Research had shown us the Copenhagen Card at £88 each appeared good value as it gave entrance to over 80 “attractions” and, equally important, all forms of public transport within the vast Copenhagen zones 1-99. We could have had it sent to our phone but given Ian’s preference of something tangible we elected to collect our cards at the airport. Arriving at T2 we had a short walk to T3 and stopped at the information desk to ask where we should collect the card, bingo - the man we were talking to could issue the cards
So we were off, we caught a train from within the airport terminal and at Central Station changed to an S train for one stop to our hotel Copenhagen Island. It’s a standing joke that wherever we go, the area around our hotel is being dug up and this was no exception, the bridge was under repair so all pedestrian and bike traffic was crammed into a little lane. When you think of bikes and Europe, The Netherlands immediately comes to mind, but in fact Denmark is officially the world's most cycle friendly country. Consequently you have to be very aware of walking in the cycle lane and the variety of goods carried almost rivals Vietnam - no pics though as I’ve become a street tog coward.
Anyway our hotel is fine, on the waterside just 1 stop from central but the immediate surroundings aren’t particularly attractive - railway tracks/sidings and a shopping mall.
First port of call was the shopping mall and not solely to reconnoitre the wine in Lidl; Ian’s umbrella had already proved not fit for purpose. Lidl didn’t sell umbrellas (although fishing rods and waders were on sale) but we were directioned to another store upstairs which had the necessary.
Fully protected against the elements we headed to the Glypotek, a museum founded by Carl Jacobsen (the Carlsberg brewer) which housed a wide variety of art. Whilst Ian went off to look at some renaissance paintings I wandered around the small palm garden in the central hall.
Not too sure what this statue is representing, but apparently there are 14 babies (I heard someone counting very loudly).
From there we visited the Christiansborg Palace, which is the 5th castle to be built on the same site after previous constructions being ruined by fire etc. It is now the current seat of the Danish Parliament. We had to don plastic overshoes, what a good idea!
Although I've found an auto "hand held night scene" setting on my camera, which I can use where flash is prohibited, I'm not particularly impressed with the results so I took very few photos inside. This table was massive and is still used for state banquets.
And the chandelier was beautiful.
Absolutely not idea what these were all about, it certainly wasn't approaching Halloween!
Unfortunately there were no sentries on duty so Ian kindly stepped in for the photo.
From there we headed to the stables, but sadly the horses were on their summer holidays so we had to make to with cardboard cutouts - no quite the same, although we could still smell the horses!
I loved these pictures - the riders look so smug.
Having looked around the palace, stables and ruins (we didn't do the kitchens) we were quite tired and thirsty so stopped for a beer (Ian) and a cup of tea for me. I wish I was into “food photography” as I didn’t think to until after I’d consumed it. But it was so beautifully presented:
- Hot water
- Glass
- Tea in a lovely silky bag, in a box
- Slice of lemon
- Slice of lime
- Slice of orange
- Biscuit (Italian break your teeth job - gave it to Ian 😋)
- Jug of Milk - as requested
- Sugar
- Sweeteners
- Plus, interestingly, a glass of iced water
Ian’s half pint of beer was a bit strange, he’d asked for something not too strong and been recommended a local IPA but apparently it tasted like barley wine and was 6.5% abv. Still we had a well earned sit down and a respite from the rain.
We’d heard from various people that Copenhagen was expensive but nonetheless were astonished (aka horrified) to be presented with a bill for £12 - had I known before we left I would have sucked the lemon, lime and orange slices dry.
Somewhat fortified although lighter in pocket we headed along Magstrade which was supposed to look very pretty in the rain.
I must confess I was somewhat underwhelmed - probably the 3am start.