Street Art Galore in Berlin

Today’s focus on street art took us to our organised street art workshop and a tour starting at Alexandraplatz and continuing around Hackescher Markt to see established artist’s work using different processes.

Antonio, our guide who explained the artist’s concepts behind their work with some very clever ideas to challenge our way of thinking.

Natasha, a Charlotte and Felicia examining a street art sculpture

In Hackescher’s Markt, we were taken to a street art laneway where artist’s were given permission to create massive murals.

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We travelled to Lichtenberg to do the street art workshop with our hosts Lena and Antonio. We were shown various methods of using aerosol paints when stencilling. Each person completed their own stencilled work with stunning results.

After the workshop we made our way to the East Side Gallery where artists from around the world have painted onto sections of the Berlin Wall. We also stopped for lunch!

We then travelled the metro to Urban Nation Gallery to see street artists work collected from all around the world on exhibition. The Urban Nation Gallery in Berlin is the only street art exhibition gallery of its kind in the world. The work was amazing with one portrait created from chiselling into the bricks and mortar. The toilets added special attention with mirrored doors and graffiti walls so visitors can add their own artwork or message.

A cool and rainy Berlin on our first day

On our first day of touring in Berlin, the weather was chilly and rainy, however it did improve in the afternoon and became warmer. Our guide, Tatiana met us at our hotel and led us through the streets of Berlin on public transport and on foot. We started at the Reichstag and headed through part of the Tiergarten to the Brandenburg Gate. We were shown the remnants of the Berlin Wall that ran parallel to the gate.

Our accommodation Hotel Seifert in Berlin, close to the Kurfenstendamm shopping district.

In front of the Brandenburg Gate, cool and a little bit damp.

Visiting the Jewish Memorial near the Brandenburg Gate

A sign indicating the location of Hitler’s bunker - now a car park.

Bears are a common feature in Berlin - that is, the sculptured variety - Chloe and Natasha were drawn to this little character outside the Lindt Cafe at the Mall of Berlin.

The Trabi car was a common vehicle in East Germany. In this spot, near the Topography of Terror - the site of SS Headquarters - you can rent one and experience what life was like behind the wheel.

Our guide Tatiana explaining the history of the SS Headquarters site, now called the Topography of Terror. It contained remnants of the Berlin Wall and an outdoor/indoor museum.

Moneli and Tessa posing with fake soldiers at the Checkpoint Charlie site, now a major tourist attraction.

Hilary, Kate and Nikki with an Ampulman...the green walk sign on a traffic light which has become an icon in Berlin.

Waiting to enter the Neues museum to see Egyptian artefacts and the famous bust of Nefertiti...the only exhibit of which you could not take photos.

The amazing Ishtar Gate recreated in the Pergamon Museum using a combination of authentic glazed tiles and new replacements.

Inside the DDR Museum, Hilary, Charlotte, Nikki and Kate in a recreated office from communist East Berlin.

Our quick Qatar stopover

After a long 14 hour flight, we got the chance to leave Hamah International airport and go into Doha’s new city area. We had a short stay of 4 hours in the Retaj Al Rayyan, with a buffet brunch and then a 2 hour bus tour around Doha visiting the new Pearl residential development and marina, the traditional souk, and a very quick visit to the Islamic Art Museum. Then it was back to the airport and onto our flight to Berlin. On arrival at our Hotel Seifert accommodation, we had dinner at a nearby restaurant but everyone was just too tired! Time for a long sleep after 30 odd hours of travelling.

Everyone at Hamad International Airport In Qatar

Our hotel in Doha

Enjoying our buffet brunch

At the Pearl Development Marina

At the Doha Souk

At the Islamic Museum of Art overlooking Doha’s developing city skyline

We are ready to depart!

We are through immigration and security and eagerly waiting for the flight and filling our bellies at the same time.

Teachers prepared and eager to go!

Meet at 6pm at Qatar Check-In - Don't be Late!

The tour group will meet in the Qatar check-in area in the departure lounge of Sydney International Airport at 6pm sharp. The current designated area is 'H'. Katerina will then take us all to the check-in counters. See the map below.

See below for flight details as at 8.30pm Friday 13 April

It is the start of school holidays and Sydney Airport has warned that there will be traffic congestion in and around the airport over the weekend. Please ensure that you leave extra time to get to the airport so you arrive before 6pm. If you are delayed, ring either Pat Gettens, Sue Melville, Tania McGurgan or Sean Champion on the mobile numbers emailed to you tonight.

The clock is counting down!

Countdown to departure will end around midnight tonight...keep watching the clock (though it might be out a little bit!)
How's your packing? We are looking at cool to cold mornings and nights and warm winter to spring days, so pack layers - t-shirts, jeans/pants, jumper, a coat and something lighter for warm days.
Just a warning...leave the short shorts at home and no singlet tops when we land in Qatar. 
We must respect their customs.