Minus 10 Degree Trip

After being in Copenhagen for 5 days, it was time for me to continue my travels. Part of me really didn’t want to leave – I was far too comfy here. But I had to push on, even though I was well-and-truly over travelling at this point.
I booked an early flight out, so had to be at the airport at 6am. That meant catching the train at 4:45am!! So, I headed out the door in temperature of minus 10 degrees, bracing myself & focusing on the end target – the station. Marie had offered to walk with me - I thought she was really kind in a very crazy way & declined the offer.
It was only a 10 min walk, but I was a bit nervous walking through the dark streets at that hour. I received a nice text from Bec as I was walking which made me feel thought of & protected in a way. I made it safely & there were even a couple of other people at the station at this time - incredible!

Catch Up with Maria in Copenhagen

I also wanted to catch up with Maria while I was in Copenhagen, a friend I met on a bus trip from Oslo to Copenhagen some months back, as I probably wouldn’t get the chance again for a long time. So we set a time & place, & I took the train into the city.
We talked & talked all day (over coffee, cake, & lunch) until we realised it was getting quite late & I had to head back. But before I left, she bought me a reminder souvenir of my time in Copenhagen – a Little Mermaid magnet.
I got down on my knees to receive this most precious offering. Then we said our goodbyes at the train station. A lovely day out filled with laughs & good company!

Impromptu Sled Ride

When Marie & I were out on one of our forest walks one day, we came across some kids playing on their sleds on a hill. There was quite enough snow to get a good ride down the hill. I urged Marie to come take a look with me, then said I’d love to have a go at doing it. So, she asked a mother that was there if I could borrow a sled for a ride. The woman agreed. Like a big kid, I grabbed the sled & ran to the top of the hill. It looked a bit steeper from the top. Even though I was a wee bit nervous, I took off on the sled. I was going fast, so put my feet out to slow it down a bit, which resulted in me being covered by snow. It was sooooo much fun!!! Marie took a photo of me with her mobile.

Home Away From Home

As usual, it was lovely & relaxing staying with Marie & Mikael at their place in Espergaerde – a home away from home, not that I have anywhere I could call a home nowadays. Marie & I went for walks in the forest & chatted a lot. She’s so easy to be around – we must have known each other in a past life.

Back Up To Copenhagen

I’d booked a flight to Copenhagen so that I’d stay with friends (Marie & Mikael) during a time that I knew I’d be a bit down. And, besides, I really wanted to see them again before I headed back to Sydney as I may not see them again for a long time.
My arrival in Copenhagen after dark was cool (about minus 6 degrees) & crisp. Thankfully, I only had to catch one train that took me all the way through to Espaergarde. I got to Espaergarde station & was met by Marie – a sight for sore eyes - & we walked back to her house.

Copenhagen to Berlin by Bus/Ferry

I prepared myself for a really long bus ride. The bus was about half the price of a train journey, so it justified the rather cramped conditions you so often find when riding long distance buses.
The bus left from behind the central rail station at 8:30am. Thank goodness, I was able to sit by myself with nobody beside me. About 3 hours into the trip, we came to the ferry crossing. I had no idea it would take close to 2 hours for the crossing, & it was great to get out of the bus & have a walk around. Not much to do on the ferry though. Did get a chance to buy some mini Jaegermeister bottles & chocolate on board though!! Marie had packed a lunch for me, so I was well prepared & didn’t go hungry.
The countryside in both Denmark & in Germany was beautiful. Remarkable how many wind turbines both these countries have invested in, with them dotted all over the countryside.
We arrived at 3:30pm, & the bus terminal was in the middle of nowhere. Luckily I grabbed a person that could speak English & she showed me how to get a ticket for the Metro & which way my stop was. The Metro system in Berlin is fantastic & I got off right in front of my hotel.
I was surprised that my hotel room was so large, I could have fit a family of four in there.

Last Thoughts on Scandinavia

Here are a few final thoughts on the wonderful Scandinavia region & its peoples:
* Fairly similar cultures across the four nations - Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark
* They love their bikes - great bike riding paths all across Scandinavian cities.
* An absence of visible public toilets - you have to know where to go.
*Love those Swedish meatballs with brown sauce & loganberries - & you can get them nearly everywhere.
*Really good coffee!
*People are mostly open-minded, welcoming, friendly (when you get to talking), quite hip/cool (those under 45 anyway), nature-loving (watch them flee to their summer houses), & generally laid back.
*Really quite loyal to their country.
*There's not much crime here - the countries generally take good care of their citizens.
*Because of the high tax, alcohol is really expensive (think a min of AUD$15 per glass of wine).
*The natural environment is exquisite!

A Temporary Home with Marie & Mikael In Espergaerde

I was very lucky to be invited by a lovely couple, Marie & Mikael, to stay in their home for close to a week 40 mins north of Copenhagen in a town called Espergaerde.

It was so relaxing not having to rush about sightseeing, but being able to just unwind & catch up on all those little things you need to do to nourish your spirit, like eating chocolate, & cake, & lots of other yummy stuff too. I cooked some spinach & ricotta lasagne & chocolate mousse one eve - it was nice to be back in the kitchen cooking again (& I was barefoot too).

On the way to visit their son, Christoffer & his girlfriend Sheryl, one day they took me to Frederiksborg Castle for a look around the gardens, which was lovely. And we had a lovely cuppa at Christoffer's place while watching the Tour de France.

I got to catch up on all my little bits & pieces while here, & have even starting motivating myself to work in London, which I'm really looking forward to now.

Overall, I could not have wished for a more peaceful & relaxed stay. Thanks so much Marie & Mikael for your warm hospitaility!!!

The Little Mermaid - A Deeply Spiritual Experience

A woman I met on the bus from Oslo, Maria, met up with me for a lovely day in Copenhagen. Being a native, she was able to show me some of the sights around the city. But, most importantly, & possibly the reason why we met up in the first place (divine intervention), was our pilgrimage to see Copenhagen's most famous landmark, the Little Mermaid.

Over 75% of all tourists flock to see her each year. A statue of a mermaid that obviously holds a powerful spiritual energy that just draws people to her like bees to honey.

Maria & I held a ceremony while there, as well as dancing a jig (Maria did anyway), & buying a pin as memorabilia of the occasion. It was just wonderful! And I thank God, the Universe, or whatever I need to thank for sending Maria to me to fulfill this magical experience.

Around Copenhagen

Well, there is a clash of cultures here in Copenhagen right now. Five Metallica concerts & the international Gay Games are on at the same time.

Thankfully it's a fairly tolerant city...well, at least I thought so. A man standing in front of me in little leather shorts waiting to buy a train ticket told off a young straight couple that were simply cuddling each other (nothing over the top) while waiting. He said they should go f#!%$ each other at home. Gobsmacked, I gave him more than an earful, told him he should be ashamed of himself & get back to the dark ages. So, maybe they aren't all tolerant here.

Copenhagen is lovely, even though it's been very rainy here. I only spent 2 days in the city, & the other 5 days 40 mins north in Espergaerde with Marie & Mikael. It is so nice to have a solid base for a while.

But here are some pics of Copenhagen anyway...

Nightmare Hostel

I called Marie & Mikael who had invited me to stay with them when I arrived in Copenhagen, but unfortunately they were out of town until the next day. So I needed to find a place to lay my head for the eve.
I had a good experience staying in a hostel in Balestrand & so thought I might venture out & try another hostel in Copenhagen. After all, it's so much cheaper than staying even in a budget hotel.
So I checked in to a womens-only dorm the Danhostel Copenhagen Downtown for one night. It was a packed house, mostly young people here to party. At night I went to my room at about 11:15pm only to find that a woman had moved the gear I'd left on the bed & was now sleeping there. Hmmm....
So I went downstairs & had to swap rooms to a bed on another floor. Great! I ended up with a women in the dorm who snored like a chainsaw & kids running around after each other till 3 in the morning. Not a lot of sleep was had.

19th July - O/Night Bus to Copenhagen

After getting back from the fjords, I stopped off at Caffe Engel in Oslo again for a lovely bite to eat before preparing for my overnight bus trip to Copenhagen. It was the first time I'd caught a long distance bus in Europe & over 20 years since I'd been on an overnight bus trip. So, I was expecting not to get too much sleep.
I met a woman called Maria from Copenhagen on the bus & we had quite a few laughs & a good conversation. She filled me in on all the must see sights around Copenhagen, including the landmark 'Little Mermaid'. The trip ended at 6am in the morning & I had to hang out at the central rail station till 9am when the tourist info office was due to open.