We got a different view of the city today – in a number of ways.

We headed out early as we had an appointment to visit the Reichstag.

Yes, we were early again!

A few days ago, we’d applied to visit the dome on top of the Reichstag. We’d been told it was well worth a visit, and our appointment time was 9.30am today.

To make this appointment we needed our passports, and when we arrived this morning we had to go through very thorough security checks.

Through this building we discovered six baggage and people screening devices, very similar to those in airports. Our names and passport details were on a printout for the staff to check it was us. Mick counted at least 30 staff just managing this security area.

We weren’t told much about the process for getting beyond the check point, but after a short wait, we followed a silent young girl up the steps to the front door. There every person in the group had to enter a glassed-in enclosure, again no information was provided. The doors closed behind us and then the doors in front of us opened. We were met by a very severe man who didn’t speak either, but as the only place to go was into a big elevator we all squeezed in.

This was Mick’s take on the whole affair so far. Here we were provided with an audio device that provided an excellent commentary based on where we were in the spiral.

There were two spirals- one for going up, and one for coming down.

We got a great view of Berlin from inside the dome.

We also realised why the need for all the security- this dome sits over the main meeting room for the federal parliament, the Bundestag.

I think you can see the dome better in this photo, despite Mick still practising his severe face.

It was free entry into this tourist attraction – it must cost the German people a fortune for the security for this place.

The next planned stop was The Brandenburg Gate, but on our way we visited a memorial to the murdered Gypsies and Romani people.

It was very busy behind the gate.

Mick was pleased he’d spotted an Information Centre next to the gate, as he was after a better map. But as the line up was pretty long, and he had spotted a more detailed map, he just helped himself and we headed on our way, firstly to the Jewish Memorial.

We had a slight detour through the Tiergarten, which was used as a hunting ground, but is now a park, until we reached Checkpoint Charlie.

It was here while Mick was consulting his new map that he spotted the €1 price tag.

We were pleased he wasn’t followed for being a shoplifter.

We spent over an hour at the Topography of Terror outdoor museum, along with many others

So, the different views of Berlin today???

Obviously we got to see a much higher-up view, but also the whole area around the Reichstag is very modern and new, and close-to finished.

Mick has one last session of his beer reviewing program left for this afternoon. We fly out of Germany tomorrow afternoon; destination Tallinn Estonia.