So on Wednesday I set off for Copenhagen, I started off visiting Christiania, which is basically a squat town. It's formed from the buildings of an old naval base, just outside the city center. The idea being that they self-govern and are separate from any other ruling power. Unfortunately I found that the hippy love each other vibe had long gone. Although the graffiti and pro peace signs are still flying high there was an air of unrest. The residents clearly welcome the tourist in, but the no photo signs and evil stares i received left me feeling slightly intimidated. Maybe they should take their own advice and spread more love!?After that headed across the water to the main part of Copenhagen. Took the obligatory tourist photo of the little mermaid and then wandered about an English church (very strange). Headed down to see the Royal families winter residence, which was quite nice if i do say so!Then decided it was time for a little culture, so hopped on a bus to the National Art Gallery. The building its self was amazing, it was like it'd been chopped in two, the original brick facade at the front and a new glass structure at the back. Art wasn't bad either!! With an alterative way of displaying the modern amongst the more traditional and attempting to draw upon comparisons. Feeling mighty tired from all the walking i decided to try out Kings Park, where i stumbled upon some live Cuban band. It's Copenhagen Jazz festival this week so there are loads of free concerts dotted around the city. Since it was sunny I grabbed a pint and killed sometime listening to some awesome music. Getting bored I thought I’d check out the main harbour side and canal, to discover yet another free concert!
After receiving a phone call from my mums cousin (any idea what the proper term is??) earlier in the day, we arranged to meet for a beer and some food. Though quite how we would meet each other in a busy city and having never met didn't really cross my mind! After a few phone calls to and fro we were happily sinking a beer and discussing the family and life! So that was day one!!!
Anyone ready to read day two??
After getting into my caravan just after midnight the night before i woke up a bit later and headed in to Copenhagen at about 11ish. After jumping on a bus headed in the wrong direction i eventually worked my way to Christiansborg, which is where they royal family had lived and where there government offices are now based. My mum’s cousin had recommend the old castle ruins which were situated below the existing palace. I basically had the place to my self the whole way round which was nice, and got to learn a lot about the Danish royal family and how Copenhagen had developed - yes all that from a few old stones!!Heading around to the royal library (just for you mum!) and there gardens for lunch which was great, I seem to have grown an appreciation for flowers! So up next was the National Museum, taking in exhibitions on the Danish Pre-History (Vikings etc) and Danish History including the more recent history from the 1700 to the present day. This i really enjoyed, learning a lot about how Denmark became well ermm Danish I guess.
My great aunt had also recommended the Roundtower in the center of town, so i was making my way there when i guy approached my saying he was from the paper "Urban" (a free paper like The Metro or London Paper) and would i be willing to answer a few questions on contraception!! I thought why not and gave him my views (did you proud mum! I’m a good boy!!) Got my photo taken and was told I’d be in the paper the following day (alas after all that i wasn't :( maybe for the best that my lovely face isn't associated with the male pill around Copenhagen and its suburbs)Anywho the roundtower does what it says on the tin, its actually a royal observatory built by a king, but the quirk to it was that he refused to walk up to the top, so inside its a spiral ramp wide enough for a horse and carriage to go up. Took in the view across to Sweden and ascended to the sound of more jazz!
Milling about between diffrent stage and squares for a few hours i decided to check out the old styled theme park, Tivoli. This has to be the only real dissapointment of my time in Copenhagen. I knew not to expect disney land, but this was daylight robbery. £8.50 for entrance and then either £2.00 per ride ticket (larger rides costing 3 tickets) or a multipass for £20. Having weighed up th options the multipass was the best way to go. I knew the rides would never live up to the UK theme parks, but sitting on a runaway minetrain esq rollercoaster in the rain on your own is when you really know your at an all time low. As wel is there seemed to be more restaurants and dinners than atractions. Nice gardens tho!!
Tired wet and soggy i headed back to Lyngby!
2 comments:
Have you hired a ghostwriter? TF
haha no all my own work! :)
Post a Comment