Into the Baltic's we go...it's getting colder!

- May 12, 2019

Welcome to Copenhagen

I know it is May and the blooms are blooming and the greens are greening there but as we have been on a boat since January, and in the southern hemisphere for much of the time, it seems we cannot escape winter altogether. We are arriving in Denmark today, Specifically, Copenhagen. You cannot help but feel a little chill still in the air, even though they are enjoying an early spring. Denmark is a land of 6 million bicycle riding people that believe that they have the right-of-way no matter the obstacle in front of them. People, cars, buses, trains. It doesn't matter, you best look both ways before you step out. Like other European cities, it is also the land of taxes. Based on income they will tax you from 44 to 60% and then throw a value added tax of 25% on stuff you buy. Ouch. But get over the tax structure and come and visit because it is one of Europe's most visited cities for good reason.

As we begin our tour for the day our first stop has to be, of course, the little mermaid statue. This is a small statue sitting on a rock, on the shoreline. It comes from the tale by Hans Christian Anderson but it doesn't actually end the same way as the Disney animated movie shows. Don't tell the little ones but the mermaid dies in the original version.....sorry.

The Little Mermaid,
one of Melba Jean's
favorite Disney movies!

Our tour took us around to view and photographic some of the better known landmarks such as the courtyard of Amalienborg, home of the Amalienborg Palace, where four symmetrical buildings surround the square precisely, and a sculpture of Frederick V sits perfectly at its center. We didn't get to see the changing of the guard, but we did see the guards.

Herrens Ord - Fredericks Church

The Opera House

We also got to go to the fabled Tivoli Gardens, founded in 1843. Tivoli is a beautiful park that inspired Walt Disney's Disneyland. It is beautiful flowers, carnival like games and attractions, wonderful rides (yes, we rode the Llimmelskibet aka "the swings") It was a major rush, and we were the two oldest on the ride! It is a true step back in time.

Another highlight of the day was a tour through Christiansborg Palace. This houses the Danish parliament and is where the Prime Minister lives It is also home to the incredible Queen's Tapestries. This is the most opulent palace we've ever seen. Palatial is the word for everything from the gold gilded two-story library complete with elevator, to the dining room that seats 56 and its Waterford chandeliers. The most spectacular of the rooms though was the Tapestry room. These were a gift to the queen on her 25th birthday. There are a series 10 tapestries. Each one took up to 10 years to weave and they tell the history of the country, from its settlement by the Vikings to the modern times. The collage tapestry was the one we loved best! You can see everything in it from Donald Duck to the Beatles! They are incredible.

Across the street from the Palace is the Old Stock Exchange or the Borsen. It is from the 17th century and has a very distinctive spire. The tower is formed from four dragon tails that are intertwined and then topped with 3 crowns for Denmark, Norway and Sweden, the Scandanavian Empire. Very Game of Thrones'ish!

Old Stock Exchange

Our day concluded with a breezy ride on the canals through beautiful Copenhagen where we could witness for ourselves the beauty of the colorful row houses, the antiquity of the old warehouses, the boats of all kinds, very short tunnels, and modern swinging bridges. The canal is very clean and we saw "Go Boats" everywhere. The locals rent these little boats and go out on the water for picnics. Very fun!