Summer skies

Looking at the Museum of Transportation from the canals in Kreuzberg. I just love the blue summer skies, you'll find more at Skywatch.

Hallesches Tor

Hallesches Tor is not one of the most beautiful U-Bahn stations by any means, but being right next to a canal gives it a certain cachet. The weekend is finally here and you'll find more reflections at Weekend Reflections.

Colorful boat

Here's a look back at one of the colorful boats that was docked at the Tegelersee back when I did the tour on the Moby Dick. The water was so smooth and made some very nice reflections, you'll find more of them at Weekend Reflections.

PS: Don't forget to take a look at Halcyon Travels for more from beautiful Lisbon.

Sunny days

Sadly, it seems the sunny days have come to an end. It's been cold and rainy here in Berlin and there's more autumnal weather forecast for the weekend. This shot was taken just this past Monday on German Unity Day. The weather was gorgeous and it was nice to see so many people out and about, both on boats and on land. I got this wonderful view of the Spree and the city skyline on the famous Kronprinzen Brücke (known locally as the dragon bridge) in Tiergarten. 

In other news, today was my last day on the job. Unfortunately, the company didn't have the financial means to extend my contract. It's a bit frustrating to know that I'll have to start over with my job search, but the dh and I have some big travel plans to look forward to in the meantime.

Moby Dick

The Moby Dick is one of the better-known boats on the tour circuit in and around Berlin. The dh and I gave it a whirl awhile back when we did a tour of the lakes and canals just north of the city. It was a relaxing afternoon/early evening and now I can say I've finally been on the famous Moby Dick! If you want to see the view form the inside of the boat, take a look here.

And for more signs, visit Signs, Signs.

A fine day

It was a beautiful autumn day to be out on the water. I love seeing the city from the vantage point of the Spree!

Natural frame

My boat tour around the lakes had very interesting windows. They were perfect for capturing other boats passing by!

Golden hour

There was a beautiful golden light on the Havel as we pulled back into the dock. The days are getting shorter, but I'm enjoying every last bit of summer that I can! You'll find more skies at Skywatch and more reflections at Weekend Reflections.

I am so glad the weekend is finally here. I'll be spending most of it on the golf course, the weather is supposed to be sunny and warm here in Berlin. What about you? Do you have any big plans? I hope so!

Smooth sailing

Just look at the beautiful, smooth waters of the Havel River. Just a few hundred meters ahead is the place where Berlin's major rivers, the Havel and the Spree meet up. We were lucky to have such nice weather the day we went on this boat cruise through Tegel and Spandau. I wish the summer didn't have to end!

Molecule Man

I really like this sculpture, Molecule Man, from American sculptor Jonathan Borofsky. You'll find the three guys hanging out on the Spree just near the Oberbaumbrücke.

On the Spree

I'm not sure what the significance of this old boat is, but it makes a nice focal point out on the Spree. I can't believe August is already halfway over. I don't want the summer to end yet! You'll find more treasures at Tuesday Treasures.

August theme day: City skyline

Here's a look at one of the icons of Berlin's skyline, the Fernsehturm, affectionately known to Berliners as the Telespargel. In the foreground you also have the lovely Oberbaumbrücke and if you look carefully between the two towers of the bridge, you can also see the Rotes Rathaus, Berlin's main City Hall. 

Of course there are other Skyline views of Berlin that are popular, such as the Brandenburg Gate or a look out over the city from the Reichstag, but I find this view especially nice as it's right over the Spree river. And I was lucky to catch some paddlers making their way westward into the city.

I can't believe another month has rolled around. I don't want the summer to end! Hope you've been enjoying your sunny days as much as I have. For more interpretations of this month's theme, take a look here.

Sunset on the canal

The clouds catch the last of the light as the sun goes down in Berlin. Hope you have a great weekend planned and enjoy every last day of this fantastic summer! More skies can be found at Skywatch.

Sorry I haven't been posting here much. Work keeps me so busy, but I am keeping active on Facebook and Instagram. I'm also posting more regularly on my travel blog. 

PS: Happy Bastille Day to my French readers!

Sailing...

It was a beautiful day to be out on the water this past weekend. I caught these sailors from my view on the Wansee Ferry.

Golf reflections

This picture was from a few weeks ago. The weather has heated up a bit in Berlin since then, today's view was much different! It's still a nice reflection though. Hope you're having a great weekend, don't forget to visit Weekend Reflections.

Der Juliusturm

The Juliusturm (Julius Tower) is the oldest part of the Citadel, it dates back to a fortress that was on the site as early as 1200. A trip up to the top is one of the highlights of a visit to Spandau. On a clear day, you can see quite a ways and you easily understand the defensive nature of its position at the confluence of the Spree and Havel.

Though it was a bright day, it wasn't sunny and it was pretty cold and windy. I couldn't stay up top for very long, but I got a few snaps of the view. This is a view onto part of the moat which ensured the safety of Citadel in the old days.

And here's a look into the city center of Spandau. You may remember the church tower from yesterday's model. I hope you've enjoyed your week at the Citadel. For more reflections, visit Weekend Reflections.

Spandau Citadel

As promised, this week we're taking a tour through the Spandau Citadel. It's always good to start with a full-frontal of the building itself. The Citadel was completed in 1594 and is built at the crossroads of the rivers Havel and Spree, making it a perfect defensive spot. Today the Citadel hosts a Heimatmuseum. I hope you'll stop by again tomorrow for a look inside.

Reflections on the Spree

You can see Angie's washing machine reflected in the steel and glass government buildings that line the Spree in the Regierungsviertel. Not such a bad place to work, eh? You'll find more reflections from around the world at Weekend Reflections.

I'm so glad Friday is finally here, this week seems to have dragged on forever. If the weather is nice this weekend, I plan to play a few holes of golf. If not, maybe I'll take in a movie. What exciting plans are on your agenda?

January theme day: Photo of the year

I just got back to Berlin this morning and thought I'd put up a post here in between unpacking and throwing everything in the wash. I find picking a favorite photo really difficult, but I do like this one from last summer at Krumme Lanke. You can see the original post here and more favorites of 2015 can be found here.

PS: I'm taking a little break from my Berlin blog, but you can find pictures from my recent trip to Florida and my other travels here.

Park tour

We're back to Ernst Thälmann Park. It is actually not the prettiest of places, there was a lot of graffiti and vandalism, but I managed to find some nice things to show you during my stroll. These round benches must be popular during the summer months.

 

The pond and the vegetation around it was also really pretty with all the autumnal color in the trees and being reflected back.

And a last quick look at the leaves in close-up. Hope you've enjoyed the park. You'll find more reflections at Weekend Reflections.

PS: Don't forget to take a look at Halcyon Travels for more from my trip to Israel.