The Purple Penguin

Today was museum day. Got up earlier and got out and on the way to Museuminsel. Once off the S-bahn Joe said we were early (we only had about 40 minutes to get there! But Joe said early!) so we stopped for coffee and bread. And then we could get to the Neus Museum and wait for it to open. Headed straight for Nefertiti and were possibly the first ones there as we were the only ones in there! It was nice to have the space to stop and look. Stunning piece. Then a wander around the Neus Museum with Joe muttering about time. For some reason.

We then joined the queue for the Pergamonmuseum. The Ishtar Gate is the first thing you see currently, go through that and see the Roman Gates. The whole museum was large gates – or seemed that way. There is still building work going on (should be completed by 2025) so most of the Pergamonmuseum is closed and no access to the Pergamon alter. But still nice to have a look around.

Then off to the Altes Museum with Etruscan, Greek, and Roman statues. Joe was getting grumpy despite stopping for a drink. So didn’t spend long there and headed over to the Humboldt Box to see the work they are doing on the palace. Really really nice reconstruction with a modern wing along the water. Should be a beautiful museum when finished. And the Humboldt Forum is named for both brothers – one for founding the university and the other as a scientist (Joe would like me to point out that there is a penguin named for him, amongst lots and lots of other things).

Then back to the art and the Alte Museum and primarily 19th century painting, which isn’t my favourite. We scooted through that very quickly (though Joe complained we were in there too long) and headed for the Bode Museum. Medieval to 17th century, but much more gothic and medieval than later things. Also saw some of the ‘Trojan Treasure’.

Interesting to read some of the descriptions – the second world war was presented as something awful that German’s caused and should never be repeated because much of the art was destroyed. But the most interesting was how many displays had ‘these items were stolen by the Russians and kept, breaking international law!’

So, Joe’s reward, pictured above. After he dragged me out of the Bode we went to a place recommended by one of his work colleagues. A craft brewery with restaurant. And Joe got the tasting rack as above. We had a starter as he tried each of the beers. Then he ordered one of the nasty things and we had dinner. Our first ‘traditional’ German meal. It’s been so hot we’ve been eating very light meals and usually Asian! So today Joe had a knuckle of pork with sauerkraut, mash, and mash peas; and I had the sausage platter with three different sausages and potatoes fried with onions and bacon. Very meat heavy, but very nice!

And I get another museum tomorrow!