Travel : Berlin Day 1

Last 2 or 3 weeks(I don't even remember anymore :P),we went to Berlin,the capital city of Germany.It was my second time there since November 2013.I am always in love with this city because it offers a lot of things to see and do,ranging from history,culture,arts,shopping and eating!!

This time though,we decided to walk around town to enjoy the landmarks of the city.Surprisingly,we didn't go to any museum this time although Berlin is the home to many kinds of museums.We visited many already last time,and this time my husband was also not so interested in visiting any of them.

I was fine anyway,and to show him my appreciation for bringing me to Berlin again,I decided that we go to the famous Berliner Zoo our last day there.He is a big fan of zoos!It was also the second time of zoo experience for Alayna,as her first time was when she was just a few months old,that time she couldn't understand much what was around her :P

So,we started our first day very early because we planned to visit many places,and also because in winter,the day gets shorter,so we wanted to use the best of the daylight as possible.

The first place we went was Alexander Platz.This is the largest public plaza in Berlin and was an important landmark to the east of Germany before the reunification of west and east in 1989.Not far from here is the Berlin Fernsehturm/TV Tower and well basically famous as a shopping district

"Buddy Bear" scattered all over Berlin,and I found one here at Alexander Platz

Fernsehturm/TV Tower.At first we wanted to go up the tower but seeing the loooong queue we cancelled our mind :P

The world clock globe at the plaza,spot KL!

After that,we decided to explore Berlin the best by walking.Berlin is a big city and it's impossible for us to explore every inch of it by just walking,so other than walking we also took the metro to go to some places.But,I'd like to recommend to people to explore Berlin if possible by walking because there're a lot of things you'll miss on the way.

And Berlin is the home to many cool cafes,so if you need some refreshments after some long walks,you can always stop at any cafe and have a cup of coffee or tea.

We started walking from Alexander Platz passing by the famous Rotes Rathaus/Red city hall which was also in the east from post war till 1989,and later passing the Berliner Dom and the Museumsinsel/Museum Island until we arrived at one of the many Xmas markets in Berlin called Gendamenmarkt.

Berliner Dom

Museumsinsel.Given such name because it houses many museums on one island.Pergamon art Museum is one of the most visited museums in Berlin located on this island

Here is the Gendamen Xmas market as recommended by a friend.We even had to pay 1 euro each to enter the market but to be honest,nothing so interesting sold here.

After Gendamenmarkt,we walked some more until Charlie Checkpoint,one of the most famous tourist spots in Berlin.This was also the most famous principal checkpoint amongst others that separated the US and the Russian sectors post war.Not far from this checkpoint is Mauer Museum/Berlin Wall Museum,a private museum that collects all the details and history of the demolished Berlin Wall 1961-1989.We paid a visit last time and I suggest to others to visit this museum if you're interested in the history of the wall because it is very informative.

Entering the "US Sector"

People queuing up to take pictures with the playing armies,visitors have to pay few euroes in order to get some pictures with them

After Checkpoint Charlie,we decided to go check for some coffee at Potzdamer Platz,so we walked till there and passing by some remnants of the Berlin Wall next to the former location of GESTAPO(The Secret Nazi State Police) and the Museum of the Topoghraphy of Terrors,a museum that documenting all kinds of Third Reign brutality and cruelty during the war.I visited this museum last time but finished only half of it cause I couldn't stand to see all the brutal pictures of the victims of the WWII.

The remnants of the Berlin Wall

Another Christmas market at Potzdamer Platz/Plazza

At Sony Center,Potzdamer Platz

After some refreshments,we walked some more towards the direction of Brandenburger Tor,the iconic landmark of Berlin and stopped by at the Jewish Holocaust Memorial,not far from Brandenburger Tor on the way there.

As from what I read,this memorial is to commemorate the estimated 6 millions of Jewish and minorities who were killed in WWII under the reign of Nazi.

The Jewish Holocaust Memorial

Brandenburger Tor

Many flowers in commemoration of the deceased victims of the recent terror attacks in Paris in front of France embassy not far from Brandenburger Tor

 Not far from Brandenburger Tor is also a very important building in all Germany,Reichstag,the german Parliament.This is where the Parliament members incuding the Republic Cansellor have their debates and any official works take place.We had a private tour last time we were here to learn about the organisation of the parliament,and were accessed to go up the glass roof top(as seen in the picture) to enjoy the night scene of Berlin.This time though,we just had a stroll at the open field in front to take some pictures.

Alayna's first time in front of Reichstag

After Reichstag,we walked till the central station of Berlin crossing the Spree River.First time here and I was mesmerized by how big the Berlin main station is.It's nothing compared to Stuttgart Main Station.We'll see until the S21 project is finished,how big and facilitated the main station in Stuttgart would be.

Crossing the Spree River to the main station of Berlin

The giant christmas tree inside Berlin Main Station

From the main station,we took the rapid train to Friedrichstrasse,because from what I read,this is a historical station during the war where the first train will transport the jewish kids to the concentration camps all over Germany and its territories that time.

Friedrichstrasse station,the starting point of either "death" or "life".Here is where the jewish kids were sent off their "roads of destiny".To either continue their live in England or sent to the concentration camps to be terminated.

After this point,we had a quite empty stomach,so we decided to eat at our favourite indian/pakistan cafe in Berlin called Zam Zam restaurant.This cafe is generous with indian food selections,big portions and most importantly,affordable!

I had Butter Chicken Masala,while husband had Lamb Madras

Night was still early,so we decided to go to another christmas market in Berlin in front of the famous Charlottenburg Castle.Upon arrival,we explored the freaking big market,and this is by far the most interesting christmas market we came to in Berlin.

Christmas concert in front of Schloss Charlottenburg

End of our first day in Berlin.
Till next post guys!

Travel : Venice & Lake Garda

Salam guys,
So sorry for no updates these days.I have been a bit busy studying for my next test next week.I am about to obtain a German driving license because my Malaysian driving license is not valid here after 6 month of my arrival.

Still owe you guys the update of my Italy trip last month,when in fact we were in Berlin last weekend :P

And with the coming christmas and new year holidays,we are planning for the next trip!

Here is the second day of our Venice trip and from Venice we drove to our guesthouse in the north Italy,stopped at Lago di Garda/Lake Garda on the way for some early dinner and to catch the sunset of the day because the weather was again very nice.

We left our hotel in Venice very early in the morning when many shops were still closed and the sellers were still setting their booths that day.

Many shops were still closed when we started our walks that day in Venice

The Gondoliers were about to start their business

Grand Canal of Venice,this is near the Rialto Bridge

The cafes and restaurants were only open for breakfast

We walked in between the small roads and came across the Venetians' houses of the locals

Local Venetian houses

Again at Grand Canal

The Gondolas out of service that day

This is the end point of Venice we reached that day by walking.This is the church that I saw the day before from the lookout tower and I thought before that visitors can only reach here by waterbus

The lookout point tower at the back

Had last Gelato in Italy that day.The top is Pistacchio and bottom is Stracciatella with choc chunks

Around noon,we decided to leave Venice to our next destination which we were not sure yet at this point where should we head to.We have two potential places on the way to the guesthouse to visit,but we can only choose one because it will get darker earlier.There were Verona and Lake Garda,Verona is famous with the Juliet's House,while Lake Garda is famous as a tourism place with lake as its view.

At the end we chose to stop at Lake Garda because I wanted to indulge in Italian food by the lake :P
And turned out I made a good decision because I had what I can say the best Spaghetti Frutti di Mare in Italy.It was so good despite the quite expensive price for a bowl of spaghetti,but the seafood used were so fresh I can taste its sweetness from the seafood.

Lake Garda

My Spaghetti Frutti di Mare and husband's Pizza Margharita

Dining Al-fresco with the view of the lake

Travel : Venice Day 1

Assalam everyone.
So sorry for not updating this blog frequently these past few days.Sometimes,you have no reason not to update.Haha,well,I just have to admit,sometimes I was just too lazy to update because some posts may need few hours to complete especially posts with many pictures and descriptions.

Well,I hope I can update this blog more religiously.And December is finally here.This means we have less than a month till new year.I have a marvellous 2015 so far,but I really hope more good things will come our way in 2016 :)

Today is the update of my Venice trip last month.Venice is my favourite city of all cities in Italy.It was my second time last time,and I dare to say that I enjoyed this trip a lot more than last time.

We were greeted with very nice and bright weather for the whole 2 days we were there,Alhamdulillah.And Venice looked extra beautiful in good weather.

We started driving from Milan to Venice that took us around 2 hours early in the morning.After very very heavy breakfast(Because the food selections were generous and many food was good) at our hotel in Milan.For the record,we stayed at this very nice 4-star hotel located at the suburb of Milan.Despite its quality,we payed very very cheap for a freaking big and modern family room,only 49 Euros per day including breakfast buffet!

Well,my husband said,it was a promotion when he booked the hotel,although the real price per night is double than what we paid.We were so satisfied during our stay at this hotel.

Hotel da Vinci.Maybe the owner of this hotel likes Da Vinci so much :P.Every decoration inside and outside this hotel has something to do with him

The drive to Venice was also nice and we arrived there at noon.So,we parked our car at the provided park house before crossing the island of Venice because no cars or any other transports other than water transports can access into the area of Venice.It's not far at all,just around 5 minutes walk to the island of Venice from the main land.

Upon arrival,it was not time yet for check-in,so we decided to have a stroll at the nearby area and eat gelato!If you ever come to Italy,don't miss the chance to eat gelato because gelato here is relatively cheap and many selections too!I had gelato 2 days in a row when I was in Venice!

One of the many many canals in Venice.This place has less people compared to the center of Venice.

The local Venetian houses

Canal that connects to the sea

I had Mint(top) and Straciatella(bottom).It was yo yummy!

After some time strolling around the less crowded area of Venice,we decided to check our hotel area and check whether we can already check-in or not.FYI,accomodation on the island of Venice is quite expensive and please don't expect to get a nice hotel room.Many of the hotels are actually the apartments that are converted into hotel rooms by the owners.

We were quite satisfied with ours,nevertheless.After some rest and performed prayers,we decided to explore more side of Venice since we now didn't have to carry our luggage around.Our aim was to head to Piazza San Marco to catch the sunset of the day.

On the way to Piazza San Marco

The Gondolas carrying passengers cruising on the canals.Two times in Venice we never bothered ourselves to go on a ride,mostly because it is quite expensive.And according to my husband,for 30 minutes ride,the gondoliers won't really be taking you to nicer parts of Venice and the water of the canals smell quite badly :P.Maybe that was just his excuse :P.But I was also not eager to ask for a ride.

Ponte di Rialto/Rialto Bridge,the most famous bridge in Venice

Venice is also famous with Masquerades sold as souvenirs

Piazza San Marco that is always crowded with tourists

San Marco Basilica.I heard the architecture from inside is amazing,but we didn't get to go inside as the queue was quite long,we didn't want to wait because our baby might not like to wait :P

At Piazza San Marco,I wanted to go up the lookout tower called Campanile di San Marco,just opposite to the San Marco Basilica to enjoy the scenery of Venice from up there.Again this time my husband didn't join as he had to take care of our daughter downstairs.I made it a quick visit going up as I didn't want to let my husband wait long.However,I really enjoyed the scenery from up the tower especially when the weather was so nice that day.Caught a glimpse of sunset as well from up there.It was worth a long queue and the 8 euros ticket I had to pay.

From on top of Campanile di San Marco

The other side of Venice from on top of the tower

The second day in Venice,we walked till that very end point of the church in the middle.On my first trip to Venice I always thought that that church is on another island and that we have to take the water bus going there,but in fact it is connected by small bridges crossing from one canal to the other and it is reachable by walking

See how many people were at Piazza San Marco

Catching the sunset.If you ever come to Venice,make sure to catch the sunset at San Marco because it is very beautiful.Two times I was here two times I waited for the sunset at this place

Doge's Palace on the left side connecting through the Bridge of Sighs to the prison on the right.The legendary Casanova was once imprisoned here before he later escaped.

On the way back to the hotel.This view at sunset simply made my day :)