Check Point Charlie: " Checkpoint Charlie was the name given by the Western Allies to the best-known Berlin Wall crossing point between East Berlin and West Berlin during the Cold War."

Berlin Mobile Community library: I actually took a floral book in full German home from this library (Of course pre-COVID19 era).  This basically ended our second day in Berlin.

23rd September 2018, 12:00 Noon

We were on our way to Berlin Wall, " The Berlin Wall was a guarded concrete barrier that physically and ideologically divided Berlin from 1961 to 1989. Construction of the wall was commenced by the German Democratic Republic on 13 August 1961. The Wall cut off West Berlin from surrounding East Germany, including East Berlin."

After this, we slowly made our way through Berlin streets to Burgermeister, an Insta famous burger place in Berlin.

Anyone needing a job? Want to work for the Insta famous burger place in Berlin? Apply now!

The line is no joke, We waited an hour for our burgers. It was insane the amount of enthusiasm people have for this burger place.

Can I be honest? It was not worth the hype. It was good burger but not that good I would wait an hour for. Would I wait another hour to dine in a second time, most likely not. I would rather being feed when I am hungry, not to wait around an hour to starve myself.

It was a really short trip with two 8-hour long overnight bus. I definitely didn't feel the true Berlin. I haven't met with the locals to show me around Berlin to show me what Berlin is known for. I have not experience the best weather in Berlin. It was a little underwhelming. I would definitely be back again, perhaps next time with a local, to take me around more to experience the local's rhythm of life in Berlin.

Deutschland-ING: one of my favourite German Cities 2/2, Hamburg

HAMBURG, Germany

In Late October 2018

Part one of my two favourite German cities: Heidelberg

According to Google, "Hamburg, a major port city in northern Germany, is connected to the North Sea by the Elbe River. It's crossed by hundreds of canals, and also contains large areas of parkland. Near its core, Inner Alster lake is dotted with boats and surrounded by cafes. The city's central Jungfernstieg boulevard connects the Neustadt (new town) with the Altstadt (old town), home to landmarks like 18th-century St. Michael’s Church."

I definitely have a thing for water. I have unexplainable fascinations about water, about places close to the water. Water is calming. Being close to it just gives me so much joy. I have been trying to improve my swimming skills so hopefully, one day I will live close by the water, with my dog.

The trip was done around late October in 2018, while I was on exchange. It's a little funny, I actually took more than a year to write about my travels. It doesn't feel long though. I am still in disbelief about how time goes so fast, and I am already in the quarter-life crisis chapter of my life.

And the world has been paused all of sudden, travelling is basically forbidden in most countries. Going to restaurants, mass gatherings, going out for brunch the very essential every activity we do and take for granted are now histories. I thought maybe this would soothe my quarantine soul. It has been a long due travel diary, I really should have done this in 2018. But I am not going to deny the fact, this is actually a perfect time to do stay home activities. Hence, let's all sit back and grab a cup of tea, let's go on this memory lane together, shall we?

I like all my photos unfiltered, unedited and present them in their most natural form that is when I took them, and with the exact lighting.  I do really, miss Germany and Europe very much. I can't wait to be back in summer to have a month-long trip just dedicated to travel, slowly.

I don't exactly recall the type of transportation we took to get to Hamburg. I am just going to assume, it was done by Flixbus as it was the most used transportation for me to get to places. The only reason I was willing to stay more than 8hr on a bus was to save money because broke as fuck as we all know. Anyways, that didn't really stop me from enjoying my trips. We arrived on the 26th of October, 2018. And guess what, the first meal we had in Hamburg was HAMBURGERS :). My lameness shall never get old in this blog also, actually never.

Day 1- 26th October 2018 in Hamburg 

With my Hamburg travel buddy, Olivia from Taiwan. Our trip was spontaneously decided during our German class. It was originally Santorini, Greece but we didn't make it happen, Instead, Hamburg happened.

not sure if that man is judging or just getting sick of an Asian tourist taking selfies. Sorry, can't help it being myself. 

The Airbnb was the biggest surprised. I was not expecting beautiful green plants and nicely decorated room. The room was big and very simple, yet it has its own uniqueness to it. The bed was alright, a little bit hard to sleep on.

After being super hyped in the middle of the night, I've decided I should go to sleep to ensure a good night of sleep for a full-on day and possibly the next few days in Hamburg. I am not bragging but this trip has been the most productive one so far. We were so organised and did a lot of things.

28th October 2018, Day two in Hamburg. 

Just really aesthetically pleasing as I was on my way to the train station - the location according to my Iphone is Winterhude

Landungsbrücken, Hamburg

St. Paulli Landing Bridges

I was thrilled to be there, as you can totally tell.

This photo and this seagull were meant to be, it flew into my frame without me trying to capture it. Perfect timing and perfect location.

I was contemplating if I should buy a fridge magnet from St Pauli. It is rather a cliche and seems stupid to do so, as your memory of a destination will fade even if you have the fridge sticker on your fridge. The best memory is always in your head. And we always overestimate how much we need a physical item to remind us of a particular experience. However, I am by no means against. I was just trying to be minimal with my journey. So I took photos of these instead. I was a little disheartened after I've got back to Australia and I seriously wish I had bought more fridge stickers from cities I've visited instead of countries.

 

"Old Elbe Tunnel or St. Pauli Elbe Tunnel which opened in 1911, is a pedestrian and vehicle tunnel in Hamburg, Germany. The 426 m long tunnel was a technical sensation; 24 m beneath the surface, two 6 m diameter tubes connect central Hamburg with the docks and shipyards on the south side of the river Elbe."
 

The view from the other side of the St. Pauli Piers

A cute Westie encountered in Germany, and now proudly a westie dog mum :). Well, my affection for Westies didn't start here, It was from Sarah's wedding.

After the Berlin Pho Incident, I was so thankful and very happy to have a hearty warm pho soup with some real pho in Hamburg. I would've cried if I had got a real pho in Germany.

Rathaus

going up in Saint Peter's Church

I got really excited when I came across a physical Monki store as Brisbane didn't have one.

Alstadt

4pm at Jungfernstieg, it was a long day but it is not even the end yet. We've got more planned ahead.

again, got really excited with a physical Abercrombie & Fitch store, Brisbane has nothing. I've known these brands from online but I've never been a physical one. It was exciting for me.

 Then after that, we were in Sternschanze, apparently a really hip suburb in Hamburg to meet up with my model friend Addie - Adelaide Sine. She happened to be working in Hamburg when I was in Hamburg! It was the coolest thing to have met up with her and hearing about how she got scouted and her adventures in the modelling industry.

It was so lovely, and I am really short. Correction is just that my model friend is really tall.

After we've parted, I've decided that I want to explore more of this suburb. I serious miss travelling;').

Reeperbahn, Hamburg's nightlife and also the city's major red-light district

Last day - 28th October 2018 in Hamburg 

Hamburg's fish market. Who else also think the fish market is only for fish. It turned out that the fish market has a lot of fresh fish and a lot of fresh produce as well. It was definitely a place to experience how Hamburgers spend their morning, the buzz, the crowd and the cold winter breeze. It was all worth it to get up early.

After the fish market, we went to the Hafencity. " Harborside HafenCity is known for the landmark Elbphilharmonie Hamburg concert hall, with its striking facade and cutting-edge acoustics. The red brick warehouses of the 19th-century Speicherstadt complex house the Spice Museum and Miniatur Wunderland model railway. Near the busy Port of Hamburg, historic vessels moored in Sandtor harbor contrast with the upscale residential buildings and hip cafes by the water."
 

ignored the really-need-sleep travel face, but I've got the tiny balls back to where they belong 

Night view from a church, last few moments before we going back to Oestrich Winkel.

In my natural elements