Day Five - Sunday 12 October 2014 - Pottsdam and Magdeburg

Our luggage is outside our door at  7:00 am --  after breakfast Phil and I walk around Gendenmarkt Square before getting on the bus which will take us to Magdeburg where we are to board the Clara Schumann River Boat later in the afternoon.

On our way out of Berlin we pass the Tier Garten, the Brandenburg Gate (opened in 1791 as the official gate to the city).    Peter, our Guide, points out an artificial mountain in West Berlin built with ruble from World War II and also Devil's Island which was used by the United States as a spy station.

Pat on the Glienicker Bridge!

 Soon we are at the Glienicker Bridge which crosses the Havel River from Berlin to Pottsdam.    After the Wall was built in 1961 -- several secret agent exchanges took place on this bridge in 1962, 1985 and 1986.    We are dropped off on the Berlin side so we can walk across the bridge where the bus is waiting.   Are we in a James Bond movie?

Our next stop is the Sanssouci Palace -- built by Frederick the Great in the 18th Century.   Frederick loved his summer home -- and even had "Roman Ruins" built on the property which could be seen in the distance from the palace.    Frederick is buried on the highest vineyard terrace next to the palace with several of his greyhound pets.  Frederick's wish to be buried in this place was not granted until 1991 -- due to the indifference of his nephew who succeeded him (and apparently others that succeeded the nephew).   Frederick's wife, who never set foot in Sanssouci, is buried in Berlin where she lived.   This palace is small by palace standards and very much a place that Frederick designed to his own liking and comfort.   Frederick is also credited with introducing potatoes to Germany.

Sanssouci Palace - Summer Home of Frederick the Great!

Frederick's "fake" Roman Ruins

 A short drive brings us to the "Dutch Quarters" of  Pottsdam --  built by Dutch master builder, Johann Boumann in the 18th Century in the hopes that other Dutch artisans would be attracted to this area.   We are let loose for about 90 minutes to have lunch on our own.   Patte, Dave, Phil and I find a local place -- just okay -- filled the void.  

Back on the bus at 2:15 we head for Cecilienhof Castle, the site of the Pottsdam Conference in July/August 1945  -- attended by Churchill, Stalin and Truman.  At  this conference decisions were made which gave shape to post-war Europe. This structure which is of medieval design has lovely grounds and is currently a hotel.     As we leave Pottsdam, we pass the building which was the KGB Headquarters  -- now,  Peter tells us it holds private apartments.

On the bus for about two hours before arriving at the Clara Schumann sitting on the Elbe River in Magdeburg.   The boat is small (112 passengers) and so the rooms are small even for a riverboat.  Amazingly enough we are able to put everything away and store our luggage.  

Phil at Cecilienhof Castle.

Cecilienhof Castle Courtyard as it was in 1945.

Our evening is spent with an orientation session, meeting the crew and Stephanie's briefing of  what our first day on the river will bring.   Dinner is served at 7:00 pm sharp --- we meet Georgi, our waiter and Valentin, our wine steward.  There is no table for twelve but we mange with an eight and a four in the same corner of the dining room.

Dinner is good--- we all go to bed tired and ready for our time on the Elbe River.

Thanks for Reading!

Pat