West Berlin
Finally, the skies have cleared and we awake to clear blue skies – woohoo! Our mission today is simple: visit Berlin's palaces.
Parc San Souci
We head for Potsdam, about a 30-minute train ride southwest of Berlin. After several transfers and a bus ride (thanks to DB service help), we arrive at Parc San Souci.
The first tour is of San Souci Palace, King Friedrich II domain during the mid-18th century. Lots of Roccoco architecture with gold encrusted framing (a little bit too over the top). 
As Locke quips, "If it ain't Baroque, don't fix it!", and we laugh at our inside joke while the Germans look at us amusingly. Next stop is the Chinese House – a small house with statues completely decorated in gold-plate. This style reflects the royal European fascination with all-things chinese during this period.
Third stop is the Neues Palace – the highlight of the tour. One of the rooms is directed completely with seashells – amazing! The best spot is the marble room – it reminds one a little of the "Beauty & – he Beast" ballroom. Park is immense – about a mile from one palace to another. After a full day, we head back to Berlin and make a quick stop at the Schloss Charlottenburg for a few outdoor pictures. Then it's off to dinner and a relaxed pace until our train departs around 10pm for the overnight ride back to Frankfurt.Charlottenburg Castle/Schloss Charlottenburg
An icon that personifies the former Prussian Empire...
-- Al
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