Euro Trip - Berlin am Montag

Our hotel room in Berlin is twice the size of our Amsterdam room! We're staying at an apartment hotel in Kufuerstendamm - the hotel is really similar to regular hotels except they all have kitchenettes and depending on how long you're staying you get certain hotel services. They offer a breakfast every morning (11 Euros/person). Free WI-FI and a community computer (iMac) in the lounge.

For our first full day in Berlin we decide to talk a walk around the neighborhood. Since I had a chance to check out different parts of Berlin before Doogie arrived, I wanted to take him to see the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche and Joe's Wirsthaus located near the Zoologischer Garten.

There are lots of cool shops along the way. Doogie spotted a record store - must take a detour to check out the music selections... 

Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche

This church was built in 1891by Kaiser Wilhelm II in honor of Kaiser Wilhelm I. It was heavily damaged during WWII. The remaining section (the foyer) was persevered during the rebuilding of the church. It is the visitors welcome center and has an exhibit showing how the church was used in the past and artifacts from before the war.

Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche ceiling of old church (now the visitors center)

Next to the old church is the new church sanctuary with stained glass walls. Visitors aren't allowed to take pictures inside this part of the church. There is a modern statue of Jesus Christs that is suspended above the alter. It is a gorgeous place.

Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche
(the tower is in the background, old church in the middle and new sanctuary in the front)

After leaving the church we took a walk towards the Zoo. We unfortunately got there after the Zoo was closed. We took a few pictures outside before finding a place to eat.

Joe's Wirsthaus

I really like this place - maybe it's because it was the first place I went to when I got to Berlin. Maybe it was our nice waiter who seemed happy about me trying to speak German. Or maybe it was the giant glasses of beer.... It's hard to tell.

Here's a link to their website: http://www.joes-berlin.de/index.php?l=2 

Wall decorations at Joe's

We found a new beer - banana wheat. I don't remember the maker but it was very good. A smooth mix of banana and wheat that goes well with any meal. I order Schnitzel and Doogie has a Currywurst.

Doogie orders another drink, Kirsch-Weißbier (Cherry Wheat), in a liter this time. The glass in huge! Another good drink. :)


We keep looking at each other in amazement that we get to spend a vacation in another country. We head back to the hotel and relax for the evening. Tomorrow we planned to check our more spots around Berlin.