WELCOME TO COPENHAGEN

The arrival process in most European airports is such a pleasant experience and Copenhagen is no exception. In less than twenty minutes I have cleared Immigration and Customs and I am standing at the Tourist Information booth.

With a tourist map and a cOPENhagen Card (229DKK, about US$43) which allows free admission to many attractions and free city transportation, I head for the fastest way from the airport to the City Center.

It is a beautiful late summer day as fresh scenery moves pass me at about forty miles an hour. I am onboard the Copenhagen Metro and faster than I imagined we arrive at the Central train station.

I am still getting my bearing in the city but must first accomplish an important task before I set out exploring. I need accommodations for two nights.

Exiting the train station, a chill is in the air as the wind is howling down the streets. With temperatures in the low 60's, away from the shadow of the train station building, the warmth of the sun rays is welcoming.

At the Visitor's Center, I am disappointed to learn that there are just a few rooms left in the city because of a big biking event in town this weekend. The available rooms along with a booking fee seem overpriced and I leave the center in search of an Internet Cafe.

Twenty minutes later, I have secured my accommodations online at a relatively new hostel, Generator, for 150DKK per night about US$28 and without a booking fee.

I am now free to continue my search for a "Great Danish" with a few distractions and detours along the way.

A NICE WELCOME

Leaving an Internet Cafe, I set off on a walk to Generator Hostel, my bed for the night. Passing Tivoli which I plan to visit later in the day, I cross Town Hall Square and join Stroget Street. The early winds have now been silenced and the air has warmed up from the afternoon sun. The weather could not be much better for an afternoon stroll as white whisper clouds look down from above on this vibrant city.

Stroget Street is said to be the longest pedestrian only shopping street in Europe. I have no doubt as it is lined with intriguing shops, restaurants and bakeries. The street is narrow in some areas then opens to small squares. Some squares with simple benches, others with relaxing water fountains.

In one area, I stop to enjoy a solo musician playing a violin. Combined with the beautiful surroundings, colorful buildings and Danes out enjoying the afternoon, it is an experience that I do not want to end.

The effects of jet lag is beginning to catch up with me. I continue on to Generator Hostel where an early afternoon nap is welcomed.


Video:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChXJ9_ft4t0Video:

Wonderful, keep it up! I am going to Denmark for a week in June 2012 and find any posts about the country most welcome.

Welcome! And I hope you'll post about your travel in Denmark. Looking forward to your trip report.

Irishwhistler90,

I did not spend as much time as I would have liked. A return visit is definitely a possibility. I think you are going to love it!

jh2011,

Just a few posts on the trip report but hope to go back and explore more of Denmark

A WATERBUS TOUR

I am up from my afternoon nap just in time to take a short stroll to Nyhavn (New Harbor) for the last Waterbus Tour of the afternoon. With my cOPENhagen Card the tour is free!

Once the “Red Light District” of Copenhagen and home of The Little Mermaid author, Hans Christian Andersen, Nyhavn has now become one of Copenhagen,s hippest and most expensive neighborhoods.

Brilliant yellows, light blues and rich browns highlights the high-priced buildings and restaurants that line the canal as we begin our tour. One of these buildings was Hans Christian Andersen former residence.

Leaving the protected canal we enter an open harbor that has a brisk wind blowing across it. Passing The Playhouse we head towards The Opera which designed and built to resemble the a historical harbor loading dock. A turn down another canal and we are cruising by million dollar condominiums that were converted from an old shipping yard, very cool. Too bad I don't have a million dollars. Can you spare me some small change?

Back from The International Expo in Shanghai, China, The Little Mermaid sits alone along the waters edge that fronts a local park. She has had a tough life here having lost her head twice and being painted red. There is an under current to give Ariel a more promising future the size of the Statue Of Liberty in New York but the Danes are still undecided.

Facing The Opera is the Amalieborg Castle, The Royal Family's residence. Not as impressive from my perspective but we are told The Queen wakes up with a fantastic view.

Next, we are touring through Christianborg another spectacular neighborhood that houses the Danish Parliament and The Old Stock Exchange. This area of the tour has us navigating below many low bridges some requiring us to be careful to not lose our heads like Ariel. At one point it seems like we will become stuck. Our tour guide promises we'll get home tonight and the captain does a nice job navigating the low and narrow canal.

We return to Nyhavn with some daylight remaining and my search for a “Great Danish” continues.

Video:
http://youtu.be/ChXJ9_ft4t0

WHAT A SCREAM, TIVOLI

I am still in search of a “Great Danish” as I leave Nyhavn and head towards Tivoli. Tivoli is the famous Danish amusement park founded in 1843.

Along Stroget Street I stop at a Mediterranean style restaurant for an early evening snack before continuing on toward the central train station. The night air has a nice chill to it and the sky has taken on a sunset blue that provides a magnificent backdrop for the surrounding buildings.

Strolling through the train station, I think I have come close to ending my "Great Search", at of all places a 7-11. For about US$3, I have one of the best cinnamon rolls I have ever tasted. However, I am not sure if it counts as a danish. In fairness to my extensive culinary and scientific research, I decide more data is required and continue my quest.

Again using my cOPENhagen Card, I enter Tivoli. Since it is later in the evening the park is mostly deserted. However, this allows me to leisurely stroll and enjoy the area. With colorful rows of lights and dancing fountains, the grounds are picturesque.

As I am walking around I am drawn to the international sounds of fun and excitement. Screams and laughter can be heard in the distance as I enter the rides section of the park. It brings a smile to my face to see and hear others having so much fun even if I cannot understand their spoken language.

Tivoli offers a diversity of entertainment including various carnival games, food vendors and exhibitions. I find the electrical exhibition interesting. Here I discover I can temporarily generate about 80 watts of power but it is exhausting. I produce just enough power to turn on a laptop but no Googling or Facebooking

About to leaving the park I catch the closing act of one of the many performances put on by the park. With all that Tivoli offers including "Friday Rock" concerts, it is definitely worth the visit to the park especially if you have a cOPENhagen card.


Video:
http://youtu.be/I6ui_-i9oWU