Timberwolves Europe 2013, Berlin, The Last Day. Mon. 13 May.

[Categories: TRAVEL, PHOTOGRAPHY, EUROPE, WWII]

(See previous posts for what this tour is about.) (As always, click on photos to enlarge.)

Today is the final 1/2 day of the tour, though everyone doesn’t scatter for return to the U.S. or extra days in Europe until tomorrow. As required by Berlin law we have an ‘official’ guide give us a 3-hour bus tour in the morning (still on our own ‘official’ Timberwolves bus).

Following is a potpourri of photos.

Charlottenburg Palace.

A lot of today’s photos are taken from inside the bus, often while moving.

Olympic Stadium, built 1934 for the 1936 games in which Jesse Owens and the U.S. did well.

The photographer and his main model get in a picture together. What a shock!

Timberwolf Bob and Berlin guide Marcus.

Remnants of the Berlin Wall that divided East and West for 43-odd years.

That model again. Photographer’s privilege.

This is on Niederkirchnerstrasse near Wilhelmstrasse.

We can be slightly more light-hearted now that the Wall is DOWN and people are no longer being killed trying to get over it.

Back on the bus people, this is a whistlestop tour.

The old Checkpoint Charlie, pretty much just a tourist attraction now.

The fascinating buildings of Berlin are too numerous to mention, or remember.

M’lady and I have a massive walking tour planned for our extra day tomorrow to revisit many of these places. Hope the legs hold up.

The Brandenburg Gate.

Timberwolf Bill at the Gate.

Marcie and Renee.

Renee and Bill.

Lamplight at the Gate.

I remember the Gate because a Starbucks is nearby.

A river runs through it. (Berlin.)

Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe.

The play of light, shadows, and depth of people walking through warrants a return visit.

The White House.

Back at the hotel. Some things are timeless, even C, S, & N.

Farewells to our driver Derrick and the ‘official’ Timberwolves Bus. He has to drive back to Belgium now.

Englishman Derrick saw us safely through a lot of thick and THIN roads. He was a treat for us.

The tour is over but the eating, not quite. M’lady and I have lunch on the 7th floor of KaDeWe department store but pass on the 6th floor ‘extraordinary desserts’. 🙂

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This is the last day of the Timberwolves Europe 2013 posts. I do have some days to expand upon, generally some between the 7th and 11th or so, give or take. I will do that. As I’ve said before I really could write a small book or a long chapter on every day of the tour.

This is the 3rd Timberwolf Europe Tour for m’lady and me and every one of them has been phenomenal. Our guide for every tour, Patrick, has been the consummate English gentleman and his encyclopedic knowledge of all things has been an education.

The U.S. 104th Infantry Division WWII vets, family, and friends have been a comfort to be with. Pup and Tour Coordinator Mary has been tireless and complete in her efforts.

What makes this tour an international treasure are the dedication of the Europeans to honoring the WWII vets and keeping alive the meaning of freedom. The Dutch and Belgians are tireless also, including Piet, Esther, and Vincent on this trip and many, many, many more along the way. German locals and ‘historians’ like Albert and Matthias have made this tour special and have extended international friendships that we look forward to continuing and strengthening.

Thank you everyone.