East-side, West-side.

Unbeknown to us at the time, our last and final stop in Germany and penultimate in Europe would be the historic Berlin. As capital of the country, and with a history so remarkable, it was truly apt that our 5 week German sojourn would end in Berlin. Although the countryside will always hold first appeal over a city, Berlin is one such city where you are able to truly immerse yourself in it's offerings without that bitter discontent so often left by others. Our host and guide was Sam's eldest uncle Dieter, his soft-spoken wife Karen and daughter Maike along with Paul her boyfriend. Together they turned 4 day's into a historic whirlwind of sightseeing, eating and informative conversation. As a former political radio host, Dieter is so well versed in Berlin's history that his enthusiasm becomes truly contagious. We were therefore fortunate enough, tour guide in tow, to visit many of the historic sites that comprise the cities rich and chaotic history including the Brandenburg Gate, the last remnants of the Berlin wall, the Jewish Museum, Holocaust Memorial, Check-point Charlie, The Berlin dome and the imposing Reichstag. It truly is a fascinating journey through Germany's troubled history. Yet the entire process is juxtaposed by the liberal modernity of the developing city and its young and culturally diverse inhabitants. This is perhaps why you get the feeling that the city is embracing it's new identity. The restaurants and bars only fill up after 11pm and stay open right until sunrise. We sampled the nightlife via Paul and Maike who took us out for drinks and dinner and then to play beach volleyball the following day. When it was eventually time to leave, it was with saddened hearts; Berlin is a rad place and so embraces it's history and re-invention that you can't help but feel like you want to jump on and join the ride. 

One of the last remaining pieces of the Berlin wall now stands in shame, covered in chewing gum.

Gum-free remnants of the infamous wall that literally divided a city

With the exception of an absent Dieter, this was our Berlin family for a few days.

Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church; a hauntingly beautiful inner facade.

Giving the legs a rest in downtown Berlin.

Beach volleyball right in the center of landlocked city

Sam and Uncle Dieter waiting for the train.

The Berlin Dome; still blackened from fire after almost being destroyed during the second World War.

We were fortunate to time our visit a few days after the birth of cousin Kei's (Sam's eldest German cousin) baby boy.

Shopping shenanigans.

The sombre Holocaut Memorial. This public space of concrete statues symbolizes the death of 6 Million Jew's by the Nazi regime. These concrete blocks are totally graffiti-proof but perhaps more interesting is the fact that the company who built and supplied them is the same company albeit under new management who manufactured and supplied the death gas to the Nazi's that was used in the concentration camps.

The beauty of the memorial is the unsymmetrical design of the blocks 

The dramatic Brandenburg gate; the only remaining gate of a series through which Berlin was once entered and now famous German landmark. Incidentally it is was also the backdrop for the Euro 2012 fanpark that saw a record 1 million German fans converge together to watch the semi-final.

These bikes are everywhere and allow a group of humans to cruise around town, using collective power while storing cold beers in the fridge behind.

The imposing Reichstag. This is the center of German parliament and requires a 2 hour background identity search on each person who chooses to visit as it's status as high-risk terrorist target. It was also the building that Hitler's SS famously burned down which was to be the start of his rise to power.

Currywurst is Berlin's traditional meal and is essentially a fried sausage coated in a curried tomato sauce. There is currywurst stand on every street corner.

The Jewish Museum and the haunting 6 Million dead faces. Nothing truly prepares you for a visit to this Museum.