At 10:30 we arrived at the Hackescher markt ready to do our the Insider Tour Berlin – Famous Walk. We were greeted by Mike, a New Zealander who has been in Berlin for 11 years after completing his degree studying European histories and then marrying a Berliner. He was awesome! His knowledge was amazing and the stories he told of the different times so engaging. He kept us laughing, yet at the same time could provide an appreciation of the difficulties the Berlin people have experienced over time.

We saw so many of the places you imagine as Berlin – The Museum Island, King Fredrich, The Brandenburg Gate, The site of the burning of the books, Hitler's Bunker and the Berlin Wall. But there was so much that was unexpected – The Berlin Bear's around the place, the impact of the holocaust memorial and the efforts Berlin is making to be a tolerant city that is dealing with the past. This included the stumbling stones. Some of the artwork, alongside Mike's stories, portraying Socialist Realism in comparison with Real Socialism had the entire group appreciating what the East Berliners had been through.

One thing I couldn't help to notice was that we glorify these political refugees who escaped East Berlin, yet todays refugees are seen in the opposite light.

That night we went to an excellent restaurant called Emma’s. Great food and friendly staff made the night out a treat.