Day One in Berlin

Up at 3:30am to catch our flight from Copenhagen to Berlin.  After a short flight we arrived at the very crowded and very busy Berlin airport.  Able to quickly grab the luggage, get some euros and head to the hotel via bus.  After checking in to our hotel (which was just a few blocks from the train station) we headed to the area where we would start our afternoon tour.  Walked around a bit, had a bite to eat and met up with the tour guide at 2pm.

The tour leader was probably in his late 20’s and was very knowledgeable when it came to the history of Berlin.  We spent about four hours walking to many of the main attractions in both East and West Berlin.  We got a very good overview and also learned a lot about many of the events, especially related to the divided Berlin.

And we had a bit of an adjustment in regards to weather.  Copenhagen was quite comfortable and we had a few rain showers.  Today in Berlin it was close to 95 and very humid – we were pretty drained by the time the tour ended.

When we got back to the train station there were police everywhere and we had to take a small detour to get back to our hotel.  There was one group who was very calm and peaceful and the opposing group was pretty loud.  We had dinner at the train station on a patio just above where all of the action was taking place.

Tomorrow we will visit several places of interest that we learned of on the tour.

Here are a few pictures from today.

 

Our Last Day in Copenhagen

Started the day with a traditional danish breakfast at the Thomsen's which included coffee, juice, a variety of pastries, jams, butter and of course Nutella.  And we were introduced to a roll with butter, cheddar cheese and strawberry jam.  Sounds a little strange but quite good.

After we said our goodbyes we went back to the church where we climbed the steeple yesterday and enjoyed an english 30 minute service which included a mini-tour of parts of the sanctuary, two hymns (helped along by a small choir) and several organ pieces played on a glorious pipe organ built in 1698.

From there we took the Metro to the Fredericksberg area.  Along the way there was a rock and roll band playing 50's and 60's music (from the US) and they looked old enough to be of that era.  The locals were loving it and rocking out.  We made it to lovely gardens there and strolled around.

We then took the Metro back to Nyhavn (where we took our boat tour yesterday).  It was much quieter and a lot less people (we think all of the cruise ships were gone).  Had a bite to eat and then headed back to the apartment.

We are getting packed up for the next leg and stop on our trip - Berlin.  We fly out tomorrow morning at 7am on a direct flight so we will be up very early.  We will drop off our bags at the hotel and then take a tour in the afternoon.

Until tomorrow!

Copenhagen Day 2

Spent most of the day walking along the east bank of the main waterway in Copenhagen, from Island Brygge up to the Opera House.  Here are a few pictures near our apartment.

We walked top the top of a church spire (about 400 steps) and got a great view of the city.

We had lunch in a large building which is filled with food trucks and food booths serving dishes from all over the world.  All of the food looked amazing.  We shared an open face sandwich topped with a fresh fish fillet (a traditional Danish meal).  And I got to enjoy a local micro-brew.

Speaking of beer the liquor laws are very lax here - it is OK to consume alcohol in public and along the streets.  And there were lots of people out today enjoying the good weather, food, adult beverages and friends - great people watching.

Late in the afternoon the Thomsen's joined us for a one hour canal trip (guided tour) and we saw a few more sites along the way including the Little Mermaid.  One of the highlights of that trip was the guy who jumped into the canal where the tour started and he was totally naked (and probably a bit drunk as well).  Of course the crowd loved it - we are in Europe after all where things are a tad bit more "informal" shall we say.

We had a good Italian dinner just down the street from our apartment and now it is time to wrap things up for today.  Tomorrow morning we join the Thomsen's for breakfast and then some final sightseeing.

We have arrived and Copenhagen Day 1

It is 10:30 Friday night 8/28.  It has been a busy three days and all has gone well so far.

We left the house around 8:30am Wednesday, stopped and said goodbye to Steve's mom and then headed to Seattle.  The traffic was very light and we arrived at SouthCenter Mall around 12pm.  Had lunch with Charlotte's sister and her husband before heading to the airport.  We departed just a few minutes late on our flight on British Airways to Heathrow airport outside London.  We had upgraded to Economy Comfort and it was worth it.  Very comfortable seats and good service throughout the flight.  And we were able to get some sleep as well.  Highly recommend British Airways.

Spent a few hours at Heathrow before flying to Copenhagen.  Arrived on time and were met by our dear friends the Thomsen's.  It was so nice to receive a Danish welcome and we got a jet lag recovery gift bag (homemade muffins, vitamin water, bananas and trail mix).  Got to the apartment around 8:30 (had to haul the bags up five flights of stairs).  Very nice apartment.

Friday morning we walked to the main train station in Copenhagen and headed to Malmo, Sweden (Charlotte's homeland).  Took a boat tour on the canals and then walked through King's Park and by the castle.  A very beautiful day in Malmo.

As we were returning to Copenhagen by train we saw the dark clouds in the distance.  Just before we exited the train station it started to rain and blow (and we were not prepared for wet weather).  Found a store that carried cheap umbrellas and walked home (and got a bit wet).  So much for the weather report that showed no rain today.

After a Metro ride and a short walk we arrived at the Thomsen's for dinner and a nice evening with friends.  Kathrin prepared a great meal consisting of pork, potatoes, red cabbage, carrots and brown sauce (gravy).  And we got to enjoy some Danish beer and South African wine as well.  Followed by a Danish layer cake (which Lizzie helped make).

Looking forward to the next two days here in Copenhagen and more time with Kathrin and her family.  I'll include some pictures on the next blog.