We farewelled Lisa and Sean who left to head back to the UK a couple of days earlier than us. 

Glenn, Angela and I then left to go to Charlottenburg Castle not too far away from the campsite. 

However our first stop was a discount shoe store where all of us managed to find a new pair of quality shoes at a good price.

We then continued to Charlottenburg. The castle was started in 1695 and it was originally a small summer retreat called Lietzenburg for Sophie Charlotte, the first Queen in Prussia.

After Sophie Charlotte died in 1705, King Frederick I renamed the palace and estate Charlottenburg to honor her.

Later monarchs added the striking 48-meter central dome, side wings, and the lavish New Wing.

It was heavily damaged during World War II in 1943 in an air raid. After the war the palace was meticulously restored by the city over many years.

Queen Sophie Charlotte was very keen on music. In 1699, Sophie Charlotte had an opera house built in the palace park. Sophie Charlotte herself was an excellent harpsichordist. At times she personally sang and conducted concerts and operas at Charlottenburg.

The porcelain room was as a stand out.

The new wing had opulent Rococo rooms, including the Golden Gallery and the historical royal apartments.

A large glass room looking onto the gardens was for events.

Napoleon had stayed here and 2 of the famous portraits of him are here.

There were rooms of silver and ceramics used over the years.

After being overwhelmed by the huge number of rooms in the old castle we went for lunch in a small cafe.

After being revived by soup and cake we went for a walk in the area.

We saw the oldest swimming pool in Berlin built in 1870 with drainpipe dolphins. 

Nearby Glenn tried the old pump and was successful. The water is not drinkable though. 

On the way back to the campsite we went past the BMW factory motorbike hall that has a  cafe. 

We checked out the bikes, short movies and the games there.

We got a few photos at the automated photography machine – not really meant for group scenes but for posing on the bike in front. We got some nice shots though.

We had fun – it was a cool place. 

We chilled out with an alcohol free beer at the cafe. We then headed home to have a vegetable thai green curry – easy to cook and good to eat.