Wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen

Sure it could be! Copenhagen – well getting around to more NZlike houses and less predictable. It’s interesting as the Mediterranean style cities gradually morph into the European style; now we are moving into surprisingly familiar buildings/houses. Copenhagen was mostly flattened by the English when they were seemingly too friendly with Napoleon. As a consequence most of the buildings are more recent than a lot we’ve seen recently.  They don’t allow (mostly) buildings over 8 stories so you can still see their spires and towers. We only skirted the city really in our bus. We did however, see the Little Mermaid, not to mention another more voluptuous version which took Hoppy’s eye on the pier where the ship was docked!! Of course this is the land of Hans Christian Andersen and fairy tales so Hoppy’s away with the fairies. (They have a lot to answer for those fairies!!) Tivoli Gardens another example of fantasy and dreams. The permit for these was for 5 years and here they are still today almost 100 years later – long live fantasy land. The land is still reminiscent of Amsterdam with its flatness and canals but with some extremely modernistic buildings, interesting architecture and totally planned suburbs. There is a bridge which joins Denmark to Sweden. It’s quite spectacular but appears to suddenly stop in the middle of the sea. Here it goes under the harbour to come out further onshore. When it was first built a few people got caught taking the wrong turn and having to go all the way to Sweden, pay the equivalent of US$100 toll, turn around and go back to Denmark again! You would only make that mistake once ja? We often pick the trips which take us out into the countryside in preference to the cities and this time we went to the former fishing village of Dragor. Now it’s a marina and although the quaint cottages are preserved as historic sites, the cost is about $2million for a cheap one and then you have the cost of up keep in the historic manner. If you have a thatched roof there’s a major expense for maintenance.  I’ve been threatening to have a Danish pastry for a while and on this trip our snack was coffee and a Danish! I’ve had two since but won’t make it a habit(resolution). Gosh the genuine article is nice! The Danes have very cleverly put their wind turbines in the sea – no complaints from neighbours there I imagine. There was a market on the sea front with all manner of food and jewellery; even reindeer horns; chubby, mouldy sausages by   metre; cheese by the bun (?)prosciutto by the half animal it seemed and from all over Europe. Thought of you Rodney. The only cheeses I sampled were at Montserrat and they were delish. Unfortunately (or fortunately) we don’t have cause to buy much in the way of tasty morsels. Interesting that your boat was designed here. We think we’re boating people but when you see the numbers of all types of craft here and considering the weather????????????? The clothing was VERY expensive but I’ve just heard from Cherie that Hawaii is great for shopping so I’ll remember!! We’re also looking forward to the sun again you’ll all be pleased to know, as we chill out in 16C today. Not complaining though. The sea is calm and that’s GOT to be lucky in the roughest part of the Atlantic. (Yes I’m a bit behind and actually writing this passing between the Shetlands and Fair Isle en route to Faeroes.)   After that port we have 6 sea days and I will catch up then. Hopefully even get some more photos sent to amuse you – or otherwise!! 

Internet connections are a bit unstable here so will see what happens. I’m afraid of connecting and not being able to disconnect = many minutes used and no refunds!! We have been warned. It’s pretty amazing anyway isn’t it?