Fürstenwalde / Take Two

Once again, several weeks have passed. With the following lines, we would like to let you take part in what has happened during this time.
As mentioned in the previous post, we wanted to obtain our motorcycle licenses. Andrea had to take a break, which gave us additional time in and around Fürstenwalde. We used this time for various activities and tasks.

Felía's visit to Poland

First and foremost, it was about our Pleasure-Van “FelÍa”. It had recently been in the workshop to fix some defects and repair minor flaws. Since the workshop was quite busy, it took a good three weeks before we could pick Felía up again. When we collected it, we were told that it had also received a new TÜV inspection.
The workshop also recommended a painter, as things hadn't worked out with one we had previously contacted in Augsburg. We visited him shortly afterward and discussed the details. He planned to carry out some sheet metal work, treat rust spots, and remove small dents. Afterwards, Felía was finally supposed to get its new paint job in our desired colors. However, due to vacation schedules, we couldn't leave Felía there immediately. Instead, we were given contact details for someone in Poland who applies affordable tinting and privacy films to car windows.
After a short phone call with Janusz Koper , we were able to drive to Słubice the very next day. Since his workshop is located not far from the “Polish market”, we were able to pass the time strolling around and shopping. After about 2.5 hours, Janusz called to say he was finished. We are absolutely thrilled with the result and can gladly recommend him. Here you can download a brochure from Janusz Koper with his phone number and directions.

The Theory

Unfortunately, obtaining a motorcycle license also requires a theoretical exam again. For this, we were given an app by the driving school to practice. You can't imagine how difficult we found it even though we both have around 30 years of driving experience. But with lots of practice and what felt like hundreds of test simulations, the app finally showed that we were ready for the exam. Anyone can try it themselves by downloading a driving school app - around 1,000 questions need to be answered correctly.
Scheduling the exam is now very simple. Unlike in the past, you no longer have to wait to be assigned a date. Once you reach exam readiness in the app, the driving school registers you with the responsible testing organization - in our case, DEKRA. From then on, we could go to any DEKRA location during exam hours and take the test without prior appointment. It's all very modern now, done on a tablet. There are even video questions showing traffic situations. Usually, the last three frames are crucial. However, you can only watch the video a maximum of five times, and once you move on to the question, you can't go back, so you have to pay close attention right away.

DeJa Vu & DDR Museum

For us, it was easiest to go to DEKRA in Berlin, as they conduct theoretical exams daily between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. This allowed us to combine the necessary evil 😉 with something enjoyable and explore parts of Berlin.
At Alexanderplatz, there are several museums that interested us, and we wanted to visit them over time. We started with the DeJa Vu Museum and were amazed by the many illusions and optical tricks displayed in the exhibits. Very cute, right near the entrance, was a small green dragon whose eyes and snout seemed to follow us. The enclosed rooms with mirror mazes featuring various themes and effects were also very impressive. Many exhibits are interactive for both children and adults, allowing you to spend a long time there and discover a lot. Some well-known examples include paintings that appear to show faces but reveal landscapes or different figures upon closer inspection.
To finish the day, we visited the DDR-Museum on the banks of the Spree. Here, too, you can spend a lot of time experiencing contemporary history. Many exhibits are interactive. You can open drawers or doors to access more information or watch videos. For Frank, it was a trip back to childhood. For Andrea, it felt partly like visiting her grandmother, but also somewhat oppressive when imagining what life in the GDR must have been like. We are both glad to live today in a country without constant surveillance and repression.

Illuseum & Spree Boat Tour

On another day, we returned to Berlin to dive deeper into sightseeing. Our first stop was the Illuseum. As the name suggests, it is also about illusions and optical tricks. It is actually quite similar to the DeJa Vu Museum, though there are differences in interactions and exhibits. We found this museum very worth seeing as well. A positive aspect was that staff members helped take photos with the exhibits, resulting in funny effects.
Afterwards, we took a boat tour on the Spree, which is practically a must when visiting Berlin as a tourist. Here and at the Illuseum, Andrea was even able to use her pension ID (as a widow, she receives a widow's pension - sounds strange, but that's how it is). At first, the weather was quite chilly and drizzly, so we sat on deck wrapped in blankets. But soon the sun came out, and we could even take off our sweaters. The trip took us along the Spree past government buildings and other sights. We also learned about a viewing point over Berlin that is much cheaper than the TV Tower, and we passed another museum focused on future topics and technologies, which also sounded interesting. So we decided to visit it after the boat tour.

On the way to Potsdamer Platz, we strolled along Unter den Linden and found a place to eat in the State Library cafeteria. The choice of three main dishes was generous for such a setting, and we could even choose desserts. Prices for visitors are slightly higher than for staff and students, but still affordable. Afterwards, we headed to the Panoramapunkt. It features the fastest elevator in Europe, which shoots up to the 24th floor in just 20 seconds. During that time, an elevator assistant rapidly rattled off all the facts and figures about it. At the top, two observation decks offered views over Berlin. There is also a café where you can enjoy coffee and cake with a wonderful view. For Frank, who is afraid of heights, this was once again a challenge but he didn't want to miss taking photos.
We then continued toward the Futurium. Unfortunately, the weather initially disrupted our plans, and we had to take shelter from heavy rain at the Brandenburg Gate. It poured heavily and didn't seem to stop despite the forecast saying we wouldn't need umbrellas. Once the sun finally came out again, we continued. However, upon arrival at the museum, we discovered it was closed on Tuesdays - quite unusual. Still, we were able to admire the outdoor exhibition called Superlands (a garden of the future), which shows how crops can be efficiently grown in small spaces through clever planting and symbiosis. After that, we wandered further through the city, letting ourselves drift, and passed places like the New Synagogue, which was unfortunately also closed at the time.

Bunker Museum “Fuchsbau”

We had been planning a visit to the Fuchsbau Bunker Museum for quite some time. It can only be visited by prior appointment. By chance, we received a request asking whether we could step in earlier than our originally planned date to fill spots for other visitors. This worked perfectly for us, so we agreed on short notice especially since available dates are rare.
The bunker is a relic from the final years of World War II and was further expanded by the former GDR. We learned that this bunker was far more important than we had assumed. It was not only crucial for weather forecasting across the entire GDR, but also - after the political change in 1989 - for all of Germany. It also played a key role in monitoring the entire German airspace (making the DLR look insignificant by comparison - and hardly anyone knew about it). In addition, all siren warning signals in the GDR for disasters such as fires or air raids were triggered from here.
At the time, the nearby residents were unaware of the bunker's significance, as everything was kept under strict secrecy. However, the fact that it did not lose importance after reunification is shown by the Bundeswehr continuing to use it for several years. Looking back, we find it almost a shame that so little is publicly known about it. In our opinion, this important part of history should be known to everyone. It is also unfortunate that the bunker is apparently operated by an association with volunteer staff and is not state-funded. Given that history is vividly preserved here, it would be extremely regrettable if this facility were ever forced to close.
We therefore recommend that anyone visiting the Berlin area take the opportunity to see this museum. More information can be found on the Fuchsbau Bunker Museum's website .

Perseids

On the night of August 10 to 11, 2025, it was that time again the peak of the Perseid meteor shower. We also set out during those nights to hunt for shooting stars. Around 3 a.m., the alarm clock rang, and a short walk to a nearby field was supposed to give us a clear view of the sky.
However, since we were still in the middle of the city - and with a full moon shining - we had little success. Only on the way to the field did we catch a glimpse of a beautiful shooting star out of the corner of our eye. It remained the only one we saw during those three nights. Otherwise, we enjoyed a beautiful view of various constellations and the spectacle of a planetary alignment. At the same time, the planets Mars, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune were all visible in the sky.

IFA Museum

After already visiting the DDR Museum in Berlin, Frank's parents told us about a museum in Trebus, a district of Fürstenwalde. The association IFA Freunde Trebus e.V. displays various GDR-era vehicles in old factory halls - from Trabants to police Barkas vans and IFA fire engines - as well as numerous electrical appliances and pieces of furniture from the GDR period.
In addition to a typical living room and kindergarten setup, there is even a fully furnished “Konsum” (a GDR supermarket). The association only announces selected opening dates on its website. On those days, the courtyard also offers GDR-style “Jägerschnitzel” with noodles and GDR soft ice cream. Nostalgia fans will definitely get their money's worth here.
Frank in particular was thrilled. He kept discovering items he remembered from his childhood, such as a laundry spinner from East German times, an old typewriter, beautiful vintage radios, and toys like the BOB plug-in building set, the Kari large block construction set, PEBE (an alternative to LEGO), and the metal construction kit “Construction”.

Eberswalde Zoo

As a change from motorcycle riding and working on the website, Frank's parents invited us on what was probably the last zoo trip. The Fürstenwalde Zoo Association had organized an annual trip, traveling by coach to a different zoo or wildlife park in Germany each year. This time, we went to Eberswalde.
Eberswalde Zoo is located in the middle of a forest with a rich variety of trees. Natural paths and wooden walkways lead over and even through the enclosures, allowing us to get closer to many animals than usual. The lovingly designed enclosures invite visitors to linger and observe the animals at leisure. There are also two restaurants offering various meals where you can relax and recharge.
The zoo features a wide range of native species and exotic animals from around the world. We particularly liked the petting zoo, where brushes and grooming tools were provided for the donkeys, allowing children - and us - to give them a little massage, which they clearly enjoyed. A special highlight are the ring-tailed lemurs, which are allowed to roam freely around the zoo during the day.
At the end, we discovered a stand where you could taste not only wine but also various juices. Of course, we couldn't resist and sampled the selection starting with fresh mandarin and grape juices, followed by different red wines. Then the seller tempted us with delicious liqueurs. Being very persuasive, he finally offered whiskey and hazelnut gin. It was hard to resist, but we managed to leave without buying anything.
After six eventful hours, we returned to Fürstenwalde.

Steinhöfel Castle / Blood Moon

After all the motorcycle riding, it was time for a change of pace. So we got on our bicycles and rode to Steinhöfel to visit the castle and its park. Unfortunately, both are showing their age. Since the gardener apparently left some time ago, park benches need replacing and the ponds could use some cleaning. Still, this didn't spoil the beautiful late summer day, and we enjoyed the warm weather while strolling along the paths.

That same evening, we were determined to watch the blood moon. It had been widely announced in the media as a special spectacle. Full of anticipation, we stood on the balcony of Frank's parents' house, looking up at the evening sky. Unfortunately, the colors were not as intense as we had hoped, as it was still too bright. Nevertheless, the blood moon was clearly visible. Later on, as the moon gradually returned to its silvery crescent shape, this too was easy to observe. Sadly, the spectacle was over far too quickly. Secretly, we hope to see an even more impressive blood moon somewhere, someday. And we will certainly report on it.