I’d actually rarely ventured into the old West berlin. Consulting the map, with the old wall marked on it, I found an old palace from the Hapsberg era. So I caught the train via the S42 anti clockwise ring service. At Charlottenburg Palace, the first thought that sprungtomind was of another Hapsburg era palace in Vienna I visited once. A big building with lots of gardens. This one didn’t have a hill to hike up though. Lots of people just walking their dogs around the grounds or jogging through them. Most tourists stop at the front courtyard for a few photos and move on.
After wandering around a bit I decided to head to the world largest zoo in terms of animal diversity. Also I wanted to see knut the baby polar bear. Yes apparently Knut died….
Its also the worlds most difficult zoo to navigate. Paths cross everywhere sometimes with signs, sometimes without. No maps available either.
Charlottenburg Palace
I’mnot sure if I saw everything, but I did see some primate species, I’ve never seen before,and lots a small mammals I haven’t seen either. Of course the Polar bears were cool and so were the ocelots, which were the only cats really doing anything other than sleeping.
Given it cost me 9 euros which is dirt cheap compared to australian zoos, i’d recommend it for a leisurely stroll around somenice gardens. Most of the enclosures are very open, especially the pygmy hippos, a small ditch keep them away from you. Hippos can’t jump apparently.
So thus another day ends. I still have a morning left tomorrow. My train for frankfurt, an ICE (intercity express), leaves about 3 pm and my flight is at midnight. So maybe a post tomorrow, If I have time and an internet connection at the airport. Otherwise I’ll do a big wrapup of my favourites and not so favourites from my trip, when i get home.
Gorilla at Berlin zoo