November 13, 2013: We had a blast last night at the Karlovy Lazny Disco House. We went home around 0500H and we were tired from the long walks yesterday and the all night dancing last night. Today, the sun had been out so proudly and I am still cozied up on bed feeling the complications of over partying. Hahaha.
I woke up at 1300H and was a bit feeling heavy on my back but I still tried myself to get up and readied myself for another day of walking and going to most of Prague's undiscovered nooks and crannies courtesy of my newly found friend Lynn. Today, our agenda is to go to the National Palace and also see the St. Vitus Cathedral inside the palace grounds.
Me and Lynn decided to meet again at the Andel Station (our famous meeting place), and then started to waddle around Prague.
First stop was at the riverfront, we trekked the trails at the park and then headed at the side of the river, getting pictures of the scenic city on the other side and the train bridge the connect the south and north side of the city. There were ferries along the side and it added more stunning perspective to the city sights.
We stopped by at the Nursery Building where the black huge babies with no eyes were crawling and creeping at the park's ground. We snapped some pictures of them and then headed to the other side of the city walking across the bridge. we then walked uphill following Lynn's lead and we then stopped at another property to see some abstract metallic static of a male person peeing water resembling like a fountain. The structure had quite a lot of visitors having pictures of it as their memento of Prague.
From there, Lynn and I trailed uphill going to the palace and we stopped by at the foot of the hill to by Kurtoz (a coned bread) famous in Prague and Hungary. After that, we then hiked up the hill and stopped at the entrance of the back lot of the palace to see the stunning panoramic view of the city from the other side of the hill. All the brick colored roofs lining from down below made the scene so monochromatic and uniform. It was very pretty to look out.
From there, we then line up at the entrance and then started to get inside and see what's there to watch. When we entered the square we were being presented with the stunning back view of the St. Vitus Cathedral and it was gigantic from the distance. The tourists were very ecstatic having it seen and that includes me of course. We scoured the vicinity of the palace square and enjoyed the clean and wide area teeming with happy and surprised tourists.
We then walked towards the front of the cathedral and was presented with the huge entrance door as if the edifice was owned by a huge giant. The cathedral was closed at the time we were there at 1700H and the sun was slowly setting down making the enclosed fortification very gelid. We stayed there for a while and took selfies with the front side of the church.
After that we went to the front and took more pictures and then to the front gate. There were two national guards manning the entrance gate garbed in their Winter uniforms. I easily went to them and took a picture of them and with them. Then we went to the outside square where we saw another panoramic vies of the city.
We then went to the Starbuck's café that we went last night and took more pictures of the city's panoramic view from the wall fortifications on it's rooftop. Then we headed down the hill and followed the downhill street going to Charles Bridge. We crossed the bridge and checked out the Ice Pub.
Lynn bought me a ticket for the pub for me to experience a once in a lifetime adventure in an ice pub. Upon entering we were briefed about the experience which will only last for 15-minutes and then we were handed a poncho, glove mittens, and bonnet N(otional). After donning the ponchos we fall in line and then we went in. Then we have to line up at the bar to order our drinks in an ice glass. It was chilly inside but we looked like small kids having granted thousands of candies by the host. It was a surreal 15-minutes experience and I cannot forget it.
After the ice pub experience, I bought some souvenirs and then Lynn and I walked towards the Old Town Prague square where the astronomical clock is located. We walked towards there while we were talking about our past experiences. It was already dark and the city was illuminated by the post's lights which made it more dramatic.
Old Town Prague was teeming with tourists and the walk was kind of slow because of crowd. When we reached Old Town I was so mesmerized with the beauty of the famous Wenceslaus Square. It was so crowded but very beautiful at night. We locate the place where the astronomical clock was found and watched it chime as the nearest hour unfolds. It was very huge and pretty. We also went to the local wax museum called the Grevin Praha and met John Lennon and Marilyn Monroe there.
From there we kept walking at the business area of Prague called the Oxfordshire at Na Prikope Street near the Musket Station. we went to the huge toy store called "The Hamleys". It was a very huge toy store with wide choice of toys and some fun things to do, There's also a carousel in the middle of the store and a big slide that goes from the top floor to the bottom. It was fun to be there playing with huge teddy bears all over the place.
After Hamleys we decided to call it quits because it's getting darker and agreed on the time to meet the following day at the Andel Station. I asked Lynn to just leave me at the Musket Station and from there we separated ways.
I looked for a restaurant from near there and found this quite fancy restaurant called Kavarna Adria near the Mustek Station and ordered a 3-course meal which I enjoyed well. After dinner I went back to the hotel and rest all throughout the night.
November 14, 2016: The following day, I woke up early at 0800H and readied myself for the day. It was quite drizzling outside and very cold. I am adamant to go out but Lynn and I had agreed to met at 1200H at the same meeting place at Andel station. So that means that if I left at 0900H I still have three more hours to roam the city.
I was planning to go back to the Old Town to see how it is during the day time cuz last night when we went there the square was illuminated with colorful lights and was very stunning at night. So I planned to go back there to see how pretty it is during the day.
When I left the hotel at 0815H from Florenc Station the rain had abated a bit but the time I got out of Mustek Station the drizzle had appeared again. Even though it was drizzling I still have time to take beautiful pictures of thhe Oxfordshite area.
I retraced the trails we've had last night and I ended up seeing the same views, the Hamleys, the Passage Tower, the Wenceslaus Square, ye Tyne Church, and the Astronomical clock. The square was filled with people, tourists and revelers alike. I strolled around it for a hundredth times trying to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the architectural buildings in every corner. I was feeling the beauty of the whole area for quite a time until I realized that I have to meet Lynn at the Andel Station.
I hurried immediately tracing the way I took before going back to Mustek Station. The drizzle had already gone and the sun had quite peeped out against the huge cumulus skies of Old Town Prague. It was already 1200H when I got to Mustek Station and I had a feeling that I will be late again. Poor Lynn she's always waiting for me at our meeting place.
Seeing Lynn will be another round of walking a lot but it's okay for me because it's more healthy for me and Lynn. When I got out of Andel Station, Lynn was already there standing at the same spot where we met before, standing crossing her slender legs, garbed in a brown jacket and white leggings and brown knee high boots. she looks so trendy every time we meet. She's always an eye catcher.
Upon meeting I greeted her and I asked where we're heading but she just smiled and told me it was a surprise. Without any luck of knowing where we're going, I just followed her where she'll took me and of course we talked a lot as we walk along.
I think we went eastward of the city, passing the huge beer brewery, towards the riverbanks and from there she brought me near the river and shore out a plastic full of bread. We were there to feed the ducks and upon taking out the bread from the plastic bag, the ducks from the other side crossed the river in a jiffy trying to join the other ducks for a feast.
It was a riot when all of the ducks came and quacking at us. Some were stealing bread from the plastic bag, ripping the bag off and spilling some of the bread on the ground. After that they all rushed at us and each one dove of the spilled bread. Lynn was also taking pictures of me enjoying the company of the ducks. It was a very different experience spending some precious moments with the ducks at the river. Only in Prague, that I experienced such beautiful and unforgettable memory. Thanks to my newly found friend Lynn. She sure knows where to bring me around Prague.
After feeding the ducks we continued to other destination. We crossed the river through the train bridge and then continued up the hill going to an isolated church atop the hill which is the Vysehrad Church with a very beautiful cemetery. In my observation people who got buried there were somehow connected with music. It was a very beautiful cemetery and we really enjoyed our time from there.
Lynn had told me there that she had a fondness of cemetery. She confided to me that to her the cemetery is a library for her where she can read some of the beautiful verses in every tomb she finds there. This cemetery that we went was very clean and organized. It's just a small cemetery but very tidy. We stayed there for a while taking some good pictures for our memory albums. We had a nice time there and we had bonded well.
The sun had started to set down so we decided to leave trekking the side of the hill passing a small park with some colorful fallen leaves on the ground. Upon seeing the pretty hues of the fallen leaves, I cannot held myself, ran to the park, collected some leaves and lay down on it like a soft bed. I was so ecstatic like a child upon seeing it and Lynn was just laughing at me, telling how childish I am. She helped taking pictures of me laying on a bed of colorful leaves. It was fun!
Then from there we went to the side of the hill and checked out the panoramic view of Prague from there. It was a breath taking view and we just can't stop saying our oohhs and aahhs. We looked like two crazy people enjoying the beautiful view of Prague at sunset unfolding in front of us. We also took a lot of pictures from there.
We also met a traveler from that spot and she was also from another city but was now currently living in Goa, India. She was there for a show and she invited us to come see it sometime. We told her that we love to come but I honestly told her that I am leaving tonight and that it was too late for me. We exchanged information and emails so that we can correspond to each other and Lynn was very friendly to her.
After talking with our new friend, the sun gradually set down and the weather had became quite nippy and the breeze of the air was really gelid. There were some sleet of ice on the pavement and a superficial cover of powdery snow on the grasses.
We went down the hill and went back to the train bridge to cross the river and then went back to the brewery and head back to the city until we reached the mall at Andel Station where I told Lynn that I needed to buy an adapter of my camera charger which I left at the hotel in Vienna.
I then bade good bye to Lynn and thanked her for her help and unselfish company. We hugged each other and swore to correspond to each other. It was a very fulfilling last day in Prague and I couldn't be more thankful to Lynn for showing me off the city. Without her I might probably bending on my trying to find myself in this very fascinating magical country.
I then went back to the hotel and readied my luggage for another long trip to Bratislava. I couldn't brace myself for another unpredictable journey but oh well everything is a challenge. I just couldn't wait what will unfold ahead and I am ready for it. Yay!
Friday, December 30, 2016
Wanderlusting In Prague 1
November 12, 2016, Part 1 - I have to leave Vienna, Austria early in the morning at 0400H and I have to wake up early at 0300H to get ready and bade goodbye to this beautiful city. I was saddened but I have to go on with my travels.
Mauro, had visited me that night and we enjoyed each other's company talking at the restaurant at the hotel initially and spent some intimate moments in my hotel room after that. We just talked and talked about crazy stuff trying to get along together and catch up each other, although we were regularly corresponding through emails and WhatsApp.
It was still raining outside when I left the room, went down to the lobby and asked the attendant politely to summon me a taxi. When the taxi arrived, a very handsome young middle eastern guy came out and helped me for my luggage. I was so struck seeing this goodlooking guy and I forget to even brace myself for a 5-hour travel to Praha - aka Prague in the western world.
Leaving Vienna had really made me emotional for it was very beautiful there. As if I don't want to leave. My experiences roving around in the unpredictable Autumnal weather within the city of vivid architectures and beautiful people, I may say that everything was really worth it. It made me a bit nostalgic although I have to continue my travels and pace it well so that it will be worth while.
The guy had dropped me at the bus station which was still close at that time but there were passengers waiting already for their respective early morning bus and trip. I have to wait for another 30-minutes for the Flixbus to arrive. It was funny because I waited at a wrong bus stop. I suddenly realized that it wasn't for the Flixbus after all. I have to transfer right around the corner of the building and there the bus was been waiting for me for a while.
I handed my passport and ticket to the driver and he helped me with my luggage and then let me hop in. It was still raining when I left Vienna and the frigid air emanating from the outside was really felt hard inside despite the heater was on. Eventually, as we travelled it gets warmer and everything was in an acceptable balance again.
The streets were slippery and covered with powdery snow. Some of the passengers were sleeping and were just unperturbed of the boring scenery outside. So far the drive was smooth and uneventful. It was already 0900H when we arrived at Prague and the city had welcomed us with a still drizzly weather. All the people were garbed well for the early coming of the Wintery weather.
The bus terminal was huge and when I alighted from the bus I have to gather myself first trying to think what to do first. I saw the money exchange booth and immediately changed $300 for the koronas (Prague's currency) to be used as my allowance for this trip. Then transferred to the adjacent Travel Info booth to ask for a comprehensive map of the city.
I then went out of the bus terminal and fall in line at the taxi line. When it's my turn I handed the driver the name of the hotel where I'll gonna stay and he told me that I can walk to the hotel which is just across the bus station. Hahaha, my naivete had brought me into a comical character. Well, at least I asked and saved money for the taxi. What an honest driver!
I walked towards the hotel dragging my luggage on a wet pavement because of the slight rain from last night. When I got to the hotel entrance I then proceeded to the reception and handed my reservation which the receptionist had accepted eagerly and helped me after that. After handing me the door keys, he then guided me towards the elevator.
When I got to my room, I studied the map of the city, and I then took a warm shower and napped a little bit. When I woke up, I texted Lynn, the friend of my childhood friend who entrusted me to her to tour me when I get to Prague. I've been communicating with Lynn for a long time before I left the US and we agreed and decided to meet on a weekend because she works during weekdays. Before I left Vienna I also informed her that I am going to Prague and she said that she was very eager to meet me.
We decided to meet at the Dancing House at 1400H. I immediately made myself ready and texted her a selfie of me so that she can take note what I am wearing and what I look like. She also texted me back her selfie and I am very excited to see her.
I walked at the Metro just in front of my hotel and bought a ticket at the machine but apparently the machine only accepts coins and too bad I did not have any. I kept looking for a booth to change my money and alas it took me a while to look for somebaody to change my money to coins. I studied the map first and then went out to the exit near the Dancing House. Instead of making a right I made an abrupt left from the exit and followed the strets with beautiful colorful houses and buildings where I made some selfies with my picture stick.
I kept roaming and roaming but I cannot find the dancing house. It's seems that I had walked endlessly but still no Dancing House. I've been walking for 60-minutes and then I realized I got lost. I was kinda worried already because Lynn was been waiting for me at our meeting place. My phone is on airplane mode and I cannot even call her because of the international charges I will incur had I used it.
I asked around where the Dancing House is located and then walked towards it trailing the course of the river going south. Finally after 120-minutes I found it and I was kinda embarrassed to myself because I let Lynn waited for that so much time. As I come near the building my chest was beating faster anticipating for an earful from Lynn because of making her wait for me for 2 hours.
I saw her standing inside, with her long-silky blond hair and slim statuesque. I knocked on the window in front of her and waved my right hand signaling her that I just arrived. She was surprised when she saw me and then she literally run to me and hugged me upon seeing me in person.
We had a quick introduction and decided to start the tour as the dusk is gradually settling in. We walked towarde St. Charles Bridge and established our plans on what to see for that short time before the sun goes down. It was getting dark already, and the Bridge was been teeming with travelers and revelers alike. Lynn showed me the Ice Pub and the Disco House. She said that we will be dancing later tonight at the Disco House.
We then proceeded to the bridge and feast our eyes with the beauty of the bridge having bronze statues in every post and appreciating the myriad authentic and beautiful buildings around there. I felt so overwhelmed that I really don't know what to see, do, and appreciate because Lynn and I was also having conversations as we walked and my attention was been divided at that time. I know Prague was really beautiful and I was totally struck of everything I saw at that moment. The feeling was synonymous to watching an "O" Show by Cirque de Soliel at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. So much acts to see and you got so overwhelmed. Hahaha.
We continued walking uphill towards the palace square and it was a very tiring and steep climb. I didn't feel anything because of the numbness I felt from being overwhelmed and at the same time Lynn was conversing with me while we walk so I have to pay attention. When we got there, we saw the night panorama view of the whole city at the Starbuck's Patio near the palace square.
After enjoying the nice view, we then went back downhill and located the John Lennon Wall on the other side of the city. There were also a lot of people coming there to see the famous wall. Lynn took some good pictures of me with the wall from my camera. I even had my Tommy Hillfiger black puffer jacket painted from leaning at the wall. I didn't even realized that the paint was newly placed then.
After appreciating the famous wall, we then went to the Carmelite Church of Our Lady of Victorius in Mala Strana part of Prague. Lynn told me that she goes there all the time and was friend of the Carmelite sisters there. There was also a Filipino Grocery Store there in front of the church.
I prayed in the church and enjoyed the sight of the Infant Jesus. I think took some prayer souvebirs and took some pictures of the little statue and his gilded altar. I was so touched upon seeing this little guy. We stayed at the church for a while and then agreed to go home and change for the disco party tonight.
Lynn walked me at the train station where we will be meeting and we had a blast on our first meeting despite of me getting lost at first and the limited time we had before dusk. It was a very enjoyable experience with Lynn!
November 12, 2016, Part 2: When I got to the hotel I immediately charged my camera's battery and then when to sleep because I was super tired from the 5-hour bus trip and also from the non-stop walking and roving we had earlier. I did enjoyed it and I have complaints. It's a from of exercise and also makes us healthy.
I woke up at 2000H, showered and then prepared for our disco night out at Karlovy Lazny Disco House. I took the Metro at Florenc Station and met Lynn at the Andel Station, where we agreed before. I came early because I don't want Lynn to wait for me just like I did that afternoon. Minutes later after I got there Lynn also arrived and we started to walk going to the Disco House.
I noticed Lynn was accustomed to walking so I have to prepare myself for a lot of walking here in Prague. It was more beneficial to me as well so I have no complaints. I really thanked her for doing that to me, to remind me of my sedentary lifestyle. That's why it shows how healthy she is. And I salute her for being so stoical about walking and for inspiring me to keep walking during my travels.
It was 2200H already when we arrived there, so we decided to fall in line going to the disco house. When we got there we realized it ws packed because the coat check line was really long and we have to do it in the fourth floor compared to the first floor. The Disco House was opened in 1999 and until now it was the haven of travelers all over the world, if they wanted to hang out and meet people. It was a very nice ambiance.
Each floor has its own dance floor with different themes music so that the partygoers could have choices of the music and where they can party.
From the fourth floor where we checked our jackets we surveyed the dance floor and we don't like the timid music, the third floor has a young crowd and the music playing were all hip-hop and mixed, the second floor was a small dance floor and there were a band playing soft sentimental music (check minus), the second floor has also a young crowd and they were playing the trance and circuit music, while on the first floor the dance floor was huge and we stayed there because of the 80's and 90's music.
The crowd was very engaging and we danced on the floor, sipped alcohol, talked a lot, met some new friends, took pictures of the people and us dancing, even slightly glancing at the good looking people around us. We had a blast that night.
We met one handsome Italian student named Simone Petrone, a star athlete who kept tailing Lynn all the time. He was very touchy and cuddly to us so we grabbed that as an opportunity to take pictures of him. Hahaha. And then a lot happened there meeting new friends and watching other people dancing.
I was drinking but taking it moderately. Since there's no transportation at that time, Lynn and I decided to go home at 0500H. By that time the Metro will be operating again and that there were much people at the tube. It was a fun night and I really enjoyed it a lot.
We left the disco house at around 0430H and walked towards the Metro. It was exactly 0500H when we got to Andel Station and the two of us separated and decided to see at 1200H after our much needed rest after partying the whole night.
I arrived at the hotel super tired so I waited for a while and then took a warm shower to sooth and relax me. It was a very hectic and crazy day. I love what has been transpired and will be looking forward for more adventures with my new found friend, Lynn.
Mauro, had visited me that night and we enjoyed each other's company talking at the restaurant at the hotel initially and spent some intimate moments in my hotel room after that. We just talked and talked about crazy stuff trying to get along together and catch up each other, although we were regularly corresponding through emails and WhatsApp.
It was still raining outside when I left the room, went down to the lobby and asked the attendant politely to summon me a taxi. When the taxi arrived, a very handsome young middle eastern guy came out and helped me for my luggage. I was so struck seeing this goodlooking guy and I forget to even brace myself for a 5-hour travel to Praha - aka Prague in the western world.
Leaving Vienna had really made me emotional for it was very beautiful there. As if I don't want to leave. My experiences roving around in the unpredictable Autumnal weather within the city of vivid architectures and beautiful people, I may say that everything was really worth it. It made me a bit nostalgic although I have to continue my travels and pace it well so that it will be worth while.
The guy had dropped me at the bus station which was still close at that time but there were passengers waiting already for their respective early morning bus and trip. I have to wait for another 30-minutes for the Flixbus to arrive. It was funny because I waited at a wrong bus stop. I suddenly realized that it wasn't for the Flixbus after all. I have to transfer right around the corner of the building and there the bus was been waiting for me for a while.
I handed my passport and ticket to the driver and he helped me with my luggage and then let me hop in. It was still raining when I left Vienna and the frigid air emanating from the outside was really felt hard inside despite the heater was on. Eventually, as we travelled it gets warmer and everything was in an acceptable balance again.
The streets were slippery and covered with powdery snow. Some of the passengers were sleeping and were just unperturbed of the boring scenery outside. So far the drive was smooth and uneventful. It was already 0900H when we arrived at Prague and the city had welcomed us with a still drizzly weather. All the people were garbed well for the early coming of the Wintery weather.
The bus terminal was huge and when I alighted from the bus I have to gather myself first trying to think what to do first. I saw the money exchange booth and immediately changed $300 for the koronas (Prague's currency) to be used as my allowance for this trip. Then transferred to the adjacent Travel Info booth to ask for a comprehensive map of the city.
I then went out of the bus terminal and fall in line at the taxi line. When it's my turn I handed the driver the name of the hotel where I'll gonna stay and he told me that I can walk to the hotel which is just across the bus station. Hahaha, my naivete had brought me into a comical character. Well, at least I asked and saved money for the taxi. What an honest driver!
I walked towards the hotel dragging my luggage on a wet pavement because of the slight rain from last night. When I got to the hotel entrance I then proceeded to the reception and handed my reservation which the receptionist had accepted eagerly and helped me after that. After handing me the door keys, he then guided me towards the elevator.
When I got to my room, I studied the map of the city, and I then took a warm shower and napped a little bit. When I woke up, I texted Lynn, the friend of my childhood friend who entrusted me to her to tour me when I get to Prague. I've been communicating with Lynn for a long time before I left the US and we agreed and decided to meet on a weekend because she works during weekdays. Before I left Vienna I also informed her that I am going to Prague and she said that she was very eager to meet me.
We decided to meet at the Dancing House at 1400H. I immediately made myself ready and texted her a selfie of me so that she can take note what I am wearing and what I look like. She also texted me back her selfie and I am very excited to see her.
I walked at the Metro just in front of my hotel and bought a ticket at the machine but apparently the machine only accepts coins and too bad I did not have any. I kept looking for a booth to change my money and alas it took me a while to look for somebaody to change my money to coins. I studied the map first and then went out to the exit near the Dancing House. Instead of making a right I made an abrupt left from the exit and followed the strets with beautiful colorful houses and buildings where I made some selfies with my picture stick.
I kept roaming and roaming but I cannot find the dancing house. It's seems that I had walked endlessly but still no Dancing House. I've been walking for 60-minutes and then I realized I got lost. I was kinda worried already because Lynn was been waiting for me at our meeting place. My phone is on airplane mode and I cannot even call her because of the international charges I will incur had I used it.
I asked around where the Dancing House is located and then walked towards it trailing the course of the river going south. Finally after 120-minutes I found it and I was kinda embarrassed to myself because I let Lynn waited for that so much time. As I come near the building my chest was beating faster anticipating for an earful from Lynn because of making her wait for me for 2 hours.
I saw her standing inside, with her long-silky blond hair and slim statuesque. I knocked on the window in front of her and waved my right hand signaling her that I just arrived. She was surprised when she saw me and then she literally run to me and hugged me upon seeing me in person.
We had a quick introduction and decided to start the tour as the dusk is gradually settling in. We walked towarde St. Charles Bridge and established our plans on what to see for that short time before the sun goes down. It was getting dark already, and the Bridge was been teeming with travelers and revelers alike. Lynn showed me the Ice Pub and the Disco House. She said that we will be dancing later tonight at the Disco House.
We then proceeded to the bridge and feast our eyes with the beauty of the bridge having bronze statues in every post and appreciating the myriad authentic and beautiful buildings around there. I felt so overwhelmed that I really don't know what to see, do, and appreciate because Lynn and I was also having conversations as we walked and my attention was been divided at that time. I know Prague was really beautiful and I was totally struck of everything I saw at that moment. The feeling was synonymous to watching an "O" Show by Cirque de Soliel at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. So much acts to see and you got so overwhelmed. Hahaha.
We continued walking uphill towards the palace square and it was a very tiring and steep climb. I didn't feel anything because of the numbness I felt from being overwhelmed and at the same time Lynn was conversing with me while we walk so I have to pay attention. When we got there, we saw the night panorama view of the whole city at the Starbuck's Patio near the palace square.
After enjoying the nice view, we then went back downhill and located the John Lennon Wall on the other side of the city. There were also a lot of people coming there to see the famous wall. Lynn took some good pictures of me with the wall from my camera. I even had my Tommy Hillfiger black puffer jacket painted from leaning at the wall. I didn't even realized that the paint was newly placed then.
After appreciating the famous wall, we then went to the Carmelite Church of Our Lady of Victorius in Mala Strana part of Prague. Lynn told me that she goes there all the time and was friend of the Carmelite sisters there. There was also a Filipino Grocery Store there in front of the church.
I prayed in the church and enjoyed the sight of the Infant Jesus. I think took some prayer souvebirs and took some pictures of the little statue and his gilded altar. I was so touched upon seeing this little guy. We stayed at the church for a while and then agreed to go home and change for the disco party tonight.
Lynn walked me at the train station where we will be meeting and we had a blast on our first meeting despite of me getting lost at first and the limited time we had before dusk. It was a very enjoyable experience with Lynn!
November 12, 2016, Part 2: When I got to the hotel I immediately charged my camera's battery and then when to sleep because I was super tired from the 5-hour bus trip and also from the non-stop walking and roving we had earlier. I did enjoyed it and I have complaints. It's a from of exercise and also makes us healthy.
I woke up at 2000H, showered and then prepared for our disco night out at Karlovy Lazny Disco House. I took the Metro at Florenc Station and met Lynn at the Andel Station, where we agreed before. I came early because I don't want Lynn to wait for me just like I did that afternoon. Minutes later after I got there Lynn also arrived and we started to walk going to the Disco House.
I noticed Lynn was accustomed to walking so I have to prepare myself for a lot of walking here in Prague. It was more beneficial to me as well so I have no complaints. I really thanked her for doing that to me, to remind me of my sedentary lifestyle. That's why it shows how healthy she is. And I salute her for being so stoical about walking and for inspiring me to keep walking during my travels.
It was 2200H already when we arrived there, so we decided to fall in line going to the disco house. When we got there we realized it ws packed because the coat check line was really long and we have to do it in the fourth floor compared to the first floor. The Disco House was opened in 1999 and until now it was the haven of travelers all over the world, if they wanted to hang out and meet people. It was a very nice ambiance.
Each floor has its own dance floor with different themes music so that the partygoers could have choices of the music and where they can party.
From the fourth floor where we checked our jackets we surveyed the dance floor and we don't like the timid music, the third floor has a young crowd and the music playing were all hip-hop and mixed, the second floor was a small dance floor and there were a band playing soft sentimental music (check minus), the second floor has also a young crowd and they were playing the trance and circuit music, while on the first floor the dance floor was huge and we stayed there because of the 80's and 90's music.
The crowd was very engaging and we danced on the floor, sipped alcohol, talked a lot, met some new friends, took pictures of the people and us dancing, even slightly glancing at the good looking people around us. We had a blast that night.
We met one handsome Italian student named Simone Petrone, a star athlete who kept tailing Lynn all the time. He was very touchy and cuddly to us so we grabbed that as an opportunity to take pictures of him. Hahaha. And then a lot happened there meeting new friends and watching other people dancing.
I was drinking but taking it moderately. Since there's no transportation at that time, Lynn and I decided to go home at 0500H. By that time the Metro will be operating again and that there were much people at the tube. It was a fun night and I really enjoyed it a lot.
We left the disco house at around 0430H and walked towards the Metro. It was exactly 0500H when we got to Andel Station and the two of us separated and decided to see at 1200H after our much needed rest after partying the whole night.
I arrived at the hotel super tired so I waited for a while and then took a warm shower to sooth and relax me. It was a very hectic and crazy day. I love what has been transpired and will be looking forward for more adventures with my new found friend, Lynn.
Saturday, December 24, 2016
Vienna Sojourn
November 10, 2016 - After strolling Berlin for the whole day, I am ready for a 9-hour bus ride going to Vienna, Austria. I bought a ticket from a Flix Bus Application and it was half price cheaper than the train so I decided to take a bus.
My trip started at 2300H. From the hotel, I took a taxi and had me dropped off at the Berlin Central Bus Station and waited till the bus left. I was so tired from so much walking that day and decided to just sleep at the bus for the whole 9-hour journey. I braced myself for the long trip and made sure that my phone is fully charged in case there were no charging plugs in the bus. But alas, there were and an internet connection as well.
The trip was smooth and I cannot fall asleep despite I purposely closed my eyes. I was awake all along on our way to Prague (for we will be having a layover in Prague after 4 hours). Along the way I saw that the route was been partly covered with white dusts and I realized that they were snow. It was dark and white along the way. The first sight of me to see snow. yay!
We arrived in Prague at 0300H, and it was very cold and raining. Some of the passengers went down to smoke and I stayed to check my posts online and some important messages if there were any. Apparently, there were some minor notices and I answered them promptly.
After a short rest in Prague, the bus continued it's route going to Vienna. I then felt sleepy so I dozed off for 3 hours. I woke up at 0630H and we're halfway to Vienna. I kept myself turned from time to time cuz I felt that my bottom had already felt the pressure from too much sitting for a long time.
We arrived in Vienna at 1000H and from the bus station I took a cab and had me dropped off at the hotel at the heart of the city. I checked in at the Bed and Breakfast Hotel and then showered and took a nap for I was so tired from the 9-hour long trip.
I woke up at around 1400H and was very very hungry. I garbed myself well for the cold weather and then took a siesta at the restaurant at the hotel then I asked for the map of the subway at the reception and studied it.
At 1500H, it was already dark so I decided to just follow the street from the hotel going to the heart of the city until I found the Christmas Market at St. Stephen's Cathedral at Stephanplatz Station. The area was teeming with tourists because the cathedral was very famous. And the shopping area surrounding it was also full of shopper's trying to catch up with their shopping for the holidays.
From the cathedral I, I went underground to take the subway and I went out at the Volkstheater Platz. It was already dark when I went out of the subway and from the subway I walk a little bit towards the museum area which was illuminated by light wintery hue with snowflakes light. I then went to take a picture of the museum and then went to the park in front of it with the other two museums facing each other at a fountain where the statue of Queen Victoria was erected.
The are a was been under construction and there were closed Christmas Market Kiosks scattered around it maybe for the Christmas Market bazaar.
I then continued to amble at the middle of the park and there was the Victory Gate I passed going through the City Hall illuminated well with the Christmas spirit. It was a very beautiful sight and I just cannot take my eyes on the illuminated C-shaped building. It was a pretty site during that night.
After feasting my eyes at the beautiful building and snapping pictures of it in my camera, I continued walking until I reached the Rathaus Building with some closed Christmas Market Kiosks just like the once I saw at the park. Some kiosks were open and I both some necklace charms from there. There was also a Christmas lights arch in front of the Christmas Market and it was really filled up with the Christmassy spirit. The Rathaus Building was drowned with those kiosks and the building being illuminated at the back just served as the backdrop of the whole view in front of it.
The theater across was also stunning and I could not help myself took some pictures of it in all angles. From there the night was quite dark despite is was only 1800H and I was already hungry so I decided to take my dinner at an Italian Resto near the theater. I ordered an assorted of green salad and the salmon pappardelle pasta.
After dinner I took the subway and hopped off at the Karlplatz and walked to my hotel. It was a very productive first day in Vienna!
November 11, 2016 - It was my second and last day in Vienna so I need to maximized my time to as much as possible see the whole of the city. I have to woke up early because I needed to transfer to a hotel because my reservation at the bed and breakfast hotel was only for one day which was my fault. I thought I could do it in one day that's why my reservation was only for one day.
After transferring to the hotel, I planned to retraced the route I did last night and see how it looks during the day. I started at the Votivkirche Church near the Rathaus Building area. when I got to the park in front of the Votivkirche area I started getting some pictures and enjoyed the beauty of the baroque church and checked out the fallen leaves of the backyard.
From there I headed to the Rathaus area and had enjoyed the open Christmas Market teeming with revelers and tourists. I enjoyed the festive ambiance of the place browsing each kiosks on what goodies they were selling. I bought some food to quench my hunger (it was already lunchtime) and sipped some warm malted wine on a rented mug (with 3 euros deposit). It was a very cool experience roaming around the Christmas Market and see people enjoying the place from all corners.
From there, I continued to walk and saw the Parliament Building which was very catchy from a distance because of the huge and gilded statue in front of it. It was so beautiful as if Neptune had just came out from the waves. The building was also enormous and full of Greek columns in the front. Both sides appear symmetrically nice and I enjoyed looking at it in front at the other side of the street.
After enjoying the beauty of the Parliament Building, I then continued to ambled towards the park that I went last night and retraced the route going to the city hall which stood at the center of the park in a C-shaped manner like a crescent. Like the Parliament Building the city hall appears symmetrical as well from distance. It was an awe-inspiring building and I also enjoyed watching it's beauty from where I stood. The Victory Gate beside it was also stunning. There appear more vivid at day compared to at night when I went there last night.
I kept ambling towards the Volkstheater area and went to the Queen Victoria fountain in between the two museum buildings which were also symmetrical in appearance facing each other. What's there in Vienna where all the buildings were symmetrical in designs and shapes. They were so stunning!
From there I crossed the street and checked out the Museum of Natural History. I only checked the building. I did not went in the museum because I don't have time anymore. After checking out the building I then headed back to the hotel where I got lost several times. Hahaha.
It was raining hard when I got at the hotel so I stayed there and ate dinner at the restaurant at the lobby and prepared to meet my friend Mauro from Colombia. We ate dinner and talked a little bit at the room and I told him that I will leaving early morning at 0500H going to Prague.
My stay at Vienna was short lived but full of adventures and guts. I liked the festive spirit at the Christmas Market and the long stroll around the city. I know I still have to see the Belvedere's and hopefully will be back to put them in my bucket lists next time. What a trip!
My trip started at 2300H. From the hotel, I took a taxi and had me dropped off at the Berlin Central Bus Station and waited till the bus left. I was so tired from so much walking that day and decided to just sleep at the bus for the whole 9-hour journey. I braced myself for the long trip and made sure that my phone is fully charged in case there were no charging plugs in the bus. But alas, there were and an internet connection as well.
The trip was smooth and I cannot fall asleep despite I purposely closed my eyes. I was awake all along on our way to Prague (for we will be having a layover in Prague after 4 hours). Along the way I saw that the route was been partly covered with white dusts and I realized that they were snow. It was dark and white along the way. The first sight of me to see snow. yay!
We arrived in Prague at 0300H, and it was very cold and raining. Some of the passengers went down to smoke and I stayed to check my posts online and some important messages if there were any. Apparently, there were some minor notices and I answered them promptly.
After a short rest in Prague, the bus continued it's route going to Vienna. I then felt sleepy so I dozed off for 3 hours. I woke up at 0630H and we're halfway to Vienna. I kept myself turned from time to time cuz I felt that my bottom had already felt the pressure from too much sitting for a long time.
We arrived in Vienna at 1000H and from the bus station I took a cab and had me dropped off at the hotel at the heart of the city. I checked in at the Bed and Breakfast Hotel and then showered and took a nap for I was so tired from the 9-hour long trip.
I woke up at around 1400H and was very very hungry. I garbed myself well for the cold weather and then took a siesta at the restaurant at the hotel then I asked for the map of the subway at the reception and studied it.
At 1500H, it was already dark so I decided to just follow the street from the hotel going to the heart of the city until I found the Christmas Market at St. Stephen's Cathedral at Stephanplatz Station. The area was teeming with tourists because the cathedral was very famous. And the shopping area surrounding it was also full of shopper's trying to catch up with their shopping for the holidays.
From the cathedral I, I went underground to take the subway and I went out at the Volkstheater Platz. It was already dark when I went out of the subway and from the subway I walk a little bit towards the museum area which was illuminated by light wintery hue with snowflakes light. I then went to take a picture of the museum and then went to the park in front of it with the other two museums facing each other at a fountain where the statue of Queen Victoria was erected.
The are a was been under construction and there were closed Christmas Market Kiosks scattered around it maybe for the Christmas Market bazaar.
I then continued to amble at the middle of the park and there was the Victory Gate I passed going through the City Hall illuminated well with the Christmas spirit. It was a very beautiful sight and I just cannot take my eyes on the illuminated C-shaped building. It was a pretty site during that night.
After feasting my eyes at the beautiful building and snapping pictures of it in my camera, I continued walking until I reached the Rathaus Building with some closed Christmas Market Kiosks just like the once I saw at the park. Some kiosks were open and I both some necklace charms from there. There was also a Christmas lights arch in front of the Christmas Market and it was really filled up with the Christmassy spirit. The Rathaus Building was drowned with those kiosks and the building being illuminated at the back just served as the backdrop of the whole view in front of it.
The theater across was also stunning and I could not help myself took some pictures of it in all angles. From there the night was quite dark despite is was only 1800H and I was already hungry so I decided to take my dinner at an Italian Resto near the theater. I ordered an assorted of green salad and the salmon pappardelle pasta.
After dinner I took the subway and hopped off at the Karlplatz and walked to my hotel. It was a very productive first day in Vienna!
November 11, 2016 - It was my second and last day in Vienna so I need to maximized my time to as much as possible see the whole of the city. I have to woke up early because I needed to transfer to a hotel because my reservation at the bed and breakfast hotel was only for one day which was my fault. I thought I could do it in one day that's why my reservation was only for one day.
After transferring to the hotel, I planned to retraced the route I did last night and see how it looks during the day. I started at the Votivkirche Church near the Rathaus Building area. when I got to the park in front of the Votivkirche area I started getting some pictures and enjoyed the beauty of the baroque church and checked out the fallen leaves of the backyard.
From there I headed to the Rathaus area and had enjoyed the open Christmas Market teeming with revelers and tourists. I enjoyed the festive ambiance of the place browsing each kiosks on what goodies they were selling. I bought some food to quench my hunger (it was already lunchtime) and sipped some warm malted wine on a rented mug (with 3 euros deposit). It was a very cool experience roaming around the Christmas Market and see people enjoying the place from all corners.
From there, I continued to walk and saw the Parliament Building which was very catchy from a distance because of the huge and gilded statue in front of it. It was so beautiful as if Neptune had just came out from the waves. The building was also enormous and full of Greek columns in the front. Both sides appear symmetrically nice and I enjoyed looking at it in front at the other side of the street.
After enjoying the beauty of the Parliament Building, I then continued to ambled towards the park that I went last night and retraced the route going to the city hall which stood at the center of the park in a C-shaped manner like a crescent. Like the Parliament Building the city hall appears symmetrical as well from distance. It was an awe-inspiring building and I also enjoyed watching it's beauty from where I stood. The Victory Gate beside it was also stunning. There appear more vivid at day compared to at night when I went there last night.
I kept ambling towards the Volkstheater area and went to the Queen Victoria fountain in between the two museum buildings which were also symmetrical in appearance facing each other. What's there in Vienna where all the buildings were symmetrical in designs and shapes. They were so stunning!
From there I crossed the street and checked out the Museum of Natural History. I only checked the building. I did not went in the museum because I don't have time anymore. After checking out the building I then headed back to the hotel where I got lost several times. Hahaha.
It was raining hard when I got at the hotel so I stayed there and ate dinner at the restaurant at the lobby and prepared to meet my friend Mauro from Colombia. We ate dinner and talked a little bit at the room and I told him that I will leaving early morning at 0500H going to Prague.
My stay at Vienna was short lived but full of adventures and guts. I liked the festive spirit at the Christmas Market and the long stroll around the city. I know I still have to see the Belvedere's and hopefully will be back to put them in my bucket lists next time. What a trip!
Berlin Adventure
November 7, 2016 - I arrived in Berlin International Airport and it was so nippy there. Good thing I had a thick jacket on. They had us go down the plane at the tarmac and took the bus going to the immigration building for us to get processed for admittance in the country as foreigners.
So far the tedious process of the immigration was not problematic at all. I went through the line and officially started my vacation as a tourist. I went out of the door and changed some dollars to euros so that I can pay the cab with their currency.
After getting out of the airport I immediately spotted the taxi line and then took one to drop me off at the hotel. It was already 1000H when I checked in at the hotel so I decided to take a shower and rested for one hour because I was really so beaten up from the trans-atlantic long trip.
I woke up around noon with my tummy growling. I was super hungry, I haven't ate since morning. The room was kinda warm enough and the cold drenched sidewalks of Berlin when I peeked from the window had me thinking that it had rained when I was taking a nap. I then changed and went down at the lobby to eat and then after that I asked a map of the subway at the reception.
After studying the map I then left the hotel and walked to the nearby train station. When I saw some of the spires of a church I decided to take a walk there and checked it out. Took some pictures at the same time. I walked and walked, snapping pictures here and there, and when I got tired I looked for the subway and took the U-Bahn going to the center and took off at Potsdamer Platz.
It was kinda windy and drizzly at that time when I took off at the station so I decided to ask around for the direction going to the world famous Bradenburg Gate. The lady that manned the hop-on-hop-off bus told me to walk to the direction she pointed and I followed her coaching.
I then walked towards the gate and passed by a park and checked out the beautiful colorful fallen leaves that gives the park a beautiful hue of the Fall Season. I captured some picture of it in my camera.
From there, I continued walking to the Bradenburg Gate and finally had found it after walking so much from Potsdamer Platz. I snapped some picture of the gate and appreciate the beauty of the statue riding a chariot holding the famous emblem of the barbarians who were the direct descendants of the Germans. It was a very beautiful site to reckon with. There were throngs of revelers there and also a political rally I guess in front of the gate.
After enjoying the view of the gate I then followed the straight street going to Alexanderplatz where I saw the Berlin Tower, Berlin Cathedral, and the Berlin Museum of Antiquities. The streets were being constructed near the cathedral but still I enjoyed looking at the beautiful buildings I saw as I strolled along going to the tower. It was really nippy there at that time because of the gushing wind that cold afternoon. I still went after my goals to maximize the places I needed to see.
After feeling the sting of the cold wind I decided to return to Potsdamer Platz. I was lost many times but I did found the platform, and from there I took a train and went out at the Zoologischer Garten Platz (Ruhleben-Pankow lines). I got at the hotel mildly drenched from the drizzle and was extremely cold.
November 8, 2016 - This was my second day in Berlin. My goal was to see the Reichtag Building and the world-renowned Berlin Wall. I received a recommendation from my former college classmate who now lives in Munich to take the hop-on-hop-off bus to maximize the places I needed to see in Berlin.
From Zoologischer Garten Platz I took the train and hopped off at Potsdamer Paltz and then bought a ticket from the lady I asked yesterday for the direction going to Bradenburg Gate. In order for me to see all the sites I hoped to see she recommended the purple route for me instead of the yellow route. I waited for the bus for a while and then started my search. I went off at station 3 and then walked a little bit at the park where the parliament building was located.
After a short walk from the drop off I saw the Reichtag and was in awe watching it from a distance. I snapped some pictures and selfies of it from my position and feasted it's beauty from where I stood. It was a very beautiful sight and I felt so lucky to have seen it in person.
I found out that the building was just at a small distance from Bradenburg Gate and I didn't even realized it yesterday. Berlin is a big city and places like this could be missed out sometimes. Plus I am a stranger in that place so I really didn't know. Haist.
After enjoying the Reichtag I went back to Station 3 and continued my bus trip. I then went off to Station 6 and went to see the church which was part of West Berlin during the great division of the city and also some part of the area where the Berlin Wall had stood but now was been demolished as well as the cemetery where the wall had divided the east and the west. It was really a poignant feeling having myself there seeing the division line and imagining what it was then.
I then went back to Station 6 to wait for the bus after browsing this side of the city but I've been waiting and waiting and the bus did not come. I then walked to Station 7 but still no bus then walked to Station 8 but still no bus.
The rain started to fall and it was cold that time. I was almost drenched but still I kept walking until I caught up with the bus at Station 9. I hopped on and then hopped off at Station 12 where the famous Berlin Wall was located in front of the world renowned Mercedes Arena. It was already dusk when I got there and the drizzle was quite faint. I snapped a lot of pictures of the fallen wall and imagined how it was during it's heydays. I was really shaking myself and couldn't imagine the feeling. So nostalgic.
Then the rain had poured so I went back to Station 12 and decided to wait for the bus to drop me off at the end station at Alexanderplatz. It was already 1800 and it was really cold so I decided to call it quits and took the train back to the hotel coming off at the Zoologischer Garten Platz station near the hotel.
November 9, 2016 - It was my third and last day in Berlin and I have to leave the city at 2300H that night to Vienna, Austria aka Wein. So I still have enough time to stroll Berlin. I felt that I already accomplished the places I needed to see in Berlin except seeing the Victory Angel Monument and the Olympic Stadium. So that was my plan that day.
The sun was out and shining and the day seems very promising. I prepared myself and went down the lobby to have a nice breakfast then decided to walk towards the Victory Angel Monument walking along the June 17 Straub going to the direction of the Grober Stern Roundabout Facing the Reichtag. It was a 5-mile walk which was really healthy for me passing along the famous Tiergarten Park now exuding the different colors of Fall Season which had captivated me enormously and encouraged me to take bunches of pictures in my camera.
After a long stretch walk towards the monument the "Golden Lizzie" as what they called her was sparkling from a distance as the sun was illuminating her. It was a very good sight to see as I come near her.
When I got there I just cannot stop appreciating the beauty of it from where I stood. I then took the underpass in order to come near her. And there was a college guy playing a violin at the corner of the underpass seeking monetary help maybe.
When I got out of the underpass I then inspected the monument and decided to go up until the statue. It was a steep climb and my thigh had hardened from taking the steep climb. I could barely walk after that. That's the punishment of no extreme physical activity for years. Hehehe.
The monument was really beautiful and promising. It was really made to commemorate how great Germany was. It has a lot of history and pasts. I read it all and appreciated how it was and how it is now. Very nice icon of German history. I snapped a lot of pictures of it in my camera.
After liking the "Golden Lizzie", I then decided to go back the city and see the Bradenburg Gate for the last time and since it was midday I decided to probably go to the Olympic Park.
I walked towards the city for another 4-mile stretch along the June 17 Straub and arrived at the World War II Memorial near the Bradenburg Gate. Then after seeing both for a little while I decided to take my lunch at the restaurant near there and headed to Potsdamer Platz and took the train to the Olympic Station near Ruhleben Platz.
It was already 1500 when I went there and the place was really at the outskirts of the city. I have no idea where to go that time cuz there were not much people to ask. I followed the flow of the traffic and ended up at the Olympic Village and not the Olympic Stadium. It was a huge facility and I walked a little bit around there checking out some of the facilities.
Then I trailed back to the route I went earlier and walked a little bit towards the other direction and finally found the stadium from a distance so majestically standing from the shadows of the dusk. It was closed when I got there after so much walking that day but I'm still lucky to have seen its silhouette against the dark hue of the Berlin skies at dusk. I took a very good picture of it's rings hanging from the two sturdy posts it was attached in front of the stadium.
After staying there for a while enjoying the view, I decided to call the day and took the train back to Zoologischer Garten Platz near my hotel. It was a very enjoyable solo stroll that day despite how tired I am and the weather had cooperated well also. It was cold when I got back to the hotel and everything went well at least.
My 3-day stay in Berlin was really exciting although the weather was quite wet but at least I've accomplished my goals and saw some of the places I needed to see. Thank you Berlin for all the good memories and adventure. At least I got to see you and made some good and unforgettable memories in my travel trinket. Until next time Berlin!
So far the tedious process of the immigration was not problematic at all. I went through the line and officially started my vacation as a tourist. I went out of the door and changed some dollars to euros so that I can pay the cab with their currency.
After getting out of the airport I immediately spotted the taxi line and then took one to drop me off at the hotel. It was already 1000H when I checked in at the hotel so I decided to take a shower and rested for one hour because I was really so beaten up from the trans-atlantic long trip.
I woke up around noon with my tummy growling. I was super hungry, I haven't ate since morning. The room was kinda warm enough and the cold drenched sidewalks of Berlin when I peeked from the window had me thinking that it had rained when I was taking a nap. I then changed and went down at the lobby to eat and then after that I asked a map of the subway at the reception.
After studying the map I then left the hotel and walked to the nearby train station. When I saw some of the spires of a church I decided to take a walk there and checked it out. Took some pictures at the same time. I walked and walked, snapping pictures here and there, and when I got tired I looked for the subway and took the U-Bahn going to the center and took off at Potsdamer Platz.
It was kinda windy and drizzly at that time when I took off at the station so I decided to ask around for the direction going to the world famous Bradenburg Gate. The lady that manned the hop-on-hop-off bus told me to walk to the direction she pointed and I followed her coaching.
I then walked towards the gate and passed by a park and checked out the beautiful colorful fallen leaves that gives the park a beautiful hue of the Fall Season. I captured some picture of it in my camera.
From there, I continued walking to the Bradenburg Gate and finally had found it after walking so much from Potsdamer Platz. I snapped some picture of the gate and appreciate the beauty of the statue riding a chariot holding the famous emblem of the barbarians who were the direct descendants of the Germans. It was a very beautiful site to reckon with. There were throngs of revelers there and also a political rally I guess in front of the gate.
After enjoying the view of the gate I then followed the straight street going to Alexanderplatz where I saw the Berlin Tower, Berlin Cathedral, and the Berlin Museum of Antiquities. The streets were being constructed near the cathedral but still I enjoyed looking at the beautiful buildings I saw as I strolled along going to the tower. It was really nippy there at that time because of the gushing wind that cold afternoon. I still went after my goals to maximize the places I needed to see.
After feeling the sting of the cold wind I decided to return to Potsdamer Platz. I was lost many times but I did found the platform, and from there I took a train and went out at the Zoologischer Garten Platz (Ruhleben-Pankow lines). I got at the hotel mildly drenched from the drizzle and was extremely cold.
November 8, 2016 - This was my second day in Berlin. My goal was to see the Reichtag Building and the world-renowned Berlin Wall. I received a recommendation from my former college classmate who now lives in Munich to take the hop-on-hop-off bus to maximize the places I needed to see in Berlin.
From Zoologischer Garten Platz I took the train and hopped off at Potsdamer Paltz and then bought a ticket from the lady I asked yesterday for the direction going to Bradenburg Gate. In order for me to see all the sites I hoped to see she recommended the purple route for me instead of the yellow route. I waited for the bus for a while and then started my search. I went off at station 3 and then walked a little bit at the park where the parliament building was located.
After a short walk from the drop off I saw the Reichtag and was in awe watching it from a distance. I snapped some pictures and selfies of it from my position and feasted it's beauty from where I stood. It was a very beautiful sight and I felt so lucky to have seen it in person.
I found out that the building was just at a small distance from Bradenburg Gate and I didn't even realized it yesterday. Berlin is a big city and places like this could be missed out sometimes. Plus I am a stranger in that place so I really didn't know. Haist.
After enjoying the Reichtag I went back to Station 3 and continued my bus trip. I then went off to Station 6 and went to see the church which was part of West Berlin during the great division of the city and also some part of the area where the Berlin Wall had stood but now was been demolished as well as the cemetery where the wall had divided the east and the west. It was really a poignant feeling having myself there seeing the division line and imagining what it was then.
I then went back to Station 6 to wait for the bus after browsing this side of the city but I've been waiting and waiting and the bus did not come. I then walked to Station 7 but still no bus then walked to Station 8 but still no bus.
The rain started to fall and it was cold that time. I was almost drenched but still I kept walking until I caught up with the bus at Station 9. I hopped on and then hopped off at Station 12 where the famous Berlin Wall was located in front of the world renowned Mercedes Arena. It was already dusk when I got there and the drizzle was quite faint. I snapped a lot of pictures of the fallen wall and imagined how it was during it's heydays. I was really shaking myself and couldn't imagine the feeling. So nostalgic.
Then the rain had poured so I went back to Station 12 and decided to wait for the bus to drop me off at the end station at Alexanderplatz. It was already 1800 and it was really cold so I decided to call it quits and took the train back to the hotel coming off at the Zoologischer Garten Platz station near the hotel.
November 9, 2016 - It was my third and last day in Berlin and I have to leave the city at 2300H that night to Vienna, Austria aka Wein. So I still have enough time to stroll Berlin. I felt that I already accomplished the places I needed to see in Berlin except seeing the Victory Angel Monument and the Olympic Stadium. So that was my plan that day.
The sun was out and shining and the day seems very promising. I prepared myself and went down the lobby to have a nice breakfast then decided to walk towards the Victory Angel Monument walking along the June 17 Straub going to the direction of the Grober Stern Roundabout Facing the Reichtag. It was a 5-mile walk which was really healthy for me passing along the famous Tiergarten Park now exuding the different colors of Fall Season which had captivated me enormously and encouraged me to take bunches of pictures in my camera.
After a long stretch walk towards the monument the "Golden Lizzie" as what they called her was sparkling from a distance as the sun was illuminating her. It was a very good sight to see as I come near her.
When I got there I just cannot stop appreciating the beauty of it from where I stood. I then took the underpass in order to come near her. And there was a college guy playing a violin at the corner of the underpass seeking monetary help maybe.
When I got out of the underpass I then inspected the monument and decided to go up until the statue. It was a steep climb and my thigh had hardened from taking the steep climb. I could barely walk after that. That's the punishment of no extreme physical activity for years. Hehehe.
The monument was really beautiful and promising. It was really made to commemorate how great Germany was. It has a lot of history and pasts. I read it all and appreciated how it was and how it is now. Very nice icon of German history. I snapped a lot of pictures of it in my camera.
After liking the "Golden Lizzie", I then decided to go back the city and see the Bradenburg Gate for the last time and since it was midday I decided to probably go to the Olympic Park.
I walked towards the city for another 4-mile stretch along the June 17 Straub and arrived at the World War II Memorial near the Bradenburg Gate. Then after seeing both for a little while I decided to take my lunch at the restaurant near there and headed to Potsdamer Platz and took the train to the Olympic Station near Ruhleben Platz.
It was already 1500 when I went there and the place was really at the outskirts of the city. I have no idea where to go that time cuz there were not much people to ask. I followed the flow of the traffic and ended up at the Olympic Village and not the Olympic Stadium. It was a huge facility and I walked a little bit around there checking out some of the facilities.
Then I trailed back to the route I went earlier and walked a little bit towards the other direction and finally found the stadium from a distance so majestically standing from the shadows of the dusk. It was closed when I got there after so much walking that day but I'm still lucky to have seen its silhouette against the dark hue of the Berlin skies at dusk. I took a very good picture of it's rings hanging from the two sturdy posts it was attached in front of the stadium.
After staying there for a while enjoying the view, I decided to call the day and took the train back to Zoologischer Garten Platz near my hotel. It was a very enjoyable solo stroll that day despite how tired I am and the weather had cooperated well also. It was cold when I got back to the hotel and everything went well at least.
My 3-day stay in Berlin was really exciting although the weather was quite wet but at least I've accomplished my goals and saw some of the places I needed to see. Thank you Berlin for all the good memories and adventure. At least I got to see you and made some good and unforgettable memories in my travel trinket. Until next time Berlin!
New York Layover
I was going to Eastern Europe for a 3-weeks vacation and on my first day I left Los Angeles via a United Airlines plane and had a 7-hour layover in New York. In order to pass the time I contacted Rika a day before to pick me up at the airport if she has time and I am glad that she could and Tyler will drive me around.
I arrived at Newark International Airport at 0730 and as agreed Rika had picked me up at the airport. Too bad Tyler got ticketed by the state trooper for parking at the wrong curb in the airport. Those troopers are just mean. Tyler was so devastated but we comforted him.
After the pick up we drove around Newark and had a good breakfast at a Cuban restaurant there. The food was really great and I liked it.
After breakfast Tyler drove us at the waterfront and had a great picture of the New York Manhattan Skylines as the background across the Hudson river. We strolled a little bit and then went to pick up the potted plant that Tyler bought at the plant store then dropped it off at Tyler's place.
After dropping the plant, we then crossed the tunnel and went to New York. Tyler drove us at the Empire State Building and we went the Bryant park to check out the Christmas bazaar stores. The streets of New York was cordoned because there were food festival that day. It was kinda crowded but the festive ambiance was really intoxicating.
Bryant Park was a quaint small park and was been teeming with a lot of Christmas kiosks selling holiday goodies. There was also an ice skating rink in the middle of the park with jolly kids skating and enjoying the feel of the smooth snow rink. The feel of the holidays was already being felt and New York was quite immersed by it.
After enjoying the raucous at Bryant Park we decided to walk to Time Square just for them to show me what Time Square to me as a first timer in the city. Well, in my observation it wasn't really spectacular because I felt that I was in Hollywood anyway. To me Time Square was really overrated but oh well it's good that I saw it personally and had my own feel about it as an outsider and first timer.
Since the time of my stay in New York is almost coming to an end, the pair had decided to bring me to the High-End Street in Manhattan. They told me that it was an old train subway street that was converted into a touristic area, planted some trees and made some garden to make it more like a garden on top of the streets overlooking the skylines of Manhattan.
When we got there the place had caught my eye because of the color of the falling leaves informing us that indeed it was Fall Season. It was beautiful there and made me realized that it wasn't New York because it was unusual to see such lush trees and grasses in a crowded city. At least the street had catalyzed the view of the big tall buildings and made a rustic touch to it. It was beautiful.
After we've trough there, I decided to call it quits and requested the couple to drop me off at the airport. We still have 1-hour to cross the tunnel and go to the airport to officially end the layover.
We got to the airport in time for me to line up for the security line and waited for my plane to Berlin. I am thankful that Rika had volunteered to pick me up and show me New York at least I don't have to boringly wait for my flight at Newark International Airport on my way to Europe.
It was a very fruitful day. Shout out to Rika for picking me up and to Tyler to drive us around. Thank you guys!
I arrived at Newark International Airport at 0730 and as agreed Rika had picked me up at the airport. Too bad Tyler got ticketed by the state trooper for parking at the wrong curb in the airport. Those troopers are just mean. Tyler was so devastated but we comforted him.
After the pick up we drove around Newark and had a good breakfast at a Cuban restaurant there. The food was really great and I liked it.
After breakfast Tyler drove us at the waterfront and had a great picture of the New York Manhattan Skylines as the background across the Hudson river. We strolled a little bit and then went to pick up the potted plant that Tyler bought at the plant store then dropped it off at Tyler's place.
After dropping the plant, we then crossed the tunnel and went to New York. Tyler drove us at the Empire State Building and we went the Bryant park to check out the Christmas bazaar stores. The streets of New York was cordoned because there were food festival that day. It was kinda crowded but the festive ambiance was really intoxicating.
Bryant Park was a quaint small park and was been teeming with a lot of Christmas kiosks selling holiday goodies. There was also an ice skating rink in the middle of the park with jolly kids skating and enjoying the feel of the smooth snow rink. The feel of the holidays was already being felt and New York was quite immersed by it.
After enjoying the raucous at Bryant Park we decided to walk to Time Square just for them to show me what Time Square to me as a first timer in the city. Well, in my observation it wasn't really spectacular because I felt that I was in Hollywood anyway. To me Time Square was really overrated but oh well it's good that I saw it personally and had my own feel about it as an outsider and first timer.
Since the time of my stay in New York is almost coming to an end, the pair had decided to bring me to the High-End Street in Manhattan. They told me that it was an old train subway street that was converted into a touristic area, planted some trees and made some garden to make it more like a garden on top of the streets overlooking the skylines of Manhattan.
When we got there the place had caught my eye because of the color of the falling leaves informing us that indeed it was Fall Season. It was beautiful there and made me realized that it wasn't New York because it was unusual to see such lush trees and grasses in a crowded city. At least the street had catalyzed the view of the big tall buildings and made a rustic touch to it. It was beautiful.
After we've trough there, I decided to call it quits and requested the couple to drop me off at the airport. We still have 1-hour to cross the tunnel and go to the airport to officially end the layover.
We got to the airport in time for me to line up for the security line and waited for my plane to Berlin. I am thankful that Rika had volunteered to pick me up and show me New York at least I don't have to boringly wait for my flight at Newark International Airport on my way to Europe.
It was a very fruitful day. Shout out to Rika for picking me up and to Tyler to drive us around. Thank you guys!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)