Berlin Day 3 and Potsdam

We went on bus tour of Berlin this morning. A lot of drive pasts. Victory Column, Pergamon and Atlas Museums, classical buildings near Alexanderplatz, TV Tower, another area of the Berlin Wall, this one covered in historical graffiti and Checkpoint Charlie. Returned to the ship for lunch then another tour, this time to Potsdam.

First surprise for the day was an unexpected walk across the Bridge of Spies (Tom Hanks starred in a movie about this famous bridge) and I actually walked across it too!. We strolled around the Sanssouci Gardens which was the summer residence of Frederick the Great. This afternoon ended up being reasonably hot, 30C, so I tended to seek a shady spot while our guide rattled off his spill, first in French then we would get the condensed version in English.  On the top of the grave of Frederick the Great, someone had left potatoes. Our guide explained it was Frederick who introduced potatoes to Germany and now little bread is eaten, instead various forms of potatoes. He must have loved his pet dogs as he requested to be buried alongside them! This is where I followed two women, one of whom had a little West Highland Terrier with her. I was trying to discretely photograph this loyal little dog which reminded me so much of our little one waiting for us return home. I don't think they realised they were being stalked!

Our last stop was to the Cecilienhof Castle, known for hosting the Potsdam Conference to seal the fate of the defeated nations.

Did I mention Croisi Cruises love to serve duck? Well they do! Much to my disappointment. It is not my first, second or even third choice but as I do not have any choices, duck it is. Fortunately it is in a terrine for one meal and then with a gravy as a main on a different day.

Glienicke Bridge aka Bridge of Spies. Used several times during the Cold War to exchange captured spies. It formed the border between West Berlin and East Germany.

View from driveway at enterence to Sanssouci Summer Palace

Rear of the Sanssouci Palace, over looking the fountain and pond, up past the terraced grapevines and the fig trees which are planted behind glass doors, a form of glasshouse arrangement

A group of picnicers enjoying their spot alongside the river in the grounds of the palace.

Beautiful half timbered Cecilienhof Castle