Day three at Luisenpark

So the hotel we are staying in is called the Park Inn because it is just across the street from Luisenpark. I decided that for my first day alone, I would stay close and not get lost, so I headed to the park.

When I got to the entrance, I found a lady in a booth selling tickets. I was surprised to find out it cost 5 Euro (about 6 dollars) just to go in. I paid, and when I entered I could see why. This park is not just a park, it is an oasis from the city. I would compare it to Central Park in New York. The place was massively huge, and absolute pristine. Not a single piece of garbage anywhere!

As I entered, I began to enjoy the beautifully manicured botanical gardens. Soon I came to a large cage, and realized that I was in the Aviary. I walked through and enjoyed all the beautiful birds on display. I kept walking further through cobblestone paths and rolling hills of flowers and trees. Soon I came to an area where I heard soft classical music. In the grounds ahead, I could see rows of loungechairs set beneath the huge trees for visitors to sit and enjoy the music. Further down the road I came to the rosegardens and the irisgardens. They were beautiful! After yet some more walking, I came upon the tranquility garden. This garden is set as a large circle, with each inner ring getting smaller and smaller until you reach the fountain in the middle.

After that I passed more playgrounds and gardens until I had reached one side of the park where the Feldstern is located. This is a large communications tower that has an observation deck and rotating restaurant at the top. Since we are going to eat there on Wednesday, I skipped by and kept walking.

At this point, I reached the port where I could board the gondolas. They have these gondola boats that operate on an underwater pulley system. I paid two Euros for a one way ticket. The gondola ride was smooth and peaceful along the river that runs through the park. I passed many fish and birds, and my gondola almost ran over a pink pelican! I sat back and enjoyed the scenery for the 30 minute ride. It was so peaceful and beautiful that I almost fell asleep.

After I got off the exit, I walked past the aviary to the sculpture garden. Many famous German artists have donated sculptures to Luisenpark. I must have passed at least 20. After that I walked to the manicured herb gardens. Most of the plants had lost their blooms and leaves because of the cold weather, but it was beautiful nonetheless.

After two hours of walking I headed back to the hotel restaurant for lunch, and then went to the room to read until Ben got back from work. All that walking must have worn me out, because I fell asleep reading. I hope to visit the park again this week.