Berlin and Cycling

My first aerial view of Berlin was of windmills mushrooming from the ground and my second view from Mr. Niklash blue van was of cycles. I became so happy to see many cycles rolling around, as I use cycle back home. And instantly I thought I can also use cycle sometime but, Ne.. (That’s how German say, “NO”) one month is not enough time for me to learn traffic rules and instruction regarding cycle and even when I asked this to Ms. Angelika, she abruptly willed not to provide me any cycle considering I may get into road accident. I became little sad but I did ride cycle for once here when Paul came for Bowling on his cycle. And I took his cycle for a ride within non-traffic area near the bowling center. It was fun. Here in Berlin, cycling is becoming favorite mode of transport. People of all ages do ride cycle ever now and then. More and more Berliners are leaving their cars at home and getting on their bike as awareness of environmental and health issues increases. Very encouraging and I think we people of Kathmandu should also adapt this environmentally friendly mean of transportation. Despite of being a metropolis with approximately 3.4 million residents, Berlin is the ideal place for exploring tour by bike. Since Berlin is without any steep hills or narrow curves, one can move easily through Berlin as a bicycler. And according to estimates provided by the ADFC Berlin (in German), three million people in the capital own a bicycle. About half of all journeys made in Berlin cover under five kilometres and for routes of this distance nothing beats the bicycle. No getting stuck in traffic jams, no time wasted searching for somewhere to park, and the daily exercise, of course, is good for us. So, why not Kathmandu take some lesson from Berlin? And needless to tell that cycling is always good for health. It is an ideal sport to improve your figure and your health. German simply love cycling and that's why the Berlin Senate plans to double the number of bicycles on the roads by expanding off-road bicycle paths and facilities, creating city bicycle routes on traffic arteries, constructing long-distance bicycle routes, introducing other suitable traffic-related measures, like cycle lane, road signals especially for cycles. Nearly all big streets are featured with a bicycle lane. And you know even businesspeople and members of parliament use cycle to go to their offices. Many people here enjoy cycling through the countryside with family, friends and neighbors. I have seen many families cycling together going places. It is always amusing sight for me to take pictures.

I know in any part of the world, cycling is always the intelligent choice because of cost, travel time in moving around city. Since I am not allowed to cycle here in Berlin, I miss my cycle a lot.Some cycle action in road.

Jitu In Action

No doubt all of you would like to see the person behind the camera who's been capturing all these beautiful pictues in Jiten's world ;) hehe.. And here is Jitu'cha updating all these blogs from Berlin useing this very computer.

Sunny day n' Berliner.

Today we went to two different places. One was Photography Museum called Helmut Newton Foundation Museum: Helmut Newton himself established it at the end of 2003. It is an international foundation dedicated to the promotion, preservation and presentation of the photographic works of Helmut and June Newton (his wife), who under the name of Alice Springs has also produced a significant body of portraiture photography since 1970. And next visit was to C/O Berlin: The Cultural Forum for Photography. After visiting HelMut Newton Foundation Museum we went to Monbijoupark for lunch with Mr. Holger Wenk (freelance journalist). I had a huge oriental lunch with a big glass of Berliner Beer. Lunch consisted wide variety of oriental menus and it was so tasty. I ate a lot. Helmut Newton Foundation: Museum for photography.

After this delicious lunch, I took some pictures of Berliner enjoying sunbath in the park. It was like people were picnicking in the sun and looks very relaxed. Many tourists too enjoying their drinks out in cafés surrounding the park. Berlin has a continental climate typical of North-Eastern Europe. The weather in summer (June - August) is relatively stable and warm. It’s June and relatively it’s much like weather in Kathmandu but people love sun a lot. And today it’s 25-30 degrees Celsius and perfect time for Berliner for sun bathing. But for me a good day to shoot pictures. Mr. Hong (Participant from North Korea) and I went for lot places to take pictures in the evening. Inside C/O Berlin Gallery

Monique, Nikolas and Christin

Strolling around Berlin with Monique, Nikolas and Christin, was fun. We visited some interesting places and had a nice evening out. Here are some pictures I would like to share. This is Brandenburg Gate, a former city gate and the very symbol of Berlin. It is located between the Pariser Platz and the Platz des 18. März and is the only remaining gate of a series through which one formerly entered Berlin. It was built in 1788 to 1791 by Friedrich Wilhelm II as a sign of peace and built by Carl Gotthard Langhans. In the pictures: Two artists Russian Army and American army trying to imitate old time officers, granting visas like they do in former time to cross the gate to other state of Scandinavian. Richard in red, mysely, Nikolas, Christin and Monique.) Neptune Fountain at Alexanderplatz. Nikolas, Christin and Monique posing for picture. Monique and her twin sis Nikolas at Neptune Fountain. She was playing with statue of Neptune Fountain and when I approached to take pictures, she gave me this sweet smile. Her mother was standing behind smiling at us .

Spree Forest and it's Beauty

Today was indeed a wonderful day because I’ve received a call from back home in early morning and went excursion to the Spree forest, which is full of nature. Nine am in the morning when we all went to Spree forest with Dr. Claus, Ms. Angelika and Mr. Niklash. It took approximately one hand half hour ride from IIJB to reach Spree Forest and boat for us was already booked. Actually Spree is the name of a famous river here in northeastern Germany, which flows down from the Lusatian Mountains just above Neugersdorf and wade through north past Bautzen and Spremberg, where it splits temporarily into two arms. After it passes Cottbus, the river divides into a network of channels, forming a marshy wooded region that is known as the Spree Forest of Lübbenau and Lübben. After a brief welcome speech by our Boat sailor guide in German we slowly started to wade through Spree river which looks like a painted canvas with lush green. This river is divided into two parts, Upper and Lower Spree Forest. Upper Spree forest is a huge water labyrinth and full of small trees. Sailing was very quite and beautiful. I like the smell and sound of forest, which is full of birds chirping and distinctive cuckoo singing like we do have back home. Both Lübbenau and Lübben are known as a tourist destination here in Germany and is very famous for its sour cucumber pickle. Many local shops were selling these special pickles almost everywhere. The best way to navigate Lübbenau and Lübben is by boat in Spree River, which threads their way through this park-like agricultural area. All boats are sailed by single man without motor engine. Venturing into this Spree is a unique experience of both for its landscape and culture of Lübben. River is about 100km/62mi southeast of Berlin, and it's humid lowland with sandy flats and dunes and crossed by numerous water-courses known as the "Fliessen." The Spree River here in Berlin is 382km long. The Spree also holds other importance to Berlin. It supplies most of Berlin's drinking water and other needs. A large part of the river's water is pumped up out of the coalmine around Cottbus, replacing the ground water which itself has been reduced by constant use over the centuries. Fauna and flora in this biosphere reserve of Spree forest has about 830 species of butterflies, 113 different mussels and snails, 36 species of fish, 45 mammals species of birds like crane, gray heron, sea eagle, big brackish bird, hoopoe, king-fisher, all species of woodpecker, white and black stork and 48 species of dragonflies which definitely is a good sign of ecologically intact water ways. Well we are not able to see different kinds of these birds but we enjoyed a lot listening their sweet chirping.
In 1991 UNESCO recognized this forest as its cultural heritage list and every year it attracts more than 3 million tourists. Okay I guess I really don’t have to equip any word to tell all how we felt from this wonderful excursion. Here are whole lots of pictures telling stories of its beauty. Just enjoy!! It is very interesting how local people love to decorate their homes with all these miniature in their small garden which are full of beautiful flowers.
Little company while we were sailing through the Spree River. These are wild ducks but still they are relaxed with people and they keep following boats like dolphin. With Dr. Rüdiger Claus(Director of IIJB).