Our previous quick stop in Copenhagen prepared us little for the walking tour we took around the city today. Except, perhaps for the fact that we knew it would be very busy.
Our walking tour was conducted through obscure streets, zig-zagging through the city with speed. However, our pauses were then enriched with historical commentary delivered with much tongue-in-cheek humour sprinkled amongst the facts. Our guide Magnus is Danish born, but has lived in Australia. His English was excellent as a result. At our coffee stop he confessed that he had to leave Denmark to appreciate his country of birth. Something I can relate to, but I have no desire to return to my roots.
Copenhagen's history is wound up with the other Scandinavian countries. However, being connected to mainland Europe it was vulnerable during WWII, and our guide related an interesting story of one Dane's extraordinary adventures during the occupation by the Germans. They were based in the famous Hotel de l'Angleterre which still stands and is still the accommodation of choice to famous people.
We did visit the major buildings - the Parliament Christiansborg Palace; buildings associated with H.C. Andersen along Nyhavn; Amalienborg the home of the Danish royal family. This is where our tour ended and our guide timed it to perfection arriving just prior to the changing of the guard.
We found our way back to Nyhavn where we picked up a canal boat trip. This provides a different perspective to this bustling city. You may wonder why I did not mention the Little Mermaid as a sight on our walking tour. Well it is not considered much of a 'sight' my most Danes, but we did see it from behind on our canal boat tour - you will notice why we did not bother to walk the extra 15 minutes at the end of our walking tour just to see it.
After we finished our canal trip, we found our way back to Stroget, the longest pedestrianised shopping street in the world. Now filled with crowds buzzing with anticipation about the impending final of the Eurovision Song Contest. This annual song-fest has an interesting following extending as far away as Australia. It certainly brought some colourful groups in to the city.
We had hoped to visit the live site, which was close to our hotel, but the rain came and as we were packing up and leaving the following morning we did not want to have wet clothes. Ah well, the atmosphere was worth it.
Our walking tour was conducted through obscure streets, zig-zagging through the city with speed. However, our pauses were then enriched with historical commentary delivered with much tongue-in-cheek humour sprinkled amongst the facts. Our guide Magnus is Danish born, but has lived in Australia. His English was excellent as a result. At our coffee stop he confessed that he had to leave Denmark to appreciate his country of birth. Something I can relate to, but I have no desire to return to my roots.
Copenhagen's history is wound up with the other Scandinavian countries. However, being connected to mainland Europe it was vulnerable during WWII, and our guide related an interesting story of one Dane's extraordinary adventures during the occupation by the Germans. They were based in the famous Hotel de l'Angleterre which still stands and is still the accommodation of choice to famous people.
We did visit the major buildings - the Parliament Christiansborg Palace; buildings associated with H.C. Andersen along Nyhavn; Amalienborg the home of the Danish royal family. This is where our tour ended and our guide timed it to perfection arriving just prior to the changing of the guard.
We found our way back to Nyhavn where we picked up a canal boat trip. This provides a different perspective to this bustling city. You may wonder why I did not mention the Little Mermaid as a sight on our walking tour. Well it is not considered much of a 'sight' my most Danes, but we did see it from behind on our canal boat tour - you will notice why we did not bother to walk the extra 15 minutes at the end of our walking tour just to see it.
After we finished our canal trip, we found our way back to Stroget, the longest pedestrianised shopping street in the world. Now filled with crowds buzzing with anticipation about the impending final of the Eurovision Song Contest. This annual song-fest has an interesting following extending as far away as Australia. It certainly brought some colourful groups in to the city.
We had hoped to visit the live site, which was close to our hotel, but the rain came and as we were packing up and leaving the following morning we did not want to have wet clothes. Ah well, the atmosphere was worth it.
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| Tivoli Gardens, an amusement park like no other |
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| Young people enticing children to this famous toy store |
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| Jens Olsen’s astronomical clock in the City Hall |
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| Magnus, our guide |
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| Lots of ways to negotiate the canals |
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| Our guide, Magnus in front of the Parliament buildings |
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| The best hot chocolate ever - real white, milk and dark chocolate molded on to sticks over which is poured hot milk. |
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| The house where Hans Christian Andersen lived and wrote his famous tales |
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| Copenhagen Opera House - our guide was not impressed with the design - he has seen what was achieved by a Danish architect in Sydney |
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| More than our cruise ship (on left) in town |
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| Fountain at the entrance to the palace grounds |
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| The palace where live Prince Frederick and Princess Mary (Australian born no less). At home as the flag is flying. |
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| Did I say there were quite some sights in the city .... |
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| Changing of the guard |
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| Looking beyond the palace square to Frederiks Church (the marble church) |
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| In conjunction with the Eurovision Song Contest there was a collection of interesting boats |
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| Entrance to the marble church |
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| A very simple but beautiful interior |
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| Some bridges are very low over the canal |
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| Need I say more .... |
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| This area on the canal is very reminiscent of Amsterdam |
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| This unusual church has an exterior spiral "stairway to heaven" |
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| Did I mention some interesting sights!! |
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| Lots of colour and showing of national pride |
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| Not sure how he did this, but must have something to do with the gold post he's holding |
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| One of the live sites for Eurovision - lots of music acts all over the city |
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| Then the rain came |
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| A welcome Danish beer before dinner as we watch the rain pouring down |
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