CamSur

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Berlin TV Tower and the Restaurant Sphere


Berlin TV Tower and
the Restaurant Sphere
Spin and Feast

The Spin

The Fernsehturm  or Berlin TV Tower,
is the fourth tallest  free standing structure
in Europe with the height 1,207 feet,



In the middle of the sphere,
is a visitor platform called panoramic floor
and a revolving restaurant called Telecafe.


We have been trying to book for a reservation
earlier but the Telecafe was fully booked.

Berlin TV Tower

‘It’s the most sought after restaurant in Berlin-
so it takes time to get a reservation.’
-they informed us

Berlin TV Tower - 360° Berlin

On our 6th and penultimate day in Berlin
the Hotel Indigo concierge was finally able to book us
for a late 3 PM lunch at the
Berlin TV Tower’s Revolving restaurant…

 

We we’re at the Fernsehturm’s lobby lounge
an hour earlier waiting for our turn
to be shuttled up to the restaurant




We were called about 15 minutes to 3 PM


...and we queued at the base of the shaft
where the two lifts are located.

 

It turned out that we do not have to fall in line afterall
as we had a reservation for the restaurant.

There was a separate lift  
for the Panoramic Floor that does not need reservation
and the VIP lift for those with restaurant reservation


The super fast lifts shuttle visitors
 up to the Telecafe within 40 seconds.


We we're seated on table 17 right by the window
and the kids were excited of having
a prime seat in the slow- spinning restaurant.




The Telecafe rotates
 once every 30 minutes,


...and located above the visitor’s platform
offers a bird’s eye view of Berlin
and surrounding suburbs.

 



The view was breathtaking.




It was a perfect conclusion
to our one week visit in the city,



…as it offered as a bird’s eye view
of the places we’ve been to,


 

monuments and landmarks
we’ve visited for the past few days



…and even the view of the hotel where we stayed
during this much needed family vacation.


  
The experience was exhilarating

Feast

The Telecafe offers excellent food ,


...that compliments the fabulous
360 degree view of the city.




 

I ordered the classic and tested
German Franks with Potato Wedges,


My daughter had a tasty
Apple Puree with cinnamon and rice pudding


My young son had a delicious
Olympia Chicken Breast
with Peas and Mashed Potatoes


While my wife had Seabass
and Oriental Cous Cous
(whatever that means-
the dish tasted so good.



We were scheduled to leave for Prague
the next day and this Berlin TV Tower spin
was a perfect finale to our week long stay
in the beautiful city of Berlin.

Being in the slow spinning Telecafe,
gives you the nostalgic feeling of seeing
things you did and places you've visited in the past
passing right before your very eyes.



O my, we’re already

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

LEGOLAND® and Dunkin Donuts Discovery Centre Berlin

LEGOLAND®
and Dunkin Donuts
Discovery Centre Berlin

Feast and Stray

We were on the second day of our
Hop in Hop off tour in Berlin,


...but it rained really hard that we decided
to just see the sights from the bus.


Intending to go to the Check Point Charlie-
it rained some more and the autumn weather
became intolerably cold.


We hopped out in Potsdamerplatz
and took refuge at the nearby
Sony Discover Center Building

Feast
Dunkin Donuts
Discovery Center Berlin

There is really nothing to review
in Dunkin Donuts-


..as .they serve nothing but  yummy donuts
and that’s all there is to it…



I never appreciated this donut shop
in the Philippines-
maybe because of the very hot weather…



...but in a near freezing autumn
where temperature
drops down to as low as 5 degrees-


... Dunkin Donuts gives instant comfort
and relief from the biting cold.

Delicious Muffins,

 

...good old, classic
sugar raised donuts,


...and whole wheat Bagels
with cream cheese-


...combined with their piping hot
brewed coffee…


...Halloween freebies,





...and fun coin souvenirs.



Dunkin Donuts spells heaven
on a wet and cold autumn in Berlin.



Stray
LEGOLAND®
Discovery Centre Berlin

The Kids were all smiles to find out that
Legoland Berlin, an indoor theme park
was located right at the Discovery Center.

We queued for tickets.


It was a three level theme park,


 
...showing miniatures
built entirely on Lego Blocks,


  of  historical landmarks, buildings
and monuments in Berlin…





 


…even life- size LEGO images
of popular superheroes,


  
...and lots of fun games,



…and exciting rides. 

  


That made the kids rainy day-
well – sunny?

It wasn’t as massive as its counterpart
in Carlsbad, California,

 
...but it was super fun- said the kids  
after the visiting Legoland Berlin.


Shall we try the newly opened Legoland,
in the nearby Malaysia next time?