BERLIN mayor Klaus Wowereit once described his city as "poor but sexy". Woworeit’s intention was to convey the idea that Berlin had plenty to offer despite the miserable financial position of the city government.

Since he uttered those words, the phrase "poor but sexy" has been used as Berlin’s unofficial advertising slogan and some say it is better than the official "Be Berlin" promotion campaign.

One way of finding out why that’s a fitting statement is by taking a bicycle tour through the German capital.

Berlin is a major destination for city breaks and there are many ways to get to know it including taking a tour in a Trabi car, on a Segway personal transporter or even by balloon.

But by far the most popular mode of transport is the bicycle. Large numbers of tourists can be regularly seen riding bicycles past the Brandenburg Gate and competition among the city’s bike tour operators is great.

One of the routes shows visitors Berlin’s "poor but sexy" side. Today’s Poor but Sexy tour is made up of visitors from Switzerland and western parts of Germany.

The tour costs US$15 (RM47), is 18km long and is by far the most popular of all the routes in tour guide Robert Muller’s programme. It begins in the not-so-very-sexy central Nikolai district in front of city hall, the location for Muller’s office.

Muller’s first task is to explain where the tour’s name originated from, harking back to the mayor’s description of the city.

The cyclists then cross the busy Leipziger Strasse and pass the lines of tourist buses at Checkpoint Charlie to reach their first destination at Viktoria Park in the district of Kreuzberg. At one time, the city could not afford to operate the park’s artificial waterfall but now it’s a lively spot for people to enjoy an open-air drink or two. The idyll, however, is spoiled somewhat by the presence of broken glass on the park’s lawns.

The tour’s next stage takes the group along Bergmannstrasse with its many shops and cafes to the trendy Chamisso area, which has developed a reputation for being the home of Berlin’s well-to-do environmentally aware citizens.

Later, the cyclists arrive at Admiral bridge, an enormously popular gathering place for Berliners who like to sit and chat over a beer as the sun goes down. The bridge also attracts beer bottle collectors hoping to make money on the deposits.

Muller points out to his group the bottle tops embedded in the bridge’s surface and explains that gathering on bridges to celebrate with friends is one of the city’s more popular pastimes.

But such gatherings have become so huge, the neighbours have complained about the noise. They’ve been so vocal in their opposition that an intermediary has been brought in to negotiate between the two sides.

"I’m still not sure how a compromise will look," says Muller.

Before heading on to Kottbusser Tor, Muller asks his group to be more reserved with their picture-taking as this part of Kreuzberg has a very large Turkish community.

On Oranienstrasse, Muller points out the new cobblestones that were laid after the May 1 riots. In Gorlitzer Park, over which hangs a cloud of barbecue and hashish smoke, Muller recalls a previous occasion when his group witnessed a raid by Berlin’s drug squad in the park.

The tour then proceeds from Kreuzberg to the districts of Treptow and Friedrichshain where the group learns more about the major changes Berlin has undergone over the 20 years since the fall of the Wall.

Property developers and the city’s subculture do not always get along and nowhere is that more evident than along the banks of the river Spree where beach bars and nightclubs are slowly making way for hotels and office buildings.

"Diverse and informative" are two words the bike group members use to describe the route through alternative Berlin.

"This is not a bicycle ride for people who like browsing the shops along the Kurfurstendamm," says Reinhard from Germany’s Ruhr region.

Maurice from Geneva says the route is a trip into Berlin’s present and not into its past. "You rarely get to experience a tour like that."

At the end of the four-hour trip, Muller points out a tree house constructed by one of Kreuzberg’s Turkish residents from pieces of laminate, pipes and wood ends. The Berlin Wall once ran right past the tree house.

"In any other city, that house would have been torn down," Muller commented. – dpa

TO BE honest, Redang Island was never on my list of holiday destinations simply because I am not enthusiastic about snorkelling, diving and swimming, and a hot blazing sun scorching my skin is definitely not my idea of fun.

However, when PNB Darby Park organised a special media outing, I packed my shorts, a big tube of sunblock and decided to check out what lures visitors to this island again and again.

It was a seven-hour bus ride from PNB Darby Park in Kuala Lumpur to Merang jetty where a further 45-minute speedboat ride awaited.

The waves bobbed the boat up and down unpredictably, and I could hardly wait for the ride to end. As we neared the pier, a beautiful white sandy beach dotted with coconut and pine trees beckoned a breathtaking welcome.

Redang island is the biggest island in the Redang archipelago and many resorts and hotels can be found on it.

We stayed at the Pelangi Beach Resort that offers all the basic amenities but no TV, as the fun lies outdoors on the beach and the sea.

Our three-day-two-night package included three snorkelling trips. If you don’t have snorkelling gear, no worries as daily rental is available. Day one found us out in the open sea while day two, it was at the Pulau Redang Marine Park in the morning and another part of the open ocean in the afternoon.

And if you still haven’t had enough of snorkelling in the open sea, there are two available spots cordoned off from boats with floaters a little way down the beach for you to try out your fins and snorkel.

One area, aptly named Shark Point, is the perfect spot to catch a glimpse of baby black tip sharks swimming around under the pristine blue sea.

Snorkelling in the marine park where pretty fishes play

However, the best part is simply relax on a hammock and watch the world go by or enjoy a good game of beach volleyball or football with a bunch of strangers – and for that one brief moment, forget your troubles.

Just remember to lather up on some environmentally-friendly sunblock regularly as the sun can be really hot.

It is a pity that the coral is dying in some places due to the effects of rising sea temperatures. But despite news about several sites being off limits to protect the coral reefs, it is business as usual in Redang.

We didn’t get to see any turtles as they only show up around June and July but the pretty fishes more than made up for it.

The jetty at Pelangi Beach Resort

Look out for the jellyfish, though. They do sting but the minor pain only lasts a short while. So if someone yells jellyfish, get out of the water fast.

Food is basic buffet-style fare of rice and side dishes. For something different, check out the enterprising guy operating a burger stall further up the beach at night.

Meal time is indicated by the clanging of a bell but you can enjoy simple roti bakar with kaya and butter any time. Coffee, tea and water are available all day too – self-service of course.

There are two souvenir shops on the island that sell essential items as well as iced beverages and ice cream, a welcome treat after a hot day on the beach.

As for souvenirs, I suggest bargaining with makciks at the stalls at Merang jetty.

To get to Redang Island, fly in direct on Berjaya Air or fly AirAsia to Kuala Terengganu for transport to Merang jetty. Or you can take a tour bus to Merang jetty to catch the speedboat which is a 45min bumpy ride or the slow boat which takes around an hour