Day 3 - Copenhagen

Started the day dropping the bags off in lockers at the train station, then heading back to our favorite corner baker for breakfast. Another set of chocolate croissants, coffee and a hot cross bun, and we were ready for the day. Headed north on the S-bahn, getting off at the old citadel, and walking the ramparts, headed for the "Little Mermaid".

Thought we would try and get there before the crowds, but ended up there right in the middle of several tour busses, but still managed to get some good views, and Elsa started a sketch of what she was viewing. Stopped and had a snack of the cheese, salami and bread left from dinner, and to rest the feet.

Then we walked back around to the Citadel church, and fountain, which connected to the harbour - with our time up, we headed back to the bus to get to the train station, where we picked up the luggage and headed north to the closest stop to the ferry

The information all said the terminal was 800-1200 m to the ship. What they didn't say was that the ship was now leaving from the NEW port, wich was easily another 3 km past the old port. Ainsley was a trouper, dragging Andrea's bag (who was carting Mom's) along with her own. Elsa kept up, and made no complaints that her feet hurt. After making it 2 km, we got lucky, and a bus driver for the bus system waited for us at a stop, and allowed us to catch the bus- we got there shortly afterward, very glad we did not have to walk further!

Got on the boat with no problems, and found it easy to get to the rooms as they're 30feet from the door to the port! Headed upstairs where we had a quick bite, got oriented and Elsa and Lora Leigh checked out the pool while the other guests boogied on the deck. Mom and Ainsley took naps, then we headed to the Aqua resturant for dinner, before hitting the sack as I thought we had an early morning.

 

 

 

 

Day 2 - Copenhagen

 

Started the morning a bit later than planned, but mainly rested - some had slept, some had fallen out of bed - and headed out to see what to do for breakfast. Ended up at a little bakery just outside the trainstation, 3 min from the hotel, with a wonderfully nice man behind the counter - 7 coffees/hot chocolates and 8 pastries later, we were ready to start the day. Lora Leigh has shots of all the pastries tried - Ainsley was heard to say she liked dessert for breakfast.

Started the day walking down the main shopping drag/pedesterian walk next to the Rathaus - where we saw a bunch of 'dragon' statues, a bride headed to her wedding, and which is also the home of the H.C. Anderson statue, where we of course stopped in on, before heading down the street.

Several shopping stops ensued, to the souvioneer shop for the new sticker for Elsa's bag, to postcards for Uncle Harley, Seeing the fish peticure, we stopped for lunch at a trunk sale by a local theatre group - selling all the costumes from past performances, so made for a fun event to see what would walk by next.

 

Continued down the street, then headed through a Saturday morning market, and to the famous canal waterway and street - as you can see, it was a pretty day out! After that, headed up a street towards the main castle, reaching it by walking through the King's garden. At the castle, we toured up through the 3 stories of the history of the royal family (including bottles of wine from 1615 in the cellar, with apparently enough left at current consumption rate for 300 more years). After the climb up the spiral staircase, we went to the throne room which included the Rosenburg Tapestries).

We then headed to the treasury.

 

 

 

 

Enjoyed the throne room.

 

 

 

Then, after we walked to the current home of the queen- after seeing their guards, Elsa photobommed the shot (shortly after having her complain that her feet hurt) before we took the bus back to the hotel where we had dinner picked up at the supermarket earlier. And all heading to bed to get ready for ship tomorrow.

 

Copenhagen - Day 1

Mom and I arrived last night - after 4 messages that mom would be on the next flight, who walks up to me in baggage claim? After a brief visit with mbag services, we headed to hotel via metro. Dropped of my bag, and grabbed a quick meal back at the train station. By that time, it was 10:30ish, so headed back to hotel to try and sleep. Mom seems to have been able to

Headed to airport to pick up the remaining crew, and mom's bag as well. After a glimpse of them through the door, found out LL had left their documents on the plane- minor panic later they were located.

 

Then we headed to hotel, and after short break walked through Tivoli Gardens, and headed to boat cruise- enjoyed it, but then sleep got the better of LL and Elsa. Mom and I dropped the girls off, and took another walk around the shopping area, picking up dinner at the grocery store.

 

And we're off!

Checked in on-line, and with a little luck, have managed to obtain seats in the same row for the last flight Mom and I are on together. We'll see if someone joins us in the row!

 

 

 

T-minus one day...

Heading to the country with the above flag tomorrow!

 

Bag is packed, and things seem to all fit - meaning I must be forgetting something. Testing putting the image up as trying to post from the iPhone app this time, and it is a bit different.

 

Getting Ready for Europe

Testing out to make sure things are still working. Will post as we can during the trip!

Getting ready by packing, cleaning the house and fridge, and making sure things  in order for the garden to keep growing.

Florence, June 23

Slept in, which was unplanned, but the breakfast here goes til 10:30, so still had time ( though I wasn't that late!). Decided that the day would be spent seeing the outside and wandering the streets as still didn't feel I had my hours turned around.

Noting that I'm now seeing all the crowds that I missed in Switzerland - all seemed to be in the Piazza at once, in school groups, tour groups, and cruise ship groups (the photo is of the street, not the piazza). It was a good thing that there is a pedestrian zone, as I don't think that the cars would be able to get through.

Headed from the square in from of the Duomo, past the Plazzo Vecchio, by the Uffezi, over the Pont Vecchio and down to the Pitti Palace, and scoped out where and how to visit the different places.

Wandering around, located a grocery next to the bridge, so bought a 1.5L bottle of water, salami, apples, roll, yogurt and cheese. Good thing I got a 1.5L - I drained it before the end of the day.

Headed back to the hotel about 5, and slept the rest of the night. The hotel is about 10 min from the main center, which is nice to be able to take a break as it was hot! Another 40oC day.