Denmark

Finding "Little Mermaid" was our Copenhagen adventure.

Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, is a combination of old and new Europe. "Little Mermaid" is the symbol of the city. It was installed in 1913 in Langelinie park and has been gracing Copenhagen's waters for many years. 

"Little Mermaid was a gift from the son of a local beer magnate. It was inspired by a fairy tale of Hans Christian Anderson about a mermaid who gives up everything to be united with a young, handsome prince on land."  Hans Christian Anderson is a Danish author and famous for his fairy tales.  I remember having read a few of his stories when I was a kid.

Eureka! We exclaimed with gladness. It was a long yet entertaining stroll from our hotel before we finally had a glimpse of the "Little Mermaid" sitting on a rock by the waterside. My excitement of seeing the mermaid was ticked off when I slipped on one of the rocks. It was obviously slippery because of the rain. No damage happened, and the experience was worth it. 

For those of you who have seen Little Mermaid, she has a look of sadness, perhaps due to the constant threat the mermaid has faced throughout the years. History says that "it has become a popular target by vandals and political activists. The mermaid's head was first stolen in 1914 by protestors. A new head was grafted onto the body, but the statue's arm was taken off in 1984. The next incident was the neck, then the whole statue was blown off. I feel so bad for her. Hopefully, people would leave her alone!

Danes say that if you are a nature lover, Denmark is for you. Denmark is all green in the summertime. Yes, it was a beautiful summer in Denmark.

Langelinie Park is a popular destination for excursions and strolls. It's a huge park with monuments, a harbor, a shopping outlet, and a pavilion. 

Further down the park is "Kastellet," a military fortification, and "Gefion Fountain," which is the largest monument in Copenhagen. Toss a coin and make a wish. Believe that your wish will come true!

Tivoli Gardens is the world's oldest theme park. Some people come to Copenhagen just to visit this park. I agree that theme parks are not just for kids, but they give the same enjoyment to adults. Most people who know me are aware that I am not a big fan of the theme park. I only go when my kids want to go.  I am sorry to say that those rides kill me. I don't get entertained; I feel nervous. A view from outside of the Tivoli Gardens was good enough. We saved our money for a good dinner instead. 

"Nyhavn" means New Harbour. It's a historic waterfront area next to a 17th-century canal where old wooden ships are docked. These brightly colored houses were built during the 17th and early 18th centuries. Hans Christian Anderson owned some houses here, and those houses are marked with a plaque. 

Like the Love Lock Bridge in Paris, they also have these padlocks on the railings. It must be a romantic thing to do. I suggest, bring a padlock when you travel, especially to Europe. Be prepared to lock that love with your love one.

"Hygge" is a cozy feeling that comes from settling down at a candlelit table with friends and good wine. Did we justify the word "hygge?" I  guess we did.

Nyhavn is also an entertainment district with bars, restaurants, and cafes. You have to experience a good meal and a good wine in a perfect setting like this. So we did. I love this cozy ambiance where they give you a small blanket to warm you up when it's cold. Just sit by the mini fireplace with a glass of wine. It's cozy and a romantic thing to do.  

"Stroget" is one of the largest pedestrian malls in the world. There are many independent shops here. And if you are looking for high-end shops, you'll find them here. You'll also find some attractions in this area. We met the tallest man in the world. His name is Robert Wadlow.

Copenhagen is one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world. Bikes are in every corner.  It is safe to bike, and you'll see many people on bikes without using a helmet. There are rental bikes on the street, as they encourage people to bike to keep pollution down. Being fit while you contribute to the welfare of mother nature is always a good thing. 

Have you heard about Danish pastry? It is that sweet pastry perfect for breakfast or snack and goes well with coffee (at least for me.) Did you know that this sweet bread didn't originate from Denmark? It was actually brought to Denmark by Austrian bakers. Who would have thought? Wherever and whoever created this Danish pastry, I am a fan.

Denmark is a small country, but they have many and famous castles to explore. 

One of the best castles in the Kronborg Castle, located in the town of Helsingor.  

If you study English literature in college (I did), you would remember that "Hamlet" is a favorite tragic story in English literature written by William Shakespeare. This Kronborg Castle is the setting of Hamlet. It is one of the most important Renaissance castles in Northern Europe and a World Heritage Site. We didn't have ample time to see Kronborg Castle. As I often say, there's a reason to come back.

Thanks to my friend and travel buddy, John, for sharing this fun yet rainy adventure in Copenhagen. It was a work trip for him, but it was a leisure trip for me. Not fair, but we had a good time.

Here in Denmark is where I started my "Scandinavian journey." I am now heading to another Scandinavian country.