Copenhagen Day Three: "To travel is to live"

Today is a Monday. Mondays in Denmark means lots of (government run) tourist hot spots are closed. So we hit up a lot of random spots, and still had a blast. 

Blu Planet, an aquarium, is one of the newest tourist additions to Copenhagen. Built about three years ago, it is a architectural sight to behold. Honestly though, seeing the building from the outside was the best part. 

 Even though the constant flowing of locals and tourists into the place told us otherwise, this place was small and short coming of our expectations. The most interesting thing inside was the school of fish that are in a cylindrical tank. They swam in a small circle over and over and over; there were the rogue few that rebelled. I gave them a virtual high-five, well high-fin.

 I do chuckle EVERY time I see the under side of a ray.

 The Aquarium experience that filled up 45 minutes of the expected three hours, left us walking around and just enjoying the sights. We stopped for lunch and this was our view. I love it! I think just looking at all the buildings has been my favorite part so far.

 We spent our afternoon at the Hans Christian Andersen Museum. Learning about H. C. (as the locals refer to him) is one of the things I looked forward to the most. This quote made me smile.

 The museum featured many of his fairy tales in three minute summaries with animated scenes.

"The Little Mermaid"

 "The Little Match Girl"

 "Thumbelina"

 Again, these buildings...amazing! This is City Hall. Don't ask what that goofy man is doing in the front!

 Another dose of H. C.

I sat on his knee and asked him to tell me another story, and he rudely turned his head. The nerve!

 What is a trip without a little aerospace. I know we are all shocked that Karl wanted to visit the Tycho Brahes Planetarium. Again, like the aquarium, the facade was the most intriguing part. At least we both appreciate a pretty building.

 I did wish our space loving Reese was with us since they had a scale representation of all the planets. See itty bitty Earth behind Jupiter? That was about it for displays.

 There is so much ingenious public art here. Here there were about five pieces for the kids (young and old) to climb on. Also, notice the cobblestones. This is what 95% of the sidewalks are like. So you are constantly walking on uneven surfaces. It has been interesting with the two pair of shoes I choose to pack.

 Another interesting thing about the city is there are as many bikers and car drivers. Every street corner looks like this. There are also bikes with cabins on the front so parents can tote multiple kids around or pile in groceries.

 Another date night... we were just playing around, our faces don't accurately display the great fun we are having!

Copenhagen Day Two

One of places on the top of our list to visit was Tivoli Gardens. It is Busch Gardens-esque. Beautiful scenery among side thrilling rides. 

 Tivoli has a Hans Christian Andersen themed ride. It takes you through scenes of his fairy tales.

 "The Brave Tin Solider" Notice the tin soldier, with one leg, looking onto the ballerina that he believes is one legged like him.

 "The Little Mermaid"

 "The Little Match Girl"

 "The Snow Queen"

 "The Princess and the Pea"

 Oh, I love the cleverness of this stair rail!

 From the Tivoli Gardens we walked the pedestrian street mall. We both enjoyed the Lego store. Just look at the mural on the wall!

 Next, we climbed to the top of the round tower. Even with tired feet it wasn't bad since it was a ramp instead of stairs. But, boy, was it windy at the top!

 One of the best parts of this trip is the many many 'dates' we get to have. It is nice to sit down to a meal with our #1 and have 'adult' conversations.

 On the same street that our hotel is on, is the building Hans Christian Andersen lived on. The plaque below the window states that (we think, need a translator).

 Lastly, I had to share our nightly dessert. A Waffle, with chocolate sauce and oreos...YUM! They make waffles way better here. Also, Danish danishes are way better than American danishes, shocker I know.

Copenhagen Day One

We are over in Europe celebrating ten lovely years of marriage. Yep, one decade down, only seven more to go. 

Karl was in Sweden for work. The following week lined up with Brady's spring break so we jumped at the opportunity to meet up in Denmark and enjoy out first european vacation together.

We found a lovely hotel right on the canal that immerses us right in the middle of the Danish culture.

 This is the view from our window. Breathtaking quite honestly.

 Our hotel is the brown brick building with the red shutters on the far right. It is located on the Nyhavn. Nyhavn is manmade canal, originally built for the Danish Navy. People love to buy a beer and sit on the canal's edge.

 Bikes are the main form of transportation. There are only a few parking spots for cars, but bike racks everywhere.

Our first day was only half day, so we decided to get to know the city with a canal boat tour. 

 The Nyhavn is a sight to behold especially from the water.

 There is a hobo town with a lot of character outside of Copenhagen. In the 1970s homeless people took over an unused military plot. The town has its own rules and (lack of) regulations. It is known for its drug induced happiness. Thus we will not be enjoying this bit of culture up close.

 Hans Christian Andersen spent most of his life here in Copenhagen. He is known for writing many popular fairy tales, especially The Little Mermaid. There is a statue that is visited non stop and has been there for one hundred years. Hopefully we will see the front of her later, but for now, her rear end it is.

 This is the Queen's winter residence. She lives in the building with five chimneys on the left. We also plan to visit this later this week.

 Spire of Our Savior's Church. 400 steps to the top... who knows if you will get more pictures of this ;)

 Copenhagen is in the middle of a several years long metro expansion. Instead of a boring run down construction wall, an artist installed this fun changeable wall. I showed my love to Karl and he added that we are 10 years strong.

And, I feel asleep at 6:30 the first night...hence the posting of pictures one day late. After red eyeing the night before, the sleep was welcomed.