What did you do on the first day of 2018? As for me, I slept in till 4pm and I definitely need the sleep. On New Year’s Eve I joined a group of Malaysian students, some I have never met before and some I have met in other events, to watch the New Year's Countdown at the Brandenburg Gate.

Since my friend and I have welcomed New Year 2017 in Berlin, we were aware of how crowded it can get at the city center. So we have no intention of going near the Brandenburg Gate and wanted to watch the fireworks from Berlin Central Station. However, since the others have never really experienced it, they wanted to get as close as possible to the stage near the Brandenburg Gate. So we just tagged along.

However, it was not possible. The whole area was already packed so the police have closed all the entrance. We reached the entrance 45 mins before the countdown so it is not possible to enter. The entrance was opened as early as 2pm and I’m sure it has been full since then. So we will have to do with seeing the fireworks from afar, with many others.

While waiting for the Countdown, we watched the fireworks that the crowd has been playing around us. To be honest, I am not a fan of a large crowd and loud fireworks. So it was a bit scary for me. Especially when they randomly threw the firework at our feet.

As the clock ticked to 2018, the fireworks from the Brandenburg Gate went off like crazy. It was hard for me to take good pictures and videos (short people problem), so I don’t take much pictures or videos and just enjoy the fireworks. it was so beautiful that I don't think the camera I think the firework show was about 15 mins long.

After the fireworks show ended, the crowd began to spread. So we were finally able to move closer towards the entrance towards the stage area. However, the police are still blocking the entrance, not allowing people to enter. I guess because there was still concert going on. So we waited at the side for quite awhile, thinking what to do next. We decided to go the Berliner Dom, where it should be less crowded.

I have always think that the Berliner Dom is the prettiest tourist attraction in Berlin. And it is extra beautiful at night.What did you do on the first day of 2018? As for me, I slept in till 4pm and I definitely need the sleep. On New Year’s Eve I joined a group of Malaysian students, some I have never met before and some I have met in other events. They were here just to see the New Year Countdown in Brandenburg Gate.

After enjoying the view, we were thinking to go to the Reichstag. However, after quite a long walk, we weren’t able to get close to the Reichstag building because the police are blocking the entrance. So not being able to visit the tourist attractions, we decided to go back to their Airbnb and play UNO game.

By the time, we were finish playing, it was already 3am. Since some of our friends will be boarding the train to Prague at 7am, we decided to wait for them and go to the train station together the them. So we went out of the Airbnb at 6am

We reached my friend’s home and went straight to sleep at 8 am. So I slept from 8am to 4pm. What a way to spend the first day of 2018

Thanks for taking the time to read my post. I hope you like it and if you do, do give a thumbs up!!
P/S: Photos are taken with IPhone 6S and Sony A6000
With Love,
Vael Riey