It’s been said that every street has a story to tell in Berlin. The German capital was front and centre for so much defining history of the past century, ranging from unmitigated chaos to world-changing high drama. But rather than push history away and not delve into its darker elements, modern Berliners have embraced their past as part of the narrative of their complex and often conflicted city.

For all the wonderful bars and restaurants, vivid arts scene, and the beauty of its grand architecture and parklands, Berlin’s history is top of most visitor’s agenda. There are tours galore offering time travelling walks along the streets that so potently changed the course of history.

Tales abound, from the time of the Prussian kings, to the phenomenon of the Nazi era, and the carnage of war, when two-thirds of the city was destroyed. There are later chapters like when the Berlin Wall divided the city, and then after its fall, the decades of reunification that continue to the present day. Berlin never runs short of tales – here are six places where history jumps off the page.

The Reichstag is the historic seat of the German parliament and was built in 1894 but was burned in 1933 by the Nazis, as a pretext for the persecution of political opponents. Left as a ruin for decades, it was fully restored after the fall of the Berlin Wall and when Berlin became the capital once more, reopened in 1999. The glass dome that today sits on top of the Reichstag has become its main attraction, offering extraordinary views over the city. Advance online bookings are essential. visite.bundestag.de

The Brandenburg Gate is defining symbol of Berlin and the city’s most famous landmark,  commissioned by King Frederick Wilhelm II in 1788. The imposing sandstone monument consists of 12 giant columns and is 26 metres tall. Atop the gate is a chariot drawn by four horses, carrying Victoria, the goddess of victory. Located in the Mitte district’s Pariser Platz, the gate is a block away from the Reichstag. During the Cold War, its position as a blocked gate on the Berlin Wall made it a frequent site for demonstrations, and as the backdrop for powerful and iconic speeches by US Presidents John Kennedy and Ronald Reagan.

Memorial to the Murdered Jews is a couple of blocks from the Brandenberg Gate on Cora-Berliner-Strasse – a powerful memorial and underground museum, dedicated to the Jewish victims of the Nazi Holocaust. The memorial consists of 2,711 concrete slabs of varying heights, arranged in a grid that covers almost a city block. To gain the full effect of the structure, walk through the sea of slabs for the sense of disorientation and confusion. The memorial’s underground museum includes the story of how this devastating chapter in history unfolded. stiftung-denkmal.de/en/home.html

The UNESCO World Heritage listed Museum Island includes five institutions – Pergamon Museum, Bode-Museum, Neues Museum, Old National Gallery and Old Museum. The Pergamon is the most visited and home to three main galleries – the Middle East Museum, the Islamic Art Museum, and Antiquity collection. Taking the pride of place is the extraordinary Ishtar Gate of Babylon, which dates from 575BC and was reconstructed in 1930. Also on show is the Roman Market Gate of Miletus and the Mshatta Façade.
visitberlin.de/en/museum-island-in-berlin

In 1961, East Germany sealed off West Berlin with a 155km wall that surrounded the city, containing 293 observation towers and a lethal ‘Death Strip’. The wall finally came down in 1989 and the city – and country – was reunified. The Berlin Wall Memorial on Bernauer Strasse contains a 1.5km stretch of the barrier and a museum that charts the story of the years the city was divided. Across town at Friedrichstadt is the Checkpoint Charlie memorial, which was the best-known crossing point between East and West. berliner-mauer-gedenkstaette.de/en/

Only 30 years ago, where the famous square now stands, was a wasteland that had been destroyed during the war and then divided by the Berlin Wall. Today, Potsdamer Platz is a hive of business and retail activity, showing off a new style of contemporary architecture. The grand square is home to the Renzo Piano and Christoph Kohlbecker-designed Daimler Chrysler Quartier, the Beisheim Center, Sony Center and the Arkaden. Potsdamer Platz is a striking example of the way Berlin has reinvented itself since the wall came down.

For more on Berlin head to visitberlin.de

Next Stop, Berlin
Getting to Berlin is easier now than in previous years, due to the direct service from Singapore on Scoot Airlines. The low-cost carrier began flying between the two cities early last year, and the 10,000km journey into Berlin’s Tegel Airport takes just under 13 hours. One-way fares start from S$331 (check website for latest deals). Berlin is also the perfect stepping off point to the rest of Europe, as carriers like Ryanair and EasyJet fly from direct to London, Paris and Amsterdam.
flyscoot.com

Idlewild
80 Middle Road, Singapore 188966
idlewild.sg

Order up!
Tucked in behind the main lobby at the Intercontinental Hotel, Idlewild is a cosy, cool den with plush seating, low lighting and an air of old school luxury and romance. Behind the bar is New Zealand chef, turned cocktail master, Andy Griffiths, imported from Melbourne to take up the role of Head of Operations and Creative. In a smooth cravat and sharp suit, Andy embodies air travel’s resplendent years, guiding guests on a journey through cocktails that immortalise popular transatlantic destinations. Andy starts our trip in Paris with The French Cook ($26) an elegant gin-based citrus cocktail, served in a cut crystal glass, topped with a soft wormwood absinthe jube. Fresh and tart, with a hint of fizz, it’s my pick of the night. Our next drink is the savoury, salty Touria from Casablanca ($24), which blends red bell pepper juice, cumin laced honey and dry gin. It’s served on the rocks, with a square of paprika dusted honeycomb. Next stop is Dublin’s Dagda’s Harp ($24) a whisky-based sweet treat with creme de cacao, lemon and teapot bitters, served with a piece of lacy white chocolate. We finish back in Morocco with the Bebere Smash ($22) a tall, icy bourbon and mint cocktail with a good whack of salt – thanks to the preserved lemons. All the cocktails here are interesting, bold and creative, and Andy is a wealth of knowledge.

What’s to Eat:
A generous tapas menu goes around the globe, with bite-sized sharing snacks highlighting flavours from Peru to Cuba and Italy to Portugal. We start with London’s Classic Fish and Chips ($18) a plate of battered cod and wedges, with sides of malt vinegar, sea salt and lemon. It’s super crunchy and delicious. Next is mini Cubano Sandwiches ($18) from Havana; chunky and filling Avocado Fries ($15), coated in almonds and served with lemon mayo; and Le Mexique Choux ($15) chocolate profiteroles, filled with smooth dark chocolate cream. Bar staff are happy to pair menu items to cocktails!

Don’t miss:
A trip to the ‘Cabinet of Curiosities’ where you can order a 20ml pour from a selection of kooky, rare spirits from around the world. The bar also serves up live music, with a rotating guest lead singer and a local jazz band.

Fast fact:
Idlewild was New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport before it was renamed in 1963 to honour the 35th US President.

How did you find out about SOSD?
I’ve always been extremely passionate about animals and was involved in rescue efforts back home in India. When I moved to Singapore four years ago, our apartment didn’t allow us to keep pets. Having had dogs all my life, it felt very weird to not have one. That’s when I decided to find a shelter where I could be around dogs and most importantly be able to help them. I started looking online and SOSD popped up. I dropped by one of their adoption drives to meet the volunteers and of course the dogs!

Describe your role at SOSD?
As a re-homer, my role is to make sure I find the right family for our dogs. We hold adoption drives every month, hoping our dogs are seen by people and find loving homes. The first stage after the drive is to get in touch with the potential adopter or fosterer to check if they’re still keen on helping the dog they have signed up for. During this phone call we give them a bit of background about the dog and reiterate our stringent adoption process. Some adopters have told us our long process is frustrating, so it’s necessary to explain why these measures are in place. Our process ensures dogs find the right home and generally do not come back to us.

What is the process of adopting a street dog?
We set up a house visit to meet the family and get a sense of the house. Meeting the family face-to-face makes it easier for us to gauge whether the dog is the right fit for them. I take time to understand the family, give them tips on what to do, what not to do, and what to expect. We then set up interaction with the dog. This could be at the shelter or at their home. I see how the family interacts with the dog and make suggestions on how to better handle them. The dog then has a one-week home trial, where I’m constantly in touch with the adopter, checking on their progress. If there are any concerns or issues, it’s my job to guide them through and if need be to visit their home to understand the problem and find a solution for it. At the end of the trial period, once the adopters are ready, I drop by to help them sign the papers.

What changes do you see in people that adopt?
Adopters often tell me the dog has made their children more responsible and independent, or their dog has been a source of emotional support. This is what matters to us at the end of the day; our dogs in loving homes and making a difference.

Favourite re-homing story?
A case from 2018 is very special to me; a couple took in one of our dogs who had severe separation anxiety and feared humans. They worked on him tirelessly, hired a trainer, and even looked at videos on YouTube! I use this case as an example now when I work on other adoption cases, showing that patience and commitment can help change an animal.

Why do you love what you do?
Being a voice for these animals, seeing them thrive and being loved in a home is what matters to me. Seeing a family happy and most of all the dog happy, is the reason I do what I do. Singapore Specials are the same as any other dog breed. They are equally loyal and loving and deserve the same amount of respect and love from us humans.

Save a dog!
Interested in sponsoring, fostering or adopting a street dog? Check out
sosd.org.sg to find out more. Volunteering opportunities are also available.

What does CWS do?
CWS advocates for the humane management of community cats, through sterilisation (not culling) and responsible cat ownership. We are the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) mediation partner to amicably resolve cat-related issues, we conduct island-wide sterilisation programmes, and educate on responsible cat ownership.

What are your ongoing programmes?
The sterilisation programme has been going for over a decade. We sterilise between 4000 and 6000 cats a year. This ensures that the cat population is kept at a manageable rate, so that resources can be maximised for the cats. Mediation resolves cat-related issues, often relating to irresponsible cat ownership. Our education efforts, through roadshows and events, helps set out what the basic requirements of responsible cat ownership are.

Why was the organisation formed?
The organisation was formed by friends who were fighting against abuse.
What led you to being involved?I started volunteering with CWS when I was a student. I helped sterilise cats for low income families primarily and wrote for the newsletter. As I learnt more about the organisation, I believed that CWS’s vision was not idealistic or unrealistic. I wanted to be involved in achieving a humane and safe community for one of its most popular inhabitants – the community cats.

How can people foster and adopt cats from CWS?
If you’re keen to foster, please email info@catwelfare.org. CWS doesn’t run a shelter. It facilitates adoptions between independent rescuers and members of the public through the public adoption board on our website, and by organising adoption drives. If you’re keen to foster, please email info@catwelfare.org. Anyone interested in volunteering can write to volunteer@catwelfare.org.

How can people be part of the sterilisation process?
The first step is to keep a look out for unsterilised cats. The faster they are neutered, the lower the risk of a population explosion and the risk of culling. The second step is to commence the trap-neuter-return-manage programme. If you have the skills to conduct the programme yourself, that’s great. If not, you can write to us to learn about it. If you can spare the time, then please donate, because every trapping session costs $100. Every cat sterilisation costs $30 and every night of boarding (CWS offers three nights per cat where possible) costs approximately $13. It’s easy to see how quickly this adds up for just one cat. Multiply that by 4000 to see how much assistance we need in our fight for a humane Singapore!

What’s next for CWS?
We are working toward the expansion of the Love Cats pilot programme ,which is about the legalisation of cat ownership.

Find out more at catwelfare.org

What to do in a cat emergency:

Q. I found a lost cat what should I do?
Scan for a microchip at the nearest vet. Put up posters and post in Facebook groups dealing with lost animals. Call the SPCA to inform them (in case the owner calls them to ask if anyone has sent in their cat). Foster the cat or seek fosters online to assist you. If no owner comes forward, then be prepared to rehome the cat if you can’t keep them yourself.

Q. I found a litter of kittens, any advice?
Leave them alone. Wait for their mum to return. If they are young enough for nursing, and the mother is missing for several hours, then ask for help. Seek fosters experienced in bottle feeding. If they’re old enough to eat on their own (approx. two months and older), either leave them alone until they are old enough to neuter, or take them in to foster and rehome. If they are about 5 to 6 months old, they can be sterilised and released back to the community.

Q. I found an injured cat, or knocked over a cat with my car?
Take the cat to the nearest vet immediately in both cases. It is an act of cruelty to leave an injured cat if you have hit it with your car.

Q. Where can I report possible cat abuse?
Report to the AVA at 1800 476 1600 (24 hours)

Q. There is a community cat in my neighbourhood or condo, should I feed it?
In most cases, the cat will already have a feeder. You can assist that feeder by helping with food costs and/or medical costs as necessary. There is no need to report the cat’s presence to any authority unless the cat appears to be in some sort of distress, in which case it should be taken to the vet.

Otters

Otters had almost disappeared from Singapore by the 1970s, due to waterway pollution. But a general waterway clean-up, mandated by Lee Kuan Yew, saw their return, and thanks to a cleaner habitat the otter population began to flourish. National University of Singapore (NUS) biology lecturer N. Sivasothi, who heads the OtterWatch facebook group (www.facebook.com/OtterWatch), estimates the population at about 80. The otter species commonly seen here is the smooth coated otter, which can grow to nearly one metre long. These social animals usually live in family groups. “Marina Bay, including Kallang and Singapore Rivers, are the best places to see the otters as there are permanent resident families there,” explains Sivasothi. Co-existing with humans in these urban areas does present some problems. “Some of the main threats are roadkill, entanglement in fishing line, and plastics,” says Sivasothi. Although they seem very cute and cuddly, National Parks advisories warn that otters are wild animals and should be treated with caution, especially when otter pups are nearby. In 2017, an otter bit a five-year-old girl at Gardens by the Bay.

Pangolin

Pangolins are the world’s most heavily trafficked mammal, according to Wildlife Reserves Singapore. Their scales and meat are prized in traditional medicine and for food. They are also slow breeders, with only one or two babies per year. This combination of factors has led to their critically endangered status.
These shy nocturnal creatures are hard to spot in the wild. Angelica Teo of pangolin research group, The Pangolin Story (https://thepangolinstory.wordpress.com/), explains: “As pangolins are nocturnal animals, they’re only active for a few hours each day, this makes them notoriously difficult to track. It’s thought the population is in the low hundreds.”  A few live at Central Catchment Nature Reserve (MacRitchie Reservoir), and Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. The main threats to pangolins in Singapore are urban development and roadkill. “As Singapore continues to rapidly urbanise, it is inevitable that pangolins start to venture into urban areas. Roadkill claims an average of 6 to 8 pangolins a year.” To help pangolins, you can donate to the Wildlife Reserves conservation fund: wrs.com.sg, or volunteer with The Pangolin Story: thepangolinstory.wordpress.com

Dugong

Yes, dugongs can occasionally be spotted in Singapore. These air-breathing mammals live underwater and exist on a diet of seagrass. They can grow quite large, over 2.5 metres and weigh over 300kgs. Dugongs often travel hundreds of kilometres for food and are difficult to find in the wild. In recent years they’ve been spotted off Pulau Ubin. Dugong activity can also be seen in the ‘feeding trails’ they create through seagrass meadows as they methodically rip up the seagrass while swimming past. Trails have been seen off Changi, Pulau Ubin, Pulau Sekudu, Pasir Ris and the Southern Islands. Dugongs are listed as critically endangered. Humans are the main threat to the dugong population, as they are still illegally hunted for their meat, skin (for leather) and for traditional medicine. The greatest threat is the loss of seagrass habitats. One of the most effective ways to help dugongs is to preserve Singapore’s seagrass meadows. Visit the Team Seagrass website for information on this valuable habitat and volunteering opportunities. teamseagrass.blogspot.com

Crocodiles

Singapore is home to Estuarine Crocodiles, also known as saltwater crocodiles, which can grow to over five metres. Estuarine crocodiles are listed as critically endangered – threats come from hunting (for skin and meat), and habitat loss. Some scientists believe that extensive coastal development in Johor has forced some crocodiles further south into Singapore. Croc enthusiasts should head to Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, where several crocs have made their home. National Parks hosts regular crocodile talks at the Reserve (nparks.gov.sg). It’s rare to see crocodiles elsewhere, but in February of this year, a 1.7 metre crocodile was captured by National Parks officers at Lower Seletar Reservoir and relocated into the wild. In 2017, several were spotted near Pasir Ris Park, prompting warning signs at the beach. They’ve also been seen at East Coast Park and Changi Beach. If you find crocodiles in an urban area, call the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) on 1800 476 1600.

Long-tailed Macaque

There are several monkey species in Singapore, of which the Long-tailed Macaque is the most common. National Parks estimates their population at around 1,500. They live in large family groups and are often seen around Singapore’s nature reserves and coastal areas.While you might think the monkeys are cute, they can be aggressive when they feel threatened. In 2017, the AVA received over 160 complaints about monkey attacks and behaviour. This led to the formation of the Macaque Working Group, comprised of agencies including the Jane Goodall Institute, National Parks, Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES), the AVA and several universities, to develop solutions to human-macaque tensions and educate the public on macaque behaviour. Humans feeding the macaques is a big source of concern, as it can change the feeding patterns of the monkeys, and cause aggression or illness. If you want to learn more about these primates, the Jane Goodall Institute and National Parks run monthly guided monkey walks at MacRitchie Reservoir, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Lower Seletar Reservoir (janegoodall.org.sg/event)

Tigers

Singapore once hosted a significant tiger population during early colonial times. Jungle areas were extensively cleared in the mid-1800s for plantations, forcing the tigers into the open. According to the National Library Archives, during the 1860s more than 350 people were killed in tiger attacks. An entire village near Bukit Timah was abandoned due to frequent tiger attacks in the area. The government put a bounty on tigers, starting with $20 for every tiger killed. This was soon increased to $100 to curb the growing problem. Unfortunately, the enthusiasm displayed for this ‘sport’ led the tigers to extinction in Singapore, with our last wild tiger killed in the 1930s.

Interacting with Wild Animals:

As wild animals often wander into urban areas, it’s important to know what to do when you encounter them. Ms Anbarasi Boopal, Deputy Chief Executive of ACRES, explains their guidelines: “When sighting wildlife, the golden rules are to appreciate from a distance and never to feed them. If the animal looks distressed, lost or trapped call our 24hr wildlife rescue hotline 9783 7782 for assistance. For baby animals such as birds or squirrels, we urge public not to remove them or bring home but to look for adult animals or call us with a photo for further action.” The Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) works in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation and has a dedicated wildlife rescue centre. “We attend to over 700 calls a month for wildlife in distress” explains Ms Boopal. ACRES also works extensively against the wildlife trade, including conducting undercover investigations and public education campaigns. The rescue centre currently houses 105 exotic wild animals from the illegal wildlife trade.

Using state of the art graphics and imagery from telescopes and space probes, and ultra high resolution LED screen technology, Brian will explore the nature of space and time, from the Big Bang to black holes, and the origin and fate of life and intelligence in the Universe. During a promo tour to Singapore, Brian sat down for a one-on-one chat about everything from the potential for alien life, to what it means to be human.

Have you been to Singapore before?
I’ve been to Singapore many times. The first time I came Raffles Hotel was on the seafront. So that must have been some time ago now. I come back quite a lot – I really like it here.

Are you excited to bring your show here?
I did a smaller tour here a few years ago, but I’ve never done one of these big shows. The first set in London and the UK sold out, and they were huge. The biggest one was Birmingham, which was 12,500 people. The centrepiece are the screens, which are high definition, state of the art LED. They’re massive. At full scale they are 30 metres wide.

Did you conceive the show yourself?
Yes, the show was all my idea. What’s wonderful about the live shows is it’s exactly what I want to say, unlike television which is more collaborative, and things tend to be decided by a committee.

What can audiences expect?
One of the incredible things about the show are the high res images of the Universe. The Hubble Space telescope images from Cassini spacecraft around Saturn are high resolution, but you just never see that definition on a computer monitor, where we usually view these images. But we’ve been able to put those images 30 metres wide and they’re so detailed and clear, they look fantastic.

Who have you worked with on the tech side?
About a year ago I started collaborating with a company called DNEG, who worked on the movie, Interstellar – they won the Academy Award for Best Achievement in Visual Effects. They created the black hole in the movie – one of the central images. The great advantages of doing these huge shows around the world, is you can spend the money on graphics. It’s been a real highlight for me to work with them.

Is this show for kids and adults?
It really does cross generations. Families like to come to the show, and we even had someone attend on their 98th birthday. We get a lot of 9 to 11-year-olds as well. That’s the challenge, to get the rhythm right. We get a lot of science fans, so I do talk about general relativity in some detail, but there’s such a broad range of ages. A 90-year span in some audiences!

What questions do you raise during the show?
Cosmology (a branch of astronomy that involves the origin and evolution of the universe) is a terrifying science in the deepest sense of the word, and it raises a lot of questions. I get asked a lot about the large-scale structure of the universe – but people are interested in much more human questions, too. For example, what does it mean to be human? What does it mean to be so small, fragile and such a temporary presence in such a vast and possibly infinite universe? I try to talk about that.
Virtually the only interesting question I think is what it means to live a finite and small life in an infinite universe. I think everything comes down to that actually – all of art and philosophy and theology.

Do you tackle the meaning of life?
The show starts with quotes from some of my favourite scientists – one of them is from American physicist Richard Feynman – he wrote an essay called The Value of Science, in which he asks the question; ‘what is the meaning of it all?’ That doesn’t sound like a question that falls within the domain of science but what science does is provide a framework which you need if you’re going to begin to answer these big questions. You need to know where we are, and when we are, how we came to be here.

Is there intelligent life in our galaxy?
From a biological perspective it’s quite unlikely. My guess is microbes may well be all over the place, but not necessarily complex life.

Do you think there was ever life on Mars?
I would expect life got going on Mars because the conditions were the same (as Earth) four billion years ago. But the transition from simple life, to complex life is much trickier.

Do people come away from your show with unanswered questions?
That’s the idea – Richard Feynman’s answer to ‘what is the meaning of it all?’ is first to admit you don’t know. He says that’s the most valuable thing science teaches us. There’s a great line where he says, ‘scientists have a very great experience in doubt.’

What are your passions outside science?
I have an interest in wine and the counter balance to that is I like to exercise a lot. My boxing trainer comes with me on the tour as kind of part assistant, part boxing trainer. I love to keep fit. It’s about finding a happy medium.

What’s next?
I also love music – I’m doing a project later in the year, A Symphonic Universe with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, playing the Austrian composer Gustav Mahler’s music, against cosmology.

Professor Brian Cox Universal World Tour 2019 is rocketing into Star Theatre on 8 June, sistic.com.sg