BERLIN 07

We had the opportunity to visit our favorite city again and despite it being our 3rd time we still found new and exciting things to do and see. This time it was a little warmer for us, as we usual are in Europe for Thanksgiving weekend or on Valentine's Day when we have seen some frigid temperatures. Our main goal was to walk up the new dome structure of the Reichstag and see if we could survive two consecutive nights at The Kit Kat Club.. It was amazing how we accomplished both of them.

When we are in Berlin we stay at The Marriott for two reasons, one because we can use "points" and two, for the great service and attention we receive from all the staff, especially Uwe and Christian at the concierge desk.

Berlin is the only city where we take a cab from the airport (it's not as easy to take the train as in most European cities). It could be that we are in a hurry to get to our room and see our view over the city, whether it be a stormy day or a beautiful one.

We took our usual nap after such a long overnight flight so we could be completely ready for dinner and of course a night out. Christian suggested a restaurant really close, Maoa in Potsdamer Platz. Pick your own meat, fish etc. and they cook it for you. Just like Fire and Ice in Tahoe the month previous but you don't have to stand around waiting for it to cook and the prices are better.

A little risque, even for Berlin on our first night, so Cheri thought the other top would be more suitable, despite the French graphics. The art work on "The Wall" outside of the restaurant seemed to agree or was it because of the big kiss?

After dinner we had a couple of cocktails in the concierge lounge at the hotel to make sure we were ready to change and make our way to one of the most "interesting" night clubs we have ever experienced.

10 Euro cover charge each and a free Jello shot will get you going. It was midnight and only a few dozen people were there, but after a while the place started rocking to in-house techno and the club filled up with some very interesting people, to say the least.

5:00 am and we realize it's time to go. We'd had our fun but most stay till dawn or even the whole weekend. Back at the hotel Cheri had to say hi to her favorite bear, then we needed water and a little quiet time in the concierge room.

After a great night's sleep we were ready to take a look around Berlin ... we hoped the line wasn't too long to go up The Reichstag. There was a Starbucks just around the corner from the hotel, and a couple of lattes helped get rid of the cobwebs. But be prepared to wait much longer for them and pay a little extra at this location.

Saturday was a beautiful day and we set out a little later than normal because we knew we were going to be doing quite a lot of walking.

Take a walk up Ebertstasse past the new Jewish Memorial towards the Brandenburger Tor and the Reichstag. Head down Strasse des 17 Juni lined by trees and the Tiergarten, past the Soviet Memorial and you will see Siegessaule. Continue through the park past the Zoo and find the wonderful Kaiser- Wilhelm Cathedral . We really wanted to see Germany's new bear Knut. (The white polar bear abandoned by it's mother and reared by it's trainer, but trying to fight for a good photo opportunity with 100,000 people was going to be too stressful.) A few more blocks and you reach a wonderful square at the cathedral and a gathering point for locals and tourists to relax and grab a quick snack.

Christian recommended dinner at Dressler, a nice restaurant on Unter den Linden, we were hoping for a typical German restaurant but we found it to be more French.

After a relaxing dinner we decided not to get to The Kit Kat Club too early but on arriving we realized it was a special dress code night and fortunately Cheri's outfit was right in line. The club was filling up very quickly and for the first time we found out that there was even a bigger dance area upstairs. Less crowded, more sofas and not as smokey, which gave us a breather from the craziness of downstairs.

The Marriott Bear loved Cheri's outfit. Her mesh top didn't pass inspection at the Kit Kat Club door.

We could swear it was the same cab driver waiting for us from last night. LOL.

Talking about being crazy! As we expected the lines were always very long to go up The Reichstag when we finally ventured out. So we went with Uwe's suggestion and stayed up all night. When we returned from the Kit Kat Club (at 6:00 am!) we came back to the room, showered, relaxed a bit and were on the steps by 7:45 am for the doors opening at 8:00 am. It was the only way we were going to make it up the dome and it was tough to do. Uwe said if the line is to the bottom of the second flight of stairs it's a minimum 2 hour wait!

Very few people around at 7:30 am, but it was a good job we changed our clothes as the tourist were arriving a few minutes after we got there. It's free to get in and after a quick elevator ride you can walk in the dome and see a panoramic view of Berlin.

It was well worth the lack of sleep but we needed a good breakfast and a few hours sleep as we still wanted to have an afternoon walking "East Berlin" .

It's a 15 Euro cab ride and you would never expect a nightclub of this distinction to be in the suburbs of Berlin. A little intimidating as security guards watch you get out of the cab and walk up a dark alley. Push the button on the wall, the door opens and you are "examined" to see if you have the correct dress code.