Home
Greetings guest! members can rogu in here.
(hide this)
 
Danny's News (toggle comments)
Otaku and Japan news (subscribe) or (see more »)
Flyable Heart
If you are thinking of picking up eroge then you may want to start with the up n coming title Flyable Heart by... ( more » )
Thu 07/24 13:00 comments (13)
Chimp disarms zookee...
The force is strong with Japanese Chimps. http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/video/2008/jul/23/chimp Or... ( more » )
Thu 07/24 07:41 comments (18)
lineage 2
While watching my photos export to my Flickr account (feel free to add as a contact), I saw a photo of this fi... ( more » )
Thu 07/24 07:37 comments (17)
Nendoroid Shana
GoodSmile want more of your money. The Shana eating Mel... ( more » )
Wed 07/23 23:02 comments (42)
Figma Ryoko And Figm...
Hijacked from Wcloudx. Tsuruya looks so sweet! Dontcha love girls with fangs? Original text from Wcouldx be... ( more » )
Wed 07/23 17:11 comments (53)
Dumped Girls
I guess this is the true definition of "dumped girls". Can you imagine bumping into this on you way home at ni... ( more » )
Wed 07/23 15:53 comments (57)
日本語/Japanese  Mon 05/12 20:14 JST
After the conference in Hamburg, we headed for Berlin where we spent a very hot sunny day walking about town.
Berlin (click to enlarge)
This was the train we took from Hamburg to Berlin - very nice interior.
Berlin (click to enlarge)
The weather was lovely and was told that its not usually this hot at this time of year.
Berlin (click to enlarge)
Arrival at Berlin station where we dropped off our luggage, grabbed a bite to eat and then headed for town.
Berlin (click to enlarge)
The Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. The church has been left half destroyed as a reminder of the war.
Berlin (click to enlarge)
Berlin (click to enlarge)
And ths is what the church used to look like.
Berlin (click to enlarge)
Shopping/eating district near the church.
Berlin (click to enlarge)
I've never been this hot since last summer in Japan. The heat is scorching and the sun very bright. For some reason, the sun in Tokyo is not so bright that one needs sunglasses.
Berlin (click to enlarge)
Catching up on project progress with my developers over IM outside the Victory Column. Berlin (and Hamburg) was covered with Wifi everywhere - not free though.

Am using Hector's MacBook Air at the moment since my MBP is dead. Fell in love with the portability of the machine and decided to get one when I get back to JP - will wait for the second generation one though. This damn machine needs a firewire socket.
Berlin (click to enlarge)
Unfortunately, the Victory Column is covered in graffiti. Its sad to see a symbol of history treated in this way. While Hamburg and Berlin have lovely scenery, I do notice quite a bit of graffiti here and there and reminded me of living back in the UK where it was everywhere.

Does your region have graffiti all over the place? In your eyes, is graffiti art or vandalism? Some graffiti looks nice but I think there are places for it and especially not on historical objects.
Berlin (click to enlarge)
A view from the column.
Berlin (click to enlarge)
Relaxing by some river.
Berlin (click to enlarge)
Berlin (click to enlarge)
Recharging our HP with some Hagen daz and catching up on some more mail.
Berlin (click to enlarge)
East Berlin.
Berlin (click to enlarge)
This is Brandenburg Gate - a former city gate and one of the main symbols of Berlin.
Berlin (click to enlarge)
Berlin (click to enlarge)
A bicycle for seven.
Berlin (click to enlarge)
On the move again.
Berlin (click to enlarge)
Remains of the Berlin Wall. The wall separated East Berlin and West Berlin for 28 years, from the day construction began on August 13, 1961 until it was dismantled in 1989. More from Wikipedia.
Berlin (click to enlarge)
The Sony Plaza where we wanted to catch Iron Man but didn't have enough time. Have to wait until bloody September when it comes out in Japan.
Berlin (click to enlarge)
Sorry - forgot the name of this place - its near Berlin station.
Berlin (click to enlarge)
Berlin (click to enlarge)
Berlin (click to enlarge)
"Berlin Hauptbahnhof" is Berlin Central Station where we catch a train to Fussen.
Berlin (click to enlarge)
The train is the 10:14PM to Munich where we will catch another two trains.
Berlin (click to enlarge)
First time on a sleeper train and it was a fun experience. Each room is about 2 meters sq and comes with its own shower, toilet, towels etc. The hot water pressure is good too.
Berlin (click to enlarge)
Breakfast is served on the train at 5AM.
Berlin (click to enlarge)
We watch the sun rise over coffee.
Berlin (click to enlarge)
Corridors on the train.
Berlin (click to enlarge)
And this is where we are right now. Off for more lakes, mountains and trekking around castles today.
Berlin (click to enlarge)
Categories
Polls
Clueless_Monkey in Germany
Professional
Registered on 2008/04/20 21:08
I'm glad you're enjoying your trip to Germany. :)

The building on #19708 and #19709 is the German Reichstag btw.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reichstag_building
(ID #186074) Posted on 2008/05/12 16:03
keats in NL
student
Registered on 2007/09/02 20:42
I took a sleepertrain through Germany once, although the sheets and pillows were ok, I couldn't sleep for shit. I guess I wasn't tired enough ;) It's really too bad about the modern day Berlin.. I think the pre-war Berlin must have been beautiful. I don't know if I could live in a city with such a troubled past as Berlin has. 

PS: If you're in the south of Germany now, stay away from the Weisswurst!! Don't say I didn't warn you!
(ID #186194) Posted on 2008/05/12 20:30
Drapoc in Germany
Bunnyhunter
Registered on 2007/11/07 17:50
I can only say that Weißwurst is a great thing. You eat it the bavarian way with a beer and sweet mustard and a brezel. Nothing better at 10 o'clock in the morning. Then it's called a "Weißwurstfrühstück" (weißwurst breakfast)
(ID #186280) Posted on 2008/05/12 23:06
Tami in Germany - Cologne
WebDesign, Coding, Administration
Registered on 2007/12/16 10:42
Always when i have been to Berlin it was covered in snow, or rather the grey leftovers of it, which didn't make the city look as nice as the summer weather does, completely different.
Yey for another Haruhi pic. (^ω^)v
Seems you are lucky and get only to see the good sides of germany so far. ;)
Indeed the grafity part is sad, dun know what to say more about it though. :/
(ID #186200) Posted on 2008/05/12 20:49
shinky in Malaysia
Ronin
Registered on 2008/04/15 21:43
Everything looks so beautiful over there. Wish I got the chance to travel around...
(ID #186202) Posted on 2008/05/12 20:54
CrazyAnimeTuga in Portugal
Student
Registered on 2007/01/03 02:12
Berlin is very nice, I'd like to go there someday, the only euro capital I know is Paris, need to stay away from the states but I'm going there again this year XD
(ID #186204) Posted on 2008/05/12 20:57
Tempest in Germany
Student
Registered on 2007/11/07 06:56
Wow, the sleeper trains changed alot, the ones I took to Italy and back were quite old and that was ~ 5 years ago
(ID #186207) Posted on 2008/05/12 21:00
Tempest in Germany
Student
Registered on 2007/11/07 06:56
Oh, and about the Graffiti, it can be art, but not if it's only "You smell" like in the picture... Banksys Graffitis are art for example imo.
(ID #186210) Posted on 2008/05/12 21:04
McKlain in Spain
Web Designer
Registered on 2007/05/11 17:10
Man, Iron Man is awesome.

And don't get out of the cinema before the credits end!!!
(ID #186218) Posted on 2008/05/12 21:25
Skye in Washington D.C.
Student
Registered on 2007/12/22 00:44
I agree. Don't leave 'till the very end. That movie is awesome!
(ID #187034) Posted on 2008/05/14 00:29
lin-da-kenobi in Long Beach
college student
Registered on 2007/08/16 02:56
i agree!
(ID #189712) Posted on 2008/05/17 13:03
Ricky in Brisbane, Australia
Pharmacist / Student
Registered on 2007/03/28 18:26
Wow, German weather as good as Australian weather?  Thought Europe had shitty weather?
(ID #186221) Posted on 2008/05/12 21:29
seto in Switzerland
Coder
Registered on 2008/03/05 08:37
it's called "global warming" :)
(ID #186243) Posted on 2008/05/12 21:58
Panther in Urban Hell (Singapore)
Deathseeker
Registered on 2007/12/24 09:20
Actually it is El Nino, not global warming, this year.
(ID #186283) Posted on 2008/05/12 23:10
Ghostly Substance in Ottawa, Ontario
A thinker & Anime Watcher/collector
Registered on 2008/01/29 16:03
Weather never stays the same or else the weather would be boring :P
(ID #186535) Posted on 2008/05/13 05:26
Sano in Sweden
Student
Registered on 2008/03/27 20:31
The corridors on the train reminds me of the capsule inns in Akihabara ^^.

About graffiti, I don't really like it. It can be cool but it's mostly just crap in my opinion. There are places for graffiti and that's where it should be, I hate it when I see it on trains, historical objects and other places where it shouldn't be.
(ID #186227) Posted on 2008/05/12 21:38
Len-Vesper in Quebec City, Canada
Medical Research and Design
Registered on 2008/02/17 03:54
Beautiful pictures, Danny, it looks to have been a wonderful trip.

I can't help but smile each time I see a picture with the Haruhi figma standing somewhere, seems to ubiquitous yet at the same time it always adds this hint of color and SOSdan awesome.

I hope your return to Japan is easier on the jet lag than the trip to Hamburg.
(ID #186235) Posted on 2008/05/12 21:48
Last{[0]}Raven in ☆DANNYCHOO Site ☆
Raven, AMV & MAD maker, Otaku
Registered on 2008/01/02 12:55
10th picture where your working on your laptop danny was total awsomeness!!!!!!! XD
(ID #186237) Posted on 2008/05/12 21:50
Student
Registered on 2007/08/22 13:35
Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!
(ID #186245) Posted on 2008/05/12 22:01
radical anime fan in Dai-Singapore-dan. Hotter than Kamina and Lelouch combined.
Polytechnic Freshman. Mmm... fresh.
Registered on 2007/01/25 21:20
That's definitely graffiti. I mean, it had the holy word of four letters...

Berlin is really filled with nice scenery. I mean, sure, I get to see green now and then, but Singapore's really small. The green that I mostly see are roadside trees. XP
(ID #186246) Posted on 2008/05/12 22:01
gordon in 新加坡 Singapore
宅男 Otaku/ 工程师 Engineer
Registered on 2007/06/11 14:57
the coolest graffiti in my area is this.
http://gordonator.blogspot.com/2008/04/singapore-gundam-graffiti.html
(ID #186247) Posted on 2008/05/12 22:03
D_Blade in Montreal
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Registered on 2006/12/31 22:48
LOL at shameless plug. You bold, gordon. ^^
(ID #186516) Posted on 2008/05/13 04:28
Registered on 2006/12/24 23:42
and comes another guy with a shameless plug... ^^;
http://www.marvinryan.com/blog/2008/03/25/gundam-graffiti/
gordon and I took a picture of the same  graffiti. ^^
(ID #186790) Posted on 2008/05/13 13:51
AndyH in Birmingham, UK
3D artist
Registered on 2006/12/25 10:08
Looks really nice there. Im quite looking forward to my trip there now.

Shame about the graffiti yeah, but at least those trains are spotlessly clean!
(ID #186253) Posted on 2008/05/12 22:09
Cavalock in Singapore
Copywriter
Registered on 2008/02/23 14:42
cool pix....wait a sec...u have to wait till Sept to watch Iron Man?!?
(ID #186257) Posted on 2008/05/12 22:14
kaeze in Melbourne, Australia, Earth
Illustrator & Designer
Registered on 2007/04/09 18:37
Berlin definitely looks bright and sunny.

I do like graffiti and stencil art and like you Danny, I think if done at the place, it can be art (to a certain extent Banksy who's done some really nice stuff but he's a bit over-rated, too).

I think tagging and graffiti on historical objects is bad.

Those trains look really clean and nice.
(ID #186258) Posted on 2008/05/12 22:21
Hivemind in Germany, Aschersleben
Registered on 2008/05/12 22:38
Wow, was very suprised after your post about Hamburg and the votes, 28% said that they are from Germany (now only 14% - german readers are the fastest? ^^).
I never felt of Germany in such a good way as u do - everything looks very nice on your shots but in everyday life you´re just bored about :D
But iam very happy that u enjoy our country
(ID #186266) Posted on 2008/05/12 22:46
x33b in Chicago, USA
Network Admin
Registered on 2007/11/24 04:49
That looks like an amazing place to visit. I never rode on a train you can sleep on, but it looks pretty darn nice.  All I ever rode were the crappy Metra trains from the burbs to downtown. Nasty!

That last shot of the mountains and lake were simply amazing.
(ID #186269) Posted on 2008/05/12 22:49
bell in singapore
Registered on 2008/04/02 18:00
it really depends on the person. people living at the blocks of house, they would think graffiti is vandalism but to other people who visit the blocks of house once in a while, it is art.
it depends on the nature of the graffiti also.

in the case danny mention,i would label it as vandalism as there are other ways to leave your name and date of visiting that place...eg. log book or photos etc
(ID #186270) Posted on 2008/05/12 22:51
Mac in Podunk, USA
IT monkey/consultant
Registered on 2006/12/29 03:14
I have to agree with you on the MacBook Air.  

Light enough to make all the sacrifices it requires...  EXCEPT FOR THE FREAKING FIREWIRE.  
(ID #186272) Posted on 2008/05/12 22:55
Da Don in Bavaria/Germany
Student ( Electrical Engineering )
Registered on 2008/04/30 04:12
Nice pics... hope you had a wonderful day in Berlin. As for the graffiti thing I don't really like it exept the very HQ drawings artist were permitted to draw.
BTW, where will you head next after Füssen?
(ID #186277) Posted on 2008/05/12 23:02
Panther in Urban Hell (Singapore)
Deathseeker
Registered on 2007/12/24 09:20
Nice pictures Danny, never been on a train like that before though. Must be a good experience.

And I recognize that wallpaper on that Macbook haha, Leopard Space. Was my MSN background last month.
(ID #186284) Posted on 2008/05/12 23:11
Amai in Denmark
School xD
Registered on 2008/01/30 21:47
danny it haven't been so hot and with blue heaven in many years so you are lucky xD

it's the same in Denmark
(ID #186303) Posted on 2008/05/12 23:56
shirow in UK
Registered on 2007/10/20 15:35
It looks like you are haveing a beautiful time in Germany, I'm happy the weather is good.
Are you finding Germany a little more relaxed and less over crowded than Japan?
I should be going to Germany later in the year to attend some beerfests and hopefully vist a concentration camp.
(ID #186309) Posted on 2008/05/13 00:09
Kyoji-san in UK
IT Student
Registered on 2007/12/03 17:24
Very nice train. Wish I could travel around on work like that D:
(ID #186311) Posted on 2008/05/13 00:10
tintin-san in シンガポオル Singapore
大学生 University student to be
Registered on 2008/05/12 01:15
wow. nice scenery and very nice sleeper train. never been on one before. seem to be having a good time.

we don't have much graffiti in Singapore. the laws are very strict and vandalism is punishable by skin-splitting lashes of the cane. *ouch*
(ID #186325) Posted on 2008/05/13 00:19
Dillithium in The other down-under
nada
Registered on 2007/11/14 02:40
Too bad you couldn't catch Iron man, it's an awesome movie
(ID #186331) Posted on 2008/05/13 00:26
lostandfound in a UFO... catcher...
Part human, part student, 100% loser
Registered on 2007/10/22 02:10
Graffiti=Getting caught by the police but there are some areas where you can do graffiti...

Anyway, Danny you look cool there with the shades... LOL a bicycle for seven, I want to see it in motion! That would be interesting...
(ID #186345) Posted on 2008/05/13 00:38
Hachiko in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Student
Registered on 2006/12/26 11:13
Woot, Danny eats Corn Flakes. /win
(ID #186375) Posted on 2008/05/13 01:08
tick tock in Tokyo
Full-time student へへ
Registered on 2008/05/21 23:18
if only shinkansen interiors were that luxurious :-). speaking of mbp and mba, i wonder what cases do you use? any cute ones with big manga eyes ^^. or do you just chuck it in the bad? i just got a foofbag for my mba. check it out. has a very nice feel to it with the "nami" designs.

http://www.kenleewrites.com/2008/04/foofbag.html
(ID #186404) Posted on 2008/05/13 01:42
the great paul in Brooklyn, New York
Poor College Student
Registered on 2008/03/14 09:02
i really like that runrise picture frrm the train.i havent seen a sunrise for years
(ID #186415) Posted on 2008/05/13 01:54
Dead Snake in Redhill, Singapore
Internship student
Registered on 2007/05/12 03:11
CMIIW
http://www.dannychoo.com/slide/eng/world/19708/photo/Berlin/
is a parliament building designed by Norman Foster. ^^
(ID #186429) Posted on 2008/05/13 02:09
FatBastard in over his head
Meat Puppet
Registered on 2007/11/04 18:16
Looks like you guys are really enjoying the sights and sounds Germany has to offer. Thanks for takin the time out to post pics. Cheers! 
(ID #186440) Posted on 2008/05/13 02:25
killswitch in Wiesbaden, Germany
Lasersword operator
Registered on 2008/03/22 08:03
@Danny, nice pics x)

to your post/picture: "Sorry - forgot the name of this place - its near Berlin station." -it's called "Reichstag" or "Bundestag"
(ID #186459) Posted on 2008/05/13 02:48
Akiba-Kid in California, USA
Online Shop
Registered on 2008/01/17 11:35
Nice pics and Danny looks cool on that one pic above~  We have too much graffiti around Los Angeles area since we have lots of gangs and what not and they don't look artistic at all.

Wow, Iron Man opens on September in Japan!?  The movie is really fun, I feel bad that you don't get to watch it for so long x_x
(ID #186470) Posted on 2008/05/13 03:06
BeLe in Davao, Philippines
.NET/Web Developer
Registered on 2007/01/03 16:36
Awww...I wish I had more time here in Linkoping so that I could spend some time on the neighboring countries. especially germany.  It's so close from here.  Guess I'll have to rely on your photos then.  

As for the graffiti...most of the time they look bad and they're just plain vandalism.  The only graffitis I consider good are the ones that I consider art.  You can rarely see them around.  They fit the environment just well and they're beautifully made.
(ID #186481) Posted on 2008/05/13 03:41
Felpe in Santiago, Chile
Student
Registered on 2008/01/08 23:56
Really nice place, I´m gonna visit it next semester =)
(ID #186490) Posted on 2008/05/13 04:03
D_Blade in Montreal
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
Registered on 2006/12/31 22:48
Superb pics as always.
Say, isn't the Brandenburg gate a symbol of Europe as well?
We don't have much graffiti here (whether it be downtown or more in the suburbs; it's so nice this way... Though I do wonder how's life in North-Montreal, where there is supposed to be a less secure environment)
And... You do have a Mr. Anderson (Matrix) look with those sunglasses. Nice! You're going to buy a Macbook Air next as well? Gotta boost the economy! ^^;
(ID #186517) Posted on 2008/05/13 04:36
Timotei in Sweden
NEET
Registered on 2008/02/17 09:28
Awesome photos Danny, looks like you are having a blast (?) over there. Germany got alot of places for a tourist to visit, and if you like 2nd world war it's even better. 

Sweden is pretty much filled with graffiti if you visit the right town.  
(ID #186521) Posted on 2008/05/13 04:52
Jotham in Los Angeles, CA
Student
Registered on 2008/03/08 16:19
wow the scenery is beautiful.
Visiting Germany