We know Berlin!

Last year the Charity committee at school organised a treasure hunt. We decided to play along, but it was really difficult. We had only been in Berlin for 2 months, very little German, and no real idea where anything was. Phil was away for work, the kids and I foolishly attempted it by ourselves. It was a bit of a disaster,and I don't think any of us had a good time, except for when we decided to give up and have chips and then icecream.

This year we were more prepared. We knew the public transport system much better, (we rely on public transport as we don't have a car here), we can speak and read the language, and know where landmarks, streets and buildings are! 

We  called our team the Woolloomooloo Wombats.  We chose it because if we did win a prize, it would be funny to see the principal try and say Woolloomooloo.  The boys thought that would be funny.

The boys were great at finding the things on our list, and we got back to school before anyone else. Of course that was not a true indication of how we went, as we had to wait until the answers were added up. 

 

When the other teams came in, and points were counted up, we had an award ceremony. Mrs Jackson (both kids Year 1 teacher) announced the awards. We won first place, and she pronounced Woolloomooloo perfectly.! The boys were thrilled! Our prize, a board game, Harry Potter DVD's, cinema vouchers, pens, chocolates and other goodies, even a couple of bottles of wine for the parents! 

WE had to either drawa a picture of some of the items, or take a photo.  Thsnk goodness for digital cameras. Below are some of our entries.

We found the eagle on the lamp post.

The East/West links on the Ku'damn

The World Cup Berlin Bear! This one was difficult for most teams, however, I found this during World Cup, so I knew exactly where to go.

Reichstrasse Fest

The Reichstrasse Festival happens twice a year. The street is closed from Theodore Heuss Platz, down to Neu Westend UBahn. A stage set up at each end, and one in the middle. 

There is lots of interesting bands and a lot of beer drinking. It as great to get something to eat from one of the stands, take a seat near the stageslisten to the,  music, and watch quite a bit of drunk dancing.  People watching is great!  

The highlight for the kids was the bungee jumping trampolines. 

Alexander was happy to jump up and down. Cameron tried to do more than 2 somersaults in a row. Number 3 was usually too difficult, and he would hit the trampoline head first, and laugh very loudly. He needed to speed up the first somersault. He says next time he will definitely succeed! 

Trampolining makes you thirsty for blue slushy drinks!

Sunday in Paris

We started the morning seeing the front of the Moulin Rouge. Sadly,no Ewan McGregor in sight. An interesting district of Paris, which I think might be more interesting in the evenings.

We wandered through Montemartre, and the Sacre-Coeur,(the white church). I loved the area, I would spend every weekend up there if I lived in Paris. The paintings were terrific and it had a great atmosphere.

 

  

Nathalie's train left in the afternoon, we sadly said good bye at the train station, then headed back to the hotel for a rest, ready for a fun evening.

The receptionist at the hotel tried to get tickets for Moulin Rouge on Sunday evening, but were all sold out. However he recommended another cabaret show, and we were able to get tickets for it, at half the price. The Paradis Latin Cabaret

The theatre was built in 1803 on orders from Napolean Bonaparte, then restored by Gustave Eiffel in 1889. A really lovely decorated building inside. The food was terrific, the wine was great, and an awesome show! We were really lucky, our table was right near the front. The seating was more spaced out that the Moulin Rouge, so we were happy we had the opportunity to see this show. After watching the show, and perhaps a bit too much wine, we were confident we could dancers too!

Back to Berlin on Monday morning. We had a fabulous weekend in Paris. 

Saturday in Paris, Let's walk

What a great day with our personal French tourist guides.  We wandered the streets of Paris, to Galleries Lafayette, Champs-Elysees, the Eiffel Tower, a boat cruise!

First, a boat tour down the River Seine, which was great. Lots of interesting buildings to see along the shores, with tons of information about the history of Paris. A good introduction to the city of Paris

Next, the Eiffel Tower. I was not keen on the long queues to wait to get to the top, but the four of us were able to talk and talk and laugh whilst we waited. This made the waiting time go a bit quicker. 

We went to the very top of the Eiffel Tower...a long way up. Exceptional views! Here I am with Sonia, Charlotte and Nathalie! 

We were a long way from Sydney.

We went to the Galleries Lafayette and was went to the observation platform to see some great views of the city. I lost my sense of smell in the perfume department, there were so many fragrances.

   

We had lunch at a great French restaurant. This was Nathalie and Sonia's dessert...they were very wobbly on those plates!I will leave it to your imagination on what we were discussing right at this moment.

A girls' weekend in Paris

Sonia and I left Berlin for a weekend in Paris. A good flight, but we could not identify the food served by Air France. We managed the train system really well, but not so good on the street directions to get to the hotel. The street signs in Paris were tricky to find and read, and I think I need to get my glasses rechecked. We eventually found the hotel A quick check in to put our bags in the room, then a 15 minute walk down to the Louvre! WOW.....fabulous. 

I saw the paintings I have only ever seen in my art books at school and university.  

Later that night, Charlotte (my French penfriend, living in England) and her friend Nathalie (French living in France) arrived. They quickly checked in to the same hotel, and we headed out to wander around Paris.

On our travels we wandered around the stores on the Champs- Elysees. We found the most amazing DVD and CD store, and lots more. Back at the hotel by 12.30am.