Archive for the ‘Denmark’ Category

Mid-Summer’s Night Dreaming

Sunday, June 21st, 2009

wassamuseum

We headed out to dinner (at the “Beefeater”) after our long drive and checking into our very minimalistic Scandia Hotel room.  A couple gents at the table next to us asked us where we were from.  I guess  quisically looking at a swedish menu in a british pub gave us away. We in turn asked them what we should see in Stockholm during our brief stay. They said “Vasa Museum, Skansen Park, and check out Lake Vattern on your way to Goteborg.”

skansenmaypole

We took all of their wonderful tips and found everything to our liking!

The Vasa Museum houses a 1600’s war ship that was elaborately made for King Adolphus II, who wanted to know how powerful and rich his kingdom was, so he had this magnificent sailing ship built, carved, gilded, rigged.  He then sent for it to pick him up in Poland, where he was trying to impress his cousin (who also wanted to take over Sweden).

So, with full sail, and all the cannon windows open, off she went.  A big wind tipped her, the balast shifted, and water came in the cannon holes and she SUNK a mere 27 minutes into her maiden voyage.     She was supsequently forgotten about until 1956, when she was re-discovered.  Because of polution in the harbor, and the Baltic is less salty than the other oceans(?), she was preserved intact!  (I was really captivated by this story, but i’m getting long)   It is a must-see!

Then on to Skansen Park, whick is a williamsburg-type of place, portraying Swedish life in earlier times. But the funnest part, was the Maypole and all the folk dancing. Today is the day when girls put halos of flowers in their hair and everyone gets into the great outdoors and does a jig about it. There was skansenmusicgreat music, awesome dancers, replica breitling and thousands of silly people.

This is a great place when the sun doesn’t go down!

Kopnhavn

Sunday, June 21st, 2009

littlemermaidbottlecollectonWe said our good-byes to Copenhagen: the Little Mermaid, Tivoli ,canal tour, and the Imperial Hotel, but not without a stop at the Carlsberg Brewery Tour! Yum, beer at 10 am!

It really was fascinating, and they are quite a world-player in the world of beer.  They are the 4th largest worldwide and they own Newcastle, Elephant, San Miguel, Tuborg and many others I have never been around.  The picture of the largest bottle breitling replica collection in the world, over 18,000 unopened, of one brand thru the years.  All different and all full and dusty.  How about that as a challenge for a new hobby? Some of us liked this experience alot!!!

beertasting

Rothenburg to Copenhagen

Monday, June 15th, 2009

rothenburgNow that we are down to a very precious few days, we are scrambling to see all that we have left on our wish list!

Rothenburg, Germany is an old walled city with all of the flavor remaining. Yep, a genuinely, charming tourist trap. With a gorgeous day to enjoy it, we arrived early from Ansbach Army Base and enjoyed ourselves until about 1pm.  We even met up with a Westmont graduate and his mom, and shared a nice visit.  But it was time to move on.

nutcrackerGrin and bear it.  We drove 8 hours to Puttgarden, germany, at the edge of the–oh some huge body of water– that required a huge car ferry to take us over to Denmark (Baltic?).   Two more hours of drive time and we were in Copenhagen (kopnhaven is how they spell it)!

We went to Tivoli Gardens for what remained of the day and into night and thoroughly loved watching all the families enjoy their Sunday and each other. This is where Walt Disney got his idea for his Magic Kingdom.  We did a city tour today and saw the “Little Mermaid” bronze on her rock in the harbor, fake rolex and canals, and 4 cruise ships!!  And as we approach the longest daytivoligardens of the year, we only have about 4hours of dark. 

We  press on tomorrow to the Carlsberg Beer Factory Tour in the morning,and then on to Sweeeeden!