Copenhagen--part 3

The Sun rose in the East and we rose at out leisure.  Dressed and packed, we headed out with good intel where coffee, a bagel and a shmear could be found.  Refreshed and renewed, we proceeded with our adventure joining the queue for a canal trip.  The weather was perfect and when I say perfect I do mean perfect - 75 and not a cloud to mar the sky.  The trip was worth the kroner giving us a new appreciation of the mystique of Copenhagen.  We sailed about and managed to keep our heads down and avoid all of the low bridges.

Permission to come aboard

Leaving the Nyhavn

Boats and canals

Duck!!

Our narrator Kristina knows how low to bend

The Danish Flag

The mermaid from the other side.

David?

Our hotel, The Strand from the water

Views from the water

Another low bridge

Statue close up

Upon our return, we headed back to The Strand for a nap and some housekeeping issues.  It was wonderful watching Copenhagen turn out for one of the last sunny days of the year.  The canal was filled with every type of boat.  Couples strolled hand in hand while young children frolicked on the play ground equipment near our hotel.

A parade of boats in the afternoon sun

Home made, but it works!

Bike lane below our room

Around 4:30, we headed off to the final destination on our compass.  We crossed over a wonderful, new bicycle/pedestrian bridge in search of a church Kat had spotted on the other side of the canal.  It was fun joining the hordes of people enjoying the day.  So many couples, sitting by the canal enjoying a beer or glass of wine.  No loud voices or hub bub - just a mellow, laid back peace that was extremely infectious. 

Drinkers and sun worshipers

Finally able to wear short pants

The pedestrian/bicycle bridge

Panorama of the view from the bridge

Catching those last warm rays of the sun

We found the church and Kathy was right, it was worth the price of admission.  Old and graceful, interesting design and colors.  Unfortunately, (or fortunately for me) we arrived too late to climb the 453 steps to the top of the steeple.. maybe next time, (yeah right).

Walking over the cobblestones

Cute car, Citroen

The church with the spiral steeple--we could see it from our room

Front door

We then continued our stroll to Christiania.  This is a small area of Copenhagen that has seceded from the State and the European Union.  It's kind of like Saturday Market and The Country Fair rolled into one where old hippies go to die.  Kat was upset she had left her tie dye at home as she wanted to appear friendly.  Lots of handcrafts, posters and various things to keep your attention from straying.  And "Pusher Street" had lots of people selling hash.  We were informed that Danes don't smoke Marijuana "Danes smoke hash!"  And "No Pictures".

Art in Christiania

Sand sculptures in process

Dinner was another epicurean delight and we strolled home, sad that our visit to Copenhagen was coming to an end.  WE SHALL RETURN!

Drinking by the canal

End to another amazing day

Moonrise

Copenhagen--part 2

The following day we picked a new point and headed out with a general idea of what we wanted to see.....Castles and the Little Mermaid. Being that the hotel offered us breakfast for a mere $35.00, we decided to explore and find cheaper eggs and toast.  Well sometimes pargabunking (letting the wind decide our direction and experience) works, sometimes not so much.  We are walking past various hotels, government buildings, apartments, churches, parks and palaces with not a cup of coffee and toast in sight.  Blood sugar is lowering as a $35 breakfast is sounding better and better.

Walking along the streets with no cafes

The park by the canal and Christianborg Castle

Looking at the castle and church from the park. 

Panorama of the Christianborg Castle complex.  There are four huge residences and government buildings

They guard the complex 24/7

Jeff looking for breakfast

Statue of Christian IV

I explain that the time to eat has past and it is now time to consider chewing on my wrist for sustenance!  Kathy breaks out her trusty Iphone to locate a restaurant and comes up with a food just 4 blocks away at a place called Toldboden and we are about to take off when I look across the street and spot a restaurant called Cafe Toldboden 41.  We make an immediate left and a moment later being seated by Lars, our greeter, seater, waiter, philosopher, humorist, and man entrusted with the keys to the secrets of Copenhagen.  THIS, is what makes the true pargabunker golden!  Crap to Golden in under 1.7 seconds.

The Tolboldon

Bagel, lox and egg.  Yum!

Loved the matching dishes but REALLY loved the coffee

We took an interesting stroll through beautiful parks fronting the main canal, and a protestant church until we finally came across the first destination, "The Little Mermaid".  We took a bench and enjoyed people watching where every category of tourist flaunts their stuff.

Protestant Church

One of the ruling Christians

Fountain along the way to the little mermaid. 

So many statues in the park

Finally, The Little Mermaid.  From the Hans Christian Anderson book and symbol of Copenhagen

Lots of lookers from land and sea

We walked through a park

And past a marina

We saw lots of these colorful jays

Statue on the way to Rosenborg Castle

Our walk continued with stops, starts and u-turns.  We are on our fifth mile when we hit Kathy's next destination, Rosenborg Castle where the Danish crown jewels are kept.  I sat in a comfortable cafe with a coffee and Danish (bakery item, not a local) while Kat climbed a thousand steps to see the Monarch's family jewels (gems).

Jeff and his Danish.  He decided to skip the steps

Rosenborg Castle.  Built and used by King Christian IV

Inside were 3 floors of decadence

In the basement, guarded day and night are the Danish Crown jewels and collections of Monarchs from the past.  Here are a few of the many examples of their riches.

Golden weapons.  Too heavy to shoot

So many rings.  This was just one of 4 cases

Emerald and Pearl sets

So much gold

Jewel encrusted music box

The crown of the Danish kings

Queen's crowns

Continuing our walk, we discovered the perfect area that we had missed before, filled with a wonderful selection of restaurants, grocery stores - all a close stroll from the hotel.  We returned to the hotel for  R&R away from the maddening crowd.

This little bar is the perfect place for day drinking

We recharged, strapped on our shoes and returned to our new favorite dining area and found out what fine dining was all about at Ravage.  Yes, Ravage is sweet in Copenhagen. Dinner was a culinary experience of epic proportions and the stroll back to the Strand was a perfect way to end a perfect day.

Jeff's perfect lamb chops.  Just like Mom used to make.

Stay tuned for Copenhagen part 3!